Meta is updating the current WhatsApp version, and this also means changes to the billing of conversation costs. Why is that, and how will META now charge for WhatsApp templates that are not included in the contracted Superchat plan?
When do additional costs occur with Meta?
The additional conversation costs for the WhatsApp Business API arise when sending business-initiated messages. Business-initiated messages are those that are sent from a business to a customer without the customer sending a message to the business first. This can include, for example, promotions, transaction notifications, meeting reminders or other types of messages that a business actively sends to its customers.
Pricing Structure for WhatsApp Business API Conversation Costs
Pricing for Marketing Templates
Marketing templates are charged per message. Each marketing template you send is billed individually, even if multiple templates are sent within the same 24-hour period.
Example:
If you send a marketing template at 2:00 pm, 4:00 pm, and 6:00 pm on the same day, all three messages are billed separately.
Pricing for Utility Templates
Utility templates sent within the 24-hour customer care window are free of charge.
Example:
A customer messages you at 2:00 pm and you send a utility template at 5:00 pm. This utility template is free of charge.
72 Hours of Free Conversations
If a customer contacts you via a WhatsApp click-to-chat ad or a Facebook or Instagram page action button, all WhatsApp templates you send to that customer are free of charge for the next 72 hours, starting from the first message.
Example:
A customer clicks on a click-to-chat ad on Instagram at 10:00 am and messages you on WhatsApp. You respond at 10:15 am with a marketing template and send five marketing templates over the next 72 hours. In this case, all templates are free of charge.
The costs of these types of messages depend on various factors, such as the number of messages and the destination country. These numbers are the current prices in the UK market.
(Template-) Category | Description | Price per conversation started |
Utility | Conversation with important information about customer accounts, transactions, orders or other updates after completion of purchase. | 0,0182 € |
Marketing | Conversation with advertising offers or product announcements. | 0,0438 € |
💡 These prices apply exclusively to numbers with the UK as the destination country. The following prices apply to numbers with another destination country.
How will these costs be billed in the future using the latest WhatsApp version?
The conversation costs for using the WhatsApp Business API are automatically charged to your saved payment method.
As long as the costs are covered by your bonus, they won’t be visible to you. If the bonus is exceeded, you’ll receive a separate invoice for the conversation costs in addition to your regular Superchat plan invoice.
How can I check my budget?
Navigate to the Settings in the bottom left corner, then click on Plan & Billing and then select Budget.
Here, you will be able to see the amount you have spent on conversations for this month, as well as your monthly budget and bonus from Superchat.
