API stands for Application Programming Interface. It refers to a software link-man that allows two apps to communicate with each other. For example, you are in a restaurant and decide what to eat by looking at the menu. The back kitchen is responsible for preparing all food orders. The critical missing link here is the waiter - also known as an API - who will communicate your order to the kitchen and deliver your food.

Similarly, that's what the WhatsApp Business API does. To use the WhatsApp API, businesses will have to choose a provider and integrate with the software to fully unlock its functionality. With this powerful tool, your company will be able to streamline communication using features such as automatic messages, broadcast lists for unlimited contacts, chatbots, interactive messages such as WhatsApp buttons, integrations with other applications and much more.

What Is WhatsApp Business API?

WhatsApp Business API is a tool specially designed so that companies can communicate with their customers securely and effectively. In oversimplified terms, WhatsApp Business API can be explained as an upgraded version of the WhatsApp Business app. Although the WhatsApp Business app offers small businesses basic features like company profiles, auto-responders, labels, etc., the options are quite limited, especially for those dealing with a larger number of customers and daily queries.

Great things come at a price and the WhatsApp Business API charges conversation fees, but the conversions will speak in your favour. Apart from the security and reliability it brings to both businesses and customers, the WhatsApp Business API offers a wide range of additional features such as automated messages, chatbots, multiple logins, mass broadcasting, and many more to help companies sell better online.

It is essential to take into account the differences between WhatsApp Business API and WhatsApp Business App. 

Whatsapp Business API Trends

The world of technology and communications is constantly evolving. WhatsApp, being one of the most popular messaging platforms worldwide, is no exception. Let’s look at some of the future trends we could expect in the realm of WhatsApp Business API Trends and the overall business communication landscape.

Expected evolution of WhatsApp Business API

1) Functionality expansion: 

As businesses more widely adopt the API and provide feedback, we are likely to see an expansion of the features offered to meet the changing needs of the business world.

2) Greater integration with Facebook and other Meta platforms: 

Since WhatsApp is owned by Meta (formerly Facebook, Inc.), we could see greater integration between WhatsApp Business API and other tools and platforms in the Meta ecosystem.

3) Improvements in automation: 

With the growing demand for chatbots and auto-response systems, WhatsApp is likely to continue refining and expanding its automation tools.

Emerging integrations and features

1) Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR): 

With the growing popularity of these technologies, businesses may be able to integrate AR and VR experiences into their customer interactions via WhatsApp.

2) Integrated payments: 

WhatsApp has already experimented with payment features in some countries. In the future, we could see an expansion of these functionalities, allowing businesses to transact directly through the platform.

3) Improved analytics: 

A greater ability to analyze and understand customer interactions can emerge, giving businesses deeper insights into their customers’ behavior and preferences.

Potential competitors and alternatives on the horizon

1) Telegram, Signal and others: 

While they don't have the same user base as WhatsApp, these messaging platforms are gaining traction and could offer enterprise solutions in the future.

2) Regional solutions: 

In certain regions, local apps such as WeChat in China or Line in Japan dominate the market. These platforms already offer enterprise solutions and could expand to other markets.

3) Decentralization and Privacy: 

With growing concerns about privacy and data centralization, we could see a trend towards decentralized messaging platforms that offer enterprise solutions with a focus on privacy.

Future trends for WhatsApp Business messaging include the expansion of the WhatsApp Business API functionality to suit the needs of large enterprises in terms of business messaging. Considering the increasing security requirements, WhatsApp Business messages will require better end-to-end encryption and enhanced privacy settings. Additionally, the rise of conversational AI will continue to influence the way brands interact with customers.

Advantages of WhatsApp Business API

The possibilities are endless! With platforms like Webelight Solutions, companies can integrate the WhatsApp Business API to access more features and increase workflow efficiency. 

At Webelight Solutions, we discuss the advantages and benefits of WhatsApp Business API, and the benefits of this will become as clear as day.

1) Verified WhatsApp Business account

When using the WhatsApp Business App to contact clients, only the phone number will be displayed. Instead, the WhatsApp API allows businesses to have a WhatsApp account that displays the business name instead of the business phone number, which is displayed even if the customer has not saved the business phone number. Additionally, there will be a small green check mark next to your company name to show its authenticity and reliability.

