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WhatsApp Setup

Before you can send WhatsApp messages through Sendmator, you need to connect your WhatsApp Business Account and complete a simple activation process.

Prerequisites​

  • Active Sendmator account
  • Facebook Business Manager account
  • Phone number not currently using WhatsApp Personal or WhatsApp Business app

Step 1: Connect WhatsApp Business Account​

Go to WhatsApp Settings in your Sendmator dashboard.

The easiest way to get started:

  1. Click "Quick Connect with Meta"
  2. Read the setup guide and click "I Understand, Continue"
  3. Log in with your Facebook Business Manager account
  4. Select or create a WhatsApp Business Account
  5. Choose a phone number (existing or get a new one from Meta)
  6. Grant permissions and complete the signup

You'll be redirected back to Sendmator with your WhatsApp account connected.

Phone Number Requirements

Your phone number must not be currently registered on WhatsApp Personal or WhatsApp Business app. It must be able to receive SMS or voice calls for verification.

Manual Setup (Alternative)​

If you already have WhatsApp Business API credentials:

  1. Click "Manual Setup"
  2. Enter your credentials from Meta:
    • Phone Number ID
    • Business Account ID (WABA ID)
    • Access Token
  3. Click "Connect Account"

Step 2: Complete Activation Checklist​

After connecting, you'll see an Activation Status section with 6 steps. Only 2 are required to start sending:

Required Step 1: Display Name Approval​

Your business display name must be approved by Meta before you can send production messages.

What to do:

  1. In your WhatsApp Settings, expand the Activation Status section
  2. Click "Manage in Meta" next to "Display Name Approval"
  3. This opens Meta Business Manager
  4. Go to WhatsApp Manager → Phone Numbers
  5. Submit your business display name (your company name)
  6. Wait for Meta approval (can be in minutes or up to 3 business days)
  7. Return to Sendmator and click "Check Status" to refresh
While Waiting

You can create message templates (Step 3 below) while waiting for display name approval.

Required Step 2: Phone Registration​

Your phone number must be registered before you can send messages.

You have two options:

  1. In Sendmator, click "Use PIN" in the Phone Registration step
  2. Enter your 6-digit WhatsApp 2-step verification PIN
  3. Click "Register Phone"
Where to Find Your PIN

If you haven't set up 2-step verification:

  1. Go to Meta Business Manager → WhatsApp Manager
  2. Navigate to Account Security → Two-Step Verification
  3. Enable and create a 6-digit PIN

Option B: Use SMS/Voice Code​

  1. In Sendmator, click "Use SMS/Voice Code"
  2. Choose SMS or Voice delivery method
  3. Click "Request Code"
  4. Enter the 6-digit code you receive
  5. Click "Verify Code"

That's it! Your WhatsApp account is now activated and ready to send messages.

Optional Steps​

Send Test Message​

Verify your setup works:

  1. Click "Send Test Message" in the activation checklist
  2. Enter your phone number
  3. Select an approved template
  4. Click "Send"
  5. Check your phone to confirm receipt

Business Verification​

Recommended for higher messaging limits and better deliverability:

  1. Click "Verify in Meta" in the activation checklist
  2. In Meta Business Manager, go to Business Settings → Security Center
  3. Submit business verification documents:
    • Business registration certificate
    • Tax ID/EIN
    • Business address proof

Verification takes 1-3 business days.

Webhook Configuration​

Usually auto-configured, but you can verify:

  1. Check the Webhook Configuration step shows "Configured"
  2. If not, click "Re-subscribe Webhooks"

Webhooks allow you to receive customer replies and delivery updates.

Step 3: Create Message Templates​

All WhatsApp messages must use Meta-approved templates.

Create Template​

  1. Go to WhatsApp Templates
  2. Click "Create Template"
  3. Fill in template details:
    • Template Name: Unique identifier (lowercase, underscores, no spaces)
    • Category: AUTHENTICATION, UTILITY, or MARKETING
    • Language: Select language (e.g., English, Spanish)
    • Body: Message content with variables using {{1}}, {{2}}, etc.
    • Header (optional): Text, image, video, or document
    • Footer (optional): Footer text
    • Buttons (optional): Call-to-action or Quick Reply buttons

Template Example​

Template Name: order_confirmation

Category: UTILITY

Body:

Hi {{1}}, your order {{2}} has been confirmed!

