How do I configure WhatsApp with my Webmecanik Automation instance?

WhatsApp has become one of the most influential communication applications of recent decades. Thanks to its quick and easy integration of images, it's gradually replacing the aging technology of SMS. Create, organize and convert your marketing campaigns directly using WhatsApp messages, with no additional tools required.

WhatsApp configuration

Setting up WhatsApp in Meta

• First of all, make sure you have a Meta Business account.This is required to access the WhatsApp Business API.
• You'll need to create a Meta Developer account and a Meta Developer application. Make sure you create an "Enterprise" application and add WhatsApp as a service.
• Once your application has been created, you'll have access to a temporary access token and ID phone number from the WhatsApp section of your developer application's "Getting Started" page.

For detailed tips and resources on creating apps on the WhatsApp Business platform, you can visit the WhatsApp Business Developer Hub.

APP configuration

1. Go to https://developers.facebook.com/apps/
2. Select Other
   
3. Business tab
   
4. Fill in the account information (application name, contact email address, meta Business account)
5. Confirm by clicking Create App
   
6. Click on Set up
   
7. Click on Start Using the API
   

Generate a permanent access token

1. Go to "Users > System users" in your Business Manager settings.
2. Add a new user, assign the Admin user role and generate a new token.
3. Be sure to enable permissions for

   whatsapp_business_management 
   whatsapp_business_messaging 
   business_management

4. Copy the permanent access token generated.

A step-by-step guide to generating a permanent access token for the WhatsApp API is available on Arengu Tutorials.

Configuring the Automation plugin

1. Go to the Plugin tab
2. Select the WhatsApp plugin
   
3. Add the permanent access token obtained in the previous step.
4. To improve the application's functionality, include the phone number ID and WhatsApp Business account ID obtained during API configuration.
5. Add your webhook verification token.

Webhook configuration

1. Add the URL https://your-automation-url/whatsapp/message/callback with your Webhook verification token to your Whatsapp application configuration.
   
2. If all goes well, you can try creating your first message.
3. In the message, you can use tokens similar to those used in e-mails, for example

   {contactfield=firstname}

4. You can also set up an unsubscribe button.

The quick reply button allows users to easily reply to messages and unsubscribe from subsequent messages with a single click.

Additional information

• Each message is created as a template on WhatsApp.
• Templates with a status of PENDING cannot be modified. Only themes with a status of APPROVED, REJECTED or PAUSED can be modified.
• Approved templates can be modified up to 10 times per 30-day period, or once per 24-hour period.
  Rejected or paused models can be modified an unlimited number of times.
• Contact replies are not supported. You will not be able to retrieve messages sent in response to your communications.
• When a template is modified, if it has previously been approved or paused, it is automatically re-approved.
• If the template is not approved, the message will be automatically unpublished on the automation side. Thereafter, you can only send approved messages.