TUTORIAL
Integration guide
forthe WhatsApp Business API
Create a WhatsApp Business account in 5 steps with smsmode©
Follow our step-by-step guide and start using the features of WhatsApp Business via our smsmode© platform right away.
For general information about the WhatsApp Business API, please see the WhatsApp Business product sheet HERE.
STEP 1
GET IN TOUCH WITH SMSMODE©
Before you start using WhatsApp Business, please contact our team and we will be happy to guide you . As with any official program, different accesses and validations are required in order to start using WhatsApp Business services. We will initiate this validation process together.
Furthermore, you will choose with our expert the smsmode© subscription that best suits your needs.
Contact smsmode©
STEP 2
GET A FACEBOOK ID
A Facebook Id corresponds to a Facebook Business account. This account will allow you to access and manage WhatsApp Business messaging functionality.
Please note that for this first step you will need to enter a valid company phone number.
Please note: you cannot use a number that has already been associated with a WhatsApp account, or even tested by WhatsApp. If you do, we can offer you one via our virtual number rental service.
The procedure for creating a Facebook Business account is described step by step.
Create your Facebook Business account
Once created, your Facebook Business must be approved by Facebook. This validation can take at least 1 week.
You will receive the validation notification directly on the Facebook Business Manager dashboard of your account.
STEP 3
FILL IN YOUR COMPANY PROFILE
Once your account has been created, you must fill in your company profile. Thus, you must fill in the following information:
- Company name: This name will be visible to the end user.
Please note: you will not be able to change it later.
Consult the company name guidelines - About: This text is displayed on your WhatsApp profile and must be a maximum of 139 characters.
- Description of the company: This text must contain a maximum of 256 characters.
- Address: This field should contain the street name, number, postcode, city and state, with a maximum of 256 characters.
- Brand image URL: The image, hosted on your own server or an online hosting service, must be in "square" form (otherwise it will be automatically truncated by WhatsApp), must have a recommended size of 500px x 500px or 640px x 640px and a maximum size of 5 MB.
To do this, go to the dedicated page of your dashboard by clicking on "Business Settings", then on "Business Info", and finally below your company name is your "Business Manager ID".
STEP 4
LINK THE WHATSAPP BUSINESS SMSMODE© API WITH YOUR CLIENT SOLUTION
In order to link the WhatsApp smsmode© API to your client solution, several elements are required:
1. An API key
Our team provides you with an API key which you must then use in your request.
2. The implementation elements
Our team provides you with :
- WhatsApp API documentation,
- NodeJs, PHP, Java, Python, C sharp, Ruby, Scala and C++ code examples,
- a "Postman collection" file: This Postman test tool allows you to use the WhatsApp Business API using the examples provided in this Postman collection file.
These elements allow you to implement WhatsApp Business messaging in your client solution.
3. Webhook URLs
In order for you to receive the received WhatsApp messages and notifications on your client solution, you need to send us the webhook URLs (callback URLs) that we set up in your smsmode© API account.
Once all this has been done, you can carry out a test phase before going into production.
STEP 5
PUT THE WHATSAPP BUSINESS ACCOUNT INTO PRODUCTION
This is an important step where the whole Facebook Business account creation process is approved and your WhatsApp Business account is fully operational.
To do this, an OTP SMS is sent to the number associated with your account to validate the number that has been provided.
The 6-digit code must be sent to your smsmode© account manager as soon as possible. We validate the portability of the phone and certify the complete creation of the WhatsApp account. This validation must be done within 24 hours.
CONGRATULATIONS, YOUR ACCOUNT IS CREATED!
Once everything is installed and approved, it's time to start the conversation with your customers!
PARTICULARITY OF THE COMMUNICATION
BASED ON TEMPLATE MESSAGES
HAVING TEMPLATES VALIDATED
If you choose to communicate based on template messages (i.e. a conversation with your users initiated by yourself), each template must be pre-approved by WhatsApp .
To have your model validated, you must contact your smsmode© account manager and send him/her by email, according to the model provided by him/her, the content of this model to be submitted to Facebook services.
Validation of a model can take a minimum of 1 week.
CUSTOMER RELATIONS DEPARTMENT
INNOVATION IN CUSTOMER COMMUNICATIONS WITH WHATSAPP
A COMMUNICATION
INSTANTANEOUS
Mobile instant messaging is a service widely used by retail customers. WhatsApp messages is on its way to become a powerful customer relationship tool for businesses. Viewed as an economical alternative, these messages facilitate exchanges with customers and provide an efficient communication tool to engage customers or prospects via a secure and private chat.
FEATURES
FOCUSED ON NOTIFICATION
The cross-platform chat application becomes an excellent communication solution to add to your toolbox. As with emailing or SMSing, acknowledgements of receipt and readings are provided in real time and give you essential information about the delivery of WhatsApp messages.
SEND SMS EVERYWHERE
IN THE WORLD
Sending WhatsApp messages has a wide compatibility. The application is available on Android, MacOS, IOS, BlackBerry, Windows Phone and Symbian platform. Its allows you to connect to more than 1.5 billion users worldwide. There is a lot of power in this application that offers a competitive advantage to the companies.
Need more info?
Do not hesitate to contact us.