Are your customers or leads tired of waiting for the SMS/Email OTP to verify themselves? Or do you worry about the security of OTP sharing because of the rising scams? This long wait time or lapse in security will not just be frustrating but will also damage your brand’s image and reputation.
Resending or waiting for OTP even for a few minutes is not what anyone wants. Everybody wants every task to be quick, smooth and secure. You can do this with the new feature launched by WhatsApp called Whatsapp OTP.
Picture this: Instant, secure, and hassle-free one-time passwords sent right to your user’s or lead’s WhatsApp.
No more delays = no more worries.
In this blog, I’ll be explaining the step-by-step process so that you can get a WhatsApp OTP verification code system for yourself or your business. The details about how to make it happen and why it’s so important for your businesses’ growth.
So, sit back and read through every detail I’m writing for you because it’s important for your business’s security and building trust with your customer base.
WhatsApp OTPs vs Traditional SMS OTPs
Let’s quickly revise, what are OTPs:
It’s a 4-6 digit One-time Password intended for one-time use to authenticate/log a user’s account.
As compared to static passwords, OTPs have a high level of security.
Difference between SMS OTP and Whatsapp OTP:
Sending OTP via SMS Vs Sending OTP via WhatsApp
SMS | |
1. It will be sent via Short Messaging Service. | 1. It will be sent via Whatsapp API |
2. No end-to-end encryption, in rare cases, this can be hacked/stolen. | 2. Complete end-to-end encryption, a safer option to send OTPs, codes etc. |
3. Text message is the only available format. | 3. Rich visual media formats with all types of media. |
4. There is a 160-character limit. | 4. There is no character limit, so you can also add some marketing material along with the OTP. |
5. Limited to one country. | 5. Works worldwide. |
6. SMS 0TP does not feature brand profile. | 6. You can create a verified business profile. |
In short, WhatsApp wins over SMS in terms of cost, customer preference, and user interface.
WhatsApp OTP: How to send OTP on WhatsApp Account
To send OTP on WhatsApp, you need to first sign up for WhatsApp API.
How to sign up for Whatsapp Cloud API or WhatsApp Business Account
To sign up for the WhatsApp Cloud API, you need to:
Go to the WhatsApp for Developers website: https://developers.facebook.com/products/whatsapp/.
Click the login button.
If you don’t already have a Facebook account, click the Create Account button and follow the instructions to create one. Once you have either logged in to your account or created it will take you here.
After verifying your e-mail and mobile number. You’ll come to the last setting to select the role that best describes you.
Once you’re logged in, click the Create App button.
Select Business as your app type.
Enter a name and description for your app.
Click the Create App button.
On the App Dashboard page, click the WhatsApp button and proceed with Setup.
Select the Business Manager account that you want to associate your WhatsApp API account with and click on Continue.
Accept the WhatsApp API’s terms and conditions and click on Continue.
Review your WhatsApp API account information and click the Create button.
Once you have created a WhatsApp Cloud API account, you can start sending and receiving WhatsApp messages through your business applications.
Start sending WhatsApp OTP
To send OTPs to others on WhatsApp, you will need to integrate your WhatsApp API account with a Business Service Provider (BSP) that supports OTPs like TeleCRM.
There are two ways to send otp’s on WhatsApp, use WhatsApp API on a Random BSP or Use TeleCRM a trusted, secure and fast BSP used by many.
1) Send OTP’s Using WhatsApp API
Here is a step-by-step guide for sending OTPs with WhatsApp using the API:
Log in to your BSP account.
Navigate to the OTP section.
Click the “Create OTP Template” button.
Enter the text of the OTP message in the “Template Body” field.
Add any variables that you want to include in the OTP message in the “Template Variables” section.
Click the “Create Template” button.
Once the template has been created, click the “Send OTP” button.
Enter the customer’s phone number in the “Phone Number” field.
Select the OTP template that you want to use from the “Template” dropdown menu.
Click the “Send OTP” button.
The BSP will then send the OTP to the customer’s phone via WhatsApp. The customer will need to enter the OTP into the appropriate field to verify their identity and complete the action.
Here are some tips for sending OTPs with WhatsApp using the API:
Make sure that your OTP template is clear and concise. The OTP message should be easy for customers to understand and enter.
Use variables in your OTP template to personalize the message. This will make the message more relevant to the customer and make them more likely to trust it.
Send OTPs in a timely manner. Customers should not have to wait too long to receive their OTP.
Monitor your OTP delivery rates. This will help you to ensure that your OTPs are being delivered to customers successfully.
Different BSP’s have different steps to send OTP’s on WhatsApp, some could be complicated, some could be simple but take a lot of time to reach the user. You need to carefully evaluated and than choose a BSP.
There are a number of BSPs available, so you can choose one that best meets your needs. When choosing a BSP, be sure to consider the following factors:
Features: Make sure that the BSP offers the features that you need, such as the ability to create and modify OTP templates, before sending OTPs to your customers, and monitor your OTP delivery rates.
