Meta Business Manager & WhatsApp Business Account Setup Guide
Meta Business Manager is a central tool that allows businesses to manage their Facebook assets, including Facebook pages, Instagram accounts, and WhatsApp Business Platform (WABA) accounts, from a single, secure location. It is essential for businesses seeking to streamline their social media management and maintain organized access for multiple users.
To connect your phone number to the WhatsApp Business Platform, you need admin access to a Meta Business Manager account. This is a comprehensive guide on setting up and managing your Meta Business Manager account for the WhatsApp Business Platform.
To set up a Meta Business Manager account, you will need:
- A Facebook Account: A valid personal Facebook account is necessary.
A separate business Facebook account is not required.
- Business Email: An email address associated with your business is needed for notifications and account recovery.
- Business Information: Basic details such as your business name, address, and phone number.
- Official Website: An Official Website for your Business is also essential.
- Create a Facebook Account:
- Ensure you have a valid Facebook account. This can be your personal account or a business-specific account.
- Access Meta Business Manager:
- Enter your business name, your name, and your business email.
- Add Your Assets:
- After creating your Business Manager account, add your Facebook Pages, ad accounts, and any other assets. You can claim or request access to assets that are owned by other people or businesses.
- Invite People:
- Add team members and assign them roles. Meta Business Manager allows you to control the permissions of each person, giving them access to only the tools and information they need.
Common Issues
Account Suspension:
New Business Manager accounts created with new Facebook accounts are prone to suspension. To avoid this, use an existing Facebook account. If suspended, you can appeal by submitting a government-issued ID.
Best Practices
Client Management:
- If you're managing Business Manager accounts for clients, ensure that you're added as a Partner, not just as an employee. This provides greater flexibility and control.
Security Measures:
- Regularly review and update user roles and permissions to maintain security. Consider enabling two-factor authentication for added security.
The WhatsApp Business Account (WABA) is a key component of the WhatsApp Business Platform. It enables businesses to communicate with customers at scale through automated interactions, customer support, and notifications via the WhatsApp API.
Business verification is required to establish your WhatsApp Business Account (WABA) as an official business account. This process confirms that your business is legitimate and compliant with Meta’s policies, allowing you to fully utilize the WhatsApp Business Platform.
- Initiate Verification: In Meta Business Manager, navigate to the Security Center and click on "Start Verification."
- Submit Business Information: Provide the necessary documentation, such as proof of business registration, business address, and other relevant details.
Keep one of these documents ready for verification:
- Certificate of Incorporation or Business Registration: Articles of Incorporation, Business License, or a similar document.
- Government-Issued Tax Document: A tax certificate or other official document showing your business's tax ID - GST Certificate (If registered in India).
- Business Bank a/c statements
- Udyog Aadhar
- Business Credit Reports
- Business License & Permits
- Utility Bills: Ensure your legal business name and phone number are also on these documents.
- Permanent Account Number (PAN) card
- Shop Establishment Certificate
You will also need to keep these handy:
- Email ID tied to the Domain
- Registered Phone Number
3. Verification Review: Meta will review your submission. This review process may take a few days.
4. Await Confirmation: Once Meta verifies your account, you will have full access to WABA features.
You may need Multiple WhatsApp Business Accounts if
- Different Businesses: You run distinct businesses, like a restaurant and a catering service, each may need its own account to tailor communications.
- Regional Markets: Global brands, such as Nike, may use different accounts for regions like the U.S., Europe, and Asia to cater to local customers in their languages.
- Multiple Brands: If your company oversees various brands under one umbrella, like Nike with Nike Skateboarding, Air Jordan and Converse, separate accounts can help maintain targeted communication for each brand.
- Separate Functions: Businesses might have one account for marketing and another for customer support, ensuring efficient management of different functions.
- Product Categories: Companies with diverse product lines, such as a beauty brand offering makeup and skincare, may need separate accounts for each category to provide specialized customer service.
- Compliance: In industries like finance, different services may require separate accounts to adhere to regulations.
- High Volume: Businesses handling large volumes of communication, such as an online retailer with multiple product categories, may use multiple accounts to manage inquiries effectively.
- Testing: Companies might set up additional accounts for testing new features or marketing strategies before rolling them out to customers.
Your WhatsApp account on the Business Platform is identified by a phone number. This is an outline of the steps to connect a phone number to Peach, whether you’re using a new number, porting an existing WhatsApp account, or using an existing WhatsApp Business Platform number.
