Before you connect your WhatsApp
A 3-minute read. Following it avoids almost every problem merchants run into with Meta, including restricted or banned numbers.
1Have these ready
Selright checks these before sending you to Facebook, then fills them in for you there.
- Your real business name, the one on your CAC certificate or the name customers know you by. Meta rejects names that don't match a real business.
- A WhatsApp display name that matches that business name. Not a general word like “Shoes” or “Sales”, not in ALL CAPS, and no emojis.
- A business email you actually read. Meta sends review results and warnings there.
- A Facebook account you've had for a while. Meta uses it to create or choose your business portfolio. Accounts created the same day are often paused by Meta's automatic checks right after connecting, which takes the number offline until a review. If your account is new, add a profile photo, your business address and your Instagram or website first, and wait a day before you connect.
- The phone with your WhatsApp number in your hand. You'll scan a code or receive a verification code on it.
- Keeping your WhatsApp Business app? Update it first from the Play Store or App Store. Meta needs version 2.24.17 or newer.
2Choose how to connect
On the Facebook page you'll see two options. Pick the one that matches how you use the number today.
I use the WhatsApp Business app on it
Keep your app, chats and contacts. You scan a QR code with the app. Your AI rep answers on the same number, and you can still reply from your phone at any time.
It's a new number
For a number that isn't on any WhatsApp app. Meta sends it a code by SMS or call. Afterwards the number works only through Selright, not in the WhatsApp app.
3After you connect
You can start selling straight away. You don't need a CAC certificate or a card to connect or to reply to customers.
Optional, when you're ready to grow (on Meta's website)
Add a card for promotions
Replying to customers who message you is free. Meta only charges when you message a customer first, for example a reminder a few days later. Without a card, those messages don't go out.
- Open Meta Billing & payments and log in with the same Facebook account you used to connect.
- Tap WhatsApp Business accounts (not “Ad accounts”), then your business.
- Tap Add payment method and enter your card.
Get your business verified
This proves to Meta that your business is real. Until it's done, you can only start conversations with a limited number of new customers each day. Customers who message you first are never limited.
- Open Meta Security Center.
- Under Business verification, tap Start verification.
- Upload a photo of your CAC certificate (a business name registration is fine) and a proof of address, such as a utility bill or bank statement. Meta usually replies within a few days.
Selright does these for you
Your display name review
Meta checks your business name, usually within 2 days. You don't need to do anything. Its status shows in the Selright app under Settings → WhatsApp & channels. Until it's approved, customers may see your number instead of your name.
Bringing in your old chats
If you kept your WhatsApp Business app, Selright brings in your contacts and the last 6 months of one-to-one chats. Just keep the app open on your phone for the first hour. Meta only allows this once, so don't close it halfway. Group chats are not brought in.
4If you kept your WhatsApp Business app
- Open the app on your phone at least once every two weeks. If the phone stays inactive for about 14 days, Meta disconnects the number from Selright and your AI rep stops answering until you reconnect.
- You can reply from your phone whenever you want. Your reply shows in the Selright Inbox, and the AI stays out of that chat for 15 minutes so you don't talk over each other.
- Some app features change:
- Broadcast lists become read-only. You can't create new ones.
- Disappearing messages, view-once and live location are turned off in one-to-one chats.
- Linked devices such as WhatsApp for Windows are logged out.
- Group chats still work in the app, but they don't appear in Selright.
5Keep your number safe from restrictions and bans
Meta restricts or bans numbers mainly when customers block or report them. These habits keep your number healthy.
Do
- Message only people who contacted you or agreed to hear from you.
- Reply quickly and keep messages useful.
- Let customers stop messages. Selright honours “STOP” automatically.
- Use your real business name, logo and description.
- Share your WhatsApp link on your Instagram, flyers and receipts so customers come to you.
Don't
- Message numbers you bought, collected from groups, or copied from other businesses.
- Send the same promotion to lots of people again and again.
- Sell what Meta doesn't allow: crypto or forex, drugs or pharmacy products, adult items, betting, weapons, tobacco or vapes.
- Pretend to be another brand or use a misleading name.
Need a hand?
If anything on the Facebook page is unclear or connecting fails, message us. We'll walk you through it.
Chat with Selright support on WhatsApp