Guide

WhatsApp Business API Onboarding Guide

A step-by-step WhatsApp Business API onboarding guide: Meta Business verification, number registration, the green tick, and your first approved templates.

The WhatsApp Business API is Meta’s official way for businesses to message customers at scale. This guide explains how onboarding works with Mersal — what you need, the Meta steps, and how to get verified and sending.

WhatsApp Business API vs. the regular app

The API is built for business at scale — a verified number, approved message templates, and a whole team sending from one workspace. It is not the consumer app running on a single phone.

Before you start: what you’ll need

  • A registered business and basic details
  • A phone number not active on the regular WhatsApp app
  • A Meta (Facebook) Business account
  • A display name that follows WhatsApp’s naming rules

The Meta onboarding process, step by step

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Getting the green tick

The green checkmark marks an Official Business Account. Meta grants it based on brand notability and policy compliance — Mersal helps you apply once your business is verified.

Creating your first message templates

Business-initiated messages use templates in three categories — Marketing, Utility and Authentication. You submit them for Meta approval, which is usually quick, then reuse them in campaigns and automations.

Messaging limits and quality

New numbers start with a messaging limit that increases as you maintain good quality and low block rates. Meta sets the exact tiers, so sending relevant, opted-in messages is what grows your reach.

Key takeaways

  • The API needs Meta verification, a clean number and an approved display name.
  • Templates power business-initiated messages — get them approved early.
  • Good quality keeps your daily messaging limits growing.

Frequently asked questions

Often yes, if it is not active on the regular app when it is migrated, and it meets registration requirements.

It varies by business. Meta Business verification is usually a short review; Mersal helps you prepare your details to avoid delays.

The Official Business Account badge, granted by Meta based on brand notability and policy compliance.

Approved templates (marketing, utility and authentication) plus free-form replies within the 24-hour customer service window.

Ready to get started?

Set up WhatsApp or SMS with Mersal — free to start.

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Edit this page visually with Elementor — every heading, paragraph, button and section here is editable. Business data (pricing, FAQs, logos) lives in Mersal Core.