WhatsApp has become the most powerful channel for digital-first brands in India, APAC, LATAM, Brazil, and various other regions. From abandoned cart recoveries to COD confirmation, WhatsApp now outperforms other channels in conversions and engagement.Â
But most businesses struggle to get started with their WhatsApp Business Account (WABA).Â
They often have various questions like,
- Can I get the WhatsApp API without a Facebook page?
- Is a website mandatory for a WhatsApp Business account?
- Can I use my personal WhatsApp number for a WABA?
- What is the difference between WhatsApp Business App and WhatsApp API?
And on top of this, WhatsAppâs rules around opt-ins, 24-hour conversation windows, message categories, messaging limits, and display name approvals are often misunderstood. This leads to rejected applications, blocked numbers, or incomplete setups that cannot support 2-way customer conversations.
This WhatsApp Business Account prerequisite guide will answer all your questions and give you a clear roadmap to successfully setting up your WABA and scaling revenue through WhatsApp.
Meta Business Verification: A WhatsApp Business Account Setup Checklist
| Category |
Sub-Category |
Requirement |
Details |
| Business & Identity |
Legal Name |
The exact legal business name must match the government documents |
Small variations trigger rejection |
| Registration Documents |
Govt-issued incorporation/tax documents |
GST/COI (India), CNPJ (Brazil) |
| Website Consistency |
Website name must match legal entity/brand |
Brand name, legal name, and domain must align |
| Physical Address |
Must appear on documents + website |
Required for verification |
| Customer Contacts |
Support email + phone number on site |
Must be visible on the footer/contact |
| Meta Setup |
Business Portfolio |
Active Meta Business Portfolio |
WABA is housed here |
| Business Verification |
Mandatory for scaling |
Requires legal and domain verification |
| Phone Number |
Dedicated owned number |
Must receive OTP; must not be active on personal WhatsApp |
| Policy & Compliance |
Compliance Agreement |
Follow WhatsApp Messaging Policy |
Restrictions: medical, gambling, regulated goods |
| Opt-in/Opt-out |
Explicit opt-in + STOP mechanism |
Required for compliance |
| Display Name |
Identity Matching |
Display name must match legal entity |
Website must show linkage (brand owned by a legal entity) |
| Website Presence |
Display name must match the website |
Name mismatch leads to rejection |
| No Misleading Terms |
Avoid medical/govt-like/regulatory terms |
Rejected if you donât have the required license |
| Formatting Rules |
No emojis or stylized text |
Plain text only |
| Category Accuracy |
Name must match business category |
Wrong category leads to rejection |
Pro Tip: Minor variations like dropping 'Technologies' or 'Pvt Ltd' (ZEPIC vs ZEPIC Technologies) often pass without issues. For safety, add a footer disclaimer on your site linking the display name to your legal entityâMeta checks this during approval.
Region-Specific Requirements: APAC, LATAM, Brazil, India
India-Specific Requirements: What Indian Businesses Must Prepare Before Setting Up a WABA
Accepted Business Documents (GST Not Mandatory)
Meta allows multiple types of valid documentation. You only need one of the following:
- Certificate of Incorporation
- GST Registration Certificate
- PAN and Address Proof
- MSME/Udyam Registration Certificate (accepted when GST is unavailable)
- Shop & Establishment Certificate
- A Business Bank Statement is the most powerful alternative if you donât have a GST certificate. (Note: It must be from the last 3 months to be accepted).
This flexibility is especially helpful for early-stage D2C founders who may not yet have GST or a fully operational corporate structure.
 Compliance Under Indiaâs DPDP Act (Data Protection Law)
Indiaâs new Data Protection Bill means businesses must:
- Collect explicit, informed opt-in before sending messages
- Mention WhatsApp as a communication channel in opt-in text
- Provide a clear way to opt-out (STOP or unsubscribe)
- Store customer data securely within approved systems
- Use the data only for declared purposes
LATAM: High Volume, High Risk
Brazil: LGPD & The "Fintech" Squeeze
- LGPD (Lei Geral de Proteção de Dados): Like GDPR, users have the right to request their entire chat history be deleted. Your automation tool must have a "Purge User" button that wipes data across all logs.â
- Meta Verified: Brazil is a pilot market for the "Meta Verified" subscription (Blue Tick). It is not mandatory for API access, but it significantly reduces block rates for outbound marketing.
General LATAM (Mexico, Colombia, Argentina)
- Spam Rate Thresholds: In LATAM, if your "Block Rate" hits roughly 3-5%, your template quality score will plummet immediately.
- Tier 2 Requirement: To send high-volume broadcasts (10k+ users/day), you generally need to reach "Tier 2" status. This requires a history of quality messaging (high read rates, low blocks).