Pricing: Compare the pricing of different BSPs to find the best deal.
Support: Make sure that the BSP offers good customer support in case you have any problems.
Here are some of the benefits of using a BSP to send OTPs on WhatsApp:
Security: They use secure methods to send OTP messages. This helps to protect your customers’ data from unauthorized access.
Convenience: They make it easy to send OTP messages to your customers. You can create OTP templates and send OTPs to your customers with just a few clicks.
Reliability: BSPs have reliable OTP delivery rates. This means that you can be confident that your customers will receive their OTP messages.
2) Easily Send WhatsApp OTP by using TeleCRM
You can send WhatsApp OTP to your leads or users with TeleCRM (India’s Best Telecalling and WhatsApp CRM) in a few simple steps. This is the best way to do it, rather than going through the gruesome process of setting up a Meta Business Suite or WhatsApp account, Use TeleCRM which is offering this feature FREE for now.
No need for a registered mobile phone number, or phone number ID. TeleCRM uses its own number to send your messages.
Now you don’t need to go through the trouble of getting a phone number that is new and hasn’t been used before for WhatsApp.
You can use it for your business communication without having to worry about a WhatsApp business API account or Facebook business manager setup.
With TeleCRM’s WhatsApp OTP verification, you don’t need to worry about verification troubles or getting an error message in sending the code. It is as simple as sending a normal WhatsApp message.
Now let’s understand how and what you need to do to use the TeleCRM WhatsApp OTP feature.
In the first step
Download the TeleCRM application on your mobile from the Play Store (Android Users) or App Store (iOS Users) or Visit app.telecrm.in to set up your workspace in TeleCRM. Click on Explore All.
Once you are in the integration’s tab, head to WhatsApp OTP (at the bottom of the tab) and set it up.
Once you have entered the Whatsapp OTP section in TeleCRM, click on configuration and a template will appear for you. It is editable, you can enter the “Enterprise Name”, whatever your business name or any other preference.
In the body section
Enter the content you need with the OTP and on the Right Side, you can see a preview of how the OTP message will look to the receiver. See the image below to get an idea.
After configuring the OTP template, You can save it and move on to the next step.
Now there are two ways for you to use this feature:
1) Send OTP on WhatsApp using TeleCRM:
You can select leads from the TeleCRM system and send them OTP on WhatsApp. But first, you need to assign a caller or manager the authority to send a WhatsApp OTP verification code.
After doing that, a single click on the send button will send the WhatsApp OTP to your desired receiver. This OTP feature can be used for various purposes like tracking team performance, verify user identity etc. You can verify phone numbers as well with this feature.
2) Send OTP on WhatsApp using API:
This is for people who already have an app or website to integrate the OTP on WhatsApp feature. You simply have to click the Whatsapp API button and turn it ON.
After that, you will have to generate a Token, which will be used by your development team to set the endpoints on your website or app to initiate the generation of WhatsApp OTP.
This part is technical and best understood by developers. Your development team can set up the API in a snap and can also refer to the “Postman Documentation” to understand the “how to do it” part. If they need further help which we are sure they won’t, you or your team can reach out to TeleCRM support and our dev team would be more than happy to help you.
Why should you use WhatsApp to send OTP
WhatsApp OTP codes are being used by almost every business now. They promote safe and secure communication, help businesses verify the person the authenticity before a transaction, track the performance of their sales team and a lot more.
You need to have this in your business as an owner because everyone is using the platform and it’s much more efficient and effective than old SMS verification.
User Verification:
WhatsApp OTPs can be used to verify the identity of users during the registration or login process. This adds an extra layer of security, ensuring that only authorized users can access the business’s services or apps.
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA):
Businesses can implement 2FA using WhatsApp OTPs to secure user accounts. After entering their username and password, users receive an OTP on WhatsApp, which they must enter to complete the login process.
Password Reset:
When users forget their passwords or need to reset them, WhatsApp OTPs can be used to send them a temporary code to verify their identity before allowing them to set a new password.
Transaction Confirmation:
For financial institutions and e-commerce platforms, WhatsApp OTPs can be sent to users to confirm high-value transactions or changes to their account information, ensuring that these actions are legitimate.
Appointment Verification:
Service-based businesses like healthcare providers or salons can use WhatsApp OTPs to confirm and verify appointments made by customers. This helps reduce no-shows and ensures the appointments are genuine.
Account Recovery:
In case of account lockouts or suspicious activity, businesses can send WhatsApp OTPs to users to verify their identity and regain access to their accounts.
Subscription Confirmation:
When users subscribe to newsletters, updates, or premium services, WhatsApp OTPs can be sent to confirm their subscription and ensure they have opted in willingly.
Delivery Confirmation:
E-commerce companies can send WhatsApp OTPs to customers to confirm the delivery of their orders. This adds an extra layer of security and helps in tracking deliveries.
Access Control:
Businesses can use WhatsApp OTPs to control access to restricted areas or secure facilities. Employees or visitors may need to provide an OTP to gain access.
