Summary:
Use this quick WhatsApp Business API checklist to go live without guesswork—requirements, approvals, templates, and a fast no-code build path using Landbot.
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If you’re new to building on WhatsApp, start with the foundation: WhatsApp Chatbot No Code: 15-Minute Landbot Tutorial and WhatsApp Chatbot Templates.
WhatsApp Business API Checklist (10 steps)
- Define your use-cases & KPIs
Lead capture, pricing FAQs, bookings, support deflection, NPS. Decide success metrics (form submits, bookings, agent hand-offs, CSAT). - Business prerequisites
- Legal business name & website with Privacy Policy
- Logo, brand display name (matches brand/site)
- Company contact (support email/URL)
- Meta Business presence
Create/confirm Meta Business (Facebook) account and start verification (govt. docs may be needed, e.g., registration cert, utility bill). Keep details consistent with your site. - Choose an official provider
Pick a WhatsApp Business provider (BSP). Landbot works with the official WhatsApp Business API; you’ll build flows in Landbot and connect through an approved provider. - Phone number & display name
- Dedicated number (not currently tied to a personal WhatsApp)
- Brand-consistent Display Name; matches your site and business docs
- Compliance & opt-in
- Get user opt-in before messaging (forms, website checkbox, in-chat consent)
- Store where/how consent was collected
- Provide an easy opt-out (“Stop”)
- Message templates (for business-initiated)
Prepare templates for notifications like reminders, booking confirmations, or order updates. Keep copy clear, compliant, and add variables where needed. - Data & integrations
Decide what to store and where: Google Sheets or CRM (HubSpot, etc.). Map variables:@name,@email,@use_case,@order_id. - Build your bot (no code)
In Landbot: welcome + quick replies (Pricing/Demo/Support), mini form, Human Takeover rules, and the integrations you planned. - Test → submit → go live
Test end-to-end using a WhatsApp Test environment, then complete provider onboarding to go live. Monitor analytics, delivery rates, and quality.
What you need before you apply (documents & details)
- Registered business name & address
- Website URL with Privacy Policy and Contact page
- Brand logo & Display Name you’ll use in WhatsApp
- Company email (support@yourdomain)
- (If requested) registration/incorporation document or utility bill
Message templates: quick best practices
- Keep templates concise and useful (booking, reminders, order status).
- Use variables for personalization (e.g., name, date, order ID).
- Provide support contact or quick replies for next steps.
- Avoid aggressive promotional tone in non-marketing categories.
- Add a clear opt-out instruction when appropriate.
Build, integrate, and test (fast track with Landbot)
- Create a WhatsApp bot in Landbot (start with the WhatsApp Test space).
- Drag-and-drop: buttons for intent, a mini form for contact, and confirmation steps.
- Human Takeover: set rules for VIP keywords or “agent”.
- Integrations: connect Google Sheets/HubSpot to store and fetch data.
- Analytics: mark goals (form submitted, booking link clicked, agent hand-off).
Try Landbot free — no code:
For ready flows, see: WhatsApp Chatbot Templates.
Costs & delivery (high-level overview)
- Providers bill based on conversation windows (user-initiated vs business-initiated).
- Message quality and template approval can affect deliverability and pricing tiering with providers.
- Pricing and categories can change—confirm with your chosen provider before launch.
WhatsApp Business API monitoring & QA
- Track Started, Completed, Agent hand-off, and downstream conversions.
- Watch template approvals, quality rating, and opt-out rates.
- Review drop-offs weekly; tighten copy and route complex cases to agents faster.
- Keep your opt-in records and respect user preferences.
WhatsApp Business API FAQs
You can prototype in a WhatsApp Test environment. For production messaging at scale, you’ll go through an approved provider.
Yes—Landbot lets you design flows visually and add integrations without coding.
Varies by provider and verification status. Have your business docs ready to speed it up.
Lead Capture and Support FAQ. Then add Booking or Order Status based on your goals.