Glossary
WhatsApp Business API
Programmatic access to WhatsApp that lets software send and receive messages on behalf of a business.
Definition
The WhatsApp Business API (part of the WhatsApp Business Platform) lets a business connect WhatsApp to its own software, usually through a provider such as Twilio. Unlike the WhatsApp Business app on a phone, it supports automated replies, integrations with other systems, and several team members on one number.
Why it matters
It is the building block of any WhatsApp assistant or automation. Its rules, such as approved message templates and the window for replying to a customer, shape what an assistant can do and when.
Example
A client sends a question at 10 pm. The message reaches the business number through the API, the assistant replies within seconds, and the conversation stays in the WhatsApp thread the client already uses.
Our take
We connect assistants to WhatsApp through a Twilio number on a business account, as we did for an accounting firm whose clients now ask their questions on WhatsApp.
Relevant services
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