Meta changes its screens and rules from time to time. Treat the timings below as typical, not promised. Meta’s current WhatsApp Business documentation always wins.
The approvals at a glance
Before you start
Have these ready so the sign-up does not stall halfway:- A Facebook login that is an admin of your Meta business portfolio. Only admins can complete verification or remove a number. If you have no portfolio yet, Meta lets you create one during sign-up.
- A phone number that is only yours. It needs a country code, and must be able to receive an SMS or voice call. A number already registered on a normal WhatsApp account must be removed from it first, or connected through the WhatsApp Business app route.
- Your business details. Legal business name, address, website and a business email or phone.
- A working website. It should load over HTTPS and show the same business name you plan to use as the WhatsApp display name.
- A verification document, if you plan to verify right away. See Business verification.
Step 1: Connect through Meta
On the Business Brand WhatsApp page, the Connection card shows Not connected until a number is linked. Click Connect WhatsApp Account and Meta opens its sign-up window (called Embedded Signup).1
Log in to Facebook
Log in with the Facebook account that is an admin of your business portfolio. COD King never sees your Facebook password.
2
Choose or create your business portfolio
Pick the existing portfolio, or create one. Check the business name, website and country.
3
Create or choose your WhatsApp Business Account and display name
Enter the name customers will see. Read Display name first, because a rejected name delays everything.
4
Add and verify your phone number
Enter the number and the code that Meta sends by SMS or voice call.
5
Finish and return to COD King
The window closes and the Connection card shows your number. It then appears on the Account page.
Meta’s sign-up window is Meta’s own screen, so its wording can differ from this list. If your number shows as connected but the name is still under review, you can finish setting up templates while you wait.
Display name
The display name is the business name customers see on every message. Meta reviews every name by hand. What gets approved- Your business, brand, product or department name.
- A name that clearly matches your website, logo and legal business name.
- A small variation, such as adding a city or a word that describes what you sell.
- A name that does not appear anywhere on your website or business documents.
- A generic word or a place name on its own.
- Words such as “Official” or “Verified”, or any reference to Meta or WhatsApp.
- Promotional text, offers, URLs or email addresses.
- A personal name that is not tied to your brand.
- A brand you do not own, with no stated link to it on your website.
Business verification
Business verification proves your business is real. It is done in Meta’s Security Centre, inside your business portfolio.- A document with your legal business name and official address or phone number. Accepted examples are an incorporation or registration certificate, a business licence, a government tax document, or a business bank statement.
- Proof that you represent the business. Meta sends a code to the business phone or email, or asks you to verify your website domain.
- Documents must be current, readable, and in English or Hindi. Other languages need a stamped English translation.
- A utility bill can prove an address or phone number, but not the business name.
Message template approval
WhatsApp only lets a business start a chat with a customer using a pre-approved template. Every template you submit from COD King goes to Meta for review. See Templates for how to create them.- Every template has a category: Marketing, Utility or Authentication. The category also decides what Meta charges per message. Order updates are usually Utility. Offers and win-back messages are Marketing.
- Review is automatic and usually quick. A template can stay In review for up to 24 hours.
- Editing a template sends it for review again.
- A template can be Approved, Rejected, Paused or Disabled. Only Approved templates can be sent. Paused and Disabled mean customers reported the message or rarely read it.
- Approved templates get a quality rating of High, Medium or Low, or Quality pending until customers react. Medium and Low can still be sent, but are at risk of being paused.
- The variables are not in the right order, or the sample text is empty.
- A Utility message that reads like an advert, so Meta treats it as Marketing.
- Words that promise something, or that look like a scam.
- A missing opt-out line on a Marketing message. The pre-made COD King templates already include one.
Sending limits
Meta limits how many customers you can start a chat with in 24 hours. The limit grows by itself as your messages stay well received.
A new portfolio can add two business numbers. That rises to 20 after verification. Customers who message you first open a 24-hour window in which you can reply freely, without a template.
If something is stuck
Official Meta references
Connect your number
Check the connection and send a test message.
Templates
Create and submit message templates.
