> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.unecast.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# WhatsApp Business: GDPR-Compliant Messaging for Teams
> Get GDPR-compliant WhatsApp Business API for your whole team - with message templates, automations, AI agent support, and full analytics built in.
WhatsApp is where your customers already spend their time. Over 2.7 billion people use it, and most read messages within 90 seconds of receiving them. Unecast connects your business to WhatsApp Business API so your entire team can send and receive messages from a single number - compliantly, at scale, with full automation support. Unecast handles the Meta verification and setup for you, so you can focus on the conversations that grow your business.
## WhatsApp Business App vs. WhatsApp Business API
There are two ways to use WhatsApp for business. Understanding the difference helps you choose the right approach for your team size and use case.
| | **WhatsApp Business App** | **WhatsApp Business API (via Unecast)** |
| ---------------------- | --------------------------------- | --------------------------------------- |
| **Cost** | Free | Subscription + AI messaging addon |
| **Users** | Up to 5 linked devices | Unlimited team members |
| **GDPR compliance** | ❌ Not suitable for commercial use | ✅ Fully GDPR-compliant |
| **Automation support** | ❌ None | ✅ Full chatbot and workflow automation |
| **Marketing messages** | ❌ Not supported at scale | ✅ Interactive messaging campaigns |
| **Multiple numbers** | ❌ One number per account | ✅ Multiple numbers / channels |
| **CRM & integrations** | ❌ Not available | ✅ Shopify, WordPress, and more |
| **AI agent** | ❌ Not available | ✅ AI Agents for multiple workloads |
| **Analytics** | Basic | ✅ Comprehensive analytics suite |
Unecast manages your WhatsApp Business API application, Meta Business verification, and ongoing compliance so you don't have to navigate Meta's processes alone. Most businesses are up and running within a few business days.
## What You Get with Unecast's WhatsApp Business
* **GDPR-compliant WhatsApp for your whole team** - Your data is hosted on Amazon Web Services (AWS) data centers in multiple geographic locations to deliver a faster and reliable messaging experience. Unecast never trains AI models on your customer data.
* **Multiple users on the same number** - Your entire team reads and replies from one WhatsApp number. Assign conversations, add notes, and collaborate without forwarding screenshots.
* **Message templates** - Create and submit pre-approved message templates for outbound communication. Use them in automations and bulk sends.
* **Landline number support** - Already have a landline that your customers know? Register it as your WhatsApp Business number so existing customers can reach you without learning a new contact.
* **Multiple WhatsApp numbers** - Run separate numbers for different locations, teams, or brands, all managed inside a single Unecast account.
* **AI agent integration** - Deploy an AI agent on your WhatsApp number to answer questions, qualify leads, and handle support 24/7.
* **Analytics** - Track message delivery, read rates, campaign performance, and response times across your WhatsApp channel.
Most people read WhatsApp messages within **90 seconds** of receiving them — compared to hours or days for email. WhatsApp messages also never end up in a spam folder. This makes WhatsApp ideal for time-sensitive communication like appointment reminders, order updates, and promotional offers.
## Understanding WhatsApp Messaging Costs
WhatsApp pricing is set by Meta, not Unecast, and is billed per delivered template message rather than per conversation. Costs depend on the message category and the destination country.
**Free-form replies** to a customer within an open 24-hour customer service window are always free — this covers the vast majority of day-to-day support conversations.
**Template messages** sent to start or re-engage a conversation are billed per message once the service window is closed:
| Category | When to use | Cost |
| ------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------ | ---------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Service** | Free-form replies within an open 24-hour window | Free |
| **Utility** | Order confirmations, shipping updates, appointment reminders | Free inside an open service window; priced per message otherwise |
| **Authentication** | One-time passwords, verification codes | Priced per message, with volume-based discounts |
| **Marketing** | Promotions, newsletters, re-engagement campaigns | Priced per message; generally the highest-cost category |
Meta updates its pricing periodically and rates vary by destination country. See [Meta's current WhatsApp Business Platform pricing](https://developers.facebook.com/documentation/business-messaging/whatsapp/pricing) for exact rates.
## Creating a WhatsApp Message Template
You need an approved WhatsApp template to send business-initiated messages outside an active customer conversation. Templates must be submitted to Meta for review before use.
Go to **Platform → Templates** inside your Unecast account. Click **New Template** to begin.
Select the category that matches your message's purpose:
* **Marketing** — Promotions, newsletters, special offers, re-engagement
* **Utility** — Order updates, appointment reminders, shipping notifications, transactional messages
* **Authentication** — OTPs and login verification codes
Choosing the correct category affects both the approval likelihood and the per-message fee.
Compose your template message. Use numbered placeholders for personalization variables — for example, use `{{1}}` where you want the customer's first name to appear, `{{2}}` for an order number, and so on.
```text theme={null}
Hi {{1}}, your appointment on {{2}} at {{3}} is confirmed.
Reply YES to confirm or NO to cancel.
```
You can also add header media (image, document, video) and up to three call-to-action or quick-reply buttons.
Click **Submit for review**. Meta reviews most templates within 24 hours, though some take longer. You'll receive a notification in Unecast when your template is approved or if changes are requested.
Once approved, your template appears in the **Send WhatsApp Template** action block inside Automations and in the **Broadcast** tool for bulk sends. Unecast maps your contact's stored data to the placeholder variables automatically.
Meta may reject templates that contain vague language, excessive promotional content, or prohibited content categories (gambling, alcohol to minors, etc.). Write templates in a clear, specific, non-spammy style. If a template is rejected, you'll see the rejection reason in Unecast and can edit and resubmit.
## Related Features
Build and send WhatsApp broadcast campaigns to opted-in subscriber lists directly from Unecast.
Trigger WhatsApp template messages automatically based on events, keywords, or external app actions.
Deploy an AI agent on your WhatsApp number to handle inbound conversations around the clock.
Manage all WhatsApp conversations alongside your other channels in a single collaborative inbox.