Quick Answer
WhatsApp business messaging lets Indian brands reach opted-in customers on WhatsApp with approved template messages and handle replies through chatbots and a shared team inbox. Meta bills per delivered message: marketing, utility and authentication templates, and now also service replies inside the 24-hour customer service window. SMSGatewayHub, a Meta Business Partner, provides campaigns, chatbots, catalogs and inbox on one Pay As You Go wallet.
Which WhatsApp message types can a business send?
Every message a business starts must use a template approved by Meta. Meta assigns each template a category, and the category decides how the message is billed.
| Message category | What it is for | Examples | How Meta bills it |
|---|
| Marketing | Promotions, offers, launches, re-engagement and anything that is not utility or authentication. | Festival sale, abandoned-cart reminder, new collection, restock alert | Charged per delivered template |
| Utility | Updates about a transaction or account the customer already has. | Order confirmation, delivery status, booking, payment and appointment reminders | Charged per delivered template, including inside the customer service window |
| Authentication | One-time passcodes for login, sign-up and account recovery. | OTP with a copy-code button | Charged per delivered template; India has its own authentication rates |
| Service | Free-form replies when the customer messages you first. | Support answers, chatbot replies, agent conversations | Charged per message inside the 24-hour customer service window |
Category rates and volume tiers are set by Meta. See current rates on WhatsApp pricing, and for endpoints, webhooks and template APIs go to the WhatsApp Business API page.
What changed on WhatsApp for business recently?
Four platform changes every Indian business using WhatsApp should plan around.
Per-message pricing
Meta replaced conversation-based billing with per-message billing. You pay for each delivered marketing, utility or authentication template, so cost tracks what customers actually receive. What the pricing change means
Service replies now billed
From 1 October, Meta charges per message for service replies and for utility templates sent inside the 24-hour customer service window. Inbound messages and the 72-hour free entry point from Click-to-WhatsApp ads stay free.
Verified badge
Official business accounts now carry Meta's blue verified badge. Business verification in Meta Business Manager comes first. How to get the verified badge
Stricter template categories
Meta reviews every template and can recategorise one as marketing if it mixes offers with order updates. Keep utility templates purely informational to keep them cheaper.
Why SMSGatewayHub
Why choose SMSGatewayHub over other WhatsApp providers?
WhatsApp is only as useful as the tools around it and how honestly it is billed. Here is what you get with SMSGatewayHub.
Meta rates, transparent wallet
Meta bills per delivered template by category; you see every charge per message in one Pay As You Go wallet. Why transparency matters
No-code chatbots
Build flows with buttons, quick replies and media to answer FAQs, qualify leads and book appointments 24/7, with handover to a human agent. Why automate with a chatbot
Shared team inbox
Unlimited agents answer every WhatsApp conversation from one inbox, with analytics on response times and campaign performance.
SMS and RCS fallback
If a WhatsApp message cannot be delivered, fall back to transactional SMS or RCS from the same account, and SMS is billed only when delivered.
Certified security
ISO 27001, ISO 9001:2015, SOC 2 and VAPT tested. Trust Center
Trusted for 15+ years
10,000+ registered businesses and 2,000+ enterprise clients, 99.9% uptime SLA and a toll-free sales line, 1800 102 1822.
| Question to ask any WhatsApp provider | SMSGatewayHub |
|---|
| Do you add a markup on top of Meta's message charges? | Every charge is shown per message by Meta category in your wallet. See WhatsApp pricing |
| Is this the official WhatsApp Business Platform? | Yes. We are a Meta Business Partner on the official platform, not an unofficial tool that risks number bans. |
| Who helps with business verification and the verified badge? | Our team guides you through Meta business verification and the official business account application. |
| Can I fall back to SMS if WhatsApp fails? | Yes, to DLT-compliant SMS or RCS from the same account. |
| Do I get chatbots and a team inbox, or only an API? | Both: no-code chatbots, broadcasts, catalogs and a shared inbox, plus the API for developers. |
| Can I test before I buy? | Yes. Create a free account and try it first. |
Comparing providers? Read hidden WhatsApp API charges to watch for and how to choose the right WhatsApp partner.
WhatsApp use cases by industry
Each card links to the matching industry page with message samples and campaign ideas.
