WhatsApp Business API for your business

What is the WhatsApp Business API?

WhatsApp has three flavours for businesses. The regular WhatsApp Business app is free and works on one phone, with at most a few linked devices. The WhatsApp Business API (nowadays the Cloud API) is the official connection for software: messages no longer go via a phone, but directly between WhatsApp and the system your team works in.

That makes things possible that don't work with the app: multiple team members simultaneously on one number, a chatbot that answers day and night, outbound messages to customers who previously gave you permission, and integrations with other software. The API has no screen itself. You always need software that displays the conversations. With Slimbot, that's the team inbox.

When do you need the API, and when don't you?

Not every business needs the API straight away. If you mainly answer questions that customers send themselves, a connection via the WhatsApp Business app (with a QR code) is often enough. That route is included in the lower Slimbot plans and can be switched later.

The API becomes interesting if:

• more than a few people need to work on the same number at once;
• you want to start conversations yourself, for example an appointment reminder or order update, with an approved template;
• the phone with the WhatsApp app may no longer be the hub of your customer contact;
• you want multiple numbers or departments in one overview.

Templates and the 24-hour window

The main rule of the API: if a customer sends you a message, you may reply freely within 24 hours. After that, or if you start a conversation yourself, you use a pre-approved template. Think of "Your appointment is tomorrow at 10:00, is that still correct?".

In Slimbot you create those templates yourself and submit them for review. You see the status per template. If someone tries to send free text outside the window in the inbox, Slimbot alerts you and points to a template. More explanation is in our article about the 24-hour window.

What does the WhatsApp Business API cost?

There are two cost items. The first is the software: the Cloud API is included in Slimbot's Business plan, which is on request. The second is WhatsApp's own message costs. WhatsApp charges for outgoing template messages. Replies within 24 hours to a customer who sent you a message cost nothing on WhatsApp.

For the lower plans and the current amounts we refer to the pricing page. It only shows amounts from our live price list. A detailed explanation of the message rates can be found in the knowledge base.

Your number: new, existing or from the app

You choose what suits you: a new business number, transferring your current number to the official WhatsApp integration, or connecting your existing WhatsApp Business app via QR code as an interim step. The green tick and the review of your display name run via WhatsApp itself; we guide the integration, but cannot promise a tick.