2) Interactive Messages

WhatsApp API offers interactive messages to encourage customer engagement. This type of messaging provides users with easier options to communicate the products or services they need from your company. This perfectly explains why WhatsApp integration Business messages tend to have significantly higher response rates and conversions compared to text-based, informative WhatsApp Business messages. 

3) Response Buttons

Do you remember when in school we preferred multiple choice questions to long answer questions on exams? Well, this is the same. Users can be provided with up to 3 options. This means that business users can design 3 buttons for customers to select. It can even be combined with list messages by customizing an interactive message flow.

4) Broadcast Lists on WhatsApp

With the broadcast feature, companies can send mass but personalized messages to their customers to provide them with details about events or promotions. This undoubtedly saves a lot of time for companies, who will no longer have to copy and paste each text individually and make sure that the customer's name is spelt correctly.

For example, logistics companies can use this feature to notify their customers of deliveries, educational companies send seminar spot confirmations, and supermarkets to send flash promotions.

5) Multiple Logins

Customer service agents no longer have to fight over a single phone number to communicate through the company's WhatsApp Business account. With the WhatsApp Business API, multiple agents can access businesses' WhatsApp phone numbers at the same time. Therefore, this not only allows more customer service agents to serve more customers at once but also allows for collaboration between cross-functional teams.

6) Chatbots

To be more effective, use a chatbot! In general, chatbots can be used to reduce the time spent on customer service by targeting customer needs. The customer will then be automatically redirected to the relevant department to get the best answers to their questions.

7) Automated Messaging Standards

Businesses can automate FAQs, broadcast messages, and interactive messages through the WhatsApp Business API, and automatically assign incoming chats to multiple agents based on specific rules. This will significantly improve team efficiency as customer service agents can spend more time addressing customer needs instead of manually assigning chats. Additionally, with Webelight Solutions, chats can also be automatically reassigned to another agent if the initial agent's status is "away." It further reduces customer wait time and ensures that customer service (CS) agents have sufficient breaks and rest time.

8) Lead capture tools

Next, businesses can make their WhatsApp number more accessible by adding it to a live chat widget on their websites. As customers enjoy the convenience, lead generation rates can increase as more conversations are initiated by clicking the WhatsApp icon in the widget. You can also monitor your customers' browsing activities to find out which website is performing best.

9) WhatsApp Catalog

With the WhatsApp Business API, your customers can also purchase in the chat. This feature can encourage impulse purchases and also offer consumers a faster, more efficient and consistent buyer journey. As they share their positive experience with others, you'll get free marketing!

10) Payment Links on WhatsApp

From social media to ordering and payment, the in-chat shopping experience becomes frictionless with the WhatsApp Business API. You just have to generate a payment link so that your clients pay directly in the chat. The fewer steps, the more likely consumers are to buy more.

11) Integrated Customer Profile

Since Whatsapp Api integration and Whatsapp integration have become the preferred communication channel for the majority, many customers tend to like to use it. Customer data collected from other platforms, such as the physical store, e-commerce websites or social networks, can be combined into a single profile. You can then use the information for your WhatsApp outreach or customer support.

API Integrating multiple messaging channels, as well as adding CRM software like Salesforce and HubSpot, or even your calendar, Task Management, etc. It will also help you serve your WhatsApp customers with high precision and efficiency. 

The WhatsApp Business API has two associated costs: the fee to use the API and the amount charged per message. There are two types of messages for WhatsApp API: Template messages and Session messages. WhatsApp Template Messages are pre-approved message templates for marketing, one-time password notifications, or outgoing messages like delivery notices and appointment reminders.

WhatsApp template messages are classified into:

a) Helpful conversations

b) Authentication conversations

c) Marketing conversations

WhatsApp session messages, also called service conversations, are customer-initiated messages. A service conversation begins when a customer sends you a message and lasts 24 hours from the last message received. After those 24 hours, the conversation ends. You can then wait for users to send you a message, or instead send a Template Message to invite the user to reply.

Who should consider using WhatsApp Business API?

The useful features of the WhatsApp Business API are extremely attractive, but it is still vital that business owners consider the functionality of its use in their sector of work.

Companies that should consider using web WhatsApp API are medium and large companies that need to manage a high volume of messages daily and want to maintain efficient and organized communication with clients on a large scale. 

Here are some examples of who could benefit from this tool:

1) E-commerce: 

Online stores that require a tool to manage orders, confirmations, shipments and customer service efficiently and in real time.

2) Service Companies: 

Such as airlines, hotels and transportation services that need to send instant notifications and manage reservations or changes in the services offered.

