How do I connect WhatsApp?

Connecting WhatsApp is easily done! In this article, we will tell you how to connect your Whatsapp Business to Watermelon.

For connecting WhatsApp, you need a Facebook Business ID. By following the steps below, you can quickly verify your WhatsApp Business number and easily add it to Watermelon.

You can verify the costs of using WhatsApp in Watermelon with you Customer Success Manager.

Note: If you want to link a WhatsApp number to Watermelon that is currently already being used in another way (privately or through another tool), you will need to undo that first. Learn how to delete your account here.
After linking, you can only use this number for WhatsApp via Watermelon. So you can't chat via WhatsApp through your mobile phone with the same number.

Backing up your data

Are you already using WhatsApp Business with the phone number you want to connect to? First, make sure you have a backup of your current conversations. This is because previous conversations and saved contacts will not transfer to the new WhatsApp Business API. To learn how to backup your data, please click here. After you made the backup, make sure you remove WhatsApp business from your phone. So the number is ready to be connected again.

Create a Facebook Business Manager account

WhatsApp is part of Facebook. Therefore, to request verification, you must also have a Facebook Business account. Don't have one yet? Learn how to create a Facebook Business account in this article.

Note: It often takes up to maximum 48 hours before your Facebook Business account is verified by Facebook. During that time, you can connect up to a maximum of 2 WhatsApp numbers to Watermelon.

How to link your phone number to your WhatsApp Business API

Before connecting your phone number, it's important that you can receive an SMS or voice message on the number, there is no phone menu in between, and the number is no longer connected to WhatsApp. Follow the steps below:

Open Watermelon.
Navigate to "Integrations."
Select WhatsApp. If you don't see WhatsApp directly in your list of integrations, click on Channels in the left menu.
Click on the "Connect WhatsApp" button. A pop-up will appear, go through the steps to create an account. For verification, we use the services of 360Dialog.
Use your official business name and the industry in which you operate. Save the login details carefully; you'll need them later to modify your WhatsApp Business profile.
If you already have a Meta Business Manager account, log in directly with those credentials. It's important to log in with a personal Facebook account linked to the Business page.
Retrieving your data may take a while; do not close the pop-up.
Select your Facebook Business account.
Go through the steps and add the phone number you want to connect.
You will receive a 6-digit code via SMS or Voice, which you need to verify your phone number. Make sure you have the phone number at hand (and any direct voicemail is disabled).
Enter the code; you will receive a notification that the connection is successful. This may take a few minutes.

After your number is connected, you can customize the channel name. It will default to the number, visible on the integration page but not for your customers. Then, you can send a message to test if the conversations are actually coming in.

Setting up your WhatsApp Business profile in 360Dialog Client Hub:

Go to your WhatsApp Business account.
Click on WhatsApp Business Account on the left side of the menu.
Click on Show Details.
Go to Profile.
Add a profile picture, a business name, and your contact details. You can also add a description briefly explaining what your business does.
If you want to make certain changes, you may receive an email for validation.

The size of the WhatsApp profile picture is 192x192 pixels.