Choose one of the two options below. We will guide you step by step.
Option A: Do It Yourself (7 Steps)
Click to see the detailed step-by-step guide
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Create a Meta Business Account
- Open your web browser and go to business.facebook.com/overview.
- If you see a login button, log in with your Facebook account.
- Click "Create account".
- Enter your business name (or personal name) and your email address.
- Click Submit.
- Go to your email inbox or spam folder, find the confirmation email from Meta, and click the confirmation link.
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Create a WhatsApp Business Account (WABA)
- After confirming your email, you'll be inside Meta Business Suite.
- Look at the left menu. If you don't see the menu, click the three horizontal lines (hamburger) at the top left.
- Scroll down and click Settings (gear icon).
- Under the Accounts section, click WhatsApp Accounts.
- Click the blue Add button, then select Create a new WhatsApp Business Account.
- Enter a name (your business name), select your time zone (for Nigeria choose (GMT+01:00) West Central Africa), and click Create.
- IMPORTANT: Meta will ask you to set up Two-Factor Authentication (2FA). Choose SMS and enter the bot SIM number. This is required — you cannot skip it.
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Add Your Dedicated Bot Number
- Click on your new WABA name.
- Look for Phone numbers and click Add phone number.
- In the phone number field, enter the number you want to use for the bot. Start with +234 and remove the leading zero. Example: if the number is 09064586135, enter +2349064586135.
- For the display name, enter your business name.
- Choose SMS or Voice call for verification.
- Click Next or Continue.
- Meta will send a 6-digit code to that number via SMS or call. The code will arrive on the phone where the SIM is inserted.
- Enter that code in the field and click Verify.
- ⚠️ Heads up: Once the number is verified in WABA, WhatsApp will be removed from that SIM's phone app. This is normal and expected — your bot now lives in the cloud, not on the phone. The SIM must stay active (never let it expire or be used for anything else).
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Create a Dummy App (Required before System User)
- In Meta Business Suite, click Settings (gear icon).
- Under Accounts, click Apps.
- Click the blue Add button and select Create a new app.
- Choose Other as the app type, then click Next.
- Enter an app name like SmartBot (or your business name), and fill in any required fields.
- Click Create app.
- After the app is created, you don't need to configure anything. It just needs to exist so you can create a System User.
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Generate a Permanent Access Token
- Still in Meta Business Suite, click Settings (gear icon) again.
- Under Accounts, click System users.
- Click the blue Add button and choose Create system user.
- In the form, type SmartBot Integration as the system user name, and set role to Admin.
- Click Create.
- Find the new system user in the list and click on its name.
- Click Add assets, select Apps (or WhatsApp Accounts depending on version), check the box next to the app you just created, and turn on Manage access. Click Save.
- Now click Generate token.
- Select whatsapp_business_messaging and whatsapp_business_management.
- Click Generate.
- Copy the long token that appears. Keep it secret and send it to us via WhatsApp.
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Set Webhook URL
- Go back to Settings → WhatsApp Accounts.
- Click on your WABA name.
- Find the Configuration or Webhooks section.
- Click Edit.
- In the Callback URL field, type exactly: https://smartbot-genius-bot.myaibuzcom-hue.deno.net
- In the Verify token field, we'll send you the exact token via WhatsApp when you're ready. Do NOT guess this — it must match exactly.
- Click Verify and Save. You should see a green success message.
- If asked to subscribe to fields, make sure messages is checked.
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Get Your Phone Number ID and Send to Us
- Go back to Settings → WhatsApp Accounts → your WABA → Phone numbers.
- Find your number. Next to it is the Phone Number ID.
- Copy the Phone Number ID.
- Send the Phone Number ID and the Access Token to us via WhatsApp. We will activate your bot.
✅ This DIY route takes about 20–30 minutes of setup. Meta's display name approval can take 24 hours–5 days more — that's normal, not a delay on your end. If you prefer not to do these steps, use Option B and we'll handle it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to create an App?
Only if you choose Option A (Do It Yourself). We guide you to create a simple app as part of the process. If you choose Option B, we handle it.
Do I need to create a System User?
Yes, but only in Option A. In Option B, we create it for you.
What is a Phone Number ID?
It's a unique number Meta gives after you add your bot number to your WABA. We use it to identify your bot.
Can I use my personal WhatsApp number?
No. The bot needs a dedicated SIM that is not already on WhatsApp. Buy a new SIM (₦200) if needed.