In an era where instant communication is the norm, WhatsApp has emerged as one of the most widely used messaging platforms worldwide.
What may have started as a personal communication tool has now evolved into a powerful business solution with the introduction of the WhatsApp Business API. With over 2 billion global users, this innovative tool has transformed the way businesses interact with their customers and has become an essential component of modern customer engagement strategies.

What is Whatsapp Business API

To help businesses drive the complete potential of WhatsApp Marketing, Meta launched WhatsApp Business API.
WhatsApp Business API was launched to help businesses communicate with their leads & customers at scale on WhatsApp!
It's the Official way to scale your user engagement on WhatsApp and grow your Business.

WhatsApp Business API vs WhatsApp Business App?

While the WhatsApp Business API offers advanced features for businesses and allow scalability, its also has limitations compared to WhatsApp Business App.
Here is a comparative how Whatsapp Business API is different from Whatsapp Business App

	Whatsapp Business API	Whatsapp Business App
Broadcasting Limit	✅ up to UNLIMITED	❌ 256 Contacts
Multi-User Access	✅ Unlimited	❌ Not Supported
Automated Messaging	✅ Yes	❌ Not Supported
Broadcast Reaches	✅ All Users	❌ Only who have saved your number
Customized Messages	✅ Yes	❌ Only normal messages are allowed
Integration with Third-parties	✅ Yes	❌ Not Supported
Group chats	❌ Not Supported	✅ Supported
Voice/Video calls	❌ Not Supported	✅ Supported
Whatsapp Story	❌ Not Supported	✅ Supported
Cost	❌ Not Free	✅ Free

What do you need to use WhatsApp Business API via Alaaqat?

Alaaqat allow business to easily connect with their customers using WhatsApp Business API, What you need is the following:

1. Account in Alaaqat
2. A phone number to use for WhatsApp, Learn more about integrating WhatsApp phone number with Alaaqat
3. Add a payment method in Meta, you can add a payment method to your account from this link

Understanding the cost of using WhatsApp Business API

WhatsApp Business API offers 1,000 client-initiated conversations for free each month. After the first 1,000 conversations, a Customer Service fee (as defined by Meta) will be applied (see Customer Service for details).

WhatsApp Business API does not offer free business-initiated conversations. Every business-initiated conversation must use a predefined template (which can be created within the Alaaqat system). Templates are categorized into Marketing, Utility, and Authentication. The price of sending a template depends on two factors:

1. Template Category
2. The country's price rate

Alaaqat provides comprehensive documentation about each conversation category and its associated pricing. You can learn more about WhatsApp pricing in the WhatsApp Pricing in Alaaqat documentation.

Meta bills the Customer Service fee directly. Alaaqat does not charge any additional fees on top of the template price.

You can send templates to individual WhatsApp numbers for free using the Alaaqat free account. However, automating the process or sending bulk messages (broadcasting) requires upgrading to at least the Starter Plan.

Have more questions? don't hesitate to contact us using the contact form.