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WhatsApp Cloud API (A Complete Guide)

whatsapp cloud api meaning

An excellent article to help you understand everything that you need to know about WhatsApp Cloud API. A complete guide from Chat360.

Earlier, businesses invested in business service providers to receive their API. But now, businesses worldwide are customizing their experiences with Whatsapp Cloud API. The process is an instant and very easy approval process making it suitable for businesses to implement and use. (Please refrain from the use of work “Free”)

Whatsapp Cloud API minimized the efforts of businesses to a huge extent. But it came with a bunch of questions that/ we will address today.

What is Whatsapp Business API?

Application Programming Interface or API assists two software programs in communicating with each other easily. The information taken from one software is conveyed to the other.

Meta launched Whatsapp Business API back in 2018. It assists businesses in communicating with customers through unlimited messages. This tailored option helped businesses improve customer engagement to a great extent.

What Is Whatsapp Cloud API?

Whatsapp restricted direct access to Whatsapp Business API before introducing Whatsapp Cloud API, and businesses had to stroll through numerous solution providers to get access. But now, they can get their WhatsApp Business API accounts directly verified by Facebook.

Whatsapp Cloud API is the cloud version of Meta’s WhatsApp Business API. All businesses worldwide can seamlessly get started with Whatsapp Business, which eliminated the lengthy process involved in accessing Whatsapp Business API.

A secure cloud-hosted API assists businesses in easily accessing and customizing Whatsapp APIs based on their preferences. It ensures small and medium-sized businesses can improve their customer experience without the hassle. Lastly, it comes off as a cost-effective method for businesses.

WhatsApp Business On-Premise API Vs. Cloud API?

Businesses searching for an API have two options:

  • On-Premise API- hosted by business service providers
  • Cloud API hosted by Meta

You can learn the complete difference here: WhatsApp cloud API vs WhatsApp on-premise API

Features Of Whatsapp Business API

Access

Whatsapp Business APIs require business solution providers to get access. On the flip side, you can easily access Cloud API from Meta for free.

Cost

Businesses don’t incur the costs associated with hosting & maintaining Cloud API. Its strong preference revolves around the cost-effective nature suitable for small to medium-scale businesses.

Complexity

Businesses don’t have to go through the lengthy process of acquiring Whatsapp Business API after finding a relevant partner. The complex procedure ceases to exist once you switch to cloud API.

Security

Messages in the Cloud API are protected through Single Protocol Encryption. Cloud APIs are great for small and medium-sized businesses. But on-premise is generally preferred for enterprise businesses. For instance, companies in the fintech sector require utmost security for their messages.

Features Of Whatsapp Cloud API

Let’s look at some interesting features of this API:

  • Easy integration with your CRM, analytic tools, or other third-party apps
  • Enjoy the benefits of a green badged verified Whatsapp Business profile
  • Bulk messaging and Whatsapp Broadcasting
  • Run Whatsapp chatbot using third-party apps
  • Large-scale Whatsapp message scheduling ensures fluent communication
  • Interactive messaging features like CTA messages improve the overall experience

Related: Check out WhatsApp Chatbot Features

Why Do You Need Whatsapp Cloud API?

  • Receive a super-quick approval for Whatsapp business API from Facebook. Escape the hassle of creating a Facebook Manager Account.
  • It is cost-effective compared to third-party partner platforms. However, you will need further investment in acquiring a platform to initiate conversations.
  • Meta will act as a hosting service and take responsibility for maintenance, computation, storage, network, etc.

Major Limitations Of Whatsapp Cloud API

Facebook doesn’t provide complete access to the platform required for effective communication. It doesn’t provide any platform to access Whatsapp cloud API. You need to integrate your API with a platform like Chat360 to communicate with your audience.

Another major limitation is that you cannot use the same WhatsApp number for on-premise WhatsApp Business API & cloud WhatsApp API. The transfer from one preference to the other is possible. Yet, you cannot use them simultaneously.

Pro Tip: respond within the 24-hour timeframe for efficient customer support and minimal cost. Use a reliable chatbot builder to create chatbots for quick responses.

