DIY WhatsApp APIIntegration Guide

Before diving into the technical integration, you'll need to set up your WhatsApp Business Account:

• •Visit the WhatsApp Business Platform website
• •Create a Meta Business Account if you don't have one
• •Complete the business verification process
• •Add a payment method for your account

Once your WhatsApp Business Account is set up, you'll need to obtain your API credentials:

• •Generate your WhatsApp Business API access token
• •Note down your Phone Number ID
• •Set up webhook URL for receiving messages

Select your preferred programming language and set up your development environment:

npm install axios

pip install requests

Let's start with a simple example of sending a message using Node.js:

const axios = require('axios');

async function sendWhatsAppMessage() {
  try {
    const response = await axios.post(
      'https://graph.facebook.com/v12.0/YOUR_PHONE_NUMBER_ID/messages',
      {
        messaging_product: 'whatsapp',
        to: 'RECIPIENT_PHONE_NUMBER',
        type: 'template',
        template: {
          name: 'hello_world',
          language: { code: 'en_US' }
        }
      },
      {
        headers: {
          'Authorization': 'Bearer YOUR_ACCESS_TOKEN',
          'Content-Type': 'application/json'
        }
      }
    );
    console.log('Message sent successfully:', response.data);
  } catch (error) {
    console.error('Error sending message:', error.response?.data || error);
  }
}

To receive messages and status updates, you'll need to set up a webhook endpoint:

const express = require('express');
const app = express();

app.use(express.json());

app.post('/webhook', (req, res) => {
  // Verify webhook
  if (req.query['hub.mode'] === 'subscribe' &&
      req.query['hub.verify_token'] === 'YOUR_VERIFY_TOKEN') {
    res.send(req.query['hub.challenge']);
  } else {
    res.sendStatus(400);
  }
});

app.post('/webhook', (req, res) => {
  const { body } = req;
  
  // Handle incoming messages
  if (body.object === 'whatsapp_business_account') {
    // Process messages
    console.log('Received webhook:', body);
    res.sendStatus(200);
  } else {
    res.sendStatus(404);
  }
});

app.listen(3000, () => {
  console.log('Webhook server is running on port 3000');
});

Create and manage message templates for your business communications:

• •Design templates in the Meta Business Manager
• •Submit templates for approval
• •Use approved templates in your API calls

Before going live, thoroughly test your integration:

• •Use the WhatsApp Business API test environment
• •Monitor message delivery status
• •Set up error logging and monitoring
• •Implement retry mechanisms for failed messages

Once you have the basics working, explore advanced features:

• •Interactive messages with buttons and lists
• •Media messages (images, documents, videos)
• •Location sharing
• •Contact sharing