In this step-by-step guide, we will describe in detail how to get the WhatsApp Business API through the official META partner - the Gupshup service and integrate with the Bitrix24 CRM Open Channels.

Create a Gupshup account by following this guide: https://docs.gupshup.io/docs/overview

Create an app in the Gupshup dashboard by following this guide: https://docs.gupshup.io/docs/quickstart-create-and-configure-access-api

Connect a phone number by following this guide: https://docs.gupshup.io/docs/onboarding-guide

In order for the Go-Live process to work, add our Partner ID 117 (ANWEB) to your Gupshup app and then start the Go-Live process.

To start receiving and sending messages through your connected phone number to the WhatsApp Business API Gupshup, you need to connect your Gupshup account to your Bitrix24.

In Bitrix24, install the WhatsApp Business API Gupshup app from the marketplace, to do this, follow the link https://www.bitrix24.com/apps/?app=aiappspro.whatsapp_business_api_gupshup and click on the green "INSTALL" button.

If you have not yet logged into the Bitrix24 marketplace, a pop-up window with the "LOGIN" button will open. Click it to log in with your Bitrix24 account.

If you don't have Bitrix24 yet, then click on the "CREATE YOUR BITRIX24 NOW" link in the same pop-up window and register Bitrix24 to your email address or using one of your proposed social network accounts.

After successfully entering the Bitrix24 marketplace, in the same pop-up window that appeared after clicking the green "INSTALL" button, select your Bitrix24 portal from the list.

Your Bitrix24 will open in a new tab of your browser with a proposal to install the WhatsApp Business API Gupshup app. Press the blue "INSTALL" button.

Read the license agreement and privacy policy by clicking on the links and tick the boxes if you agree to the terms. Click the green "INSTALL" button.

After successful installation, a 24/7 app support chat will be automatically created in your Bitrix24, in which you can write at any time if you have any questions about working with the app.

So the app is installed, let's proceed to the activation of the connector for WhatsApp Business API in the Bitrix24 Contact Center.

Close the app installation slide, go to the Bitrix24 Contact Center and click on the installed "WhatsApp Business API Gupshup" connector.

In the opened connector settings slider, click on the "CONNECT" button.

If several Open Lines have been created in your Bitrix24, then below you will need to select the required Open Line to which you want to connect WhatsApp, and after selecting, click the "CONNECT" button.

The same slider will open the connector settings interface.

In a new browser tab, go to your Gupshup Dashboard using the link https://www.gupshup.io/whatsapp/dashboard, click on your profile icon and copy the API Key in the pop-up window.

Return to the connector settings window in Bitrix24 and in the "Gupshup API key" field enter the API Key copied in your Gupshup account.

In a new browser tab, go back to your Gupshup Dashboard using the link https://www.gupshup.io/whatsapp/dashboard and copy the phone number for the "Gupshup sender" field by clicking on the "Settings" link in the list of apps in your Gupshup account.

This will open the app settings interface in Gupshup, scroll down to the "Check API Access and Set Callback URL" section and copy the phone number from the "Sender" field. If your own phone number is still pending, this field will contain a test phone number from Gupshup, which you can use to test the app for now.

Do not close this app settings window in Gupshup for now, it will come in handy below. Return to the connector settings window in Bitrix24 and enter the copied sender's phone number in the "Gupshup sender" field.

Click the "To plug" button. After successful connection, the messages "Connector connected successfully" and "Copy callback URL and enter it in Gupshup settings" will appear. Copy the "Gupshup callback URL" by clicking the "Copy" button.

Go back to our open app settings window in Gupshup.

The WhatsApp Business API Gupshup Connector is ready to go!

Below are examples of sending and receiving messages through a work phone number.

Send a message, for example from your personal WhatsApp number, to your Gupshup approved WhatsApp Business API phone number.

Accept the message in the Open Channel of your Bitrix24 and write a response.

All types of messages are supported: text messages, images, videos, voice messages, files, location coordinates. Messages are processed in accordance with the settings of the Open Channel.

Guide: https://docs.gupshup.io/docs/create-template

During the installation in Bitrix24, the "WhatsApp Business API Gupshup" app automatically creates a new SMS provider "[WhatsApp Business API Gupshup]", only this does not send SMS, but messages to WhatsApp.

Sending is carried out both manually and automatically from anywhere in the CRM: from robots, business processes, SMS and Messenger mailings from the CRM marketing section, timeline Leads, Deals, Contacts and Companies.

We give examples of sending such messages below in the screenshots.