To use an official WhatsApp Business number with platforms such as Ruut, your business first needs to set up its business assets with **Meta**. This guide walks you through creating a **Meta Business Portfolio**, setting up your **WhatsApp Business Account (WABA)**, adding and verifying your business phone number, completing your business profile, and preparing your account for verification. A **WhatsApp Business Account**, often shortened to **WABA**, is the Meta business asset used to manage phone numbers on the official WhatsApp Business Platform. > **Note:** A WhatsApp Business Account on Meta is different from the WhatsApp Business mobile app. The mobile app is designed primarily for managing conversations from a phone, while a WABA is used by the WhatsApp Business Platform and official API integrations. WhatsApp's official onboarding guidance recommends setting up your account, completing business verification, understanding its policies and building a record of high-quality messaging as part of onboarding to the WhatsApp Business Platform. --- ## Before you start You should have: * A Facebook account that you control * Your business or brand name * Your company's legal name * A business email address * Your business address * A live business website * Your company registration information, where applicable * A phone number you want to use for WhatsApp * Access to receive an SMS or voice call on that phone number * Authority to manage Meta assets for your organisation We recommend using a Facebook account belonging to a founder, owner, director or long-term administrator rather than an external contractor. --- # 1. Create or open your Meta Business Portfolio Go to Meta Business Suite and sign in with your Facebook account. [Open Meta Business Suite](https://business.facebook.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) A **Business Portfolio** is the Meta account used to organise your company's business assets. It can contain assets such as: * WhatsApp Business Accounts * Facebook Pages * Instagram accounts * Advertising accounts * Meta apps * Other business assets You may also see older documentation refer to a Business Portfolio as **Meta Business Manager**. ### Already have a Business Portfolio? If your organisation already has a Business Portfolio used to manage its Facebook Page, Instagram account or advertising, you should normally use that existing portfolio. Avoid creating duplicate Business Portfolios for the same company unless you have a specific reason to do so. ### Creating a new Business Portfolio If your company doesn't already have one: 1. Sign in to Meta Business Suite. 2. Open the **Business Portfolio** selector. 3. Choose **Create a business portfolio**. 4. Enter your business name. 5. Enter your name. 6. Enter your business email address. 7. Submit the form. 8. Confirm your email address if Meta asks you to. Use the real name of your organisation rather than a generic name such as "WhatsApp Business." --- # 2. Complete your business information Once your Business Portfolio has been created, open: **Meta Business Suite → Settings → Business info** You can also access Meta's Business Settings directly: [Open Meta Business Settings](https://business.facebook.com/settings/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) Complete your business information as accurately as possible. This may include: * Legal business name * Business address * Country * Business phone number * Website * Business email address Where Meta asks for your **legal business name**, enter the name shown on your official registration documents. For example, your customers may know your company as: **Acme** while your registered company name is: **Acme Technologies Limited** In that case, use **Acme Technologies Limited** where Meta specifically requests your legal business name. Your customer-facing brand can still be used as your WhatsApp display name where it clearly represents your business. --- # 3. Make sure your website is ready Meta may use your website and other publicly available information when reviewing your business. Before continuing, make sure your website: * Is publicly accessible * Uses HTTPS * Clearly displays your business or brand name * Explains what your company does * Contains valid contact information * Is consistent with the company being registered If your brand name and legal company name are different, make the relationship reasonably clear. For example: > Acme is operated by Acme Technologies Limited. Avoid submitting a placeholder, unfinished or unrelated website. --- # 4. Set up your WhatsApp Business Account The next step is creating or selecting the **WhatsApp Business Account (WABA)** belonging to your business. Depending on the Meta interface available to your account, you may create or manage the WABA through **WhatsApp Manager**, Business Settings, or during WhatsApp Business Platform onboarding. In Business Settings, look for: **Accounts → WhatsApp Accounts** If Meta allows you to add or create an account directly: 1. Select **WhatsApp Accounts**. 2. Click **Add**. 3. Choose the option to create a WhatsApp Business Account. 4. Enter the requested business information. 