Europe: The Privacy Fortress & "Coexistence"
Europe remains the strictest region, but 2025 brings a major operational unlock.
GDPR Compliance (Standard)
- Data Residency: Your WhatsApp data (logs, contacts) should ideally be hosted on EU servers. Check if your BSP (Business Solution Provider) offers an "EU Data Center" option.
- Right to Explainability: Users can ask why they received a message. You must have a "Why am I seeing this?" automated reply flow.
New Feature: WhatsApp Coexistence (EU & UK Live)
Previously, a business had to choose one or the other: the WhatsApp Business App (manual, simple, 1 number, limited to 5 devices) or the WhatsApp API/Platform (automated, scalable, integrated with CRMs/Chatbots, no App access). Switching meant disconnecting the number and losing chat history.
The WhatsApp Coexistence feature, rolled out in select markets like the EU and UK (and expanding globally), finally allows businesses to blend these two worlds.
What is WhatsApp Coexistence?
Coexistence enables you to use the same phone number for both the WhatsApp Business App and the WhatsApp Business API/Platform simultaneously.
This means you can continue to use your mobile app for personal, one-on-one customer service while leveraging the API for automation and scale.
Understanding WhatsApp Messaging Limits
Tier |
Daily Limit (Unique Customers) |
Initial Status & Prerequisites |
Automatic Scaling Requirements |
| Sand Boxing |
250 |
All newly created, unverified WhatsApp Business Accounts (WABA) start here |
Complete Business Verification |
Tier 1 |
1,000 |
Achieved after Meta Business Verification is completed |
1. Maintain a "Medium" or "High" quality rating
2. Utilize at least 500 unique conversations (50% of the 1K limit) in 7 days
|
Tier 2 |
10,000 |
Automatic upgrade from Tier 1 |
1. Maintain a "Medium" or "High" quality rating
2. Utilize at least 5,000 unique conversations (50% of 10K limit) in 7 days
|
Tier 3 |
100,000 |
Automatic upgrade from Tier 2 |
1. Maintain a "Medium" or "High" quality rating
2. Utilize at least 50,000 unique conversations (50% of the 100K limit) in 7 days
|
| Tier 4 |
Unlimited |
Automatic upgrade from Tier 3 |
1.Maintain a "Medium" or "High" quality rating
2. Utilize at least 50% of the 100K limit consistently
|
Pro Tip: With ZEPICâs accelerated onboarding, your business can jump to 1000 messages within a few hours instead of being stuck at the 250 limit.
FAQs
Can I use my personal WhatsApp number for a WABA?
No, not simultaneously. A phone number can only be registered to one WhatsApp product at a time. Migrating deletes existing chat historyâalways back up first.
Is a website mandatory for a WhatsApp Business Account (API)?
Yes. Meta uses your website to verify your registered business details, policies, and legitimacy. Missing or poor websites commonly lead to verification rejection.
Do I need a Facebook Page or a Meta Business Portfolio?
You must have a Meta Business Portfolio. A Facebook Page is optional but recommended for brand trust and Click-to-WhatsApp ads.
What is the difference between the WhatsApp Business App and the WhatsApp API (Platform)?
The App is for small businesses with manual workflows. The API is built for automation, CRMs, multi-agent use, and high-volume messaging.
How long does the Business Verification process take?
It typically completes within 10 minutes to 14 business days depending on document clarity. Display Name approvals are usually faster.
My Display Name was rejected because it didn't match my documents. What should I do?
This occurs when your legal entity name differs from your trade name. Provide public proof that your trade name belongs to your legal entity before resubmitting.
Why was my WhatsApp Business Account banned?
The top reasons include:
⢠High blocks/reports (low-quality messaging)
⢠Messaging users without explicit opt-in
⢠Violating WhatsApp Commerce or Business Policies
What is the âQuality Ratingâ and why does it matter?
Quality Rating (Green, Yellow, Red) reflects user sentiment. Poor ratings reduce your sending capacity and block tier upgrades.
Why are my messages not delivering?
Common causes:
⢠The user blocked you
⢠Old Business App contact-sync limitations
⢠Low Quality Rating causing Meta throttling
What should I never do when sending bulk messages?
Never use unofficial âWhatsApp Bulk Senderâ tools. They violate Metaâs Terms and lead to irreversible number bans. Always use an official API/BSP.
What are WhatsApp Business Messaging Templates?
Template types:
⢠Marketing â promotions, offers (most expensive)
⢠Utility â order & transactional updates
⢠Authentication â OTPs
⢠Service â free 24-hour session replies
You cannot classify a
Marketing message as a Utility message
to reduce cost; Meta verifies template intent automatically.
