web development cape town | Oonie Cape Town | Web Design and SEO Agency

What does Whatsapp Business Cost in South Africa?

Oct 23, 2024 | DIGITAL MARKETING, Wordpress

AI Content

The cost of WhatsApp Business depends on which version you are using—WhatsApp Business App or WhatsApp Business API. Here’s a breakdown:

1. WhatsApp Business App (Free)

  • Cost: Free
  • Best For: Small businesses and individual entrepreneurs who want to communicate with their customers via WhatsApp.
  • Features:
    • Set up a business profile with essential information (address, website, business hours).
    • Use labels to organize contacts and chats.
    • Quick replies and automated messages (greeting and away messages).
    • Catalog feature for showcasing products/services.

This version is completely free but is designed for businesses with smaller customer bases and doesn’t support extensive automation or integrations with external systems like CRMs or Google Sheets.

2. WhatsApp Business API (Paid)

The WhatsApp Business API is designed for medium to large businesses and allows for more advanced features like automation, chatbot integration, and third-party app connections (CRM, Google Sheets, etc.). Unlike the free app, the API is accessed through third-party service providers (Twilio, WATI, 360Dialog, etc.), and the costs can vary.

API Cost Components:

  1. Setup and Monthly Fees:
    • Third-party providers typically charge a setup fee and a monthly fee for access to the API.
    • Monthly fees can range from $30 to $100+ depending on the provider and the services offered.
    • Some providers offer free trials or lower-cost plans for small businesses.
  2. Message Costs:
    • WhatsApp API pricing is based on message templates or session messages. Here’s a general pricing model:
      • Template Messages: Pre-approved, outbound messages sent outside the 24-hour customer service window. These typically cost between $0.05 to $0.12 per message, depending on the country and provider.
      • Session Messages: Messages exchanged within a 24-hour window after a customer has initiated a conversation are usually free or included in your monthly plan.
    • Message costs vary by country and provider (e.g., Twilio charges different rates based on the region you are sending to).
  3. Third-Party Providers: Some popular WhatsApp Business API providers:
    • Twilio: Charges based on message volume and region. For example, Twilio charges $0.005 for inbound messages and $0.073 for outbound template messages in South Africa.
    • 360Dialog: Offers a flat monthly fee starting at around $49/month and includes unlimited session messages (template message costs apply separately).
    • WATI: Offers packages starting around $40/month with features like chatbots, broadcast messaging, and integrations.

WhatsApp Business API is Ideal For:

  • Medium to large businesses that need automation, integrations with CRMs, or want to run WhatsApp-based marketing campaigns.
  • Businesses with large customer bases or those needing high-volume messaging.

Summary of WhatsApp Business Costs:

  • WhatsApp Business App: Free (for small businesses).
  • WhatsApp Business API:
    • Setup/Monthly fee: $30-$100+ per month.
    • Template message cost: $0.05 to $0.12 per message (varies by provider and region).
    • Session messages (within 24 hours): Free or included.

The API version is much more powerful for automating communications and handling high message volumes, but it comes at a cost, while the WhatsApp Business App is free and suited for simpler use cases.