5. Complete the setup. If you already have a WABA belonging to your company, use the existing account rather than creating a duplicate. WhatsApp's official onboarding material identifies setting up the business account, business profile and phone number as part of onboarding to the WhatsApp Business Platform. --- # 5. Open WhatsApp Manager **WhatsApp Manager** is Meta's management interface for the WhatsApp Business Platform. It is where you can manage items such as: * WhatsApp Business Accounts * Phone numbers * Business profiles * Display names * Message templates * Account quality * Messaging limits * Two-step verification From Meta Business Suite or Business Settings, select your WhatsApp Business Account and open **WhatsApp Manager**. --- # 6. Add your business phone number Inside WhatsApp Manager, find the **Phone numbers** section and select the option to add a phone number. Meta will ask for information about your business and the number you want to register. Enter the phone number using its full international format. For example, a Nigerian number should use: **+234...** rather than beginning with the local `0`. Your number needs to be accessible because Meta may verify ownership using an SMS or automated voice call. --- # 7. Choose your WhatsApp display name Your **display name** is the business name associated with your WhatsApp number. Examples: **Ruut** **Acme** **Acme Technologies** Use a name that customers genuinely associate with your business. Your display name should have a clear relationship with your: * Website * Brand * Company * Products or services * Public business identity Avoid unnecessary promotional text or misleading names such as: **ACME OFFICIAL SUPPORT BEST PRICES ✅** or generic names such as: **Customer Support** WhatsApp's onboarding guidance states that your display name should be consistent with your external branding, such as your website and marketing material. --- # 8. Complete your WhatsApp Business profile Meta may ask you to provide additional information about the business. Complete as much of the profile as possible. This can include: ### Business category Choose the category that best represents what your organisation does. Examples include: * Software * Retail * Education * Financial services * Professional services * Travel * Healthcare ### Business description Write a short and accurate description of what your company provides. For example: > Acme provides inventory and payment software for retailers across Africa. ### Website Enter your official website. ### Contact information Where available, provide a business email address or customer-support contact. WhatsApp's Business Messaging Policy requires businesses to maintain accurate information and prohibits impersonating another business or misleading customers about the nature of the organisation. [Read the WhatsApp Business Messaging Policy](https://business.whatsapp.com/policy/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) --- # 9. Verify your phone number Meta needs to confirm that you control the phone number being registered. Depending on the number, Meta may offer: * **SMS verification** * **Voice-call verification** Select the method you can access. Meta will send or read a verification code. Enter that code into the verification screen to confirm ownership of the number. ### Using a landline If Meta offers voice-call verification, a landline can potentially receive the automated verification call. ### Using an IVR If the number normally answers with something like: > Press 1 for Sales.\ > Press 2 for Support. the automated verification call may not reach you successfully. Temporarily route incoming calls directly to someone who can hear the verification code. --- # 10. If the number already uses WhatsApp Be careful if the number is already registered with: * WhatsApp Messenger * WhatsApp Business App * Another WhatsApp Business Platform provider Do **not** delete an existing WhatsApp account simply because you want to use the WhatsApp Business Platform. Meta has different onboarding and migration paths depending on how the number is currently being used. For eligible WhatsApp Business App accounts, Meta also supports onboarding methods that allow the Business App and Business Platform to coexist. If your number is already connected to another Business Platform provider, use the appropriate migration process rather than creating a completely unrelated WhatsApp account. --- # 11. Set up two-step verification Meta may require a six-digit PIN to protect registration of your WhatsApp business phone number. If you are given the option, enable **Two-step verification** for the number. Store this PIN somewhere secure. Avoid using: * `123456` * Your phone number * Your company formation year * A PIN shared in public team channels The PIN can become important when managing or migrating your WhatsApp number later. --- # 12. Complete Meta Business Verification **Phone-number verification** and **Business Verification** are not the same thing. Phone verification confirms: > You control this phone number. Business Verification confirms: > The Business Portfolio represents a real business or organisation. WhatsApp includes business verification as part of its official onboarding journey for businesses preparing to scale on the WhatsApp Business Platform. To check whether verification is available for your business, open: **Meta Business Suite → Settings → Security Center** Look for **Business Verification** or **Start verification**. You may be asked for: * Country of registration * Legal company name * Registered address * Business phone number * Website * Business email * Company registration information Follow the instructions shown by Meta. --- # 13. Prepare your business documents Meta may be able to verify some