How to Apply for WhatsApp Business API with SendWo

The WhatsApp Business API is the key for businesses to tap into the vast audience with advanced features like unlimited broadcasting, chat automation, multi-user access, and integration with CRM or e-commerce systems.

This guide explains the WhatsApp Business API, the prerequisites you need before applying, and step-by-step instructions on how to apply for and set up the API on SendWo. We’ll streamline the application using SendWo, a Meta-verified WhatsApp Business Solution Provider, to send your first WhatsApp campaign and engage your customers on a whole new level. 

Let’s get started!

What is WhatsApp Business API?

WhatsApp Business API is a powerful tool provided by Meta (Facebook) that allows medium and large businesses to communicate with their customers at scale. Unlike the free WhatsApp Business App (designed for small businesses and one-on-one chats), the API isn’t a standalone app – it’s an interface that lets you integrate WhatsApp’s messaging capabilities into your business systems or connect via third-party platforms. 

Let us quickly delve into its key features and benefits:

• Scalable Messaging: Reach unlimited opted-in users, no 256 limit.
  
• Multi-User Access: One number, many team members, shared inbox.
  
• Automation & Chatbots: 24/7 replies with bots and workflows.
  
• Integrations: Plug into CRM, e-commerce, or ERP seamlessly.
  
• Rich Messaging: Buttons, catalogs, and in-chat shopping.
  
• High Engagement: ~98% opens, 45–60% CTR.
  
• Secure & Trusted: Encrypted, verified, green-tick eligible.

Prerequisites to Apply for WhatsApp Business API

Before diving into the application process, ensure you meet the prerequisites to make WhatsApp API onboarding smoother, which will increase your chances of approval:

1. Facebook Business Manager Account

You must have an active Facebook Business Manager (Meta Business Suite) account for your company. WhatsApp API is only available to businesses with a Facebook Business presence, and the API setup is done through the Business Manager. If you don’t have one, go to business.facebook.com and create a Business Account first. 

Only registered businesses can use the API, since the setup must be done through a verified Business Manager.

2. Registered Business (Legal Entity) 

Ensure your business is officially registered and that you have documentation, such as an incorporation certificate or business license. During the process, Meta will verify your business with these official documents. 

Only legal, registered entities are eligible for the WhatsApp API.

3. Official Business Website

A professional website is mandatory for WhatsApp API approval. 

Make sure your website is live, up-to-date, and clearly represents your business (including your official business name in the footer). Meta will check that your site has required pages like Privacy Policy and Terms of Service that comply with WhatsApp’s policies during Facebook Business verification.

Your website should be HTTPS secured. Also, make sure to have your registered business name mentioned on your website footer or on the policy pages of your website.

Tip: Having a company email address (e.g., info@yourcompany.com) matching your domain can also be useful for credibility.

4. Dedicated Phone Number

The next mandatory prerequisite is an active phone number that will be linked to your WhatsApp Business API account. 

Quick Tip: This number must not already be registered on WhatsApp (neither the consumer app nor the WhatsApp Business app). If it is currently in use on WhatsApp, you’ll have to permanently delete that account first (simply removing the app isn’t enough – the WhatsApp account associated with the number must be deleted). 

Choose a number that can receive SMS or voice calls for verification. 

WhatsApp coexistence is a feature that you can use with sendwo. We have launched this solution in collaboration with Meta, which allows you to link your WhatsApp Business App number to the WhatsApp API without deleting your existing number.

Read about WhatsApp coexistence here.

Note: Once connected to the API, this number can no longer be used in the WhatsApp mobile app.

5. Valid Business Email

Provide a working email address for your business (ideally an official company email). This is used for Business Manager account setup and communication. Meta may send you notifications about your WhatsApp account or verification status via email. 

6. Compliance with WhatsApp Policies

Your business and use case must comply with the WhatsApp Business Policy and Commerce Policy. Forbidden content (like illicit drugs, adult content, real-money gambling without prior approval, tobacco, firearms, etc.) will lead to rejection of your WhatsApp API application. Ensure you only plan to send messages that adhere to WhatsApp guidelines. 

Also, set up clear user opt-in and opt-out processes for messaging to avoid any spam issues. 

Essentially, your business should be in the “allowed” categories and follow all rules in order to be approved.

Now, with prerequisites checked off, let’s move on to the step-by-step process of applying for the WhatsApp Business API.

Steps to Apply for WhatsApp Business API

1. Log in to Facebook Business Manager

Go to business.facebook.com (Meta Business Suite) and log in with the Facebook account that administers your business. If you haven’t created a Business Manager account yet, click “Create Business” and set up your business profile by entering your business name, your name, and your business email. 

This Business Manager (also known as Business Portfolio) will hold your WhatsApp assets.

2. Create a Business Portfolio

• If your Business Manager is brand new, ensure you have a Business Account created within it (Meta may prompt this automatically in the step above). 
• Essentially, you need a Business Manager ID set up for your company. 

Take note of your Business Manager ID, as it will be associated with your WhatsApp API account. (If you already have a Business Manager account, you can use the existing one.)

3. Enter Business Info in Business Manager

Navigate to the Business Info section in your Business Manager settings and fill in all the details about your business. Make sure to input:

• Legal Business Name – exactly as it appears on official documents.
• Business Address – the full address, matching your documents.
• Business Phone Number – your company’s phone, as on documents (this can be a different number from the WhatsApp number you’ll use, or the same if applicable).
• Business Website (URL) – your homepage URL (include https://).
• Business Email – a contact email for your business.

Note: Every detail should be accurate and match your official documents. Once done, save the information. (You will later submit documents to verify this info, so accuracy is key.)

