Introduction:
Post WhatsApp Business API integration, the most important step for a client is to get their WhatsApp Business templates created as well as approved by the Facebook team. This will enable them to facilitate WhatsApp marketing and nurture leads from WhatsApp channel.
WhatsApp Business template creation and edit token value for WhatsApp Business template from NPF panel: We have come up with a new feature in WhatsApp Business template creation process wherein we will be able to create WhatsApp Business templates from the NPF panel itself and the same will get automatically created in the Kaleyra panel (our WhatsApp vendor).
Why is it enhanced?
Earlier the process was manual where we used to receive WhatsApp Business templates through colleges over email. Post that we had to create the template in the Kaleyra panel first and then into the NPF panel once it was approved from Facebook.
Let us have a detailed look on what changes have been made such that all of us have the correct understanding of the same.
Creating a WhatsApp Business Template:
To create a WhatsApp Business template, we need to add in the parameters akin to the previous format. However, the “Content” addition has been altered. Now, the tokens need to be mapped to the WhatsApp Business variables and the WhatsApp Business variables can be added through a CTA(Add Variable) present at the top right corner of the content box.
Once the WhatsApp Business variables have been added, we need to map these variables to the NPF token using the CTA(Map WhatsApp Variables with NPF Tokens) present in the bottom right section of the content box.
Also, we have the option to add buttons to the WhatsApp Business template which can be used to capture the intent as well as perform call-to-actions.
How is this new variable addition process helpful?
Earlier, the WhatsApp Business tokens were also not editable. With this mapping we can change the tokens against the variables even after the template has been approved.
In a way, the WhatsApp Business templates are now editable in a sense that we can change the corresponding tokens as per our need.
Please find the screen attached for mapping the variables against the tokens-
Please note that the same token can be mapped against multiple variables.
WhatsApp Business Template Approval Status: Here, we have automated the approval process for the WhatsApp Business templates created in the NPF panel. The status is updated in the template manager in sync to the vendor (Kaleyra) panel.
WhatsApp Business Template Sample Data: Here, we have provided users with an option to send out sample data for a corresponding WhatsApp Business template such that the turnaround time for WhatsApp Business template approval is reduced.
Why is it enhanced?
Earlier the process was manual where we used to check the WhatsApp Business templates approval status on the Kaleyra panel and then update it on ours. .
In this release, we have taken three task live for the WhatsApp templates -
- WhatsApp Business Template Approval status capture in the NPF Panel
- WhatsApp Business Template versioning along with preview
- Sending out sample data for quick approval
Let us have a detailed look on what changes have been made in this release such that all of us have the correct understanding of the same.
WhatsApp Business Template Approval Process:
Now, the approval process has become a byproduct of the WhatsApp template creation process. To create a WhatsApp Business template, we need to add in the parameters akin to the previous format. However, the “Content” addition has been altered. Now, the tokens need to be mapped to the WhatsApp Business variables and the WhatsApp Business variables can be added through a CTA(Add Variable) present at the top right corner of the content box.
Once the WhatsApp Business variables have been added, we need to map these variables to the NPF token using the CTA(Map WhatsApp Variables with NPF Tokens) present in the bottom right section of the content box.
Once the variables are added from our panel, we now have the option to add sample data using the CTA (Add sample data for quick approval) present in the bottom left section of the content box. As the name suggests, adding in sample data while creating WhatsApp Business templates reduces the TAT for template approval.
Let us take an example to understand this scenario-
- We have added a variable in the WhatsApp template through Add Variable
- Now we will map this variable with a token through Map WhatsApp Variables with NPF Tokens, let say, {Registered Name} token
- Then we will add sample data using Add sample data for quick approval, let say, “Rahul”
All in all we need to provide sample data (here, Rahul) for the variable used in the WhatsApp template where the {Registered Name} token was used. This helps Facebook in analyzing the data which will be sent in the variable section.
How to add sample data?
We can add sample data for any variable using Add sample data for quick approval. Please note that the same is mandatory for image, video and document type WhatsApp templates.
Following is the screen for adding in sample data-
Few Important Notes:
- As soon as we click on the “Save” button, the template will get created on the Kalerya panel
- When creating the WhatsApp Business template, we can go ahead with saving the template without variable mapping. This will create the template in kaleyra panel and the variables can be mapped later.
- Once the template is created, its approval status will appear as “Pending for approval” and the Approved/Rejected status will appear as an when the templates get approved in the Kaleyra panel
- We need to ensure that the WhatsApp Business account has been configured before creating any template since the template gets created in the Kaleyra panel for that particular account.
- WhatsApp Template Title is a unique value and the template creation process will fail if the same WhatsApp Template Title already exists in the Kaleyra panel.
- WhatsApp Templates can be duplicated and are reusable and no approval is required as the WhatsApp Template Title is already approved in the Kaleyra panel.
- Text (Session) category has been removed from the WhatsApp Business Template.
- Versioning will work for the WhatsApp Business templates similar to the Email & SMS
- Sample data is mandatory for document, image and video type templates
- Adding in the Facebook Guidelines for WhatsApp template creation.