WhatsApp Business API - Conversation Based Pricing for 2023

As of 2023, WhatsApp has introduced a new pricing model for businesses using the WhatsApp Business API to communicate with customers. Instead of charging a flat fee or subscription rate, WhatsApp will now charge businesses based on the number of conversations they have with customers. This change is in response to feedback from businesses, who have requested more transparent and flexible pricing.

Four Types of Conversations and Corresponding Fee Structures

Under the new conversation-based pricing model, businesses will be charged a small fee for each conversation they have with a customer on WhatsApp. The exact fee will depend on the country in which the business is located, with some countries being charged a higher rate due to higher operating costs. This pricing model applies to all types of conversations, including customer care and support inquiries, marketing and promotional messages, and transactional updates.

There are four types of conversations and corresponding fee structures:

User-initiated: A single 24-hour session

In this scenario, a customer initiates a conversation with a business for customer care or general support inquiries in a single 24-hour conversation session. This type of conversation is typically charged at a lower rate than business-initiated conversations.

User-initiated: Multiple 24-hour sessions

In this scenario, a customer initiates multiple conversations with a business over a period of time for customer care or general support inquiries. This type of conversation is also typically charged at a lower rate than business-initiated conversations.

Business-initiated: A new/single 24-hour session

In this scenario, a business sends a message template to a customer from a WhatsApp Business API account. This type of conversation is typically charged at a higher rate than user-initiated conversations.

Business-initiated: A single 24-hour session

In this scenario, a business sends a template message to a customer, which leads to a reply from the customer. This is a single business-initiated conversation. This type of conversation is also typically charged at a higher rate than user-initiated conversations.

The WhatsApp Business API: A Powerful Tool for Customer Communication

The WhatsApp Business API is a tool that allows businesses to build and manage their customer communication on WhatsApp. It offers a range of features and capabilities, including the ability to send and receive messages, track delivery and read receipts, and create automated chatbots. The API is particularly useful for businesses that need to handle large volumes of customer inquiries or that want to automate certain aspects of their customer communication.

One of the main benefits of the WhatsApp Business API is its ability to provide an end-to-end customer experience on WhatsApp. This means that businesses can use the API to handle every aspect of their customer communication, from initial contact to post-purchase support.

The Benefits of the New WhatsApp Business API Conversation-Based Pricing Model

The new WhatsApp Business API conversation-based pricing model for 2023 offers several benefits to businesses:

• More transparency and flexibility: By charging on a per-conversation basis, WhatsApp makes it easier for businesses to understand and predict their costs, and to scale their use of the platform as needed.

• 1000 free conversations per month: Businesses can use the first 1000 conversations each month to market their products to users at no charge.

• No charge for the first user-initiated conversation: If a customer initiates a conversation with a business through a click-to-WhatsApp ad, the business will not be charged for the first conversation.

• Unlimited messages within the 24-hour session window: Businesses can send unlimited messages to customers within the 24-hour session window, including template messages. This is a significant change from the previous pricing model, which charged businesses for every template message sent.

• The opportunity to better promote brands: With the ability to send engaging offers and personalized notifications, businesses can use the WhatsApp Business API to more effectively promote their brand and drive sales.

• The ability to provide an end-to-end customer experience: By using the WhatsApp Business API to handle all aspects of customer communication, businesses can provide a seamless and supportive customer experience on WhatsApp.

New "Quick Replies" Feature for the WhatsApp Business API

In addition to the new pricing model, WhatsApp has also introduced a new "quick replies" feature for the Business API. This allows businesses to pre-write and save commonly used responses, which can help save time and streamline communication with customers. The quick replies feature can be used in conjunction with chatbots or other automated tools to provide even more efficient and personalized support to customers.

Conclusion

Overall, the new WhatsApp Business API conversation-based pricing model for 2023 is a welcome change for businesses that rely on the platform to communicate with customers. It offers more transparency and flexibility, making it easier for businesses to understand and control their costs. The Business API is a powerful tool for building and managing customer communication on WhatsApp, and with the new pricing model, businesses can use it to provide an end-to-end customer experience without worrying about incurring excessive charges. The addition of the quick replies feature also makes it easier for businesses to efficiently communicate with customers and offer personalized support.

FAQ's

What is the new WhatsApp Business API conversation-based pricing model?

The new WhatsApp Business API conversation-based pricing model is a pricing model in which businesses are charged based on the number of conversations they have with customers, rather than on a flat fee or subscription rate. Under this model, businesses may be charged a small fee for each conversation they have with a customer on WhatsApp. The exact fee will depend on the country in which the business is located.

How is the price of a conversation determined?

The price of a conversation is determined based on the type of conversation and the country in which the business is located. Business-initiated conversations are generally charged at a higher rate than user-initiated conversations, as they are typically seen as less valuable to businesses. The exact fee will vary depending on the country in which the business is located, with some countries being charged a higher rate due to higher operating costs.

What types of conversations are included in the new pricing model?

The new pricing model applies to all types of conversations, including customer care and support inquiries, marketing and promotional messages, and transactional updates. There are four types of conversations: user-initiated (single or multiple 24-hour sessions) and business-initiated (single or new/single 24-hour sessions).

How many free conversations are included each month?

Businesses are included 1000 free conversations per month to market their products to users.

Is there a charge for user-initiated conversations?

There is no charge for the first user-initiated conversation if it is initiated through a click-to-WhatsApp ad. All other user-initiated conversations are typically charged at a lower rate than business-initiated conversations.

Are businesses still able to send unlimited messages within the 24-hour session window?

Yes, businesses can still send unlimited messages to customers within the 24-hour session window, including template messages. This is a significant change from the previous pricing model, which charged businesses for every template message sent.

How can businesses use the new pricing model to better promote their brand?

The new pricing model allows businesses to send engaging offers and personalized notifications to customers, which can be used to more effectively promote their brand and drive sales. With the ability to send unlimited messages within the 24-hour session window, businesses can take a more proactive approach to marketing and customer engagement.

What is the "quick replies" feature and how does it work?

The "quick replies" feature is a new feature for the WhatsApp Business API that allows businesses to pre-write and save commonly used responses. This can help save time and streamline communication with customers. The quick replies feature can be used in conjunction with chatbots or other automated tools to provide even more efficient and personalized support to customers.

How does the new pricing model compare to the previous pricing model?

Under the previous pricing model, businesses were charged a flat fee or subscription rate for access to the WhatsApp Business API. They were also charged for every template message sent to customers. The new conversation-based pricing model is more transparent and flexible, as it allows businesses to pay for only the conversations they have with customers. It also includes 1000 free conversations per month for marketing purposes and does not charge for the first user-initiated conversation initiated through a click-to-WhatsApp ad.

What are the benefits of using the WhatsApp Business API for customer communication?

The WhatsApp Business API is a powerful tool for building and managing customer communication on WhatsApp. It offers a range of features and capabilities, including the ability to send and receive messages, track delivery and read receipts, and create automated chatbots. It also provides an end-to-end customer experience on WhatsApp, allowing businesses to handle every aspect of their customer communication, from initial contact to post-purchase support. With the new conversation-based pricing model, businesses can use the API to support their customers without worrying about incurring excessive charges.