Integrating WhatsApp into the Progreda can significantly enhance customer communication by providing a direct, convenient, and widely used messaging channel.
Pre-requisites: You will need a Facebook Account and a Facebook Meta Business Account. (Learn what a Meta Business Account is here.)
Here's how to integrate WhatsApp into the Progreda:
Navigation
Purchase the WhatsApp Subscription:
Navigate to Settings> WhatsApp; you can purchase WhatsApp by submitting and confirming your payment details.
When you click the 'Confirm' button, the system will create your subscription, process the payment, and take you to the WhatsApp dashboard.
Step 1: Sign Up Using Meta Login
Accounts can quickly sign up for WhatsApp using their Meta (Facebook) login credentials. This simplifies the sign-up process by using existing information, making it quick and seamless to get started.
If your FB Profile is not associated with a Whatsapp Business Profile, it will let you create a Whatsapp Business Profile by guiding you through a few steps.
Step 2: Register with Your Phone Number
For WhatsApp registration, use a phone number, which supports call OTP verification mode. This provides a secure way to register and verify the business account.
If you are using an existing phone number, please enable call forwarding to receive the verification code from Meta. If your number supports SMS, the verification code will be available under the Conversations tab.
Step 3: One-on-one messages will be enabled
Once an account is established on the platform and WhatsApp Business is verified, the Progreda will allow one-on-one messaging through the Conversations feature.
This facilitates personal communication with each customer.
To understand WhatsApp Conversations, please see article “Managing WhatsApp Conversations: A Guide to Categories, Duration, and Free Entry Point Conversations”
Step 4: Message Status Tracking
The Progreda will display delivery and read statuses for all messages within Conversations, ensuring that communication is tracked and managed effectively.
Step 5: Template Creation and Approval Tracking
Users can create message templates within the Progreda platform, which will be submitted to Meta for approval. The Progreda tracks approval status and supports template creation in multiple languages.
Before we start:
Important Update: WhatsApp Marketing Templates Pause in the U.S. (April 1, 2025)
Starting April 1, 2025, Meta will pause the ability to send WhatsApp marketing template messages to U.S. numbers. However, utility and authentication templates, along with responses within the 24-hour customer service window, will still be allowed. This change does not affect marketing messages in other countries.
What’s Changing & How to Prepare
Meta is temporarily pausing marketing templates in the U.S. to focus on WhatsApp’s long-term growth. While marketing messages won’t be delivered, businesses can still engage with customers using Utility Templates and Click-to-WhatsApp Ads.
What You Should Do Next
Create Utility Templates: Transition essential messages to utility templates to avoid disruptions.
Use Click-to-WhatsApp Ads: Engage customers through ads triggering WhatsApp conversations.
Maximize the 24-Hour Service Window: Ensure real-time responses to customer inquiries.
Permitted WhatsApp Business Activities
Utility Conversations: Order updates, appointment confirmations
Authentication Messages: OTPs, account verifications
Service Conversations: Responses within the 24-hour window
Click-to-WhatsApp Ads: Drive interactions via ads
Create a Template:
Initiate a new message template within the Progreda platform. This template will serve as a standardized message you can send to your contacts on WhatsApp.
Compose Your Message:
Write the content of your message within the Progreda template editor. Ensure that the message is clear and meets the purpose of your communication, whether it's for marketing, appointment reminders, or customer service.
Submit for Approval:
Once satisfied with your template, submit it to Meta (formerly Facebook) for approval. This step is crucial as WhatsApp requires all templated messages to be reviewed to ensure they comply with their messaging policies.
Track Approval Status:
The Progreda will provide a way to track the status of your template approval process. You'll be able to see if your template has been approved or rejected or if it requires any modifications.
Use Approved Templates:
After receiving approval from Meta, you can use your template to communicate with your customers on WhatsApp. You can send these templates directly or incorporate them into automated workflows for various customer engagement strategies. Be advised that workflows should be used to automate to a limited number of people now.
Step 6: SMS Tracking
The Progreda offers a mini dashboard where users can view metrics such as the number of outbound and inbound SMS sent via WhatsApp, helping businesses monitor their activity.
Key Features to Note:
All inbound messages from leads are free of charge.
Fees apply only for newly sent template messages.
