WhatsApp Business API, with a free CRM built in
Run WhatsApp like a team — a shared inbox tied to customer records, broadcasts, and AI-drafted replies with approval gates. Start on a real free CRM, and see Meta's per-message fees at cost before you send. Built for Hong Kong SMBs running EN / 繁中 / Cantonese chats.
Official WhatsApp Business Platform · Meta costs shown before send · Approval-gated AI
What is the WhatsApp Business API?
The WhatsApp Business API (part of Meta's WhatsApp Business Platform) lets a business send and receive WhatsApp messages at scale through software instead of a phone — with a verified business identity, approved message templates, automation, and a shared team inbox. It is built for businesses that outgrow the free WhatsApp Business app.
A verified business identity
Message customers from an official business account with your approved display name — and, for eligible businesses, the verified blue checkmark — not a personal number.
Templates & automation
Send pre-approved templates for confirmations, reminders, and offers, and automate replies — within Meta's opt-in and 24-hour service-window rules.
Built to scale
Multiple teammates, one number, segmented broadcasts, and delivery tracking — far beyond what the consumer WhatsApp Business app can do.
WhatsApp Business app vs the Business API
The free WhatsApp Business app works for a solo phone. The WhatsApp Business API is for teams that need automation, scale, and a CRM around every conversation.
| Capability | Business app | Business API + FavCRM |
|---|---|---|
| Team access | One phone, one user | Whole team shares one number |
| Customer records | None | Every chat tied to a CRM record |
| AI & automation | Manual replies | AI drafts with approval gates |
| Broadcasts | Small lists, limited | Segmented, opt-out-aware campaigns |
| Templates & scheduling | Quick replies only | Approved templates, scheduled sends |
| Verified identity | Basic | Official Business Account eligibility, blue checkmark |
A WhatsApp-native CRM, not just an inbox
Everything that turns WhatsApp from a personal chat app into a system your whole team can run.
One inbox, one customer record
WhatsApp, SMS, and email land in one timeline, each message tied to the customer's bookings, orders, and payment history.
AI drafts with full context
AI Manager drafts replies using the customer's profile, bookings, orders, and past messages — a clean starting point, not a black box.
Approval gates on outbound
Keep sensitive or bulk sends behind human review. The team edits and approves before anything reaches a customer.
Broadcasts & segments
Target customers by CRM data, send opt-in-aware broadcasts and reactivation campaigns, with opt-out handling and delivery tracking.
Template management
Create, organize, and reuse approved WhatsApp templates and schedule broadcasts without leaving the CRM.
Automation & commerce sync
Connect MCP-driven automation and sync Shopify or WooCommerce so orders and customers flow into the same conversations.
Live on WhatsApp in three steps
Connect your WhatsApp Business account
Bring your business number onto the official WhatsApp Business Platform and link it to your FavCRM workspace.
Conversations become records
Every inbound message opens a customer timeline — history, bookings, orders, and payment status in one place.
Reply, automate, and broadcast
Your team and AI handle 1:1 replies, while segmented broadcasts go out with opt-out handling and approval gates.
Simple pricing for customer conversations
Run inbox replies, campaigns, AI drafts, and WhatsApp messaging with separate software and Meta message costs. Meta's per-message charges stay visible before send.
Lite
For small teams getting started with CRM inbox workflows.
Free workspace available
Create a Free Workspace- 100 contacts
- 1 team member
- —
- 10K AI tokens/mo
- 3 chatbot flows
- —
- —
- —
- MCP integration
- Shopify & WooCommerce sync
- Template management
- Scheduled broadcasts
- Basic analytics
- Community support
Pro
For growing teams that need campaigns, AI drafts, and analytics.
- 1,000 contacts
- 3 team members
- Unlimited
- 1M AI tokens/mo
- 20 chatbot flows
- Unlimited
- Customer segments
- REST API access
- MCP integration
- Shopify & WooCommerce sync
- Template management
- Scheduled broadcasts
- Advanced analytics
- Community support
What WhatsApp actually costs
Meta bills the WhatsApp Business Platform per message. FavCRM keeps the software plan separate and shows Meta's per-message cost before sending templates.
- Charged per message by template category — marketing, utility, and authentication.
- Replies inside the 24-hour customer service window, and utility templates sent within it, are often free.
- Per-message rates vary by the recipient's country.
- Meta message costs stay separate from FavCRM's software fee.
WhatsApp Business API questions
How much does the WhatsApp Business API cost?
Meta charges per message based on template category (marketing, utility, authentication), and rates vary by country. Messages your customer starts — replies within the 24-hour service window, and utility templates sent in that window — are often free. FavCRM keeps those Meta charges separate from the software plan and shows the cost before template sends.
Do I get the verified checkmark?
Eligible businesses on the official WhatsApp Business Platform can apply for an Official Business Account, shown with a verified blue checkmark. Approval is based on Meta's policy and eligibility.
Do I need my own WhatsApp number?
Yes — you connect a business phone number to the official WhatsApp Business Platform and link it to FavCRM. From there your whole team shares one number inside the CRM.
What about opt-in and compliance?
WhatsApp requires you to collect customer opt-in before messaging. FavCRM keeps broadcasts opt-in-aware with opt-out handling, and approval gates let you review sensitive sends before they go out.
Is it WhatsApp only?
No. The same inbox handles WhatsApp, SMS, and email on one customer timeline, so a WhatsApp lead can later get an email invoice or an SMS reminder without losing context.
Will AI message my customers on its own?
Only if you let it. AI drafts and prepares messages, but sensitive and bulk sends stay approval-gated — your team reviews and approves before anything is delivered.
How do I get the WhatsApp Business API in Hong Kong?
A Hong Kong business verifies its Meta Business account, connects a phone number that isn't already on the consumer WhatsApp app, and goes live through a Business Solution Provider. FavCRM handles the setup so you get an Official Business Platform number without working in Meta's developer console directly.
Does it support Traditional Chinese and Cantonese for Hong Kong customers?
Yes. Your shared inbox replies in whatever language the customer uses — English, 繁體中文 or Cantonese — and you can get outbound marketing and utility templates approved by Meta in Traditional Chinese, so order confirmations and broadcasts read naturally to Hong Kong customers.
Explore the rest of the platform
Unified inbox
WhatsApp, SMS & email in one customer timeline.
MCP & AI automation
Connect AI agents to your CRM and inbox.
Integrations
Sync Shopify, WooCommerce, and more.
Plans & pricing
Pricing for every team size.
WhatsApp CRM in Hong Kong
How HK shops run sales on WhatsApp — multilingual, COD, fees at cost.
Turn WhatsApp into your CRM
Start a free workspace, connect WhatsApp, and run every conversation, reminder, and campaign from one place.