WhatsApp Cloud API: Everything You Need to Know

Are you thinking of using WhatsApp Cloud API and want to learn how it works and if it’s suitable for your business? We’ll break down everything about it and help you decide.

The WhatsApp Cloud API gives you all the tools you need to sell on WhatsApp without the hassle of hosting servers.

If you’re managing sales or looking for smarter ways to engage with your prospects, the WhatsApp Cloud API can be your primary sales communication platform.

What is WhatsApp Cloud API? #

The WhatsApp Cloud API is Meta’s cloud-hosted version of the WhatsApp Business Platform. It allows you to integrate WhatsApp into your sales, support, and customer engagement workflows. You can send and receive messages, manage conversations, and use message templates and automation at scale.

Unlike the earlier version of the WhatsApp API (on-premise), which required your team to manage hosting and infrastructure, the Cloud API is fully hosted by Meta. This simplifies setup, reduces maintenance and the access is completely free. So, it’s an attractive option for many businesses.

You can quickly set up your WhatsApp Business Account (WABA) and connect a phone number, without relying on third-party coordination. Meta provides detailed and clear API documentation to help developers integrate their systems with WhatsApp easily.

WhatsApp Business Cloud API features #

The WhatsApp Cloud API comes with a range of features that can help you do your sales and offer support to your customers. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what it offers:

Messaging #

With the Cloud API, your team can use different types of messages to communicate with your customers, providing them with the much needed flexibility to close deals. Some of these message types include:

• text
• media (images, videos, audio, GIFs, files)
• contact cards
• location
• interactive messages (list messages, reply buttons, single and multi-product messages)
• message templates for both text and media
• WhatsApp Flows

WhatsApp broadcast #

If you want to send messages to multiple customers at once, use WhatsApp’s broadcasting feature. Broadcasts let you reach a large audience without creating a group chat.

You need to use message templates if you want to send bulk messages, and you can personalize them for each prospect. They can include the customer’s name, a product they’re interested in, or any other relevant information.

WhatsApp chatbot #

WhatsApp chatbots enable your team to automate customer interactions, answer frequently asked questions, and provide 24/7 support. They’re great for lead qualification and can significantly reduce the workload on your sales team.

For example, you can create a bot flow that automatically captures lead information like company name, use case, team size, etc.

CRM integration #

A CRM system is great for managing and nurturing your contact list, but it can silo your teams and data when used independently from your tech stack.

With the Cloud API, you can connect WhatsApp with your CRM easily and manage customer data and communication from one place.

A WhatsApp CRM integration allows you to:

• Track customer interactions for better insights
• Simplify lead management and follow-ups
• Automate workflows
• Message customers directly from the CRM
• Log WhatsApp activities and track key metrics

How to get started with WhatsApp Cloud API #

There are primarily 2 ways to access WhatsApp Cloud API: directly through WhatsApp or by partnering with a Meta partner.

Using a WhatsApp platform #

When you go through a WhatsApp platform, you get a quick and smooth setup with personalized support. A Meta Partner can help you implement automation tools, integrate with CRMs, optimize customer interactions, and ensure compliance with Meta’s policies.

Through Meta directly #

Connecting the WhatsApp Cloud API directly through Meta offers benefits like direct access to new features and no intermediate costs. However, since the API doesn’t come with an interface, this direct connection to WhatsApp Cloud API through Meta means you need to code an interface yourself or connect it to a WhatsApp team inbox.

WhatsApp Cloud API pricing #

Creating a WhatsApp Cloud API account is free. Businesses only pay for messaging. At the moment, the WhatsApp Business API uses a conversation-based pricing model, with costs calculated based on 24-hour service windows. Starting April 1, 2025, this model will no longer apply. Instead, with the new pricing model, charges will only apply for outbound templates—whether marketing, authentication, or utility—sent outside the customer service window.

Pros and cons of using Cloud API for WhatsApp #

When deciding whether the WhatsApp Cloud API is the right fit for your business, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons. While it offers significant advantages like cost savings, scalability, and reliable performance, it also comes with some challenges, particularly for businesses without technical expertise. Here’s a clear breakdown:

Pros #

Cons #

Key takeaways #

The WhatsApp Cloud API simplifies integrating WhatsApp into your business workflows with its cloud-hosted setup, eliminating the need for server management. It’s cost-effective, easy to scale, and ideal for businesses looking for a straightforward way to manage customer conversations.

However, if your business needs advanced customization, local data hosting, or greater control, the on-premises WhatsApp Business API may be a better fit. Understanding your business’s needs is key to choosing the right solution.

Frequently Asked Questions #

About the author

Niloofar Kavousi

Niloofar focuses on marketing and partnerships at Rasayel. She has worked in startups and large enterprises and lived in Asia, the Middle East and Europe. When she’s not working, she enjoys socializing, doing reformer and getting lost in nature.

@Niloofar K on LinkedIn