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How to explain WhatsApp cloud API? Is it different from regular API? Why implement WhatsApp cloud API? Well, a lot of questions and answers are only waiting! Why worry when we are here to notify you of everything regarding WhatsApp Cloud API? 

Meta has launched the opening of WhatsApp for every business around the world with the launch of WhatsApp cloud API. Businesses would be able to create and customize their experiences effectively via WhatsApp cloud API. 

Earlier businesses were required to access WhatsApp Business API, but WhatsApp Cloud API gives immediate approval for Cloud API accounts directly from Facebook at no cost. 

Let’s navigate through more details to know the relevant WhatsApp Cloud API. 

What is WhatsApp Cloud API?

Introducing Whatsapp Cloud API is an extended version of WhatsApp Business API. Still, what’s the key difference? Let me guide you through!

Meta has announced the cloud API directly, enabling companies to access it at no cost without requiring complex setup or third-party hosting. WhatsApp Business API has gone through various setbacks, like industries have to first connect with a Business Solution Provider. 

Even applying for the API was so time-consuming, and not many businesses can bear the high charges that BSPs offer. To solve this problem, WhatsApp Cloud API comes to the rescue. The feature is much more cost-effective than WhatsApp API and simple to access for even small industries. 

Businesses can profit following things from WhatsApp cloud API:

  1. Make their business on top of WhatsApp
  2. Have better engagement with their consumers
  3. Easily access provided benefits

The solution Cloud-based API allows industries to engage their WhatsApp business accounts effortlessly with their software and workflows. Similar to its service, Cloud API enables the same message type to manage effective conversations with its clients while experiencing a streamlined integration process.

How Does WhatsApp Cloud API Work?

For businesses, Meta acts as a hosting service similar to other companies. It takes responsibility for the storage, computation, networking, maintenance, and other charges relevant to WhatsApp Cloud API. 

Businesses can send and receive about 80 messages per second to multiple phones using the WhatsApp cloud API service. You can also register more than one phone number on the Cloud API with this service.

The Cloud API also takes care of scaling problems if you have them. It readily handles your task. Additionally, security updates will be automatically available via the Cloud API.

Two significant changes have occurred since Facebook made the WhatsApp cloud API available to companies. It is, on the one hand, how your request to use the WhatsApp Business API is handled. However, the entire procedure is now quicker and easier for firms to access. 

What Makes Apart WhatsApp Cloud API from WhatsApp Business API?

There are some points that differentiate WhatsApp Cloud API from WhatsApp Business API:

Hosting charges: Business Solution Providers charge the hosting fee for WhatsApp Business API, which does not have to host charges with WhatsApp Cloud API. Facebook will take care of the costs and provide access.

Quick access: Facebook offers direct access to WhatsApp Cloud API in a few moments. In WhatsApp Business API, the Business solution provider works as a bridge to get approval for API.

No maintenance and upgrade costs: Facebook will manage the charges for maintenance and upgradation for WhatsApp Cloud API but for WhatsApp Business API, it has rolled out manual updates.

Direct approval from Meta: Facebook offers direct approval for WhatsApp Cloud API. Business solution provider gives access to on-premise WhatsApp Business API.

Apart from these, we can’t say much distinction between these two APIs. Now, let’s go see how to get Cloud API from Meta. 

Steps to Access WhatsApp Cloud API

1st Step: Log in to Facebook developer account

With the help of these steps, businesses can apply for WhatsApp Cloud API by visiting developers.facebook.com and logging in to Facebook account credentials. 

Get to the option ‘Create App’ and tap on it.

Everything about WhatsApp cloud API

2nd Step: Choose an App type like pick ‘Business’ as app type.

Everything about WhatsApp cloud API

3rd Step: Add basic details

Give the details of the business. According to a screenshot, the introduction of Cloud API no longer required a verified Facebook Business Manager account. Hence plus side, we advise you to verify your Facebook manager account.

