Requirements

Meta requires that the client — not Bookline — completes the registration of a WhatsApp Business API account. Bookline accompanies you through the whole process, but we cannot do this step for you. Going through this checklist before you start is the best way to guarantee a smooth onboarding.

Checklist

Confirm every item before starting the connection process:

• I have an active website with its own domain and HTTPS, and an email address on that domain.
• The website shows a legal notice with the company’s legal name and address.
• I have an official Facebook page with published content.
• I have access to the company’s Meta Business Manager as a full administrator.
• The Meta Business Manager has the business information filled in and verified.
• I have a dedicated phone number with no previous WhatsApp account, able to receive international calls or SMS.
• I accept that I will own the account and Bookline will have access only as a partner.

If any item cannot be met, tell us before starting — otherwise the creation of the account can’t be guaranteed.

The requirements in detail

1. Meta Business Manager with full admin access

You must have an active, configured Meta Business Manager (business.facebook.com) and full administrative control over it. To verify your permissions: open business.facebook.com, go to Users → People, and check that your user has Full control over the business.

The business portfolio should be verified before creating the WhatsApp account. If it cannot be verified, a new account will need to be created to proceed — with the risk of it being limited or banned if the process is not followed correctly.

2. A verified, dedicated phone number

• The number must be dedicated: not linked to a personal WhatsApp nor to another business.
• It must be able to receive international calls or SMS — WhatsApp verifies ownership with a code. If you don’t have a suitable number, you can buy one through Bookline.
• Define the correct international prefix. If you already have a voice agent, ideally don’t use two separate DDIs per venue.

3. Consistent legal information

• The company’s legal name and address must appear both in the Meta business portfolio and in the legal notice of your website.
• If your trade name and legal name differ, WhatsApp may reject the request — make sure the information is consistent everywhere. Ideally the website domain also matches the business name.

4. A functional website with HTTPS

• The venue must have its own website. Links to booking engines, social profiles (Instagram) or sites like Tripadvisor are not accepted.
• The site must use HTTPS and include the legal notice described above.
• No alcoholic drinks or brands may appear or be promoted on the website or its cover images — this violates WhatsApp’s policies and blocks approval.

5. An employee with an active Facebook account

An employee with an active Facebook account holding Full control over the business must be available — with access to a computer — in case a video call is needed during onboarding.

Higher limits need business verification

A newly created account can start messaging right away, but with limits. If you want to use more than one phone number or raise the limit of business-initiated conversations (starting at 250 per day), Meta requires verifying the business with official documentation: company invoices, tax ID, and a corporate email on the company domain. See also messaging limits.

If you have any doubt, contact the support team before starting.