Discover the definitive guide to WhatsApp chatbot pricing, offering comprehensive insights into costs and considerations.
WhatsApp Business, introduced in January 2018, has revolutionized communication for businesses worldwide.
Explore tailored solutions and pricing models designed to suit your business needs seamlessly. Unlock the potential of WhatsApp chatbots with transparent pricing structures and optimize your communication strategy effortlessly.
WhatsApp Business API Costs
The WhatsApp Business App operates on a simple pricing model—no cost attached! Yet, the same doesn’t hold for the WhatsApp business platform, which is also known as the WhatsApp API.
Grasping the financial implications of utilizing the WhatsApp API necessitates comprehension of its functionality. Initially, businesses must obtain access to the WhatsApp API, with the pricing contingent on the hosting type: WhatsApp On-premises API or WhatsApp Cloud API.
WhatsApp On-premises API
The WhatsApp On-premises API is hosted on a Business Solution Provider (BSP) server. Consequently, BSPs possess full authority over the fees they levy on businesses.
These fees fluctuate depending on various factors such as WhatsApp API access charges, hosting format, message fees, and additional considerations.
WhatsApp Cloud API
Conversely, the WhatsApp Cloud API is hosted on Meta’s cloud servers. Businesses have the choice to procure WhatsApp Cloud API access either through WhatsApp BSPs or directly from Meta.
Due to APIs lacking interfaces, businesses must integrate them with messaging software to handle message transmission and reception.
In brief, the WhatsApp Business API entails three expenses:
- Charges from Business Solution Providers (BSPs)
- Costs of messaging software
- Fees for WhatsApp conversations
Check out this article: What is Whatsapp Business API?
Let’s delve into the breakdown of WhatsApp conversation charges.
Understanding WhatsApp Conversation Rates
WhatsApp’s pricing mechanism is centered around conversations, with charges levied per conversation held or initiated.
User-triggered conversations, alternatively referred to as service conversations, occur when customers initiate the first message. The conversation fee is incurred when a business responds to a user within the 24-hour customer service timeframe.
Irrespective of the quantity of messages dispatched within this 24-hour window, there are no supplementary charges.
In contrast, business-triggered conversations incur charges when a business initiates or extends a conversation beyond the 24-hour customer service window by sending a message. It requires a pre-approved message template designated for one of the three specific use cases: Utility, Authentication, and Marketing.
Moving forward, we’ll examine the essential factors that govern the pricing dynamics of WhatsApp Business API.
Key Factors Governing WhatsApp Business API Pricing
Country/Region Variance:
WhatsApp Business API pricing can vary based on the country or region you’re operating in due to differences in market dynamics and regulatory requirements.
Customer Care Window:
The duration of the customer care window influences pricing, with longer windows incurring higher costs. This window refers to the timeframe during which businesses can respond to customer inquiries without incurring additional charges.
Entry Point of Conversations:
The entry point of conversations, whether initiated by the customer or the business, impacts pricing. Charges may differ based on who initiates the interaction, reflecting varying levels of engagement.
WhatsApp Business API pricing is influenced by factors such as geographic location, customer care window duration, and the initiation point of conversations, all of which can affect costs.
Now, explore the dynamics of partner-based WhatsApp chatbot pricing, focusing on how collaborative ventures impact pricing structures.
Check out this article: How To Utilize WhatsApp Business Multiple Users To Scale Your eCommerce Business In 2024
Partner-based WhatsApp Chatbot Pricing
BSP fees depend on the hosting model. BSPs choosing WhatsApp On-premises API handle WhatsApp API charges and server setup/maintenance. These costs are transferred to end-users by BSPs to ensure profitability.
Alternatively, BSPs providing WhatsApp Cloud API charge minimal to no fees because Meta offers complimentary access to the WhatsApp API and hosts WhatsApp on its servers. It eradicates server-related costs, which reduces expenses for both BSPs and end-users.
Irrespective of the WhatsApp Business API variant BSPs provide, many add extra charges beyond WhatsApp conversation fees, such as message markups or setup costs. Though pricing varies among BSPs, we’ll delve into the primary BSPs in the market and their pricing structures below:
1. 360Dialog WhatsApp API Pricing
360Dialog facilitates businesses in communicating with customers via WhatsApp by offering a platform for utilizing the WhatsApp API to send and receive messages.
Pricing:
Monthly License Fee: For each connected phone number to their WhatsApp API grants unrestricted API access in compliance with Meta’s policies. The number must uphold the current throughput value of 1k m/s on Meta’s setup and belong to the Premium Tier. Additionally, an extra monthly charge of $200.