Sign up on the SendWo App

SendWo is an official WhatsApp Solution Provider that will help you get the API access and provide a user-friendly interface to send messages (so you don’t need to code or set up your own server). Visit the SendWo website and sign up using your email address.

Follow the steps below to get the API and connect it with SendWo, and you’ll be ready to launch your first WhatsApp campaign:

1. Sign up on the Dashboard

Visit the SendWo website and sign up using your email address. After verifying your email and setting a password, log in to the SendWo dashboard. 

SendWo offers a free-forever plan to get started, making it easy for you to test the waters.

2. Navigate to Connect Account- Connect WhatsApp

• Once you’re in the SendWo dashboard, find the WhatsApp section of the menu. 
• Go to “Connect Account” and then select “Connect WhatsApp”. 
• This begins the process of linking your WhatsApp Business API account to SendWo. 

SendWo will effectively walk you through the WhatsApp API setup via a guided flow (it uses Meta’s official Cloud API integration).

3. Select Connection Type (Catalog or No Catalog)

SendWo will ask you to choose a connection type for WhatsApp from either of the two types.

1. Connect WhatsApp with Catalog Permission – Choose this if you want to integrate your WhatsApp Product Catalog. For businesses that use WhatsApp to showcase products (via Meta’s Commerce Manager), granting catalog permission allows SendWo to sync and manage your product catalog for features like product messages.
2. Connect WhatsApp without Catalog Permission – Choose this if you don’t need product catalog features on WhatsApp. This option will request fewer permissions.
    

Not sure which to pick? If you have an e-commerce component or plan to send product images/menus directly in WhatsApp chats, go with the catalog permission. Otherwise, the non-catalog option is fine (you can always integrate a catalog later if needed). 

4. Click “Continue” and “Get Started”

• Once done with the Connection Type as per your requirement, you’ll be prompted with a Meta (Facebook) login window asking for permissions. 
• Click the “Continue” button. This confirms that you want to connect your Facebook Business assets with SendWo. 
• Then, click “Get Started” to launch the WhatsApp onboarding flow. 

(Essentially, SendWo is using Facebook’s official setup wizard in the background. The interface will guide you through a few steps on Facebook’s side next.)

5. Choose Your Business in the Meta Setup

The Facebook onboarding dialog will ask you to select a Business Account (Business Portfolio) to use for WhatsApp. Choose the Business Manager account for your company (the one we explained in the above sections for prerequisites). 

If you have only one, it will be selected by default. If you manage multiple businesses in Meta, make sure to pick the correct one that you want to enable WhatsApp for. Then click “Next”.

6. Create or Select a WhatsApp Business Account

• Next, you’ll need a WhatsApp Business Account (WABA) within that Business Manager to attach your phone number to. The prompt will either let you select an existing WhatsApp Business Account or create a new one. 
• If you see your business name listed as a WhatsApp account, you can select it. 
• Otherwise, choose the option to “Create New WhatsApp Business Account”, and enter a name for it (usually your business name). After selecting or creating the account, click “Next”.
  

7. Enter WhatsApp Business Profile Details

Fill out your WhatsApp business profile information. This includes:

• WhatsApp Business Account Name: This will default to your business name.
• Display Name: The Display Name is very important – it’s the name that will be visible to customers in WhatsApp chats. It should represent your business or brand.
• 
  Business Category: Choose the category that best fits your business from the dropdown (e.g., E-commerce, Education, Retail, Finance, etc.). If none fit, you can select “Other”. 
• Timezone: Select your time zone or the time zone where you primarily operate. This will be used for features like message scheduling and analytics timestamps.
• Business Description (optional): Some setups allow you to add a short description of your business. If prompted, you can write a sentence or two about what your company does (ensure it’s professional and aligns with WhatsApp policy).
  

8. Provide and Verify the Phone Number

Enter the phone number you dedicated for WhatsApp API (with the correct country code). Remember, this number cannot be used on any WhatsApp app currently. If it’s an old number that had WhatsApp before, ensure you delete that WhatsApp account beforehand. 

After entering the number, choose a verification method – SMS or Voice Call. You’ll receive a 6-digit code on that phone. Enter the verification code to confirm you own the number. Once verified, the number will be connected to your WhatsApp Business Account.

9. Add a Payment Method

• After your number is successfully added, the setup will prompt you to add a payment method (credit or debit card). This is required by WhatsApp to pay for messaging charges (WhatsApp API uses a conversation-based pricing model). 
• You can choose to “Add Payment Method” right there or do it later via Facebook Business Manager’s Billing section. 
• We recommend adding your card now to avoid any disruptions. (If you skip, go to your Facebook Business Manager > Billings or Payment Settings later and add a payment method to the WhatsApp account.) 
• Once you’ve added and saved a payment method, click “Next” or “Done” to finish the WhatsApp setup flow.
  

However, it’s mandatory to have a payment method on file to send message templates or to run the campaigns beyond the free testing limit. 

10. Complete the Setup

That’s it – you’ve applied for and set up your WhatsApp Business API!

Back in the SendWo dashboard, you should see a confirmation that your WhatsApp API number is now connected to SendWo. Your WhatsApp Business API account is now active, and you can use SendWo’s platform to send messages, create broadcast campaigns, set up chatbots, and more. All your configuration (business info, phone number, etc.) is now linked via SendWo. 

You’re ready to send your first WhatsApp campaign and start engaging your customers through WhatsApp API!

Using SendWo, you have a user-friendly dashboard at your fingertips to manage contacts, design message templates, and automate conversations with ease.

Sign up for a free account on SendWo and connect your WhatsApp Business API number. Our platform will help you every step of the way, and our support team is here 24/7 if you need help. 

Start leveraging WhatsApp to delight your customers and grow your business today!

Empower your business with the WhatsApp Business API and see the difference in engagement and growth. Happy WhatsApp marketing!