WhatsApp Business
WhatsApp Business connects through Meta’s Cloud API. Once linked, your chatbot replies to messages sent to your business number — same knowledge, same agent dashboard, same analytics.
In this guide:
- Prerequisites (Meta Business account, verified number)
- Connect via Meta Business
- Test a message
- Templates and 24-hour windows
- Disconnect
Prerequisites
- A Meta Business account (business.facebook.com).
- A WhatsApp Business account inside that Business account.
- A phone number verified for WhatsApp Business. (You can register a new number through Meta’s flow during connection.)
If you don’t have these, set up Meta Business first — it’s a one-time process that takes 15–30 minutes.
Step 1: Connect via Meta Business
On your chatbot detail page, go to Actions → WhatsApp, then click Connect. You’re redirected through Meta’s OAuth, where you’ll be asked to:
- Sign in to Meta.
- Pick the Business account.
- Pick the WhatsApp Business account inside it.
- Pick the phone number to use.
- Approve permissions (manage WhatsApp messaging).
Meta returns an access token to Hilal Chatbot, which is stored encrypted.
Screenshot: The WhatsApp number picker with verified phone numbers.
Step 2: Test a message
From your personal WhatsApp, send a message to the connected business number. The chatbot replies using your trained knowledge.
Heads up: WhatsApp’s 24-hour rule still applies (see below) — bots can reply freely to messages users send first, but proactive outbound requires a pre-approved template.
Templates and 24-hour windows
WhatsApp business messaging has two modes:
- Free-form (within 24 hours of user reply) — the bot can send any message in response to a user message, within 24 hours of the most recent inbound. Use this for normal support.
- Template (outside 24 hours) — to start a conversation or follow up after 24 hours have passed, you must use a Meta-approved message template. Templates are pre-written messages with placeholders.
Configure templates in Meta Business → WhatsApp → Message Templates, then reference them in Hilal Chatbot’s Behavior settings.
Step 3: Disconnect
In Actions → WhatsApp, click Disconnect. Hilal Chatbot revokes the Meta access token. Your WhatsApp number remains active in Meta — you can reconnect or use it elsewhere.
Costs
WhatsApp Business charges per conversation, not per message. The first 1,000 user-initiated conversations per month are typically free; pricing varies by country. Hilal Chatbot itself doesn’t add to this — Meta bills you directly.
Limitations
- One number per chatbot. A chatbot can be connected to one WhatsApp number. For multiple numbers, use multiple chatbots.
- Voice and video calls are not supported via the bot — text messages only.
- Group chats: WhatsApp Business doesn’t allow bots in groups; only one-to-one.
Troubleshooting
- OAuth completes but no number visible. The number may not be verified for WhatsApp Business. Verify in Meta Business first.
- Replies fail outside 24 hours. You’re trying to send free-form outside the 24-hour window. Use a template or wait for the user to message first.
- “This account is restricted.” Meta may have flagged the account for policy review. Resolve in Meta Business; reconnect after approval.