What is the difference between WhatsApp Business and the WhatsApp Business API? [novembre 2024]

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Summary in a nutshell: The most important differences between WhatsApp Business and the WhatsApp Business API

• Die WhatsApp Business API cometh without user interface. This must either be extensively programmed by yourself or subscribed to by a third-party provider such as hellomateo.
• The conventional WhatsApp business app In customer communication between companies, it is usually not GDPR-compliant. The WhatsApp API, on the other hand, does.
• With the WhatsApp API Depending on the selected software provider, interfaces are various additional functions available, such as WhatsApp newsletter marketing, fully automated messages, and thousands software integrations.
• News about the WhatsApp API Interfaces are chargeable, WhatsApp Business is free.
• Thanks to the individual software, the WhatsApp API more scalable. There are no limits to the number of devices and users per WhatsApp account.

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What is WhatsApp Business?

WhatsApp Business is a free, app available for Android and Apple smartphones, which is specifically for smaller companies was developed. WhatsApp Business makes it easy to interact with customers by Tools to automate, sort and respond to messages quickly. Die user interface and lots of features are similar to those of the WhatsApp messenger app for private individuals, making it very easy for most companies to use WhatsApp Business.
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Compared to the app for private individuals, a WhatsApp corporate account also offers the following functions:

• company profile to list important information, such as a company's address, email and website
• Messaging tools to quickly answer customer inquiries, such as text modules and automated answers
• Categorize customers and chats (e.g. new customer, interested party, service request, etc.) for a better overview
• Automated answers to customers (e.g. outside business hours)
• Preparation of product catalogs

WhatsApp Business can be used in Google Play Store and in App Store can be downloaded free of charge.

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What is the WhatsApp Business API?

For larger companies a secure, scalable and GDPR-compliant solution In August 2018, Facebook launched the WhatsApp Business API introduced. This application programming interface (API) allows companies to receive and respond to WhatsApp messages from their customers without being satisfied with the limited features of the WhatsApp Business app.
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In contrast to the WhatsApp business app, the API itself comes without a user interface off. The API connects WhatsApp to a professional messaging tool, as offered by Hellomateo, for example. undertakings integrating the WhatsApp API endpoint in the softwares An official WhatsApp business solution provider. With its in-house software, Hellomateo offers corporate customers the appropriate integration into a clear user interface and also provides a variety of useful and value-adding functions:

• Integrations: Connect WhatsApp to via 6,000 software applications, such as your CRM system
• Automated messages: Order confirmations, shipping information, evaluation requests, reminders, etc. fully automated via WhatsApp to your customers
• WhatsApp newsletter: Highly effective marketing via WhatsApp, that is only possible with the API interface
• GDPR-compliant: In contrast to the traditional WhatsApp business app, the use of the WhatsApp API for companies is GDPR-compliant
• scalability: Unlimited number of users and devices with the WhatsApp API

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What are the key features and functions of the WhatsApp Business API?

To keep WhatsApp free from excessive advertising and spam, there are some restrictions that companies must consider when contacting users. Otherwise, messages via the API interface would be due to WhatsApp separate user interface completely unregulated. Since users should not be bombarded with promotional spam messages in the same way as with emails, Meta set some important rules.

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WhatsApp newsletter marketing

With the WhatsApp API Can companies WhatsApp marketing newsletter Sending. This form of advertising is referred to by Meta as a so-called”Promotional Messages“referred to. These are individually customizable Message templates, which must be approved in advance by WhatsApp. For example, customers can receive product suggestions based on their last order. Messages whose content is contrary to Terms of use Violate WhatsApp or sound too promotional is not allowed. Important customer information, such as order confirmations, can of course be sent at any time.

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WhatsApp newsletters require the consent of the recipients (opt-in): Promotional messages can only be sent to users via WhatsApp if recipients receive newsletters via a Opt-In have actively agreed. This is done, for example, by entering a telephone number and activating a check box.

Reading tip: More information about the Opt-In and how to get this from your customers can be found in our Articles about WhatsApp marketing.

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Integrations with other software applications

With the WhatsApp API Is it technically possible to transfer WhatsApp to others software applications toward integrating. Whether you can actually use this feature depends on your WhatsApp API provider. With hellomateo, Zapier allows you to connect with more than 6,000 applications to connect without any programming knowledge. So you can For example, automates order confirmations Send when a customer has ordered something from your online shop or send pre-formulated messages when a customer has completed a form on your website. For tech-savvy users, hellomateo also provides a REST API interface.

