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New Opportunities for Connecting WhatsApp Business App Users#

March 3, 2025

Connection for bussiness users

WhatsApp has introduced a new Cloud API sign-up setting that allows customer businesses to connect to the provider using their existing WhatsApp Business app account and phone number.

Businesses that connect this way will be able to use your app to send messages to their customers in bulk, while still being able to send messages individually using the WhatsApp Business app.

  1. General information
  2. Working principle
  3. Advantages of the solution
  4. Technical requirements
  5. What will change after connection
  6. Comparison with other solutions
  7. Conclusion

1. General information#

Previously, businesses looking to use the Cloud API for advanced messaging capabilities often had to create new accounts for their client companies, potentially losing their message history and breaking existing workflows. This new feature solves this problem.

The key to seamless integration is an improved onboarding process. Now, for phone numbers used in WhatsApp Business, client companies that have completed the onboarding process will be given the option to connect their existing WhatsApp Business app account to the Cloud API.

2. Working principle#

To register on the supplier's website, you can add the "Login with Facebook for Business" option, which is powered by the JavaScript SDK from Facebook. Once you have completed the required settings, you can add a link or button to your website that launches this process.

A detailed guide to the technical details and implementation of the connection can be found in the official documentation.

The connection process will be intuitive and convenient, it uses QR code technology for secure and simplified connection.

3. Advantages of the solution#

  • Simplified onboarding reduces the complexity and time associated with onboarding new users to the Cloud API

  • Allows businesses to retain their existing WhatsApp Business phone number

  • Message history synchronization

  • Allows businesses to leverage the scalability and advanced features of the Cloud API while still maintaining the ability to communicate one-on-one through the WhatsApp Business app

4. Technical requirements#

  • Business customers must be using WhatsApp Business app version 2.24.17 or higher

  • Business customer phone number country code must be supported. List of unsupported countries below

  • You must already be a Solution Partner or Technology Provider to offer this integration

  • Knowledge of WhatsApp Cloud API is required

  • Webhook implementation

  • Logging with session logging

Unsupported countries and regions#

WhatsApp Business account phone numbers with country codes from the following countries are not supported:

Australia, India, Japan, Nigeria, Philippines, Russia, South Korea, South Africa, Turkey.

WhatsApp Business account phone numbers with country codes from the following regions or kingdoms are not supported:

European Economic Area, European Union, United Kingdom.

Pricing#

It is important to note that once you connect to the Cloud API, messages sent through the WhatsApp Business app will remain free. However, conversations initiated through the API will be subject to WhatsApp's per-conversation pricing model. You should carefully consider your communications to optimize costs.

5. What will change after connection#

  • Basic one-to-one chats and contact management will remain and will be synced between the WhatsApp Business app and Cloud API

  • Advanced features such as disappearing messages, view-once messages, sharing your current location, mailing lists, voice and video calls, and business tools are not supported in Cloud API and will be disabled or become read-only in the WhatsApp Business app once enabled

  • Businesses should carefully assess how these feature changes will impact their communications strategy and plan accordingly

  • Staff should be trained on the updated features and all changes should be communicated to customers

6. Comparison with other solutions#

Despite all the attractiveness of direct connection, it is worth considering the question - is this always the optimal way?

Benefits of using other solutions#

  • Easier to set up and use, as Cloud API requires certain technical skills and programming experience. Third-party platforms often offer visual designers, ready-made integrations, and simplified APIs, which significantly speeds up the connection process and reduces the need for deep technical expertise. This is especially useful for small and medium businesses where resources are limited

  • More affordable pricing plans. While using the Cloud API directly provides direct access to WhatsApp, the pricing model may not always be the most cost-effective, especially for businesses with high messaging volumes. Third-party platforms often offer bundled pricing plans with better terms and packages optimized for different needs

  • Third-party solutions often come with pre-installed functionality that extends WhatsApp beyond the basic API functions. This may include:

    • Chatbots to automate answers to frequently asked questions and process basic customer requests

    • CRM integrations to synchronize customer data and automate sales and support processes

    • Analytics and reporting to track key performance indicators (KPIs) and optimize communication strategies

    • Unification of all communication channels (WhatsApp, email, social media) in one interface

  • Localization and support in the required language

  • Bypass restrictions. For users from some countries, access to Facebook and WhatsApp technologies may be difficult. Third-party solutions offer alternative ways to connect and bypass blocking, ensuring stable operation of the service

  • Technical support, documentation and training materials are provided, which significantly simplifies the implementation process, as well as solving emerging problems

  • Some platforms are task-oriented, such as marketing automation, customer support, or order acceptance. This allows businesses to choose the solution that best suits their needs

Disadvantages of using other solutions#

  • Dependence on the performance and pricing policy of the selected provider

  • If you need to switch to another platform or directly use the Cloud API, there may be a difficulty with data migration

  • Possibility of getting banned. To avoid this, read our article

7. Conclusion#

The new WhatsApp Business Cloud API registration setup is a powerful tool for scaling business communications. A proper understanding of the technical documentation will allow you to create an effective integrated solution. However, despite the benefits of a direct connection, it is worth considering the option of working with other solutions.

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