Step 4: Step-By-Step WhatsApp Onboarding Guide
This is a crucial step to connect your phone number to the WhatsApp Business API (WABA) through ABC Sales AI. Follow these instructions carefully.
WhatsApp Onboarding Video
A. Prerequisites (Very Important!)
1. New Phone Number
You need a phone number that has never been used with WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business before.
_Why?_ Using an existing WhatsApp number may cause errors and require deleting the WhatsApp account, resulting in lost chat history.
2. Active Website
You need a functioning website where Meta can verify your business information. Your business name must appear on this website.
3. Facebook Account in Good Standing
- Your Facebook account must not have any restrictions
- Most personal accounts qualify
- Meta owns WhatsApp, so Facebook is required for verification
4. SIM Card & Phone
- Insert the new SIM card into a phone
- Verify it can receive calls and SMS messages
- Turn off "Do Not Disturb" (DND) mode
- After setup, you can remove the SIM card—just maintain the active number
5. Desktop/Laptop
Do this setup on a computer, not a mobile device.
B. Critical Warnings
- ❌ Connect your new phone number with the regular WhatsApp app or WhatsApp Business app _before or during_ this WABA onboarding process
- ❌ Close the pop-up windows or the ABC Sales AI browser tab during the connection process
- ❌ Use an existing WhatsApp number without first deleting the account (which loses chat history)
C. Onboarding Process
1. Access Messaging Channels
In ABC Sales AI, go to the "Messaging Channels" tab: https://app.abcsalesbot.com/messaging-channels
2. Connect with Meta WhatsApp
- Click the "Connect with Meta WhatsApp" button
- A pop-up will appear. Click "Connect with Meta"
3. Facebook Login
- Log into your Facebook account
- Enter two-factor authentication code if prompted
- Confirm that you want to continue and click "Get Started"
4. Business Portfolio
- For most users: This section will be blank. Create a business portfolio
- If you've run Facebook ads: You might see existing business portfolios
5. WhatsApp Business Account (WABA)
- It's recommended to "Create a new WhatsApp Business account" for this setup
- The WABA name is mostly for your reference
6. WhatsApp Business Profile
Display Name (Very Important!):
- This is the name customers will see
- It must be your brand name
- Must be related to your Business Portfolio name and website content
- ❌ Do NOT use "Bot," "AI," "Test," or "Chatbot"
- ❌ Do NOT use random names unrelated to your business
- ✅ Use your actual business/brand name
7. Phone Number Verification
- Enter your new phone number with country code
- Choose verification method: SMS or Voice call
- Enter the OTP you receive
- Wait for the "Connected Successfully" confirmation in ABC Sales AI
D. Common Errors & Fixes
| Error | Solution |
| ----------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Phone number not eligible | Delete WhatsApp account (if exists), wait 3+ hours, try again |
| No SMS or call received | Turn off Do Not Disturb, try call instead of SMS, wait 2 hours |
| Account disabled after setup | Display name or website mismatch—must match business identity |
| Business portfolio disabled | Try another Facebook account and create a new Business Portfolio |
| Onboarding session expired | Restart the process quickly; don't refresh or navigate away |
| Didn't see "Connected Successfully" | Wait for the popup in ABC Sales AI before closing |
E. Mistakes to Avoid
- ❌ Installed WhatsApp on number before setup
- ❌ Used "Bot," "AI," or "Test" in display name
- ❌ Website is broken or doesn't match business
- ❌ Didn't delete WhatsApp account on reused number
- ❌ Clicked away before finishing onboarding