Setting up your WhatsApp business account on BoxCommerce (step-by-step guide)

What is a WhatsApp business account

WhatsApp now lets you communicate with and send order updates to your customers from your BoxCommerce store, this means that should your customer opt for WhatsApp order updates, they will receive emails and WhatsApp messages for each milestone of their order. 

How to set up your WhatsApp Business account

BoxCommerce (as a WhatsApp Business Solutions Provider) will be supporting your business with the technical integration of the WhatsApp Business API, this means we will create and manage all the technical aspects of your WhatsApp business account.

Step 1:  Before clicking on 'Setup WhatsApp' button, you will need to take careful note of the terms displayed in the pop-up. These highlight the information that you will need to agree to:

• When you link your WhatsApp Business number you will no longer receive messages on your phone. 
• Please use a dedicated number for your business account. 
• This number must be able to receive a SMS to verify your WhatsApp number. 
• This dedicated number will be used exclusively by your BoxCommerce account. 
• Please note that you will be able to send WhatsApp messages for a 30-day trial period, to fully activate the service, you need to get your business verified on Facebook Business Manager, click learn more to find out how. 
• Please be aware that WhatsApp charges a nominal fee per message sent. 

Pro-tip: Please note that by linking a contact number to this WhatsApp Business account, you will lose the ability to use this number for any other WhatsApp account. 

Step 2: Log in to your existing personal Facebook account. New personal accounts will not be approved by Facebook.

Step 3: Read the WhatsApp introduction and click ‘Get started’.

Step 4: Read the WhatsApp Permissions and Disclaimers then click ‘continue’.

Step 5: Link to an existing Facebook Business account or create a new business account. This account will be associated with your WhatsApp Business account.

Step 6: If you already have a WhatsApp Business account select it here, otherwise create a new one then you will be returned here, please select accordingly and continue. 

Step 7: Once the account has been setup, you will see the message below. Click 'Continue to step 2'

Step 8: You will need to select the WhatsApp display name. We suggest you choose the name of your business because this is the name your customers will see.

Step 9: Use the dropdown to select your business category and the click ‘continue’. 

Step 10: You are advised to use a completely new number that will be dedicated to your WhatsApp Business server, this number will permanently belong to your WhatsApp Business server and cannot be deleted. When you are done, click 'Send code'.

Step 11: A 6-digit verification code will be sent to your chosen WhatsApp business number via SMS (if you have chosen the SMS option). Alternatively, you will get a voice automated call from Facebook with the code, enter the code below to verify your ownership of the number. 

Step 12: Once you've entered the code, click 'Verify'. 

Step 13: Congratulations! Your WhatsApp Business account is linked to your BoxCommerce store. Once it is set up, please click 'OK' and wait a few minutes while BoxCommerce automatically creates and pre-configures your WhatsApp business server.