This tutorial walks you through creating and setting up your WhatsApp Business account via Meta. By the end, you'll have:
✅ An official WhatsApp Business number linked to your business
✅ A payment method set up for your campaigns
✅ A validated account compliant with Meta's rules
✅ An optimized business profile that inspires trust
Step 1: Have a Business Manager with administrator rights
👉 Why it matters:
To create a WhatsApp Business account (WABA), you must have a Meta Business Manager and hold administrator status on it.
Administrator status gives you all rights on the Business Manager (adding users, managing ad accounts, connecting WhatsApp, etc.)
Without this role, you won't be able to complete your WhatsApp account setup
✅ Check your administrator status
Go to Meta Business Suite > Business Settings
Click on Business Users in the left-hand menu
Find your name in the list: the Role column should show Admin
🙋 Request administrator rights from a colleague
If you're not an administrator, someone on your team who already holds this role can grant it to you:
In Business Settings > Business Users, they click on your profile (or on Add if you don't yet have access to the Business Manager)
They select the Admin role for the business, then confirm
You receive a confirmation notification and can then access the Business Manager with full rights
💡 Don't have a Business Manager yet? Create one for free at business.facebook.com, you'll automatically be its administrator.
⚠️ Already an administrator of a Business Manager? Skip directly to Step 2 below.
Step 2: Connect your WhatsApp number
👉 Why it matters:
It's the condition for your business to be recognized by Meta.
It ensures your messages come from an authentic account rather than a personal number.
(See tutorial below)
Step 3: Add a payment method
👉 Why it matters:
Without a default card on file, your account will remain inactive.
Meta bills each WhatsApp conversation beyond the free quota.
A valid card avoids service interruptions right in the middle of a campaign launch.
(See tutorial below)
💡 See our guide: Adding a payment method in Meta
Step 4: Customize your business profile
👉 Why it matters:
Your WhatsApp profile is a digital mini-storefront. It can include:
Company name
Logo / profile photo
Business category
Description of your offer
Address, hours, website, email
⚡ Marketer's tip: Fill everything in! A complete profile builds trust and encourages customers to start the conversation.
⚠️ Migrating a WhatsApp number that's already in use? (for example via 360dialog). The customization screen offered by Meta during standard onboarding won't appear.
Instead, customize your profile directly from WAX by following this dedicated guide: Customize your profile (Business Account).
For standard onboarding (first-time account creation), here's how to do it from the Meta screen:
(See tutorial below)
By following these 4 steps, your WhatsApp Business account is ready to use ✅ : reliable, compliant, and professional. You can now launch campaigns, automate conversations, and track your results in WhatsApp Manager.
👉 Next steps:
If everything's fine, go directly to Step 2: Finalizing setup in Business Manager