E-commerce & D2C
Catalogs and collections, abandoned-cart reminders, order confirmations and delivery updates. Messaging for e-commerce
Retail, beauty & salons
WhatsApp storefronts, discounts to opted-in customers and appointment reminders for spas and salons. Retail use cases
WhatsApp campaign and automation examples
Common flows Indian businesses run, with the Meta category each template falls into.
| Flow | Example message | Trigger | Category |
|---|
| Abandoned cart recovery | Hi Ritu, your cart is waiting. Complete your order before stock runs out. [Checkout] | Automated reminder after 2 hours of inactivity | Marketing |
| Flash sale alert | Flat 30% off today only for our members. [Shop Now] | Broadcast to an opted-in segment | Marketing |
| Order confirmation | Order ORD58213 confirmed. Arriving in 2 days. [Track order] | Order placed in your store or app | Utility |
| Appointment reminder | Your appointment is on 14 Oct at 11:00 AM. [Confirm] [Reschedule] | 24 hours before the slot | Utility |
| Login OTP | 482913 is your verification code. For your security, do not share it. [Copy code] | Login or sign-up request | Authentication |
| Support conversation | Chatbot answers "Where is my order?" and hands over to an agent if needed | Customer messages you first | Service (billed per message) |
Templates with buttons and media are created and submitted from your panel. Learn how to automate WhatsApp messages for e-commerce.
How to start with WhatsApp for business
Sign up and verify
Register free and complete Meta business verification in Business Manager with your legal business documents.
Connect your number
Link a business number that is not active on another WhatsApp account, set your display name and profile, and apply for the verified badge when eligible.
Collect opt-ins
Gather WhatsApp consent on your website, checkout, forms or a missed call to WhatsApp flow, and offer a clear opt-out.
Build templates and chatbots
Submit marketing, utility and authentication templates for approval and design chatbot flows, quick replies and catalogs.
Launch and grow
Send campaigns, answer in the team inbox and track delivery, reads and clicks from one dashboard. Developers can integrate via the WhatsApp Business API.
WhatsApp opt-in and policy checklist
Following Meta's rules keeps your quality rating high and your number safe from blocks.
- Message only customers who have opted in to hear from your business on WhatsApp.
- Make the opt-in clear: name your business and say what kind of messages they will receive.
- Give an easy way to opt out and honour it promptly.
- Use approved templates to start conversations; send free-form messages only inside the 24-hour window.
- Keep utility templates free of offers so Meta does not recategorise them as marketing.
- Watch your quality rating and slow down if customers block or report you. Read why WhatsApp accounts get blocked.
WhatsApp messaging resource map
Everything related to WhatsApp on SMSGatewayHub, grouped by what you need to do next.
WhatsApp Business App vs WhatsApp Business Platform: which do you need?
The free WhatsApp Business App suits a single shop or solo professional answering chats from one phone. Choose the WhatsApp Business Platform through SMSGatewayHub when you need broadcasts to thousands of opted-in customers, chatbots, a multi-agent inbox, CRM sync or automated alerts. This page covers the business tools; developers wiring WhatsApp into their own systems should start at the WhatsApp Business API page.
Many brands use WhatsApp alongside transactional SMS for guaranteed reach and RCS for rich messages in the native inbox. For a deeper view, read WhatsApp Business App vs official API and how to turn WhatsApp into a revenue channel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the WhatsApp Business App and the WhatsApp Business Platform?
The WhatsApp Business App is a free app for small businesses chatting from one phone. The WhatsApp Business Platform (API) is built for medium and large businesses that need broadcasts, chatbots, multi-agent inboxes and system integrations. SMSGatewayHub provides the platform as a Meta Business Partner.
How does WhatsApp charge businesses in India?
Meta charges per delivered message, by category: marketing, utility and authentication templates, and now also service replies and utility templates sent inside the 24-hour customer service window. Inbound messages and the 72-hour free entry point from Click-to-WhatsApp ads stay free. SMSGatewayHub bills these through a Pay As You Go wallet; current rates are on the WhatsApp pricing page.
Can I use WhatsApp for marketing and promotions?
Yes. You can send marketing templates such as offers, launches and cart reminders to customers who have opted in to receive them. Templates must be approved by Meta, and you must offer an easy way to opt out.
How do I get the verified badge on WhatsApp?
First complete Meta business verification in Business Manager, then apply for an official business account; Meta decides based on authenticity and notability. Approved accounts show Meta's blue verified badge. SMSGatewayHub guides you through the application.
Do customers need to opt in before I message them on WhatsApp?
Yes. Meta requires a clear opt-in that names your business and what messages to expect before you start a conversation with a template. SMSGatewayHub helps you collect consent through web forms, checkout, QR codes or a missed-call flow.
Can WhatsApp connect to my CRM or online store?
Yes. SMSGatewayHub connects WhatsApp to CRMs, e-commerce stores and in-house systems so conversations, orders and customer data stay in sync. Developers can use the WhatsApp Business API for custom integrations.
What message types can I send on WhatsApp?
You can send text, images, videos, audio, documents such as PDFs, locations, product catalogs and messages with quick-reply or call-to-action buttons. SMSGatewayHub's no-code builder lets you combine these in campaigns and chatbot flows.
Start growing your business on WhatsApp
Set up verified WhatsApp messaging with chatbots, broadcasts and a shared inbox, billed per Meta message category on one Pay As You Go wallet.