3) Financial Institutions: 

Banks and insurance companies that can use the API to send transaction alerts, financial product promotions, and account management assistance.

4) Healthcare Organizations: 

Hospitals and clinics that want to improve communication with patients by sending appointment reminders, information about treatments and answers to general queries.

The WhatsApp Business API Integration is ideal for any business that needs to communicate in a personalized but large-scale manner, ensuring that messages are delivered reliably and securely.

How to create a WhatsApp Business API account?

First of all, companies will have to choose their own official WhatsApp Business Solution Providers (BSP). These providers will process the WhatsApp Business account and message templates for WhatsApp Business of the companies by sending the relevant information to WhatsApp.

Understandably, with so many WhatsApp Business Solution Providers for WhatsApp on the market, it can be a bit overwhelming. When deciding to incorporate the all-powerful web WhatsApp Business API trends and innovation, businesses will have to choose the platform solution that best suits their needs. Companies looking for a comprehensive customer experience sales acceleration platform can count on Webelight Solutions to support them. 

Here are the reasons why you should choose Webelight Solutions as your WhatsApp Business Solution Provider (BSP): 

1) The best price for companies with a high volume of messages

Apart from the conversation fees charged by Meta, companies will have to pay a subscription or provider fee to the WhatsApp BSP. Webelight Solutions offers a reasonable price based on your needs.

2) Connection stability

Having your WhatsApp API account disconnected is the last thing you want for your business. When messages are lost or not delivered it can result in dissatisfied customers. With Webelight Solutions as an authorized WhatsApp Business API and Whatsapp Integration solution provider, you don't have to worry about errors caused by failed HTTP requests as Webelight Solutions uses the powerful, secure and reliable resources provided by Meta.

3) Easy incorporation of WhatsApp Business accounts in a few minutes

Webelight Solutions works closely with Meta's WhatsApp team to ensure customers can access Whatsapp Api integration as soon as possible. It only takes a few minutes to complete the onboarding process with Webelight Solutions!

Getting started with the WhatsApp Business API via Webelight Solutions

Webelight Solutions has easy-to-use web and mobile versions that integrate well with the WhatsApp Business API and other messaging apps (like Instagram and Facebook). Additionally, Webelight Solutions has also added integration capabilities with your existing CRM systems to ensure a seamless onboarding process and experience. 

One of the main features is that you can integrate with other systems, i.e. connect your API to your Webelight Solutions. Automatically send messages to your customers while recording all the information in your database to achieve your marketing goals. You will be able to retain customers by communicating in real-time, responding to requests and automating processes.

Can you imagine sending a marketing campaign directly to your ideal client's WhatsApp and when they respond, you have everything ready to move forward automatically? This, along with sending emails, managing contacts and more, is what Sagicc does for you. You can also set up payment reminders, specific notifications, order updates or thank you messages for your clients. 

Usage Globally

WhatsApp currently has around 2 billion active users and the trend is that it will continue to grow exponentially. This means that this channel is and will continue to be fertile ground for business. Therefore, you need to know the WhatsApp trends that will set the tone in 2024, therefore Webelight Solutions will be there to provide the results of all your queries about this trend.

It is the most used messaging platform in most countries. And, where not, it is usually the second (and Facebook Messenger the first). In 58 of the 94 countries analyzed by similar web, WhatsApp is the most used messaging application. WhatsApp is extremely popular for business use in India. In 2022, India ranked first as the country with the most WhatsApp Business downloads with 292 million downloads in June.
 

How does Webelight Solutions WhatsApp Business boost customer experience?

It is well known that on social media, news, blogs, etc., customers prefer to send messages to companies instead of emails or calls. To keep pace with these contemporary trends, Webelight Solutions has made the most of WhatsApp Business by implementing many, if not all, of its features to increase the level of satisfaction of its customers.

Here are some key aspects or features of the WhatsApp Business API that have been of great help to Webelight Solutions:

a) Automated workflow with the chatbot in WhatsApp Business.
b) Multi-logins for multi-user management.
c) Improved customer experience.

Webelight Solutions as a prominent industry leader, has redefined customer-facing functions using WhatsApp Business API as a key to driving business growth. Since customer relationships are important in a thriving business, their decision to dive headfirst into social commerce serves as a great reference for everyone. So, if your business still needs to fully explore the potential of conversational commerce, it's probably a good time!