If you’re looking to understand how WhatsApp Business APIs work, how it differs from the WhatsApp business app, and how it can help SMBs, you’ve come to the right place. We aim to give you a quick primer on everything you need to know before you get started. What Is WhatsApp Business API?


WhatsApp API was launched to help medium to large companies that wanted to use WhatsApp to communicate with multiple customers at scale. WhatsApp Business API enables businesses to automate communications with automated replies, WhatsApp chatbots & interactive messages.



In short, WhatsApp Business API helps businesses to create a personalized communication flow that works best for their customers.


WhatsApp Business App


WhatsApp Business App & its WhatsApp Business Web extension are free-to-use apps aimed to help small business owners. It helps small businesses connect with customers offer their products and services and support them through their journey. But it has limited capabilities and is not built for scale.


  • Cannot send bulk messages to customers/leads.
  • Cannot automatically trigger messages via APIs.
  • Does not support multiple logins & dashboards to measure agent performance.


All these limitations can be overcome by using the “WhatsApp Business API“.


But, before you decide to use WhatsApp API, you must know a few basics about APIs and the rules-


Pre-Onboarding:


  • If onboarded with a WhatsApp Business API solution provider (like Flaxxa Wapi), the previous chats cannot be seen.
  • If onboarded with a WhatsApp Business API solution provider (like Flaxxa Wapi), the number cannot be used on any other WhatsApp apps - including the WhatsApp & WhatsApp Business mobile app.


Post Onboarding:


  • afterBusinesses can send messages to customers only after a customer initiates a message. These messages are called session messages and can be sent by businesses to customers only till 24 hours of the customer sends a message.
  • After 24 hours, the session expires and businesses can only send 'template messages' to their users. Template messages must be pre-approved by WhatsApp and can be done from the Flaxxa Wapidashboard.
  • All template messages must adhere to WhatsApp Commerce Policies.
  • The WhatsApp Group Feature is not supported
  • WhatsApp Voice or Video Calls are not supported. Voice notes are supported.
  • The WhatsApp Message Forwarding Feature is not supported
  • WhatsApp apps cannot be used with the same number if using WhatsApp Business APIs
  • Sent messages cannot be deleted as WhatsApp's API currently does not support deleting a sent message.