TL;DR — Moving from the free WhatsApp Business app to the official API is a big step. It unlocks automation, multi-agent support, and CRM integrations, but it also introduces per-message costs and strict Meta compliance rules. Here are the clear answers to the 10 most common questions we get from founders.
The Top 10 Questions
1. Do I need a completely new phone number?
No, but you must permanently delete the existing WhatsApp account tied to that number before migrating it to the API. Once on the API, the number cannot be used on the mobile app anymore.
2. How much does it actually cost?
You pay Meta a per-conversation fee (a 24-hour window), plus whatever subscription or markup fee your Business Solution Provider (BSP) charges. For a detailed breakdown, read our guide on WhatsApp API for Indian SMBs.
3. Which BSP should I choose?
It depends on your technical needs. WATI is great for no-code support, but Atharva AI is better for developer-led automation. Read our full WhatsApp BSP Comparison for the pros and cons.
4. Can I send marketing messages to anyone?
No. Meta requires explicit opt-in from users. If you buy a database and spam them, users will report you, and Meta will permanently ban your number.
5. How do I get the “Green Tick” verification?
The Official Business Account (OBA) green tick is notoriously hard to get. Meta requires you to be a “notable” business with substantial news PR (paid PR does not count). You do not need a green tick to use the API or the new WhatsApp Business UIDs.
6. Can I connect it to Zoho or HubSpot?
Absolutely. Using middleware like n8n, you can sync WhatsApp messages directly into your CRM. See our tutorial on syncing Facebook Lead Ads to your CRM for an example of this architecture.
7. Can customers call my API number?
No. Standard API numbers do not support inbound or outbound WhatsApp voice calls.
8. Are there limits on how many messages I can send?
Yes. New numbers start at Tier 1 (1,000 marketing messages per 24 hours). As you send high-quality messages that don’t get reported as spam, Meta automatically upgrades you to Tier 2 (10k), Tier 3 (100k), and eventually unlimited.
9. What is a template message?
If 24 hours have passed since the customer last messaged you, you can only initiate contact using a pre-approved “Template Message.”
10. Can I build AI agents on top of the API?
Yes! This is the most powerful use case. You can route inbound messages to an LLM to qualify leads automatically. Learn more in our overarching guide to AI Agents for SMBs.
Ready to set up your WhatsApp API architecture? Review our automation services to get started.