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How to Connect a WhatsApp Business Account to BotSailor: New Number vs. Existing WhatsApp Business App Integration

WhatsApp has become an essential platform for businesses to engage with customers, send notifications, and automate marketing. BotSailor makes this integration seamless by allowing businesses to connect their WhatsApp Business Accounts using two different methods:

       Using a New Phone Number for the WhatsApp Business Platform (Business API Only)
       Connecting an Existing WhatsApp Business App Number (Business API + Mobile App)

Previously, businesses could only use the WhatsApp Business Platform with a new phone number, which meant the number couldn’t be linked to an existing WhatsApp App. However, Meta now allows businesses to connect their existing WhatsApp Business App numbers to the WhatsApp Business Platform via Cloud API, meaning you can continue using your WhatsApp mobile app while managing automation through BotSailor.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through both methods so you can choose the right approach for your business.

Method 1: Connecting a New Phone Number to the WhatsApp Business Platform

This method is for businesses that want to register a brand-new number with the WhatsApp Business Platform. If you prefer to use your existing WhatsApp Business App number while keeping access to the mobile app, skip to Method 2.

Prerequisites for a New Number Connection:

A phone number not linked to any existing WhatsApp App (personal or business).
Admin access to your WhatsApp Business Account.


 

It will ask you to log in to your Facebook account. If you are already logged in, just click on the “Continue as” button.

 

 

In the next step, Meta will provide you with some information about the permissions you will share. You just need to click on the “Get Started” button from there.

 

 

In the next step, you have to select your business profile. If you don’t have a business profile created, please create one from Facebook Business. Then provide the name of your business, add your business website or your profile page URL, select the country, and then click on the “Next” button.

 

 

Next, choose a WhatsApp business account. If you don’t have one, select the option to create one. When you click on the drop-down menu, it will show your WhatsApp business accounts and an option to create one. Choose what is appropriate for you. Then select a WhatsApp business profile if you already have one, or select the option to create one. After that, click on the “Next” button.

 

 

In the previous step, we didn’t select any existing WhatsApp business profile; instead, we selected the option to create one. So, in this step, we need to add the details of our WhatsApp business profile. Let’s add the WhatsApp display name here. [The WhatsApp display name should be similar to your WhatsApp business name.] Then select the category of your business and click on the “Next” button.

 

 

Next, add the phone number you want to use for your WhatsApp Cloud API. You cannot use any existing WhatsApp number here. If you want to use your existing WhatsApp number, you need to remove it from WhatsApp first, then you can use it. To learn how to do that, please read this blog:  Migrage Your Existing WhatsApp account to Cloud API. Then choose how you want to receive the verification code from Meta and click on the “Next” button. Enter the verification code you received from Meta and click “Next”.

 

 

 

In the next step, it will ask you to select a WhatsApp Catalog. If you don’t have a catalog created, please create one first. If you don’t know how to create a catalog, please read the blog given below to learn how.

How to Create WhatsApp Catalog

After selecting the catalog, click “Next.”

 

 

Now, review the permissions and click on the “Finish” button.

 

 

You will get a success message from BotSailor, and your connected WhatsApp business account will be visible.



Method 2: Connecting an Existing WhatsApp Business App Number to BotSailor

This method allows businesses to connect an existing WhatsApp Business App number to the WhatsApp Business Platform via Cloud API, meaning you can use your number on both BotSailor and the WhatsApp mobile app at the same time.

Why Choose This Method?

Continue using WhatsApp on your phone while automating marketing via BotSailor.
No need to register a new numberuse your existing business number.
Easily switch between mobile and API-based automation.

Prerequisites for Existing WhatsApp Business App Connection:

A WhatsApp Business App number that you actively use.
Admin access to your WhatsApp Business Account.

Step-by-Step Guide:

Log in to BotSailor and go to WhatsApp->Connect Acccount.
Click "Connect WhatsApp" and select "Use Existing Business App Number".
Log in with your Facebook Business Manager and select your WhatsApp Business Account.
Choose your existing WhatsApp Business App number from the list.
Complete the verification process and grant the necessary API permissions.