Meta Conversation Fees: These fees, unrelated to Meta, are determined by your API engagements. 360dialog refrains from applying any surcharges and instead passes on these costs directly to you.
Billing:
Customers registering directly with 360dialog, bypassing a Solution Partner, can choose from two plans: $49 or $99.
Both plans offer direct API access and chat support. The $99 plan also includes Premium support.
All their plans have monthly billing cycles.
Also Read: Best WhatsApp Chatbot Tools
2. Twilio
Twilio provides a platform enabling businesses to utilize the WhatsApp API for messaging customers, offering various pricing tiers based on conversation type. Its pricing is transparent, scalable and operates on a pay-as-you-go basis. The initial 1,000 service conversations per month are complimentary.
Here’s a breakdown of its pricing structured around conversations.
- Utility: $0.015/Conversation, $0.005/Message
- Authentication: $0.0135/Conversation, $0.005/Message
- Marketing: $0.025/Conversation, $0.005/Message
- Service: $0.0088/Conversation, $0.005/Message
3. Bird
Bird offers a communication platform for businesses specializing in SMS, Email, and WhatsApp marketing. Their pricing hinges on the monthly volume of contacts.
Bird applies a rate of $0.0099 per marketing conversation for WhatsApp messages.
As we pivot towards WhatsApp chatbot pricing based on the use case, let’s consider how different functionalities are reflected in pricing models.
Check out this article: The Complete Guide to Whatsapp Chatbot
WhatsApp Chatbot Pricing by Use Case
Companies frequently employ various teams to communicate with customers using the WhatsApp API, each with distinct messaging practices.
Sales Teams
Sales Teams often commence conversations with leads, resulting in increased expenses for business-triggered interactions. For sales teams characterized by low sales volume yet high-profit margins per sale, opting for a MAC (Message Activation Cost) or monthly plan can prove economical.
Support Teams
Support Teams predominantly address inbound inquiries, leveraging service conversation pricing to their advantage. WhatsApp adopts a cost-effective approach for support teams by charging for only one message within a service conversation if responded to within 24 hours, enhancing cost efficiency.
Additionally, extra charges may apply for conversations exceeding this timeframe. Support teams must be cautious to avoid unnecessary fees due to spam or irrelevant messages.
Marketing Teams
Marketing teams utilize WhatsApp for disseminating promotional messages, with each message constituting a business-initiated conversation. By considering the expenses, choose a Business Solution Provider (BSP) that doesn’t add extra fees per message. Adhering to WhatsApp’s Business Policy is crucial to prevent misuse for spam purposes.
Operational Technical Implementers
Transactional notifications, such as payment confirmations or password resets, are disseminated by operational technical implementers, such as engineering teams, as part of business-initiated conversations. It’s advisable to opt for Business Solution Providers (BSPs) that don’t levy extra charges for messages to reduce costs.
Wrapping up the details on WhatsApp Chatbot Pricing, let’s focus on Saufter.io for omnichannel customer service assistance.
Saufter.io: Your Omnichannel Customer Service Hub
Saufter.io provides a comprehensive solution for omnichannel customer service, seamlessly integrating inquiries from various channels into a unified platform. With automated routing and customizable workflows, manage customer interactions according to your business needs.
Benefit from multi-channel support and robust analytics to enhance customer satisfaction and optimize help desk performance.
Key features
- Unified Inbox: Streamline all customer inquiries from various channels into one central platform for efficient management.
- Automated Routing: Assign tickets to the most appropriate agents automatically based on predefined rules, optimizing response time.
- Customizable Workflows: Tailor workflows to match your business processes, ensuring seamless integration with existing operations.
- Multi-channel Support: Engage with customers across multiple channels such as email, chat, social media, and more, enhancing accessibility.
- Analytics and Reporting: Gain valuable insights into your customer interactions, agent performance, and overall help desk efficiency through comprehensive analytics and reporting tools.
Check out this article: How to Create a Chatbot for WhatsApp Free: Only Guide
Conclusion
Discovering the ideal WhatsApp chatbot pricing is crucial for optimizing your investment. By carefully assessing your needs and comparing pricing structures, you can confirm cost-effectiveness while maximizing functionality.
From per-user subscriptions to tailored enterprise solutions, finding the right balance ensures seamless integration and optimal performance for your business needs.
Looking to simplify and refine your customer support strategies? Check out Saufter.io for efficient issue resolution and communication.