What is the Blue Tick (Official Business Account)?
An
Official Business Account
(OBA) is the verified green badge on WhatsApp. Meta grants it to businesses that meet identity, notability, and compliance criteria.
Can I add multiple WABA numbers under a single account in ZEPIC?
Yes. ZEPIC allows you to manage multiple WhatsApp Business numbers under one account, removing the need for separate subscriptions.
Desperate times call for desperate Google/Chat GPT searches, right? "Best Shopify apps for sales." "How to increase online sales fast." "AI tools for ecommerce growth."
Been there. Done that. Installed way too many apps.â¨
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But here's what nobody tells you while you're doom-scrolling through Shopify app reviews at 2 AMâthat magical online sales-boosting app you're searching for? It doesn't exist. Because if it did, Jeff Bezos would've bought (or built!) it yesterday, and we (fellow eCommerce store owners) would all be retired in Bali by now.â¨
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Growing a Shopify store and increasing online sales isnât easyâwe get it. While everyoneâs out chasing the next ârevolutionaryâ tool/trend (looking at you, DeepSeek), the real revenue drivers are probably hiding in plain sightâright there inside your customer data.
After working with Shopify stores like yours (shoutout to Cybele, who recovered almost 25% of their abandoned carts with WhatsApp automation), weâve cracked the code on what actually moves the needle.â¨
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Ready to stop app-hopping and start actually growing your sales by using what you already have? Here are four fixes that will get you there!
Fix #1: Convert abandoned carts instantly (Like, actually instantly)
The Painful Truth: You're probably losing about 70% of your potential sales to cart abandonment. That's not just a statisticâit's real money walking out of your digital door. And looking for yet another Shopify app for abandoned cart recovery isn't going to fix it if you're not getting the fundamentals right.
The Quick Fix: Everyone knows you need multi-channel recovery that hits the sweet spot between "Hey, did you forget something?" and "PLEASE COME BACK!" But here's the realityâmost recovery apps are a one-trick pony. They either do email OR WhatsApp, not both. And don't even get us started on personalizing offers based on cart valueâthat usually means toggling between three different dashboards while praying your apps talk to each other.
Enter ZEPIC: This is where we come in. With ZEPIC's automated Flows, you can:
Launch WhatsApp recovery messages (with 95% open rates!)
Set up perfectly timed email sequences (or vice versa)
Create personalized recovery offers not just on cart value but based on your customerâs behavior/preferences
Track and optimize everything from one dashboard
Fix #2: Reactivate past customers today
The Painful Truth: You're probably losing about 70% of your potential sales to cart abandonment. That's not just a statisticâit's real money walking out of your digital door. And looking for yet another Shopify app for abandoned cart recovery isn't going to fix it if you're not getting the fundamentals right.
The Quick Fix: Everyone knows you need multi-channel recovery that hits the sweet spot between "Hey, did you forget something?" and "PLEASE COME BACK!" But here's the realityâmost recovery apps are a one-trick pony. They either do email OR WhatsApp, not both. And don't even get us started on personalizing offers based on cart valueâthat usually means toggling between three different dashboards while praying your apps talk to each other.
Enter ZEPIC: This is where we come in. With ZEPIC's automated Flows, you can:
Launch WhatsApp recovery messages (with 95% open rates!)
Set up perfectly timed email sequences (or vice versa)
Create personalized recovery offers not just on cart value but based on your customerâs behavior/preferences
Track and optimize everything from one dashboard
Offering light at the end of the tunnel is Googleâs Privacy Sandbox which seeks to âcreate a thriving web ecosystem that is respectful of users and private by defaultâ. Like the name suggests, your Chrome browser will take the role of a âprivacy sandboxâ that holds all your data (visits, interests, actions etc) disclosing these to other websites and platforms only with your explicit permission. If not yet, we recommend testing your websites, audience relevance and advertising attribution with Chromeâs trial of the Privacy Sandbox.
Top 3 impacts of the third-party cookie phase-out
Whoâs impacted
How
What next
Digital advertising and
acquisition teams
Lack of cookie data results in drastic fall in website traffic and conversion rate
Review all cookie-based audience acquisition. Sign up for Chromeâs trial of the Privacy Sandbox
Digital Customer Experience
Customers are not served relevant, personalised experiences: on the web, over social channels and communication media
Multiply efforts to collect first-party customer data. Implement a Customer Data Platform
Security, Privacy and Compliance teams
Increased scrutiny from regulators and questions from customers about data storage and usage
Review current cookie and communication consent management, ensure to align with latest privacy regulations
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