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WhatsApp channels

How WhatsApp works with Bookline: the Business API, 360dialog, and the setup process at a glance.

A WhatsApp channel connects a phone number to the WhatsApp Business API, so a Bookline agent can chat with your customers on WhatsApp — answer questions, take reservations, send confirmations, reminders and campaigns.

WhatsApp Business API, in short

Section titled “WhatsApp Business API, in short”

WhatsApp offers three kinds of accounts:

  • WhatsApp App — the personal app.
  • WhatsApp Business App — the small-business app (catalog, quick replies), still operated by hand from a phone.
  • WhatsApp Business API — designed for businesses that chat with customers at scale. It has no app of its own; instead, software connects to it. This is what Bookline uses: we connect the API account directly to your agent, and your customers message your business just like they normally would.

To manage API accounts, Meta requires working through an official partner (a Business Solution Provider). Bookline works with 360dialog, one of Meta’s official partners. During onboarding you create a 360dialog account in your name and authorize Bookline to send and receive messages with it — you remain the owner of the WhatsApp account; Bookline only has access as a partner.

What you need

Section titled “What you need”
  • A phone number dedicated to this account — it cannot be in use by any personal or business WhatsApp account. You can use a number purchased from Bookline or one of your own, as long as it can receive an international call or SMS for verification.
  • A Meta Business Manager for your business, with correct legal information.
  • A working website (HTTPS) with your legal info in it.

The full list, and the reasons behind each item, is in Requirements — reviewing it before you start is the single best way to avoid the onboarding getting stuck.

The setup process at a glance

Section titled “The setup process at a glance”
  1. Check the requirements — Meta account, number, website, legal info.
  2. Add the WhatsApp channel in the portal — choose the number and tell us about its current WhatsApp status. The channel is created with status Ready for onboarding.
  3. Connect with 360dialog — create your 360dialog account, register the number with Meta, verify it with a code, and authorize Bookline.
  4. The channel goes Online. Assign an agent, complete the WhatsApp profile and install your message templates.