Zapier supports thousands of widely used business software and applications. With Zapier, you can create automated workflows and connect your hellomateo inbox (including WhatsApp) to widely used applications, such as:

• HubSpot, Salesforce, and Pipedrive
• Gmail, Outlook, and Slack
• Google Sheets and Excel
• Shopify and WooCommerce

Here is an overview of all applications that can be linked to hellomateo using Zapier. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us or contact us directly Book a free consultation.

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Service window for answers

When a user sends a request to the company via WhatsApp, the Response within 24 hours take place (“Customer Care Window”). As a result of customer inquiries therefore being answered quickly Become, does the increase user experience by WhatsApp users and contact (without opt-in) by the company is prevented.

Within the service windows does it work communications with WhatsApp Business The same How with the WhatsApp Messenger for private individuals. Messages with text, web links and emojis can be sent and, of course, images, videos and attachments such as PDF files can be shared in the chat.

Die automation In the form of chatbots, is within the service window permitted. However, the option of referring the user to a customer service representative must be available.

When that Service window closed is, users can only use a message template be contacted, not with an individual free text.

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Message templates

Message templates (from WhatsApp”Template Messages“called) can they customer communication very much for the company efficiently design. WhatsApp corporate customers can pre-written messages use to send order confirmations, payment requests, and shipping information in seconds.

Technically speaking, a message template is a string of text that wildcard used (e.g. for order numbers, dates and prices) to provide personalized information. In addition to the range of frequently used templates provided by WhatsApp Business as standard, created your own message templates to cover all service situations for individual applications. These must be used before use approved by WhatsApp become. The approval process takes up to 24 hours. WhatsApp checks message templates to prevent companies from downloading unwanted content that is against the WhatsApp Commerce Policy violate to send to consumers. When creating message templates, it is important to ensure that the template is assigned to the correct category (marketing, authentication, administration, or service). Denn Depending on the category, fall different costs at.
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In conjunction with a clear user interface, such as those offered by hellomateo, these tools develop their full potential and make customer communication from WhatsApp Business API customers highly efficient.

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Reading tip: In our article”15 message templates for automatic replies in WhatsApp Business“You'll find lots of useful message templates for your company.

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What is the difference between WhatsApp Business and the WhatsApp Business API? The big comparison

To keep track of the two variants of WhatsApp, all important information is summarized in the following table.

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Differences between WhatsApp Business and WhatsApp API under GDPR

Die WhatsApp business app is designed for small businesses, but unfortunately in many aspects Not with the GDPR regulations compatible.

Reading tip: In our article”WhatsApp Business GDPR“We have summarized all the background information and explain why WhatsApp Business is not compatible with the GDPR.

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Entrepreneurs are responsible for both collecting and processing personal customer data. Communication via WhatsApp is end-to-end encrypted, but not GDPR-compliant in the foreseeable future, as WhatsApp Business is still Access to metadata and contact lists has what makes use questionable from a data protection perspective. Only the WhatsApp Business API can be used in companies in a GDPR-compliant manner.

The WhatsApp Business API has a simple opt-in and opt-out and does not access the user's private phone book. Contact details cannot be read by Facebook or other third parties. There is also a transparent privacy policy and order data processing agreement. Accordingly, enables only the API interface For companies a GDPR-compliant use from WhatsApp Business in Germany.

Both the WhatsApp Messenger for private individuals as well as WhatsApp Business On the other hand, meet the high data protection requirements of European legislators not and are for customer communication not recommended.

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Which companies can use the WhatsApp Business API?

The WhatsApp API is the perfect solution for companies that see WhatsApp as an important communication channel, comply with the applicable GDPR and want to use the messenger with multiple employees.

However, all companies that use WhatsApp Business must WhatsApp Commerce Policy comply. According to the trade policy, the following are industries and services from the use of all WhatsApp business products precluded:

• Alcohol, tobacco products and accessories
• Drugs and medicines
• Illegal products and services
• Unsafe dietary supplements
• Weapons, ammunition, or explosives
• and much more

Accordingly, companies must check in advanceWhether it's according to the Trading Policy are entitled to use WhatsApp Business or WhatsApp Business API and whether they use the messenger Terms of use be able to comply. Otherwise, there is a risk of blocking the WhatsApp profile.

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How can I set up WhatsApp Business API for my company?

