WhatsApp is the most-used messaging app on the planet, so it's where a lot of your clients would rather book. Setup takes a few more steps than Telegram because WhatsApp runs on Meta's WhatsApp Business Platform β but you only do it once, and after that clients book appointments right in the chat they open all day. Here's the whole thing, step by step.
What you'll need
- A Meta Business account
- A phone number for WhatsApp Business β one that isn't already tied to a personal WhatsApp account
- A RentABot account (a free 14-day trial is enough)
- About 15 minutes
Unlike Telegram, WhatsApp doesn't use a simple bot token β it uses the WhatsApp Business Platform (Cloud API). The steps below get you the handful of credentials RentABot needs.
Step 1 β Set up WhatsApp on Meta
- Go to Meta for Developers and create an app of type Business.
- Add the WhatsApp product to the app.
- In WhatsApp β API Setup, add and verify your business phone number (or start with the provided test number).
- Copy your Phone Number ID β you'll need it in a moment.
Step 2 β Get your credentials
RentABot needs four things from Meta:
- Access token β for production, generate a permanent token via a System User rather than the temporary one that expires in 24 hours.
- Phone Number ID β from Step 1.
- App Secret β in App Settings β Basic.
- Verify Token β a secret string you make up yourself (any random text). You'll use the same value on both sides to secure the webhook.
Step 3 β Connect it in RentABot
- Log in to RentABot and open Channels.
- Find the WhatsApp card and click Connect.
- Paste your Access Token, Phone Number ID, App Secret and your chosen Verify Token, then save.
- RentABot shows your Webhook URL β copy it for the next step.
Step 4 β Point Meta's webhook at RentABot
- Back in the Meta app, go to WhatsApp β Configuration.
- Set the Callback URL to the Webhook URL from RentABot, and the Verify Token to the exact string you chose.
- Click Verify and Save β Meta will ping RentABot to confirm the token matches.
- Subscribe to the messages field so incoming messages reach RentABot.
That's the connection done. The channel status in RentABot turns Active.
Step 5 β Set up your services and availability
Before clients can book, add your Booking Types (services with a duration and price), your Resources (the people or rooms a booking uses), and your working hours. If you haven't done this yet, the getting-started guide walks through it.
Step 6 β Test it like a client
From another phone, send a WhatsApp message to your business number and walk through booking a slot. Pick a time outside your working hours so you don't block a real appointment. Check that it lands in RentABot and your calendar, and that the confirmation comes back in WhatsApp. Then cancel the test booking.
Step 7 β Go live (and the 24-hour rule)
One thing unique to WhatsApp: Meta only lets a business message a client freely within 24 hours of that client's last message. Outside that window, RentABot still delivers booking confirmations and reminders using Meta's approved message templates β so your clients always get them.
Now share your number: add a wa.me/<your-number> link to your bio, website and posts so clients can start a chat in one tap. Turn on automatic reminders to cut no-shows.
Your WhatsApp is now a 24/7 booking desk. Ready to set it up? Start a free 14-day trial and connect WhatsApp in minutes.