Having a verified WhatsApp Business account comes with several benefits like increased visibility, trust and access to exclusive features. The iconic green verification badge gives your business a VIP status on WhatsApp.
In this comprehensive guide, we will go over everything involved in getting your WhatsApp Business account verified, from eligibility criteria to the step-by-step application process.
Contents
Benefits of Verifying Your WhatsApp Business Account
Here are some of the key advantages of having a verified Whats App VIP Business account for your brand:
- Increased trust and credibility – The green verification badge establishes authenticity and shows users that your business is legit.
- Higher visibility – Verified accounts stand out in WhatsApp Business search results and directories.
- Access to special features – Verified accounts unlock exclusive business tools like auto-responses, labels, statistics and more.
- Reduced impersonation – The verification tag makes it harder for fake accounts to impersonate your brand.
- Improved customer service – Customers feel reassured contacting a verified account for support or information.
- Elevated brand image – The verification status adds prestige and authority to your brand on WhatsApp.
Clearly, getting verified helps create trust, boost visibility and also unlocks useful features for communicating with customers.
Eligibility Criteria for WhatsApp Business Verification
WhatsApp has strict criteria for issuing verification to maintain exclusivity. Here are the requirements your business must meet:
- Operating for at least 2 years with legal registration documents.
- Having a website, social media pages and consistent branding across platforms.
- Physical business premises and contact information available publicly.
- Significant online presence, search volume and web traffic for your brand name.
- Registered and active WhatsApp Business account linked to an official company phone number.
- Representing a real organization with unique branding and identity. Generic names are ineligible.
Meeting these eligibility criteria is the first step to qualify for verification of your WhatsApp Business account.
Step-by-Step Guide to Get Verified WhatsApp Business Account
If you meet the above requirements, here is the full process to get your WhatsApp Business account verified:
Step 1: Open WhatsApp Business Settings
- Open the WhatsApp Business app on your phone.
- Go to the More Options (3 dots) menu.
- Select Business Settings.
Step 2: Tap on “Request Verification”
- In Business Settings, scroll down and tap on “Request Verification”.
- This option will only appear if your account is eligible.
Step 3: Verify You Are Authorized Representative
- WhatsApp will send a 6-digit code to your business phone number via SMS.
- Enter this OTP to verify you are an authorized representative of the business seeking verification.
Step 4: Submit Required Documents
WhatsApp requires the following documents to review your verification request:
- Business registration certificate
- Official logo high resolution image
- Website and social media page links
- Contact details like email, address and phone numbers
- Description of your business activities and offerings
Step 5: Send Documents to WhatsApp Support
- Send all documents in a single email to WhatsApp support at [email protected]
- Make sure to include your WhatsApp Business account phone number in the email.
Step 6: Wait for WhatsApp to Review Application
- WhatsApp will review your documents and verify them for authenticity.
- The review process can take anywhere from 1-3 weeks in most cases.
- If WhatsApp needs any other documents or clarification, they will contact you via email. Respond promptly.
Step 7: Display Green Verification Badge
- If approved after review, your WhatsApp Business account will display the green verification badge.
- This establishes you as an official brand on WhatsApp Business.
Be patient during the review process and respond quickly if WhatsApp requires any other details from your end.
Tips to Get Verified Faster on WhatsApp Business
Here are some tips to expedite the verification process for your WhatsApp Business account:
Use an Official Business Phone Number
The phone number attached to your business account should be your official company contact number – not a personal number.
Create a Comprehensive Brand Profile
Your Business Profile should have your company website, email, addresses, business category and detailed description filled out.
Be Responsive
Respond promptly if WhatsApp contacts you for any extra documents or clarification during verification review.
Have Clear and Complete Documents
Make sure all your registration certificates, licenses and branding documents are clear, readable and contain the necessary details.
Optimize Your Online Presence
Have your business name appear on directories, review sites and mention it on your website and social media to establish brand visibility online.
Associate Relevant Categories
Accurately fill out your business category like Retailer, Manufacturer, Services etc. during WhatsApp Business setup.
Show Consistency Across Platforms
Your branding and identity should be consistent on WhatsApp, website, social media, packaging and all other touchpoints.
Following these best practices will demonstrate the authenticity of your business during the verification process and help get approved faster.
Common Reasons for WhatsApp Business Verification Rejection
Some common mistakes that can lead to a verification request being declined include:
- Using a personal phone number instead of official business number.
- Recently registered business without much operating history.
- Submitting incorrect or incomplete documents.
- Business name too generic or common.
- Website and social media pages unavailable or inactive.
- Different names and branding used across platforms.
- Unclear contact information and address details.
- Nature of business not legal or promoting banned/illegal products or services.
- Failure to respond to WhatsApp’s requests for additional documents/information.
Avoid these issues to ensure your verification application gets approved by WhatsApp without hassles.
Why You Should Get Verified
Here are some key takeaways on why getting a verified WhatsApp Business account is worthwhile for your brand:
- Verification establishes you as an authentic and trustworthy company.
- The green badge gives your business a prestigious status on WhatsApp.
- It unlocks useful tools to engage and support customers.
- Verified accounts get higher visibility in search results.
- It reduces chances of impersonation and fake accounts.
- Customers prefer contacting verified accounts for grievances or queries.
- The verification tag lends authority and influence to your brand image.
For any established organization, having the verification badge elevates your WhatsApp presence to the next level. Despite the detailed process, it is worth the effort for the legitimacy and trust it brings.
Follow this guide properly and you can get your WhatsApp Business account verified too. The green badge indicates that your brand is the real deal on WhatsApp!
