WhatsApp Business API Integration for Indian Businesses

# WhatsApp Business API Integration for Indian Businesses ## Which API is right for you Meta's Cloud API launched 2022 as a free-tier alternative to BSP (Business Solution Providers). For most tech-capable teams, it's the best path. ## WhatsApp conversation pricing (2026) Meta charges per 24-hour "conversation" window, varying by country + category: Service conversations are free if initiated by the user. Business-initiated messages cost based on category. ## Step 1 — Meta Cloud API setup ## Step 2 — Send your first message ```bash curl -X POST 'https://graph.facebook.com/v20.0/{PHONE_NUMBER_ID}/messages' -H 'Authorization: Bearer {ACCESS_TOKEN}' -H 'Content-Type: application/json' -d '{ "messaging_product": "whatsapp", "to": "919876543210", "type": "template", "template": { "name": "hello_world", "language": { "code": "en_US" } } }' ``` `hello_world` is pre-approved by Meta. For custom templates, you submit text for approval. **PHP:** ```php function sendWhatsApp($to, $templateName, $params = []) { $url = "https://graph.facebook.com/v20.0/" . getenv('WA_PHONE_ID') . "/messages"; $body = [ 'messaging_product' => 'whatsapp', 'to' => $to, 'type' => 'template', 'template' => [ 'name' => $templateName, 'language' => ['code' => 'en_IN'], 'components' => $params, ], ]; $ch = curl_init($url); curl_setopt_array($ch, [ CURLOPT_POST => true, CURLOPT_POSTFIELDS => json_encode($body), CURLOPT_HTTPHEADER => [ 'Authorization: Bearer ' . getenv('WA_ACCESS_TOKEN'), 'Content-Type: application/json', ], CURLOPT_RETURNTRANSFER => true, ]); return json_decode(curl_exec($ch), true); } // Order confirmation sendWhatsApp('919876543210', 'order_confirmation', [ [ 'type' => 'body', 'parameters' => [ ['type' => 'text', 'text' => 'Rajesh'], // {{1}} ['type' => 'text', 'text' => 'ORD-1234'], // {{2}} ['type' => 'text', 'text' => '₹1,500'], // {{3}} ], ], ]); ``` **Node.js:** ```javascript import axios from 'axios'; async function sendWhatsApp(to, template, params) { const resp = await axios.post( `https://graph.facebook.com/v20.0/${process.env.WA_PHONE_ID}/messages`, { messaging_product: 'whatsapp', to, type: 'template', template: { name: template, language: { code: 'en_IN' }, components: params, }, }, { headers: { Authorization: `Bearer ${process.env.WA_ACCESS_TOKEN}` } } ); return resp.data; } ``` ## Step 3 — Template approval Meta approves every message template before you can send. Process: **Approval tips:** - Clear purpose — transactional, not promotional "check out our deals" - No excessive emojis (max 2) - No spammy URLs (shortened links often rejected) - Variable placement at start/end is safer than middle - Reject reason? — fix and resubmit with new name ## Step 4 — Handle incoming messages (webhook) Users replying to your messages = incoming events. Expose webhook endpoint at `https://yourcompany.com/webhook/whatsapp`: ```javascript // Verification (GET) — Meta verifies endpoint app.get('/webhook/whatsapp', (req, res) => { const mode = req.query['hub.mode']; const token = req.query['hub.verify_token']; const challenge = req.query['hub.challenge']; if (mode === 'subscribe' && token === process.env.WA_VERIFY_TOKEN) { return res.send(challenge); } res.sendStatus(403); }); // Event receiver (POST) app.post('/webhook/whatsapp', express.json(), async (req, res) => { const entry = req.body.entry?.[0]; const changes = entry?.changes?.[0]; const value = changes?.value; // Incoming message if (value?.messages) { for (const msg of value.messages) { const from = msg.from; const text = msg.text?.body; console.log(`${from}: ${text}`); // Process — maybe auto-reply, create ticket, etc. await handleIncomingMessage(from, text); } } // Delivery/read receipts if (value?.statuses) { for (const s of value.statuses) { await updateDeliveryStatus(s.id, s.status); } } res.sendStatus(200); }); ``` Register webhook URL in Meta dashboard. ## Step 5 — Send interactive messages (buttons, lists) Beyond plain text: **Quick reply buttons:** ```json { "type": "interactive", "interactive": { "type": "button", "body": { "text": "Did your package arrive?" }, "action": { "buttons": [ { "type": "reply", "reply": { "id": "yes", "title": "Yes" } }, { "type": "reply", "reply": { "id": "no", "title": "No, issues" } } ] } } } ``` **Product catalog** (e-commerce): ```json { "type": "interactive", "interactive": { "type": "product_list", "header": { "type": "text", "text": "Today's Deals" }, "action": { "catalog_id": "YOUR_CATALOG_ID", "sections": [...] } } } ``` Customers browse, tap, add to cart — all inside WhatsApp. ## Step 6 — OTP via WhatsApp For authentication — far better than SMS deliverability in India. Create template category: Authentication: ``` Your verification code is {{1}}. It expires in 10 minutes. Do not share this code. ``` ```javascript const otp = generate6DigitOTP(); await redis.setex(`otp:${phone}`, 600, otp); await sendWhatsApp(phone, 'otp_login', [ { type: 'body', parameters: [{ type: 'text', text: otp }] }, ]); ``` Cost: ~₹0.12 per OTP (Authentication category) vs ~₹0.20 for SMS. ## Common pitfalls ## FAQ