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Part 3: Setting Up Template Messages

Why You Need a Payment Method​

Before we can send WhatsApp Template Messages (those messages you can send to customers outside the 24-hour window), Meta requires that your WhatsApp Business Account has a valid payment method on file.

Why does Meta require a payment method?

WhatsApp Template Messages are sometimes charged by Meta (though many businesses stay within the free tier). By requiring a payment method, Meta ensures that businesses are legitimate and accountable. Think of it like putting a credit card on file for a subscription service—you might not be charged right away, but the company needs your payment info to activate full features.

Don't worry—we'll walk through adding a payment method step by step.

Adding a Payment Method to Your WhatsApp Business Account​

  1. Open a new browser tab and go to https://business.facebook.com/
  2. Sign in with your Facebook account if you're not already logged in
  3. Switch to the business portfolio that contains your WhatsApp Business Account (the same one you used in Part 1)
  4. On the left sidebar, click "Settings" (the gear icon)
  5. In the Settings menu, click "Accounts"
  6. Under Accounts, click "WhatsApp accounts"
  7. You'll see a list of WhatsApp Business Accounts. Click on the account you just connected to Exabloom
  8. Once the account details load, look for a section labeled "Payment method"
    • If you haven't added a payment method yet, it will say "No payment method found" or similar
What is a WhatsApp Business Account (WABA)?

WABA is just the acronym for WhatsApp Business Account. You might see this term used in Facebook Business Manager. It's the official account container that holds your WhatsApp Business phone number and settings.

  1. Click the button that says "Payment Settings"
  2. A new tab will open showing payment options
  3. Click "Add payment method"
  4. Follow the prompts to enter your credit card or debit card information (Facebook accepts most major cards)
  5. Once you've successfully added your payment method, go back to the previous tab showing your WABA account
  6. Refresh the page if needed—you should now see your payment method displayed in the "Payment method" section
What payment methods work?

Facebook accepts most major credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express). If you're having trouble, make sure your card supports international transactions, as Meta is a U.S.-based company.

Take a Quick Breather​

I know this process has been long, and I really appreciate you sticking with it! We're almost done. The last step is to set up and test a template message so you can reach customers anytime, not just within 24 hours.