To use the various APIs (in this case the WhatsApp API), you must register yourself as a developer, via the Meta for Developers platform.

Steps:

1. 1Visit the Meta for Developers Platform: https://developers.facebook.com/
2. 2Click "Get Started"
3. 3Log in by using your facebook profile
4. 4Accept the terms and conditions
5. 5Verify your account through email or phone authentication.

To finish the developer registration:

1. 1Go to "Settings" → "Developer Settings"
2. 2Click Register as a Developer
3. 3Select the primary reason for making use of the Meta Developer Tools.
4. 4Enter the additional requested information
5. 5Click Complete Registration.

Don't be intimidated, you don't have to code an app, a Meta Application or "App" is required to connect the WhatsApp Cloud API with EchoLeads. Basically it serves as a bridge between the two.

Steps:

1. 1Navigate to the "Meta App Creation" page.
2. 2Click "Create App"
3. 3Select "Business" as the application type.

You will then be requested to provide the following information.

• App Display Name
• App Contact Email
• Business Account

1. 1Click Create App
2. 2Complete the security verification if prompted.

To enable the WhatsApp messaging option, the WhatsApp product must be added to the Meta App you just created.

Steps:

1. 1Open your "Meta App Dashboard"
2. 2Scroll to the "Add a Product" section.
3. 3Click "Set Up"

Meta makes it mandatory for businesses to verify their identity before allowing them to message real users on WhatsApp.

Steps:

1. 1Go to the "Meta Business Manager"
2. 2Open "Business Settings"
3. 3Go to "Security Center"
4. 4Click "Start Verification"

If you don't have a business account then Meta will guide you to create one.

You are required to provide the following information:

• Business name
• Business email address
• Business website
• Business phone number
• Business address

Meta will also request additional documents, such as:

• Business registration certificate
• Tax identification documents
• Government-issued ID of the business owner

Once your business has been verified, you can register a phone number solely for WhatsApp messaging.

Steps:

1. 1Go to "App Dashboard" → "API Setup"
2. 2Click "Add Phone Number"
3. 3Enter your business phone number

Important requirements:

• The phone number that you will be entering must not already be registered with a WhatsApp account.
• The number should be able to receive an OTP, through SMS or Voice Calls

1. 4Verify the number with the OTP provided

For WhatsApp API Usage Meta requires users to add a payment method.

Steps:

1. 1Go to "App Dashboard" → "API Setup"
2. 2Click "Add Payment Method"
3. 3You will be redirected to the "Billings and Payments Page"

Accepted payment methods include the following:

• Credit/Debit Card
• Paypal
• Bank Transfer

1. 1Enter the billing information and complete the verification

Meta requires the apps that have been created to provide links to legal policies.

Steps:

1. 1Go to "App Settings" → "Basic" in the Meta App Dashboard.
2. 2
   Find the fields for:

   • Privacy Policy URL
   • Terms of Service URL
3. 3Paste the respective links from your website
4. 4Click "Save Changes"

A permanent access token is mandatory to connect the Meta app with EchoLeads.

Steps:

1. 1Open the "Meta Developer Console"
2. 2Navigate to "System Users"
3. 3Create a new Admin system user
4. 4Assign the required assets as well as permissions
5. 5Click "Generate Token"
6. 6Select your App and choose the permissions related to WhatsApp.

Once the Permanent Access Token has been generated, the final step involves connecting EchoLeads to your Meta App.

Steps:

1. 1Create a WhatsApp Bot inside the EchoLeads dashboard
2. 2
   EchoLeads will generate the following:

   • Webhook URL
   • An Access Token
3. 3Go to "Meta App" → "WhatsApp" → "Configuration"
4. 4Paste the URL and Access Token into the Fields
5. 5Click "Verify and Save"

To enable message management, subscribe to the required WhatsApp events.

Steps:

Enable the following events:

• Messages
• Account_updated
• Message_template_quality_update
• Message_template_status_update

Before using the WhatsApp API, it should first be switched to "Live Mode"

Steps:

1. 1Navigate to the "App Dashboard"
2. 2Locate the "Live Mode/Live Functions"
3. 3Enable it