BotSailor is a complete WhatsApp marketing automation platform that offers a wide range of features, including chatbots, live chat, broadcasting, Shopify and WooCommerce integration for order message automation, webhook workflows, WhatsApp catalog, and much more.
To use all these features in BotSailor, you must first set up your WhatsApp Cloud API account. The setup and integration process is simple and straightforward. In this article, we will provide a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to create and configure a WhatsApp Cloud API.
Before starting the WhatsApp Cloud API setup process, make sure you have a phone number that is not currently connected to any WhatsApp account.
If your phone number is already linked to a WhatsApp personal or business account, you can still use it by migrating the number to the WhatsApp Cloud API. To migrate an existing WhatsApp account, you must first remove the number from the WhatsApp mobile app and then add it to your new WhatsApp Cloud API account.
To learn how to migrate your existing WhatsApp number to the WhatsApp Cloud API, please refer to the blog linked below.
Migrate existing WhatsApp number to WhatsApp Cloud API
For Detailed instructions please follow the steps below:
Create an App
Before using BotSailor for WhatsApp chatbot marketing, you need to create a WhatsApp Cloud API account and add a phone number to it. After that, you can connect your WhatsApp bot account (Cloud API) to BotSailor.
The first step in creating a WhatsApp Cloud API is to create an app from your Facebook Developer account. To create an app, go to the Facebook Developer website and click the My Apps tab on the page.
A page will instantly appear displaying the Create App button along with your existing apps.
Click the Create App button to create a new app.
A form will appear, and you need to complete it by providing the required basic information.
In the App Name field, enter a name for your app. In the App Contact Email field, provide a valid email address.
A page will instantly appear displaying a list of available use cases. Select Connect with Customers through WhatsApp and Manage Products with Catalog API, then click the Next button.
After that, Meta will ask you to select a Business Portfolio. If you do not have an existing Business Portfolio, Meta will prompt you to create one.
Click the Next button. Meta will ask you to enter your password. Enter your password, then click the Submit button.
Now, from App Settings, select Basic. Here, you need to add the Privacy Policy URL and Terms of Service URL.
You can get these URLs from BotSailor.
Now, go to Use Cases from the left navigation bar and click Customize under Connect with Customers through WhatsApp.
After that, click on Configuration, enter the Callback URL and Verify Token, then click the Verify and Save button.
Note: You will get the Callback URL and Verify Token from BotSailor.
After saving the changes, go to Configuration again and enable the webhooks listed below:
- Account_settings_update
- Account_update
- Calls
- Flows
- Messages
Add Number to the App:
After completing this step, go to API Setup, scroll down to Step 5, and click Add Phone Number.
You also need to add a valid payment method if you want to send WhatsApp message templates.
Read this blog to use your existing WhatsApp number to the WhatsApp cloud API.
Migrate existing WhatsApp number to WhatsApp Cloud API
A modal form will instantly appear. In this form, you need to provide the profile information that will be visible to users on WhatsApp.
In the WhatsApp Business Display Name field, enter your display name. The display name should be the same as or closely related to your business name; otherwise, WhatsApp may not approve it for your WhatsApp Cloud API account.
Next, select your time zone from the Time Zone field. Then, choose your business category from the Category field. Click the Category field to open the drop-down list and select the category that best represents your business.
You can also add a business description. This field is optional and can be left blank if needed.
Finally, click the Next button to continue.
A modal form will instantly appear with a Phone Number field. Enter your phone number in the field, then choose your preferred verification method: Text Message or Phone Call.
After entering your phone number and selecting your preferred verification method, click the Next button.
Then, complete the phone number verification process.
Change the App mode from Development to Live
Now, you need to change the app mode from Development to Live. To do this, simply click the toggle button at the top of the page to switch the app mode.
Return to the API Setup and collect token to connect the Bot to the BotSailor
Now, return to the API Setup page by clicking the API Setup menu from the left sidebar.
In the Step 5 section, click on the WhatsApp Manager link.
You will instantly be redirected to the Overview page of Meta Business Manager. On the overview page, click the Menu button to expand the left sidebar, which contains all available tools.
From the expanded sidebar, click Business Settings
You will be redirected to the Business Settings page.
Alternatively, you can directly visit this URL:
https://business.facebook.com/latest/settings/business_users
Now, you need to create a system user. To do this, select System Users from the left sidebar of the Business Settings page, then click the Add button.
A pop-up form will appear with fields for the System User Name and System User Role. Enter a name in the System User Name field, then select a role from the System User Role field: Employee or Admin.
If you want to create an employee user, select Employee. If you want to create an admin user, select Admin. We recommend selecting Admin for full access.
Finally, click the Create System User button to create the user.
After creating a user, the user will appear in the list of users.
Now, you need to assign assets to the user. To do this, select the user and click the Add Assets button.
A modal will instantly appear. From the Select Asset Type section, choose the Apps option. Then, select the app to which you want to assign assets and provide the required permissions. Here, we will grant Full Control by selecting the radio button for the Full Control option.
After that, select WhatsApp Accounts, choose the WhatsApp account that we just added, and grant full access by selecting Everything. Finally, click the Assign Assets button.
Now, you need to generate an Access Token. To do so, click the Generate Token button.
A modal will instantly appear with a field labeled Select App. Click the Select App field to open the drop-down list of your apps, then select the app you want to use.
Next, you will see the Token Expiration options along with a list of available permissions. We recommend selecting Never for the token expiration so you won't need to generate a new access token in the future.
From the permissions list, select Business Management, Catalog Management, WhatsApp Business Messaging, and WhatsApp Business Management. Then, click the Generate Token button.
A modal will instantly appear displaying your Access Token. Copy the Access Token and save it in a secure place, as you will need it in the next step.
Now, go to your BotSailor dashboard. From the left sidebar, click Connect Accounts, then select Connect WhatsApp. Next, click + Connect New Account and choose Connect with API.
You will be prompted to enter the WhatsApp Business Account ID and Access Token. We already have the Access Token, so now we need to obtain the WhatsApp Business Account ID.
To get the WhatsApp Business Account ID, open the Business Settings page. From the left sidebar, click WhatsApp Accounts. The WhatsApp Accounts section will appear. Select your WhatsApp Business Account, then copy the WhatsApp Business Account ID and paste it into BotSailor.
After entering the WhatsApp Business Account ID and Access Token, click the Connect button.
And you will see a success message, and the account will appear on the Connect page. Click the three-dot menu next to the account and select Register Number.
A modal will appear. Enter 123456 or any other 6-digit PIN of your choice, then click the Register button. Once the registration is successful, you will see a confirmation message.
That's it! Your WhatsApp is now connected to BotSailor and is ready for you to start building bots, sending broadcast messages, and much more.
If your read to this article mindfully and follow the instructions step by step, you can easily connect the WhatsApp bot to BotSailor.
You can also watch our video tutorial on YouTube titled "How to Setup WhatsApp Cloud API to Create WhatsApp Chatbot":
