Setup Twilio WhatsApp API

Overview

The secured communications over HTTPS from your application will enable private conversations with your users. Your WhatsApp branded business identity will serve as familiar face users see and help you increase brand loyalty.

WhatsApp has an average open rate of over 98%, making it most effective among all channels for sending crucial information like payment reminders/confirmation, order updates, etc.

Advantages of integrating WhatsApp API into your website –

• Connect with your customers globally
• Send messages across any mobile OS, device, and carrier.
• Know the instant a message reaches your users with read-recipients.
• Secure communication with end-to-end communication.
• Deepen customers’ trust in brand messaging.

Purpose

With Twilio for WhatsApp, you can reach users on the world’s most popular messaging app through one streamlined API, officially supported by WhatsApp. With real-time delivery and reading receipts, get your critical message delivery insights.

How to integrate

Requirement for integration

Certain requirements are to be fulfilled for successful integration, they are:

• Your business must be registered as well as verified on the Facebook Business Manager.
• You must have a registered and verified WhatsApp Business Account Phone number. Also, this number should not be linked with another WhatsApp Business Account.

1. Create Account and Application

• Go to Twilio and log in to your account or sign up.
• To start your application, go to the dashboard and from the left-hand side panel, navigate to the Develop >> Messaging >> Try it out >> Send a WhatsApp message:



• Here, you’ll find a WhatsApp number where you’ll be instructed to send a message.
• Save the message on your phone and send the message.
• This number is the Sender ID (until your application is in Sandbox Mode), so please save it for future references.

2. Get the API Details

To integrate Twilio and use its services, you need to integrate the OnPrintShop store using Account SID and Auth Token. To get the credentials, navigate to the Dashboard >> Account >> Keys & Credentials >> API keys & tokens as displayed below:



• This will take you to the "Auth tokens & API keys" page. Scroll down to the Auth Tokens section:



• Here, you will get your Account SID and Auth Token along with the Test Credentials.
• Copy and keep the Account SID and Auth Token somewhere safe and secure.

3. Integration in to Admin Panel

• In the Admin Panel, go to the Store Configuration >> External Service Setting >> SMS Notification Tab >> Twilio WhatsApp >> Enable the toggle:



• Under the Edit, enter the Account SID, Auth Token, and the Sender ID saved in Step-1 and Step- 2.
• Select and assign the countries from the list.
• In the Mode field, select the mode from the drop-down as Live.
• Enter the email ID save the details.

After the configuration, go to the Content Management >> Email/SMS Notifications >> SMS Notifications:



Here, add SMS notification messages for various instances and keep their statuses enabled. If there are no messages integrated, the WhatsApp messages will not be sent.

Once you save the configuration details, your customers will be able to see a message under their My Profile and Registration Page asking their consent to opt for WhatsApp notifications:



Also, while adding any customer from the Admin Panel, you’ll get the option to enable the WhatsApp notifications for the customer:



4. Switch to live mode

To get your Sender ID, you would require to connect with the Twilio Team and make your application live.