📦 Estimated delivery: {{3}}
💰 Total amount: {{4}}

Track your order: {{5}}

Footer: Thank you for shopping with us!

Button: Quick Reply - "Contact Support"

Template Variables​

Use numbered placeholders {{1}}, {{2}}, etc. for dynamic content:

Hello {{1}}, your OTP is {{2}}. Valid for {{3}} minutes.

When sending via API:

{
  "variables": {
    "1": "John",
    "2": "123456",
    "3": "10"
  }
}

Submit for Approval​

  1. Click "Submit for Review"
  2. Meta reviews within 24-48 hours
  3. Approved templates show a green checkmark
  4. Check status in your WhatsApp Templates page
Common Rejection Reasons
  • Spelling or grammar errors
  • Unclear purpose
  • Misleading content
  • Missing or unclear variables
  • Policy violations (prohibited content)

Start Sending Messages​

Once your phone is registered and you have approved templates:

curl -X POST https://api.sendmator.com/api/v1/whatsapp/send \
  -H "X-API-Key: sk_live_your_api_key" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "template_key": "order_confirmation",
    "recipient_type": "direct_whatsapp",
    "direct_whatsapp": "+1234567890",
    "conversation_category": "UTILITY",
    "variables": {
      "1": "John Doe",
      "2": "#12345",
      "3": "March 20",
      "4": "$99.99",
      "5": "https://example.com/track/12345"
    }
  }'

Important Rules​

24-Hour Messaging Window​

When a customer messages you first:

  • You can reply within 24 hours using any approved template
  • Can send multiple messages within the window

When you initiate a conversation:

  • Must use approved templates only
  • Cannot send free-form messages

Message Categories​

Choose the right category for your message:

  • AUTHENTICATION - OTPs, verification codes
  • UTILITY - Order updates, shipping notifications, account alerts
  • MARKETING - Promotions, announcements, offers

Opt-In Requirements​

MARKETING messages require explicit opt-in:

  • User must consent to marketing messages
  • Cannot use pre-checked boxes
  • Must clearly explain what they're signing up for

UTILITY and AUTHENTICATION messages:

  • Implicit consent allowed for account-related messages
  • Must be relevant to user's relationship with your business

Troubleshooting​

Display Name Not Approved​

Issue: Can't send messages, display name shows "Pending" or "None"

Solution:

  • Go to Meta Business Manager → WhatsApp Manager
  • Submit your business display name
  • Wait for approval (can be in minutes or up to 3 business days)

Phone Not Registered​

Issue: "Phone number not registered" error

Solution:

  • Complete Phone Registration in Sendmator (Step 2 above)
  • Use PIN method or SMS/Voice code method
  • Ensure you're entering the correct PIN or code

Template Rejected​

Issue: Template rejected by Meta

Solution:

  • Review rejection reason in WhatsApp Templates page
  • Fix spelling, grammar, or clarity issues
  • Remove any prohibited content
  • Make the purpose clear
  • Resubmit for review

Message Not Delivered​

Issue: Messages fail to deliver

Solution:

  • Verify phone number format: +[country code][number] (e.g., +1234567890)
  • Ensure template is approved (green checkmark)
  • Check you're using the correct template variables
  • Verify conversation category matches template category

Best Practices​

1. Get Templates Pre-Approved​

Before launching your campaign:

  • Create all needed templates
  • Submit for Meta review
  • Wait for approval (24-48 hours)
  • Test with approved templates

2. Maintain Quality Rating​

Your quality rating affects messaging limits:

  • Send only relevant messages
  • Honor opt-out requests immediately
  • Respect messaging frequency
  • Provide value in every message
  • Get explicit consent before messaging

3. Use Appropriate Categories​

# ✅ AUTHENTICATION for OTPs
{
  "template_key": "otp_verification",
  "conversation_category": "AUTHENTICATION"
}

# ✅ UTILITY for transactional updates
{
  "template_key": "order_shipped",
  "conversation_category": "UTILITY"
}

# ✅ MARKETING for promotions
{
  "template_key": "flash_sale",
  "conversation_category": "MARKETING"
}

Next Steps​

Need help? Contact support for WhatsApp setup assistance.