businesses automatically. If it cannot, you may be asked to provide official documents. Depending on your country and business type, these may include documents that demonstrate your: * Legal company name * Registered address * Registration number * Business phone number Examples can include: * Certificate of incorporation * Business registration certificate * Government-issued business licence * Tax registration documents * Business bank statement * Utility or telephone bill issued to the business Use the documents Meta specifically requests from you. Most importantly, ensure the information is consistent. For example, if your incorporation document says: **Acme Technologies Limited** but your Meta Business Portfolio says: **Acme Technology Ltd** correct the discrepancy before submitting your verification where possible. --- # 14. Submit and monitor Business Verification After providing the requested information, submit your application. Return to: **Meta Business Suite → Settings → Security Center** to monitor the status. Your status may appear as: * Not verified * Verification required * In review * Additional information required * Verified If Meta requests additional information, follow the instructions displayed in Business Suite rather than creating another Business Portfolio. --- # 15. Review your WhatsApp account After setup, return to WhatsApp Manager and confirm that your business assets are correct. Check: * WhatsApp Business Account * Business phone number * Display name * Business profile * Display-name status * Account quality * Two-step verification * Business Verification status where available At this point, your Meta-side setup is ready for connection to a supported WhatsApp Business Platform integration. --- # Understand the different verification statuses Several different Meta and WhatsApp statuses are often confused with one another. ### Phone number verified Meta has confirmed that your business controls the phone number. ### Business verified Meta has verified the organisation represented by your Business Portfolio. ### Display name approved WhatsApp has accepted the business display name associated with your phone number. ### Official Business Account An **Official Business Account (OBA)** is a separate WhatsApp status for eligible businesses. Creating a WABA and completing Meta Business Verification **does not automatically give your business an Official Business Account badge**. WhatsApp treats OBA status as a separate step businesses may consider as they scale their presence on the platform. You do not need an OBA badge simply to use an official WhatsApp Business Platform number. --- # Keep your account compliant Setting up a WABA gives your business access to the official WhatsApp Business Platform, but businesses must continue following WhatsApp's policies. WhatsApp requires businesses to maintain accurate profile information and obtain appropriate customer consent before proactively messaging people. It can restrict access when businesses receive significant negative feedback or violate its policies. Before sending business messages, review: [WhatsApp Business Messaging Policy](https://business.whatsapp.com/policy/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) [WhatsApp Business Platform Onboarding Guide](https://whatsappbusiness.com/resources/resource-library/api-onboarding/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) --- # Setup checklist Before moving on to connecting your WhatsApp account to another platform, confirm that: * You have a Meta Business Portfolio for your organisation * Your legal business information is accurate * Your business website is live * Your business email is accessible * You have created or selected the correct WhatsApp Business Account * Your WhatsApp display name represents your business * Your business profile is complete * Your phone number has been added * You completed SMS or voice verification * Two-step verification is configured where required * Meta Business Verification has been completed or submitted where available * Your phone number appears correctly in WhatsApp Manager --- # Useful Meta and WhatsApp links ### Meta Business Suite Create and manage your Business Portfolio and business assets. [Open Meta Business Suite](https://business.facebook.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) ### Meta Business Settings Manage people, WhatsApp accounts and other Meta business assets. [Open Meta Business Settings](https://business.facebook.com/settings/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) ### WhatsApp Business Platform onboarding WhatsApp's official guide to getting started with the Business Platform. [Read the official WhatsApp onboarding guide](https://whatsappbusiness.com/resources/resource-library/api-onboarding/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) ### WhatsApp Business Messaging Policy Review WhatsApp's requirements for business messaging, customer consent and account quality. [Read the WhatsApp Business Messaging Policy](https://business.whatsapp.com/policy/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) ### WhatsApp Business Platform onboarding PDF WhatsApp also provides a detailed onboarding guide covering account setup, verification and scaling. [Open the WhatsApp Business Platform onboarding guide](https://whatsappbusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Onboarding-to-the-WhatsApp-Business-Platform.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com)