Choosing a number dedicated to your business communications is crucial. Requirements include:
- New or Existing Number: You can use a new phone number or port an existing one from a WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business account.
- Ownership Proof: Ensure you have access to the number for verification purposes.
- Active Number: The phone number must be able to receive SMS or voice calls for verification.
Steps to Connect a New Phone Number:
- Login: Log in to your Peach account.
- Find WhatsApp Accounts: In the menu under your profile, locate the "WhatsApp Accounts" section.
- Add Phone Number: Click on "Add Phone Number" and select "New Phone Number."
- Facebook Login: A popup will prompt you to log in to Facebook. This step ensures that the phone number is correctly associated with your Meta Business Manager account.
- Complete Setup: Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the phone number setup on Meta.
You can port a phone number currently in use with a WhatsApp account to the Business Platform. The steps differ based on the type of WhatsApp account:
- Open WhatsApp: Launch WhatsApp on the phone where the number is active.
- Delete Account: Go to Settings → Account → Delete Account.
- Wait and Setup: Wait for about an hour, then follow the steps outlined in the New Phone Number section to connect the number to Peach.
- Backup Data: Before proceeding, back up your chat history and contacts if necessary.
- Delete Account: Similar to a normal WhatsApp account, go to Settings → Account → Delete Account.
- Complete Setup: After waiting for an hour, follow the steps in the New Phone Number section to connect the number to Peach.
If your number is already on the WhatsApp Business Platform, you can directly connect it to Peach:
- Login to Peach: Access your Peach account.
- Add Existing Number: Go to "Add Phone Number" and follow the same steps as for adding a new phone number.
- Facebook Login: Log in to Facebook when prompted to ensure the number is correctly linked to your Meta Business Manager account.
- Complete Setup: Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
Note: Once you connect this phone number to Peach, you will no longer be able to use WhatsApp on a mobile device with this number. You will also lose access to any messages and contacts on the previous WhatsApp account.
If you are already using WhatsApp via another Business Solution Provider (BSP) or vendor, you can port the same number to Peach.
Steps to Port WhatsApp Account from BSP/Vendor to Peach:
- Raise Support Request: Contact your current vendor or BSP to release the phone number. This may involve removing any security PINs set by the provider to prevent accidental deletion.
- Wait: After the number is released, wait for a few hours before proceeding.
- Connect Peach to Meta: Log in to Peach, go to "Add Phone Number," and connect the phone number as outlined in the New Phone Number section.
Important Considerations:
- Number Verification: During migration, ensure that the phone number is active and accessible to receive verification codes.
- Loss of Data: When porting a number, especially from a normal WhatsApp account, you will lose all chat history and contact details.
- Service Downtime: Expect some downtime during the migration process, which may affect your WhatsApp services temporarily.
FAQs on WhatsApp Business Account (WABA)
- Can I add multiple phone numbers to the same WABA?
- Yes, you can add multiple phone numbers, but each must be verified individually.
- How many phone numbers can I add to a single WABA?
- You can add up to 25 phone numbers to a single WABA, depending on your business needs and Meta’s approval.
The blue tick, or verified badge, indicates that WhatsApp has confirmed that an account of public interest is authentic. It helps build trust with your audience.
Eligibility Criteria for Blue Tick Verification:
Second Messaging Tier Requirement:
To qualify for Blue Tick verification, your WhatsApp Business Account must be in the Second Messaging Tier.
What is the Second Messaging Tier?
The Second Messaging Tier specifically allows businesses to send messages to up to 10,000 unique users within a 24-hour period. This tier demonstrates that your account is actively engaging with a large audience, which is a key factor in the verification process.
- Eligibility: Ensure your account is of public interest, such as a notable brand or public figure.
- Request Verification: In Meta Business Manager, go to the "WhatsApp Accounts" section and submit a verification request.
- Provide Proof: Submit relevant documents and proof of authenticity.
- Review Process: Meta will review your request and may contact you for additional information.
FAQs on Blue Tick Verification
- How is blue tick verification different from WhatsApp Business Account Verification?
- WhatsApp Business Account (WABA) verification confirms your business's legitimacy and allows you to use the WhatsApp Business Platform, while blue tick verification grants a verified badge to indicate that your account is authentic and belongs to a notable public figure, brand, or organization.