Then, pick ‘No Business Manager Account Selected’ and tap ‘Create App.’

Everything about WhatsApp cloud API

4th Step: Set up WhatsApp from the Dashboard

Now after login into Meta Dashboard, scroll down to ‘WhatsApp section’ and click ‘Set up.’

Everything about WhatsApp cloud API

5th Step: Accept the WhatsApp Business Platform condition by clicking the ‘Continue’ button to move ahead.

Everything about WhatsApp cloud API

6th Step: Send a text message to an active Whatsapp number. In the screenshot, you can see a unique phone number and WhatsApp account ID. From is ‘Business test number’ and to is the customer number to send a message.

Everything about WhatsApp cloud API

7th Step: Enter the verification code received from Facebook Business to complete the activation process.

Everything about WhatsApp cloud API

8th Step: Send the first WhatsApp message from WhatsApp cloud API. 

Create a WhatsApp product catalog

9th Step: The message will look like this.

Create a WhatsApp product catalog

Pricing of WhatsApp Cloud API

The biggest lie that can be seen on the internet is that the WhatsApp cloud API is free. But let me tell you, only achieving access to WhatsApp Cloud API is free. Using it for business, required changes to access conversations along with tools like Getgabs.

You have to pay for:

1. User-initiated communications

While a user receives a message from a business within a 24-hour session window, it’s the message User-initiated Conversation. And the charges for this conversation are 0.35/conversation in India.

2. business-initiated conversation

While a business starts the communication after a 24-hour session window or as the first message, including a template message, such a message is a business-initiated conversation. And it costs BIC 0.55/conversation in India.

Features of WhatsApp Cloud API

WhatsApp Cloud API comes with several features that will be most helpful for business users.

1. Bulk WhatsApp messages

Interacting with potential customers through multiple capabilities, such as bulk WhatsApp messaging. Include it in the business to send promotional messages, product launches, and discount deals to leverage conversion rates.

2. Automation

WhatsApp automation by WhatsApp marketing is effectively utilized to reach the target audience. Enhance it to send automated notifications for order and delivery updates, reminders, payments, etc. 

3. WhatsApp chatbots

Incorporate Whatsapp chatbots to respond to customer queries, FAQs, and complete sales. Always available 24/7 and strengthen relationships with them.

4. Centralized messaging account

All Whatsapp messages are managed at the centered place. Link with many customers via a single contact number.

5. Integration features

Integrate WhatsApp Business API with your business software and CRMs or other tools for simplified operations and seamless data transfer.

6. Dedicated support

Multi-agent ability used to enhance customer engagement and satisfaction. Effectively handle customer support, foster conversions, and see your business grow.

Pros & Cons of WhatsApp Cloud API for Businesses

Considering that WhatsApp cloud API is a perfect fit for your business, it’s essential to know the pros and cons of it. At the same time, it has many benefits, like scalability, cost-effectiveness, and robust performance. But along with it, face some challenges, especially for industries without technical support. 

Here we list them:

Pros

Feature Benefit
Cost-effective Having this helpful feature lowers setup, hosting, and maintenance charges. Consider few businesses have seen over 90% deduction in infrastructure prices by utilizing the Cloud API.
Highly scalable Enabling up to 1,000 messages per second, making it right for controlling large-scale conversations, requires efficiency.
Reliable Offers 99.9% uptime and fast response times. Assures reliable and smooth engagement.
Always up-to-date Updates to WhatsApp roll out automatically. Upgradation of anything manually is not required.
Local storage options Delivers flexibility to control where message data is stored at rest. It helps businesses meet detailed compliance or operational demands.
Secure and certified Presents top-tier security with GDPR and LGPD compliance, SOC2, and SOC3 certifications.
Ease of setup and maintenance Meta hosts WhatsApp Cloud API directly by Meta, facilitating the setup and maintenance procedure.
Scalability Remove the requirement for server management or updates which is required on WhatsApp Business API, and easily scale business growth.
Support Meta benefits the WhatsApp Cloud API users.

