WhatsApp Business API: Automated Messages for Local Business 2026

WhatsApp Business API vs WhatsApp Business App

Getting API Access

WhatsApp Pricing (Meta Cloud API, 2026)

Setting Up via Twilio (Quickest Path)

pip install twilio flask

from twilio.rest import Client
import os

TWILIO_ACCOUNT_SID = "YOUR_TWILIO_ACCOUNT_SID"
TWILIO_AUTH_TOKEN = "YOUR_TWILIO_AUTH_TOKEN"
TWILIO_WHATSAPP_NUMBER = "whatsapp:+14155238886"  # Twilio sandbox number (replace with your number)

client = Client(TWILIO_ACCOUNT_SID, TWILIO_AUTH_TOKEN)

def send_whatsapp_message(to_number: str, message: str) -> str:
    """Send a WhatsApp message via Twilio."""
    message = client.messages.create(
        body=message,
        from_=TWILIO_WHATSAPP_NUMBER,
        to=f"whatsapp:{to_number}"
    )
    return message.sid

def send_appointment_reminder(client_name: str, phone: str, service: str, datetime_str: str):
    """Send appointment reminder via WhatsApp."""
    msg = f"""Hi {client_name}! 👋

This is a reminder from *The Loft Hair Studio* about your upcoming appointment:

✂️ *{service}*
📅 *{datetime_str}*
📍 142 Music Row, Nashville

Reply *CONFIRM* to confirm or *CANCEL* if you need to reschedule (24hr notice required).

See you soon! 💇"""
    
    sid = send_whatsapp_message(phone, msg)
    print(f"Reminder sent to {client_name} ({phone}) — SID: {sid}")
    return sid

Automation 1: Appointment Reminders

import csv
from datetime import datetime, timedelta

def send_tomorrows_reminders(appointments_csv: str):
    """Read tomorrow's appointments and send WhatsApp reminders."""
    tomorrow = (datetime.now() + timedelta(days=1)).strftime("%A, %B %d")
    
    with open(appointments_csv, "r") as f:
        reader = csv.DictReader(f)
        sent = 0
        
        for row in reader:
            if row.get("date") == tomorrow:
                send_appointment_reminder(
                    client_name=row["name"],
                    phone=row["phone"],
                    service=row["service"],
                    datetime_str=f"{row['date']} at {row['time']}"
                )
                sent += 1
    
    print(f"✅ Sent {sent} appointment reminders")

# Schedule this daily at 6pm: python reminders.py
send_tomorrows_reminders("appointments.csv")

Automation 2: Incoming Message Handler with AI

from flask import Flask, request
import anthropic

app = Flask(__name__)
anthropic_client = anthropic.Anthropic(api_key="YOUR_ANTHROPIC_API_KEY")

BUSINESS_CONTEXT = """You are the AI assistant for The Loft Hair Studio on WhatsApp.
Services: cuts, color, balayage, keratin. Hours: Tue-Sat 9am-7pm.
Phone: (615) 555-0123. To book: reply BOOK and we'll call you.
For cancellations: reply CANCEL + appointment date.
Keep responses short (2-3 sentences max) — this is WhatsApp, not email."""

@app.route("/whatsapp-webhook", methods=["POST"])
def handle_whatsapp():
    incoming_msg = request.form.get("Body", "").strip()
    sender = request.form.get("From", "").replace("whatsapp:", "")
    
    # Handle specific keywords first
    if incoming_msg.upper() == "CONFIRM":
        reply = "✅ Appointment confirmed! See you soon. If anything changes, call us at (615) 555-0123."
    elif incoming_msg.upper() == "CANCEL":
        reply = "Got it — we'll cancel your appointment. Please call (615) 555-0123 to reschedule. We'd love to see you soon!"
    elif incoming_msg.upper() == "BOOK":
        reply = "We'll give you a call to book your appointment! Expect a call from us within the hour during business hours (Tue-Sat 9am-7pm)."
    else:
        # Use AI for everything else
        response = anthropic_client.messages.create(
            model="claude-haiku-4-5-20251001",
            max_tokens=200,
            system=BUSINESS_CONTEXT,
            messages=[{"role": "user", "content": incoming_msg}]
        )
        reply = response.content[0].text
    
    # Send reply via Twilio
    send_whatsapp_message(sender, reply)
    
    return "", 200

if __name__ == "__main__":
    app.run(port=5000)

Automation 3: Monthly Promotion Blast

def send_monthly_promotion(opted_in_clients: list, promotion: dict):
    """
    Send a monthly promo to opted-in clients.
    opted_in_clients: list of dicts with 'name' and 'phone'
    promotion: dict with 'offer', 'expiry', 'code'
    """
    sent = 0
    failed = 0
    
    for client in opted_in_clients:
        msg = f"""Hi {client['name']}! 🎉

*Exclusive offer for our loyal clients:*
{promotion['offer']}

Use code *{promotion['code']}* when booking.
Valid until {promotion['expiry']}.

Book now: reply BOOK or call (615) 555-0123
Opt out: reply STOP"""
        
        try:
            send_whatsapp_message(client["phone"], msg)
            sent += 1
        except Exception as e:
            print(f"Failed to send to {client['name']}: {e}")
            failed += 1
    
    print(f"Promotion sent: {sent} success, {failed} failed")

# Example
july_promo = {
    "offer": "20% off Balayage & Highlights this July 🌞",
    "expiry": "July 31, 2026",
    "code": "SUMMER20"
}

Compliance: What You Must Do

1. Opt-in before marketing messages: Get explicit consent ("Text YES to receive promotions from The Loft")
2. Easy opt-out: Every marketing message must include "Reply STOP to unsubscribe"
3. Respect the 24-hour window: You can only send free-form messages within 24 hours of the last customer message. After 24 hours, use approved templates only
4. Approved message templates: Marketing and utility messages must use pre-approved templates from Meta's Business Manager

Hello {{1}}, your appointment at The Loft Hair Studio on {{2}} at {{3}} is confirmed.
See you soon! To cancel, reply CANCEL.

FAQ

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