WABA Setup — Step-by-Step Guide

1. Prerequisites

Before starting, make sure you have:

• A phone number that is NOT currently registered on WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business App.
• A Facebook account (personal, for managing Meta Business Suite).
• Your business registration documents (varies by country).
• A business website or social media page.
• An App-ening account (sign up at app.app-ening.com).

2. Step 1: Meta Business Account

1. Go to business.facebook.com.
2. Click “Create Account” if you don’t have one.
3. Enter your business name, your name, and business email.
4. Complete the setup wizard.

If you already have a Meta Business Suite account (e.g., for Facebook Ads), you can use the same one.

3. Step 2: Business Verification

Meta requires you to verify your business identity. See our Meta Business Verification guide for detailed instructions.

Quick overview:

1. Go to Security Centre in Meta Business Suite.
2. Upload business documents (registration certificate, utility bill, etc.).
3. Verify your business email or phone.
4. Wait for Meta review (typically 1-5 business days).

4. Step 3: Phone Number Registration

1. In your App-ening dashboard, go to Settings → WhatsApp Number.
2. Click “Add Number” and enter your phone number.
3. Choose verification method: SMS or Voice Call.
4. Enter the 6-digit OTP code you receive.
5. Set your display name (the name customers will see).

5. Step 4: Connect to App-ening

Once your number is verified:

1. App-ening automatically connects your WABA to the platform.
2. Verify the connection in Settings → WhatsApp Connection.
3. Send a test message to yourself to confirm everything works.

6. Step 5: Go Live

1. Create your first templates — submit at least 2-3 templates for approval.
2. Set up your profile — add a profile picture, business description, and address.
3. Configure auto-replies — set up welcome messages and away messages.
4. Invite your team — add agents to the shared inbox.
5. Start messaging — import your opted-in contacts and send your first campaign.

7. Troubleshooting

• OTP not received — try the voice call option. Ensure the number is not on Do-Not-Disturb.
• Display name rejected — check for policy violations (URLs, all-caps, misleading names).
• Business verification stuck — resubmit with clearer documents. Check for typos in business name.
• Number already registered — delete WhatsApp/WhatsApp Business App from the phone and wait 24 hours.
• Webhook errors — verify your App-ening account is active and the connection is enabled.