Upcoming features include attachment support for messages, threaded replies, new template creation flow, and integration of WhatsApp automation with workflow systems.
WhatsApp Conversation UI and Features
Request Payments via WhatsApp
Users can request payments directly through WhatsApp, simplifying the payment process for customers and streamlining transactions.
WhatsApp Business Account Integration
The WhatsApp Business Profile Management feature includes:
Profile Picture Upload/Change: Easily update your business profile picture.
Business Category: Define your business type clearly.
Business Description: Provide an overview of your business to inform customers.
Business Address: Ensure customers know where to find you.
Email Address: Add your contact email for customer inquiries.
Website: Link to your website for more information.
To update your business profile, go to Settings > WhatsApp > Numbers, click on the three dots under Actions, and select Update Business Profile.
A banner has been added to facilitate the seamless connection of your WhatsApp business account.
Schedule Send
WhatsApp Schedule Send feature empowers businesses to enhance their communication strategies by scheduling messages for future delivery. Whether using template messages or free-form texts, this feature allows businesses to plan their outreach at times that best suit their customers, ensuring timely and effective communication.
How to Use: To schedule a message,
Navigate to Conversations.
Select the contact.
Choose WhatsApp.
Pick the desired template.
Click the scheduling button.
Set the preferred date and time, and confirm the schedule.
Note that free-form messages can be scheduled up to 24 hours from the last inbound message received.
WhatsApp Flows: In-App Appointment Booking
The In-App Appointment Booking feature in WhatsApp Flows allows businesses to manage the entire appointment scheduling process within WhatsApp. It streamlines the process by keeping interactions in the app, using pre-filled customer information and real-time calendar integration for a quicker, more personalized booking experience.
Note: This feature does not support payments or recurring events, and only default form fields are available for bookings.
For more details and step by step guide, please review our article “WhatsApp Flows: In-app Appointment Booking”
FAQs
1. Why can't customers see my business name on WhatsApp and only see the phone number?
You need to verify your business with Meta. Once verified, you’ll be able to initiate over 1,000 daily conversations and display your business name in chats with customers. Submit business documents in Business Manager to verify your business.
2. Why am I receiving a message saying I’ve reached the maximum number of phone numbers for my business account?
Meta allows only two phone numbers per WhatsApp Business Account (WABA). To add another number, you will need to delete an existing one or request additional numbers.
3. Can I use an existing WhatsApp number?
Yes, you can, but there are some limitations. To use it with Progreda or any similar application-to-person system, the number must be linked to a WhatsApp Business Account. You cannot use a number that is already associated with another WhatsApp account, including your personal number. To use it, you must first release the number from the existing account, then it can be added to a new WhatsApp Business Account.
Learn how to release a number from an existing account here:
Note: When signing up within your Progreda account, if you already have a WhatsApp Business Account, you can select it during the process.
4. How do I purchase a WhatsApp subscription within the Progreda?
To purchase a WhatsApp subscription, navigate to Settings > WhatsApp, submit your payment details, and confirm the transaction. Once confirmed, the system will create your subscription and direct you to the WhatsApp dashboard.
5. Can I use my existing Meta (Facebook) credentials to sign up for WhatsApp in the Progreda?
Yes, you can quickly sign up using your Meta (Facebook) log in credentials. This simplifies the process by using your existing information. If your Facebook profile is not associated with a WhatsApp Business Profile, the system will guide you through creating one.
6. What types of messages can I send using WhatsApp in the Progreda?
The Progreda allows for one-on-one messaging through the Conversations feature, including both template messages and free-form messages.
7. Can I schedule WhatsApp messages for future delivery?
Yes, you can schedule both template and free-form WhatsApp messages for future delivery. For template messages, select the desired template, click the scheduling button, set the preferred date and time, and confirm. Free-form messages can be scheduled up to 24 hours from the last inbound message received.
8. How can I track the status of my WhatsApp messages in the Progreda?
The Progreda provides message status tracking within the Conversations feature. You can view delivery and read statuses for all messages, helping you manage and monitor your communication effectively.
9. How do I request payments through WhatsApp?
To request payments via WhatsApp:
Open the chat with the customer.
Use the new payment request option within the chat.
Complete the payment request process and send it directly to the customer, making transactions more straightforward and convenient.