Once connected, you can still use WhatsApp on your phone while automating marketing campaigns, customer support, and chatbot interactions via BotSailor.

🔗 Read More: For a step-by-step guide on integrating your existing WhatsApp Business App number with BotSailor, check out:
Howto Connect Your Existing WhatsApp Business App to BotSailor.

Choosing the Right Integration for Your Business

Feature

New Phone Number (Business Platform Only)

Existing WhatsApp Business App Number

Works with WhatsApp Mobile App

No

Yes

Requires a New Number

Yes

No

Full API Automation via BotSailor

Yes

Yes

Can Send Bulk Marketing Messages

Yes

Yes

Suitable for Businesses Starting Fresh

Yes

No

Suitable for Businesses Already Using WhatsApp Business App

No

Yes




Final Thoughts & Next Steps

Now, businesses have two ways to integrate WhatsApp with BotSailor:
Method 1: Use a new number with the WhatsApp Business Platform for full API-based automation.
Method 2: Connect an existing WhatsApp Business App number and continue using it on your mobile phone while leveraging automation in BotSailor.

If you’re still unsure which method to use, start with our guide for existing WhatsApp Business App users:
Howto Connect Your Existing WhatsApp Business App to BotSailor.

Ready to supercharge your business with WhatsApp automation? Sign up on BotSailor and get started today!

Why Choose BotSailor for WhatsApp Business Integration?

🚀 Seamless Onboarding – Connect your number with just a few clicks.
📢 Marketing Automation – Send bulk WhatsApp messages, run campaigns, and automate conversations.
🤖 Smart Chatbots – Engage customers 24/7 with AI-driven bots.
📊 Analytics & Reports – Track message performance and customer engagement.

No matter which method you choose, BotSailor makes it easy to integrate WhatsApp into your business workflow.

Train Your AI Chatbot for Smarter Interactions

Integrating your WhatsApp Business Account is only the beginning. Take your customer support to the next level by training your AI chatbot. Using FAQs, URLs, and document files, you can teach your chatbot to respond intelligently to customer queries.

Learn more about how to train your AI assistant here:
How to Train AI Assistant for Chatbot with FAQ, URL, and File.

Organize Your Subscriber List for Better Engagement

To make the most out of your connected WhatsApp Business Account, managing your subscribers effectively is crucial. BotSailor provides multiple options for importing and organizing subscribers, including syncing contacts from Google Sheets or uploading them through CSV files.

Explore these guides for detailed instructions:

 

Next Steps: Start Broadcasting Your Messages

Now that your WhatsApp Business Account is connected, you’re ready to start broadcasting messages and engaging with your audience. Follow these guides to make your campaigns more impactful:

 

Enhance Your Campaigns with Message Templates

Once you've successfully connected your WhatsApp Business Account to BotSailor, you can start leveraging the power of message templates. These templates allow you to send pre-approved, policy-compliant messages for various purposes such as order updates, payment reminders, and more.

Learn how to create and use these templates effectively here:
How to Broadcast Messages to WhatsApp Subscribers Using Message Templates in BotSailor.

Automate Your Business with Webhook Workflow Integrations


After connecting your WhatsApp Business Account to BotSailor, you can further streamline your operations by integrating webhook workflows. Webhooks allow BotSailor to interact with other tools and platforms, automating tasks like order updates, lead collection, and notifications.

Using webhook integrations, you can:

  • Automatically send WhatsApp notifications when an order is placed in your e-commerce store.
  • Sync leads from your CRM to WhatsApp campaigns in real time.
  • Trigger personalized WhatsApp messages based on user actions, like signing up for a newsletter or abandoning a cart.

Learn how to set up these workflows and take automation to the next level in our comprehensive guide:
Automate Business with BotSailor Webhook Workflow Integrations Guide.

Example Use Case:
If a customer completes a purchase on your website, you can set up a webhook to automatically send them a WhatsApp confirmation message. The same process can notify your team or trigger other workflows, saving you time and ensuring seamless communication.

 

Watch the Video Tutorial:

 

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Kamrul Hasan

9 Jul 2024
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  • Uncategorized

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