WhatsApp Business Phone Numbers – Complete Guide (Hibot API)

Bot Automation
Apr 6
3 min read

Your WhatsApp API journey starts with one critical element: your business phone number.

In this guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about using, managing, and optimizing your phone number with Hibot – WhatsApp Official API.

Why Your Business Phone Number Matters

Your phone number is the identity of your business on WhatsApp. It allows you to:

Send and receive customer messages
Build trust with a verified business profile
Scale communication using automation
Deliver notifications, OTPs, and updates

With Hibot, setting up and managing your number becomes smooth and efficient.

Registering Your Business Phone Number

Before using WhatsApp API, your number must be registered.

Important rules:

The number must not already be active on WhatsApp
If it is, you’ll need to remove it first
Banned numbers must be restored before registration
You can still use the number for calls and SMS

When you start with Hibot, a test number is automatically provided so you can begin instantly.

Eligibility Requirements

To successfully register your number, it should:

Be owned by your business
Include a valid country and area code
Support SMS or voice calls
Be capable of handling scale for business messaging

Short codes are not supported.

Ways to Add Your Phone Number

You can register your number using multiple methods:

Developer DashboardSet up your number directly while configuring your WhatsApp API.
Meta Business SuiteAdd your number while creating your WhatsApp Business Account.
WhatsApp ManagerManage and connect numbers from a centralized dashboard.
Embedded Signup (via Hibot)Onboarding becomes faster with guided setup through Hibot.

Choosing the Right Phone Number Type

Not all numbers perform equally for WhatsApp API.

Recommended:

Mobile numbers – Best for SMS and OTP delivery

Use with caution:

Landline
Toll-free numbers
VoIP numbers

Not recommended:

Shared cost numbers
Personal routing numbers
IoT/M2M numbers

For best results, always use a mobile number with international SMS enabled.

Phone Number Status & Quality Rating

Every business number has a status that determines its usability.

Key status:

Connected → Ready to send and receive messages

Quality rating:

Reflects customer feedback and message quality
Impacts your messaging limits

Maintaining a high-quality rating ensures better delivery and scaling.

Display Name & Business Profile

Your display name is what customers see when they interact with your business.

With Hibot, you can:

Set your business name
Add website, address, and description
Build a professional WhatsApp presence

Official Business Account (Blue Tick)

You can apply for Official Business Account status:

Displays a blue checkmark next to your name
Increases trust and brand recognition

Two-Step Verification (Security)

To secure your WhatsApp number, you must set a PIN.

Why it matters:

Prevents unauthorized access
Required for sensitive actions like deletion

Always store your PIN safely.

Toll-Free & IVR Numbers

If you’re using a toll-free number:

It must accept international calls or SMS
IVR systems must allow manual verification
Calls should be redirected to a real person or system

Without this, registration may fail.

Phone Number Limits & Scaling

New accounts can register up to 2 numbers initially
After verification or growth, this can increase to 20 or more

Hibot supports scaling as your business expands.

Verifying Your Phone Number

Verification is required before messaging customers.

How it works:

Request a verification code via SMS or voice
Enter the code via API or dashboard
Confirm ownership

Once verified, your number is ready to use.

Correct Phone Number Format

Always include:

Country code
Plus (+) symbol

Example:

+91XXXXXXXXXX (Correct)
Missing country code (May fail delivery)

Incorrect formats can lead to failed or misdirected messages.

Advanced Security: Identity Verification

Hibot supports identity verification checks for users.

What it does:

Ensures messages reach the correct person
Detects identity changes
Prevents fraud or miscommunication

API Capabilities for Phone Numbers

With Hibot WhatsApp API, you can:

Check phone number status
Retrieve all connected numbers
Monitor quality rating
Track message throughput
Manage multiple numbers efficiently

Deleting or Migrating Numbers

Deletion rules:

Only admins can delete numbers
Cannot delete if used for paid messages in the last 30 days

Migration:

Numbers can be moved between WhatsApp accounts when needed

Final Thoughts

Your business phone number is the foundation of your WhatsApp communication strategy.

With Hibot – WhatsApp Official API, you can:

Easily register and manage numbers
Ensure secure and reliable messaging
Scale communication as your business grows