WhatsApp Business for Brand/Business Owners: Why ZöTok's WABA is the Smarter Choice
Posted by ZöTok on September 16, 2024•5 min read
To help brand owners understand the differences between setting up an individual WhatsApp Business Account (WABA) and utilizing ZöTok's WABA, emphasizing how ZöTok simplifies the process and minimizes operational burdens.
1. The WhatsApp Business Account (WABA) Process:
Setting up a WhatsApp Business Account independently involves several steps:
- Dedicated Mobile Number: Businesses need a separate mobile number that isn't linked to any existing WhatsApp account. The number cannot be used for personal or business WhatsApp simultaneously.
- Meta Account & Documentation: Businesses need to submit various documents for Meta verification, including:
- GST Certificate
- PAN Card
- Business registration documents
- Proof of address
- Valid website (compliant with Meta's policies)
- Verified Facebook page linked to the Meta Business account
- Regular engagement activities, such as posts, blogs, likes, and shares to maintain visibility.
- Payment Setup: Sellers must provide a valid credit card with at least two years of validity that supports international transactions.
- Meta Verification: Meta verifies whether the business complies with its policies, ensuring engagement and best practices.
- Message Template Approval: Both utility and marketing message templates must be created and submitted to Meta for approval. This process ensures every communication adheres to Meta's strict template guidelines.
2. The Complexity of Managing an Independent WABA:
Managing an independent WABA comes with numerous complexities:
- Compliance with Meta's Changing Policies: Meta frequently updates its policies, and sellers must stay compliant to avoid disapprovals or account suspension. This requires constant monitoring of changes and adjustments to the business's practices.
- Managing Message Template Approvals: Sellers must submit various message templates for approval. Rejected templates need revisions, delaying communication with customers.
- Engagement Requirements on Social Media: Sellers must maintain active social media presence, regularly posting and engaging on Facebook and Instagram to meet Meta's visibility standards.
- Credit Card and Billing Management: Managing international credit cards with a minimum two-year validity is mandatory. Sellers must ensure their payment methods remain valid to avoid service disruptions.
- Website and Meta Account Verifications: Meta requires a fully functional, policy-compliant website. The business's Meta account must be linked to a verified Facebook page and remain active with accurate information.
These factors increase the operational burden, pulling focus away from core business functions.
3. The ZöTok WABA Simplification:
Rather than managing an independent WABA, brands and sellers can rely on ZöTok's established WABA, which streamlines the process and minimizes operational burdens:
- No Need for a Separate Mobile Number: ZöTok handles communication through its dedicated number, eliminating the need for businesses to procure a separate number.
- No Documentation Hassle: ZöTok manages the entire verification process, so sellers don't need to repeatedly submit documents like GST, PAN, or business registration forms.
- No Need for Credit Cards: ZöTok manages the payment setup, eliminating the need for sellers to maintain international credit cards with long validity.
- Meta Policy Compliance: ZöTok ensures compliance with all Meta guidelines, reducing the risk of message disapprovals or account blocks.
- Pre-Approved Message Templates: ZöTok provides a wide range of pre-approved message templates for different functions (such as "Order to Cash" and promotional messages), saving sellers time and effort.
- Seamless Seller-Buyer Communication: ZöTok serves as a touchpoint, connecting sellers and buyers without storing sensitive data. Sellers can access all data through their ZöTok account, while buyer's privacy remains intact (buyers can delete chats, but sellers retain data in ZöTok).
4. ZöTok is Like Gmail for WhatsApp Order Processing:
Just as Gmail is the service provider that simplifies email communication, ZöTok is your tool for managing and processing orders on WhatsApp. When using WhatsApp for marketing outreach or messaging, sellers can manage communication using their WhatsApp Business account.
However, to process orders and handle transactions, sellers must use ZöTok—with ZöTok's name and number appearing at the top of the conversation, much like how you use Gmail for email exchanges. ZöTok makes order management smoother, more efficient, and easy to integrate into daily operations, ensuring sellers can focus on their core business while ZöTok handles the technical side.
5. Added Benefits from WhatsApp Business API (via ZöTok):
In addition to simplifying the WABA process, ZöTok leverages the benefits of WhatsApp Business API to enhance customer interactions and business operations:
- Automation and Instant Responses: ZöTok automates customer interactions, sending welcome messages, FAQs, and after-hours notifications to ensure 24/7 engagement. This helps maintain high responsiveness without manual effort
- Personalized Experiences: By leveraging WhatsApp's ability to fetch customer data, ZöTok personalizes messages based on customer preferences, ensuring a tailored, trust-building experience
- Secure Communication: All communication through ZöTok benefits from WhatsApp's end-to-end encryption, ensuring secure conversations between sellers and buyers
- Multi-Agent Support: ZöTok allows businesses to scale customer service by supporting multiple agents to handle customer queries, seamlessly integrating with CRM tools.
6. Benefits of Using ZöTok's WABA for Supply Chain Operations:
- Time Savings: Skip the lengthy Meta verification, document submission, and template approval process.
- Cost Efficiency: No need for a dedicated number, website, or social media page, reducing operational costs.
- Improved Focus: Sellers can focus on core supply chain operations while ZöTok manages the WhatsApp infrastructure.
- Enhanced Connectivity: ZöTok allows sellers to connect with buyers and supply chain partners quickly and efficiently, with real-time updates and communications.
- Secure Data Flow: All communication flows through ZöTok, ensuring privacy and security, without data being stored.
7. Differences Between Independent WABA and ZöTok WABA:
Feature | Independent WABA | ZöTok WABA |
---|---|---|
Mobile Number | Requires a separate number | ZöTok's number is used |
Documentation | Extensive documentation submission required | ZöTok handles documentation and verification |
Credit Card | Requires a valid international card | ZöTok manages payments, no card needed from sellers |
Message Templates | Sellers must create and submit templates | ZöTok provides pre-approved templates for immediate use |
Meta Policy Compliance | Sellers must ensure continuous compliance | ZöTok handles Meta policy adherence |
Communication | Sellers manage communication with buyers directly | ZöTok acts as the intermediary without storing sensitive data |
8. FAQs
1. Will my data be stored by ZöTok?
No, ZöTok does not store or record any sensitive data. Communication is facilitated without data storage.
2. Do I need a separate mobile number?
No, ZöTok uses its own number, eliminating the need for you to manage another number.
3. Can I use ZöTok for marketing?
You can use WhatsApp Business for marketing, but for order processing, ZöTok is required.
4. How does ZöTok handle Meta's policies?
ZöTok manages all Meta compliance, including updates, so you don't have to worry about it.
5. Are message templates provided?
Yes, ZöTok offers pre-approved templates, so you don't need to create your own.
6. How does ZöTok simplify order processing?
ZöTok manages order communication directly on WhatsApp, streamlining the process.
7. Does ZöTok provide real-time insights?
Yes, ZöTok offers data insights like pin code-level performance visibility.
8. Is my communication with buyers affected?
No, ZöTok only facilitates communication, allowing you full control.