Submit your first WhatsApp Sender
Set up your AI Assistant as a WhatsApp Chatbot
Last updated
Set up your AI Assistant as a WhatsApp Chatbot
Last updated
After creating a Twilio account and going to Messaging > Senders > WhatsApp Senders for the first time, you will see a new Guided Signup window. Click .
This is the same form when you create new senders
The process below has the same forms to fill out when creating new senders beyond your first.
Follow the on-screen instructions on Twilio to apply for WhatsApp access. These steps will mostly involve filling up the required details about your business so you can request access to the WhatsApp API.
Fill up your company's information in this Twilio page.
Client Business's Legal Name
Client Email Address
Client Meta Business Manager ID
Find the Meta Business Manager ID in the Meta Business Suite
You can locate the Meta Business Manager ID via the Meta Business Suite. On the lower-left part of the screen, click Settings. When the new window loads, click the Business Portfolio Info on the upper part of the screen. Copy the code under Business Portfolio ID.
Choose a phone number in this part of the Twilio page. This will be your company's designated WhatsApp number specifically for talking to your AI Chatbot.
You have two options in Twilio:
You can use your own number. Twilio calls this process as BYON (Bring Your Own Number). Please follow the instructions in this Twilio guide.
Twilio has its own Guided Onboarding document for a more in-depth look on this process, especially for steps outside Captivate Chat.
Before selecting a number
Take note of the Twilio warning before proceeding. Twilio has separate instructions if your phone number:
...is already connected to the WhatsApp consumer or small business app
...is already connected to the WhatsApp Business Platform via a different provider
Buy a Twilio number according to your needs
If you plan on purchasing a Twilio number, do take note that the service allows you to buy a phone number using different filters. You can choose according to country, capabilities (Voice, SMS, MMS, Fax), and advanced filters such as address requirements.
Get a phone number with SMS enabled
Since we are going to integrate an AI Chatbot with WhatsApp, prioritize choosing a number with SMS enabled.
Fill up your business information in this part of the Twilio page. This data will be submitted in order to request for WhatsApp to provide API access.
Business Display Name
Company Address
Company Email
Website
Additional Website
Vertical
Link to Logo
Profile About
After filling up items in these steps, Twilio will handle the actual setup process with WhatsApp.
WhatsApp API is crucial to the integration
This step is perhaps the most important when it comes to WhatsApp integration. WhatsApp needs to give you access to its API so we can place your AI Chatbot in the system.
Visible to end users
Some text boxes you have to fill up are indicated as visible to end users. This means the information placed here will be available for end users to see while interacting with your AI Chatbot.
Submitting a wrong business display can cause 2-4 week delays
Before submitting your request, make sure you're submitting the right information about your business. This is especially the case with the Business Display Name. Follow WhatsApp's Display Name Guidelines.
After setting up your WhatsApp Sender on Twilio, you will receive a notification in your Meta Business Suite that says Twilio is asking for permissions to send messages on your behalf.
To access this, go to your Meta Business Suite. From here:
Find and accept the Twilio request.
After accepting the Twilio request, you should see your number in the list of WhatsApp Senders on Twilio. Your WhatsApp number is now ready for integration in your Chat Flow.
You can buy a Twilio phone number. Access Twilio's list of available numbers via , then clicking and selecting .
Click
Go to
To create another WhatsApp sender, click on the upper-right part of the menu.
