1. A Meta Business account
A Meta Business account, that is a business portfolio (formerly Business Manager): it will hold your WhatsApp account, your number and your card. You sign in with your Facebook profile, or with a managed Meta account from your organization.
2. A portfolio, if you do not have one yet
Create it on business.facebook.com, before connecting your number.
In detail
No portfolio yet? On business.facebook.com, sign in, open the menu under “Home” at the top left, then create a business portfolio: your business’s public name (no special characters), your first name, last name and a business email address, then confirm the email Meta sends you. Meta’s window can also create it along the way, but doing it first is safer.
3. A spare number
A number that is not used in the WhatsApp app (nor WhatsApp Business): once connected, it leaves the app. No spare number? We provide one.
4. Right after connecting, your card at Meta
Meta bills your business directly, not Messaging Me: add your card to your portfolio, as follows.
In detail
- On business.facebook.com, open WhatsApp Manager, “Overview” page.
- On your WhatsApp account, click the three dots, then “Manage account settings”.
- In the “Settings” tab, open “Payment settings”, then “Add payment method”.
- Enter a Visa or Mastercard card (Meta accepts neither American Express nor PayPal), then your business details; Meta may ask for your tax information.
- You must own the WhatsApp account, or have the “Manage WhatsApp account” permission. Without a valid card, only replies within the 24-hour window go out: templates (campaigns, follow-ups) are blocked.