WhatsApp Business API in India: a plain guide

App versus API

• WhatsApp Business app. Free. One phone plus a few linked devices. Catalogue, quick replies, labels and small broadcast lists. Right for a shop or solo professional.
• WhatsApp Business API, also called the WhatsApp Business Platform. No app of its own. You use it through a provider's inbox or your own software. Many agents, automation, integrations and scale.

Who needs the API

• Teams where several people must reply from one number
• Businesses sending order, payment or appointment updates automatically
• Anyone who wants a chatbot to qualify leads
• Brands sending offers to thousands of opted-in customers
• Companies that want WhatsApp chats recorded in a CRM

What you need before applying

1. A Facebook account to create a Meta business portfolio
2. Legal business name and address
3. A document proving them: GST certificate, certificate of incorporation, Udyam registration or similar
4. A website or business email on your own domain helps verification
5. A phone number that can receive an SMS or call. It can be your existing number.
6. A display name that matches your brand

Steps

1. Create the business portfolio and add business details.
2. Submit business verification and wait for approval.
3. Choose how to access the API: directly through Meta's Cloud API or through a solution provider with a ready inbox.
4. Register the phone number and submit the display name.
5. Create message templates and submit them for approval.
6. Connect your website forms, CRM or store.
7. Collect opt-ins and start messaging.

What it costs

Meta charges for each template message delivered, with rates set by category: marketing, utility and authentication. Marketing messages cost the most. When a customer messages you first, you can reply freely for 24 hours, and utility templates sent inside that window are not charged. Rates for India are published on Meta's pricing page and are revised from time to time, so check the current card. A solution provider adds a monthly subscription and sometimes a markup per message.

Rules that protect your number

• Get clear opt-in before sending marketing messages.
• Use approved templates for business-initiated messages.
• Make it easy to stop messages.
• Watch your quality rating. Blocks and reports lower it and reduce how many people you can message per day.
• Never upload purchased phone lists.

Common setup problems

Verification rejected because the document name differs from the portfolio name, display name rejected for not matching the brand, and numbers still registered on the regular app. All are fixable.

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