Getting Started With Whatsapp Cloud API

Anyone can get started with Whatsapp Cloud API whether they have an approved Facebook Business Manager account or not. Be prepared with an active Facebook and Whatsapp account. Let’s now look at the steps required to get started with WA Cloud API.

1. Open Facebook Developers Page and register as a Meta Developer

2. Click on Create First App

Facebook Api

3. Select Business from the available app types

Business Api

4. Insert your Display name and work email id. Leave it blank if you don’t have an approved Facebook Business Manager account

Create Business Api

5. Fill in the information and click on Create App.

6. Next, click on Whatsapp from the presented integrations to link your Whatsapp account.

Api

7. Select continue on the presented screen to create your Business account

8. Claim the temporary token access that expires in 23 hours. You will receive a test phone number to send messages to up to 5 people.

Whatsapp Business Account

9. Next, create and send a sample Whatsapp template message. Either you can use a pre-approved template or create a personalized one for your business.

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10. The recipient will receive your message.

What’s The Pricing Structure Of Whatsapp Cloud API?

Cloud API is free to access for users. But sending Whatsapp messages through cloud API follows conversation-based pricing. On 1st February 2022, they switched from a template charge to a complete conversation model. There are two different scenarios in this case:

  • User-initiated conversation or the type of conversation where a user sends in a query to the business. It’s considered a user-initiated conversation when the business successfully responds in a 24-hour timeframe.
  • Business-initiated conversations or the conversations where businesses send in relevant information to the customers.

The pricing varies based on who initiated the conversation. Whatsapp introduced this model to ensure users are free from frequent notifications. Furthermore, it promoted the idea of keeping Whatsapp a two-way communication channel for successfully resolving queries.

Resourceful guide: WhatsApp Chatbot Pricing in 2023

How to integrate the chatbot with your WhatsApp account

  • Signup for the chat360 account
  • Create your WhatsApp bot
  • Deploy it on your WhatsApp business number

Suggested read:

How to Integrate Chatbot with WhatsApp?

How to create WhatsApp Bot?

WA API FAQs

1. Can Businesses Switch To Whatsapp Cloud API?

Yes, businesses with existing Whatsapp Business API can switch to cloud API. But the reason behind preferring cloud API is acquiring API without any hassle. It wouldn’t mean anything if you switch from your existing choice.

2. How is Whatsapp Cloud API useful for new users?

Cloud API assists new users in successfully getting their accounts approved. The account approval takes a few minutes and is completely free. Also, ditch the earlier process of having mandatory FB Business Manager Account approval using the cloud API.

3. Can I get access to Whatsapp Cloud API for free?

You can acquire access directly from Facebook. Accessing Cloud API is free, yet you need a platform to communicate with your audience. Therefore, you need to invest in a Whatsapp partner to make the most of it.

4. What is the conversation model of pricing?

There are two types of conversations- user-initiated and business initiated. User-initiated conversations are the queries sent in by the users and responded to within a 24-hour timeframe. Business-initiated conversations are the notifications sent by businesses. User-initiated conversations are charged less as Meta aims at helping users resolve their queries quickly and reduce spam messages from businesses.

5. What’s the major difference between Whatsapp On-Premise API and Cloud API?

On-premise APIs need to be accessed through business service providers. On the other hand, you can get free access to Cloud API from Meta.

6. What are the most useful features of Cloud API?

Some useful features of Cloud API include integration with CRM and third-party apps, broadcasting, scheduling messages at a large scale, chat automation using different platforms, and other interactive messaging features.

7. What’s the 24-hour time frame in Whatsapp Cloud API?

Meta recently launched the conversation-based pricing model. Let’s say a user reached out to you with a query via Whatsapp. It’s considered a user-initiated conversation if you reply within 24 hours. If not, it comes under business-initiated conversation. The price for user-initiated conversations is comparatively less and cost-effective for businesses.

Conclusion

With this Whatsapp API, you will enjoy seamless communication with your target audience. After going through the blog, your business needs a cost-effective and quick way of accessing an API that can be provided by Chat360.

Further, read:

How to add bot in WhatsApp group?

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