WhatsApp has started testing its new business API that is riding on their parent company Facebook’s architecture. With this new version, WhatsApp shifts from non-cloud-based to cloud-based APIs. Hence, offering loads of new possibilities.
The company has constantly been building and modifying its Business API for the past couple of years to generate revenue. Currently, thousands of multinational business organizations are using the existing WhatsApps non-cloud-based API. These include firms such as Coppel, Sears Mexico, Vodafone, BMW, Iberia Airlines, iFood KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Bank Mandiri, and many more.
WhatsApp charges these companies on a per-message basis, with varying rates that are based on the total number of messages sent and geographic location. And, recently it has become one of the fundamental ways for the free messaging app to generate revenue.
Want to learn more about WhatsApp Business API and how you can use it in your own business venture? Read the article below and know all about it.
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About new WhatsApp business cloud-based API
The new WhatsApp Business API is a cloud-based API version created to reduce integration time and facilitate quick backend operations. By transitioning from a non-cloud-based to a cloud-based system, the company is able to reduce the integration with the API time substantially and compress the integration time from weeks to minutes.
The new cloud-based API aims to simplify things by providing a simpler, easier, and faster technology integration process to its customers.
WhatsApp Business API has no app or front-end interface as it is an API. Instead, it requires end-users to take the WhatsApp API and combine it into their personal API or business software.
This API was specifically designed while keeping medium to large firms in mind. So, getting your hands on WhatsApp Business API directly is much harder than it seems. WhatsApp is selective with whom it grants permission to connect to its API directly. Today, there are several companies (Business solutions providers) that indirectly provide WhatsApp API integration to other companies.
Business solution providers
Generally, there are two types of business solution providers, SMS Providers, and others.
SMS Providers
SMS providers like Twillo, Zendesk, and Vonage already have their established APIs before they started selling WhatsApp accounts. Hence, the API the customer needs to connect to will be similar to their SMS API.
Since these SMS providers are integrating WhatsApp API with their own APIs, it takes more time on their part to modify or update any new features launched by WhatsApp. And, this is the problem that the new cloud-based API strives to solve. With the new version, integrating APIs would be a matter of mere minutes.
Going with Business Solution Providers is an ideal choice for companies already using their service and seeking to amalgamate WhatsApp’s API as a part of their communication methods. It allows organizations to use various chat platforms without having to connect everything themselves.
Others
It consists of the other groups that do not classify as SMS providers. Although the company started with SMS providers as BSPs, other businesses procured partnerships such as chatbot agencies, self-service bot platforms, and CRM vendors.
These BSPs use proxy APIs similar to WhatsApp’s and enjoy easy and fast modification of features via the WhatsApp API. It means that their API redirects the request to the WhatsApp API and consists of similar API infrastructure. This method is capable of reflecting updates on your WhatsApp account at faster speeds.
Use cases for WhatsApp Business API
- One of the major parts of effective customer service is to provide response and resolution to the customer’s problem as soon as possible. WhatsApp Business API provides a quick and encrypted mode of communication so that businesses can respond to their clients within 24 hours.
- We all know that WhatsApp has a gigantic user base, and this offers business firms a fantastic opportunity to connect with their customers hassle-free. Businesses can create a brand presence on the WhatsApp platform to facilitate quick communication with customers.
- WhatsApp Business API also allows companies to create their automated chatbots for automatic notifications and FAQs.
Features of WhatsApp Business API
Contact Opt-In
One of the best features of the WhatsApp business is that it does not allow businesses to bombard their customers with spam messages. Thus, to ensure a quality customer experience, WhatsApp enforces these two rules.
- You are only allowed to send messages to people if they have already sent you a message.
- They have actively permitted your company to receive messages via WhatsApp.
However, The opt-in policy is only needed for notifications and messages sent after 24 hours.
End-to-end encryption
The end-to-end encryption of WhatsApp Business API allows companies to use WhatsApp for their customer communication with utmost security. Privacy of your sensitive data is a vital topic in customer communication and should be taken care of, especially when introducing a new communication channel.
WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption restricts any third party to access your private data and messages without consent. It creates total security of your data and builds a better customer relationship.
User Identity Notification
User identity notifications inform businesses whether they are sending information to the right person or not. Companies are notified whenever they receive messages from a re-registered WhatsApp account. However, the companies are not allowed to send messages to these accounts unless businesses acknowledge the re-registration.