Event Ticketing:
Event organizers can send WhatsApp OTPs as e-tickets for events. Attendees can use these OTPs to gain entry, reducing the risk of ticket fraud.
Identity Verification for Customer Support:
When customers contact customer support for sensitive matters, businesses can request WhatsApp OTPs to verify their identity before providing assistance.
Promotional Campaigns:
While not primarily for security, businesses can use WhatsApp OTPs to engage customers in marketing campaigns. For example, users may receive a discount code via WhatsApp OTP.
Here are the Templates for Promotional WhatsApp Messages
Employee Onboarding:
During the onboarding process, businesses can use WhatsApp OTPs to verify and authenticate new employees, ensuring that only authorized individuals gain access to company systems.
Document Access:
Businesses dealing with confidential documents or contracts can use WhatsApp OTPs to grant temporary access to authorized individuals.
Account Deactivation:
When users want to deactivate their accounts or cancel subscriptions, WhatsApp OTPs can be used to verify their identity and prevent unauthorized account deactivation.
Using WhatsApp OTPs in these ways can enhance security, reduce fraud, and improve the overall user experience for your businesses and customers.
Benefits of WhatsApp OTP verification code
1. Deliverability
SMS OTPs have issues around deliverability, authenticity, international coverage, etc. Whatsapp on the other hand has improved deliverability and allows international sending and you can have a more significant impact on customer satisfaction.
2. Accurate delivery information and the message read status
Unlike SMS, WhatsApp OTP also provides specific delivery information that lets you know what messages your customers have delivered and read.
3. Helps you to build advanced brand connections
Since WhatsApp verifies all business accounts and is tied directly to a single phone number, it gives you a branded business profile, and your customers are assured of your authenticity. So users quickly recognise and accept your one-time passwords (OTPs) and notifications.
You can even get a Green Tick on WhatsApp to increase your authority and your customers could easily trust the OTPs sent to them over WhatsApp.
4. High customer engagement for national as well as international customers.
WhatsApp is used by 2 billion users. It’s the most popular app in multiple countries including Latin America, the Indian subcontinent, and large parts of Europe and Africa, and has the highest penetration in the majority of these countries.
This means the majority of your customers are already using the app, so it’s easier to connect with them, It is also the most preferred messaging channel for transactions by consumers. Plus it gives you the chance to engage a broader global audience as opposed to SMS.
5. Verification can also be done by link click.
Copying and pasting OTPs can be difficult for some users and it is an overall clumsy user interface. The WhatsApp API allows you to send a clickable link along with OTP, so the user can also click on the link on his WhatsApp message to directly verify instead of having to copy-paste OTP.
This is a great user interface and gives you a chance to create an amazing experience for your users.
6. Data Collection
This is the biggest advantage of using WhatsApp over SMS. WhatsApp gives you insight into whether your message has been read by the user or not.
Something that is simply not possible in SMS.
7. Consent from prospects for future marketing messages on WhatsApp.
SMS now, is full of non-consensual spam which is why nobody reads it. WhatsApp on the other hand gives users an option to block or report a business if it sends messages without proper permissions.
This means it is a great opportunity if genuinely interested in communicating with your audience with their permission! Just ask for their consent and enjoy uninterrupted access to your audience on their favourite channel.
8. Integrate chatbots
Apart from sending OTP, you can also ask them to take the next step using an automated WhatsApp chatbot that supports your users’ common queries 24×7.
9. It’s easy to get started
You just have to download the TeleCRM application from the Play Store (Android Users) or App Store (iOS Users) or Visit app.telecrm.in and set up your account in TeleCRM in no time and Start using WhatsApp OTP for Free for now.
10. It’s proven to boost trust.
Sending SMS has a credibility issue: how a consumer should know if the SMS they have received is really from a company, and not from a scammer? While you might have an SMS Sender ID in your business name to show that it is authentic, it still cannot be trusted completely.
WhatsApp on the other hand allows API usage only after verifying a business so you can be sure that when you get an OTP from a company. It’s actually from the company and not somebody pretending to be you.
Conclusion
In business, staying ahead and ensuring the security and satisfaction of your customers is most important. WhatsApp OTP verification has proven to be an invaluable tool for us at TeleCRM, it helped us build trust, enhance reach, and more impactful customer engagement. Trust me when I say this,
Whatsapp OTP is not just a choice; it’s a necessity now. Don’t let your business lag behind.
Key Takeaways:
Trust and Security: WhatsApp OTPs build trust and security like never before, crafting authentic connections with your customers.
Wider Reach: Reach a wider audience effortlessly, making your business a sensation.
Better Customer Satisfaction: Providing a seamless, secure experience leads to happier customers and increased loyalty.
Ready to Transform Your Business?
Start using WhatsApp OTPs today with TeleCRM. It’s easy to set, and simple to use, you don’t need to wait and get a number verified for your business to send OTP’s on WhatsApp. For now, TeleCRM WhatsApp OTP feature is FREE.
Take the leap forward—book a demo now and have a transformative impact on yourself and your business because your business deserves nothing less.