Setting Up Meta Business Account
Step-by-step guide to creating a Meta Business Account and getting WhatsApp API access for Fonify.
Setting Up Meta Business Account
To use WhatsApp Business API with Fonify, you first need a verified Meta Business Account. This guide walks you through creating the account, completing business verification, and enabling WhatsApp API access.
What You Need
Before starting, prepare the following:
- A personal Facebook account (used to create the business account)
- Your legal business name and address
- Business registration documents (varies by country)
- A business website with a matching domain
- A phone number for two-factor authentication
The personal Facebook account is only used to create the business account. Your personal profile will not be visible to customers.
Step 1: Create a Meta Business Account
Visit business.facebook.com and click Create Account. Log in with your personal Facebook account if prompted.
Fill in your legal business name, your name, and your business email address. Click Submit.
Follow the onboarding prompts to add your business address, phone number, and website. These details are used during verification.
Step 2: Verify Your Business
Meta requires business verification before granting WhatsApp API access. This confirms your business is legitimate.
In Meta Business Suite, go to Settings > Business Info > Business Verification. Click Start Verification.
Enter your legal business name exactly as it appears on official documents. Select your country and provide your business registration number (tax ID, company registration, etc.).
Upload one or more of the following:
- Business registration certificate
- Tax document showing your business name and address
- Utility bill matching your business address
- Articles of incorporation
Meta sends a verification code to your business phone number or asks you to add a DNS record to your domain. Complete whichever method you prefer.
Meta reviews your submission, typically within 1-3 business days. You receive an email notification when the review is complete.
Ensure your business name, address, and documents all match exactly. Discrepancies are the most common reason for verification rejection.
Step 3: Enable WhatsApp API Access
Once your business is verified, you can apply for WhatsApp Business API access.
In Meta Business Suite, go to Settings > Business Assets > Add Assets. Select WhatsApp Accounts and click Add.
Click Create a WhatsApp Business Account. Enter a display name for your business on WhatsApp. This is the name customers will see.
Review and accept the WhatsApp Business Terms of Service and the Meta Business Messaging Terms.
Navigate to your WhatsApp Business Account settings. Under API Setup, generate a permanent access token. Copy this token -- you will need it to connect Fonify.
Tip
Create a system user in Meta Business Suite for API access instead of using a personal account token. System user tokens do not expire when someone leaves the team.
Step 4: Connect to Fonify
In your Fonify dashboard, go to Settings > Channels > WhatsApp and click Connect WhatsApp.
Paste your WhatsApp Business Account ID, Phone Number ID, and the permanent access token you generated.
Fonify provides a webhook URL. Copy this URL and add it in your Meta WhatsApp settings under Configuration > Webhook. Subscribe to the messages webhook field.
Fonify tests the connection automatically. You should see a green status indicator confirming the link is active.
Troubleshooting
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Verification rejected | Double-check that documents match your business name and address exactly. Resubmit with corrected documents. |
| API token expired | Generate a new token from Meta Business Suite. Use a system user token for permanence. |
| Webhook not receiving messages | Verify the webhook URL is correct and the messages field is subscribed. Check Fonify's webhook logs. |
| "Business not verified" error | Complete the business verification process before attempting API setup. |