Cons

Feature Challenge
Data hosting concerns Hosting Data in North America does not rely on the laws of some regions, driving a few businesses to use local hosting possibilities of WhatsApp Business API. 
No built-in platform Meta does not offer a ready-to-use tool for accessing the Cloud API. Businesses must adhere to or integrate third-party tools.
Not ideal for non-technical users Businesses lacking technical expertise or developer resources may suffer problems in setting up and using the API directly.

How WhatsApp Cloud API Will Affect Businesses Already Using WhatsApp Business API?

WhatsApp Cloud API doesn’t alter anything for you if you already have an authorized WhatsApp Business API account! If you already have a WhatsApp Business API account, switching to the WhatsApp Cloud API won’t have much of an impact.

Businesses worldwide can now more easily utilize the WhatsApp Business API thanks to the WhatsApp Cloud API.

Nothing changes if you’re already using the WhatsApp Business API with a Getgabs-like platform! All of the functionality stated in the WhatsApp Business API is still available on Getgabs, a single platform. 

How WhatsApp Cloud API Will Help New People to Apply?

There’s good news if you’re new to the WhatsApp Business API and want to have your account approved.

With WhatsApp Cloud API, you may get your account approved for free in a matter of minutes!

Previously, you needed an approved Facebook Business Manager account in order to apply for the WhatsApp Business API. You can now apply for and receive approval for the WhatsApp API without requiring approval from your Facebook Business Manager account.

However, without Facebook Business Verification, your access to the WhatsApp API will be restricted, so we advise getting your Facebook Business Manager verified as well.

WhatsApp Cloud API Limitations

There are many more advantages of using WhatsApp Cloud API as far as its disadvantages. Still, there are a few limitations to using WhatsApp Cloud API. 

The initial constraint is the lack of a dedicated Facebook platform for using WhatsApp Cloud API. To leverage its full potential, integration with platforms like Getgabs is important. 

Another limitation is relevant to the use of the same WhatsApp number for both on-premise WhatsApp business API and Cloud WhatsApp API. However, flexibility comes with transferring your number from on-premise to the cloud API. You can add a phone number for either on-premise or WhatsApp Cloud API.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Is WhatsApp Cloud API available at no cost?

A. Yes, Whatsapp Cloud API integration is free to set up. Industries have to pay for only messages shared with clients as per WhatsApp’s conversation-based pricing model. The first 1000 conversations are free every month.

Q2. How to migrate WhatsApp Business app to WhatsApp cloud API?

A. Businesses can migrate from WhatsApp business app to WhatsApp cloud API. It can be creating an API account and deleting a business account. The contact number may then link with the Cloud API account, but remember, history would not be migrated.

Q3. Will on-premise API features be available on Cloud API?

A. Yes, soon Meta will offer every key on-premise WhatsApp API features in Cloud API by exploring new features & monthly upgrades automatically.

Q4. Which is best: on-premise or WhatsApp Cloud API?

A. On-premise WhatsApp API is a better option than Cloud API as you may complete support from WhatsApp partners for onboarding, and queries and to use WhatsApp API. Meta just gives access to Cloud API. It does not offer a medium to use APIs and support given by email.

Q5. How to get access to WhatsApp Cloud API?

A. Register via Meta’s WhatsApp Business API page or partner providers such as Getgabs, then navigate to the setup instructions for API integration.

Conclusion

WhatsApp Cloud API, as compared to other on-premise WhatsApp Business API, provides easy-to-use, reliable, and cost-effective practices. It’s the ideal solution for the sales team looking to connect prospects and quality leads and close it efficiently. The solution offers features like message templates, CRM integration and automation tools, and WhatsApp Cloud API streamlines WhatsApp sales, and customer support.

Hence, companies without technical knowledge and those who need user interfaces will collaborate with a partner or invest in custom development. You can consider if the Cloud API matches business requirements by knowing its features, pros, and cons.