WhatsApp only allows very few large corporations direct access to its API. For most companies, the path to WhatsApp Business API is via so-called Business Solution Provider. These are official partners from WhatsApp owner Facebook, who help companies access the API. Setting up the API therefore depends on the API provider.

that professional messaging tool by hellomateo not only offers the integration of WhatsApp Business via the API, but also a clear user interface and the integration of many other communication channels such as email, Instagram, SMS and Facebook Messenger. Hellomateo offers a fully comprehensive service with professional customer service representatives when setting up the software including WhatsApp Business API.

Through a Inventory analysis is identified how the software can best be integrated. If not yet available, Hellomateo will then Company phone numbers applied for and set up the system. The communication channels are now combined in the user interface provided by hellomateo and directly usable. A fixed contact person is always available to answer questions and gives further tips for highly efficient customer communication. All details are included in a free consultation discussed.
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How much does the WhatsApp Business API cost?

WhatsApp Business API offers significantly more features compared to WhatsApp Business and is therefore only available for a fee. A distinction must be made between the costs estimated by Meta and the fees charged by your WhatsApp API provider.

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Costs estimated directly by Meta

When it comes to the costs of the WhatsApp API, it is particularly important to distinguish Metas between entertainments, the initiated by user were, and conversations that initiated by the company were to understand. Meta defines these categories as follows (Source: Meta Platforms):

‍User-initiated conversations: “A conversation that is started in response to a user message. As soon as a company responds to a user's message within the 24-hour customer service window, the conversation from that message is considered a conversation initiated by the user. Within this 24-hour customer service window, companies can send informal messages. ”

‍Enterprise-initiated conversations: “A conversation that a company initiates by sending a message to a user outside of the 24-hour customer service window. Messages that trigger a company-initiated conversation require a message template. ”

As can be seen in the overview shown, Meta charges up to 11.3 cents per conversation in Germany. Chats are divided into four categories:

• Service: Conversation started by a customer Complete since 01.11.2024 free of charge (previously 6.79 cents).

• Administration: Entertainment that was initiated by the company and contains important information for the customer. For example, information about orders, transactions and customer accounts. Costs in Germany: 4.56 cents

• Authentication: A conversation initiated by the company that includes verification codes to access the customer account. Costs in Germany: 4.56 cents

• marketing: Entertainment that was initiated by the company and includes promotional messages such as product announcements or discount campaigns. Costs in Germany: 11.31 cents

Since all conversations initiated by the company can only be started with a message template, the division into categories is based on this message template. Here you can find the latest prices directly from Meta.

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Fees from your WhatsApp API provider

Monthly fee: The monthly fee varies between the different WhatsApp API providers. Hellomateo is an inexpensive provider on the market and, in addition to WhatsApp API, also offers many more features. The price depends on the desired number of functions, users and phone numbers. Feel free to contact the helloMATEO teamto find out more about our prices

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additional options: Software providers usually charge additional fees for options such as multiple phone numbers, additional users, analyses and other functions. Be sure to pay attentionthat the WhatsApp API provider of your choice no additional charges per message requires. You should only pay the official meta fees per message!

Reading tip: In our article “How much does the WhatsApp Business API cost in 2026?” We have described all costs in detail.

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What are the benefits of WhatsApp Business API in conjunction with hellomateo?

Hellomateo's messaging software offers much more than a simple WhatsApp API user interface. Various features and tools mean that hellomateo's central messaging software makes customer communication significantly more efficient. Just arrange a free consultationto find out all the details Our customers know the following benefits particularly appreciated:

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• ‍Central user interface: hellomateo combines WhatsApp Business Platform, email, Instagram, SMS and Facebook Messenger in one central inbox. The intuitive user interface includes various tools for efficient customer communication and saves you valuable working time.
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• integrations: With hellomateo, you can use WhatsApp in integrate over 6,000 software programs and fully automated Customer trips create with invitations, order confirmations, shipping information, invoices, and reminders.
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• Newsletter marketing: Send GDPR-compliant Newsletter via WhatsApp or SMS and benefit from opening rates of over 95%.‍
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• Assessment management: hellomateo can Automatically request online reviews from your customers, which boosts your Google ranking and trust in your company.
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• ‍Data protection: hellomateo meets all German and European Data protection requirements and offers end-to-end encryption for secure customer communication.
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• scalability: Our software is suitable for Businesses of all sizes and can be extended indefinitely depending on the package.‍
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• ‍Diverse AI features: Our AI agent can automatically answer customer inquiries in chat, answer calls, help with the formulation of messages and much more.
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Arrange a non-binding and free consultation and we'll show you how hellomateo covers your communication needs! Simply book an appointment here or write to us via our web widget.

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