WhatsApp Business Costs & Pricing for UK Companies

An increasing number of consumers are favouring messaging as the channel they use to gain a more ‘direct’ line to their favourite brands. This is why more and more companies like yours are looking to WhatsApp Business as a new communication channel. 

From messaging automation to better chat organisation, there are a number of advantages to WhatsApp Business. A key point to note is that there is an entirely free version designed for small business use, and an enterprise WhatsApp designed for larger organisations (the API Platform). Most of this article will be focused on the small business version.

So, is WhatsApp Business free? Pretty much, but you will need a separate phone number to run the app…

Is WhatsApp Business free?

Yes.

The small businessWhatsApp Business is totally free to download and use. We do however recommend that you use a dedicated WhatsApp Business number where charges will apply. We’ll dive into that in more detail later in this article.

The API version for larger businesses does have some messaging charges and requires technical platform integration work. Just follow this link for a deep dive. 

A WhatsApp Business profile

Your WhatsApp Business profile establishes a formal business presence, demonstrating to your customers that you're a trustworthy business.

Your business profile makes it easy for people to see important information including:

• Your business name
• Description
• Industry category
• Address
• Website URL
• Opening hours

Product catalogue

The WhatsApp Business Catalog allows you to list your products or services with photos, prices and descriptions, directly within the WhatsApp Business app.

Conversation labels

Labels allow you to tag conversations (for example, ‘New Customer’, ‘Order Placed’ or ‘Complaint’), turning your chat list into a chat pipeline instead of a disorganised mess. It’s kind of like a free CRM for your WhatsApp chats.

Quick Replies

If you’re receiving the same queries over and over again, Quick Replies make it easy to answer them, with saved answers that can be sent with a single tap.

Basic messaging insights

Within the app’s Business tools, there are some statistics showing insights into messages sent, delivered, read and received. This is an easy way to find out whether a marketing message, customer communications or a shared catalogue item is getting traction or not. 

These free tools offer businesses a lot of value when comparing WhatsApp Business versus WhatsApp, but there’s more on offer from a paid WhatsApp Business account.

What’s the difference between the WhatsApp Business and WhatsApp Business Platform?

If you’re confused about the difference between WhatsApp Business and the WhatsApp Business Platform, that’s understandable. After all, Meta hasn’t really helped with the naming here (the WhatsApp Business Platform used to be known as, even more confusingly, the WhatsApp Business API).

‘WhatsApp Business’ refers to the free app you need to access the features we’ve discussed above, but the WhatsApp Business Platform isn’t a separate application, but rather a collection of APIs and tools that works with the app. 

Developers use the WhatsApp Business Platform to activate features and integrate with backend systems, such as CRMs and marketing platforms, allowing you to interact with your customers at scale. Typically, only large, enterprise-level organisations will need to access the features and functionality on offer from the Business Platform. 

By contrast, the WhatsApp Business app is designed for the vast majority of businesses that aren’t managing large message volumes. In fact, most SMEs can meet their needs by simply combining the free WhatsApp Business app with a dedicated business phone number (more on that shortly).

Cost is also a point of differentiation. WhatsApp Business Platform pricing is based on Meta's pricing model, which may include messaging charges alongside fees from a Business Solution Provider. 

What does WhatsApp Business actually cost to set up and run?

You can get access to some powerful WhatsApp Business features for free, but what does WhatsApp Business cost if you’re willing to pay for the advanced functionality?

As we’ve already discussed, the WhatsApp Business app is free (including access to some key features), and it’s suitable for the vast majority of businesses.

To open a WhatsApp Business account you need a compatible UK number that isn’t already tied to a WhatsApp account. We would also recommend that you keep your work and business WhatsApp separate in order to avoid the two sides clashing. For example, when you set your WhatsApp Business to silent or have to filter through sales messages. A WhatsApp-compatible virtual phone number allows you to communicate with your customers via the app without compromising your privacy, and you can get one from Hoxton Mix for just £4.99 per month.

If you’re a large organisation with more than 5 people using the platform, you should look into the WhatsApp Business Platform. 

Outside of the messaging fees on the platform (which we’ve listed above), it’s hard to estimate the actual cost of the WhatsApp Business Platform because it depends on the external tools you’re using alongside it, and the size and complexity of your business.  

Do I need a separate phone number for WhatsApp Business?

You don’t need a separate phone number to use WhatsApp Business. You can use your personal mobile number to communicate with your customers, but we wouldn’t recommend it.

However, if you want to run both regular WhatsApp and WhatsApp Business simultaneously, you’ll need a unique, active phone number that can receive an SMS or phone call for verification. This means that if you want to keep your personal and business conversations separate, you’re going to need a new number for your business communications.

Handover of management of the business account is also a consideration here. If the WhatsApp Business app is connected to your personal phone number, you won’t be able to pass it over if you want to go on holiday. If it’s managed by an employee, it’ll be hard to transfer if that person leaves the business. By contrast, a virtual phone number can be transferred between team members, either temporarily or permanently, much more easily.

Get a WhatsApp Business number from Hoxton Mix

Regardless of whether you stick with the free WhatsApp Business app on its own, or extend it with the WhatsApp Business Platform, you probably won’t want to share your personal phone number with all of your customers.

A WhatsApp Business virtual phone number will help you to keep personal and business conversations separate, while ensuring the privacy of your private phone number, all for just £4.99 per month from Hoxton Mix.

Suitable for startups, freelancers and SMEs alike, your new virtual phone number can be set up and verified within minutes, allowing you to start sharing it with customers, suppliers and prospects straight away.

So, what are you waiting for? Start building a flexible communication channel that your customers will really value today.

FAQ

Can I use my existing phone number for WhatsApp Business?

Yes, but it’s not recommended. It will mean sharing your personal phone number with customers, suppliers and everyone else. It will also be hard to transfer management of your WhatsApp Business channel to someone else if you want to go on holiday, or if the employee responsible for it leaves the business.

Is WhatsApp Business free for small businesses?

The WhatsApp Business app is free to use, and it’s ideal for the vast majority of businesses.