WhatsApp Integration
Connect a WhatsApp number to a Jestor table and manage all conversations — incoming and outgoing — directly inside your records.
What is it
The WhatsApp integration connects a WhatsApp Business number to a Jestor table through Meta's official Cloud API. Once configured, every new incoming message creates a card in the connected table, and you can reply directly from inside that card. The conversation is bidirectional: messages you send from Jestor appear on the contact's WhatsApp, and messages they send appear inside Jestor in real time.
When to use
Use the WhatsApp integration when you want to:
- Centralize customer conversations inside a CRM or support pipeline, so your team doesn't need to switch between WhatsApp and your management tool
- Automatically create a record every time a new contact reaches out
- Track conversation status (new, in progress, closed) alongside the rest of your process data
- Send automated messages using pre-approved templates — for example, confirmations, follow-ups, or status updates
- Keep a full history of attachments (images, documents) shared during a conversation linked to the record
What you need before starting
- A Jestor account with permission to manage integrations
- A WhatsApp number — physical SIM or virtual number from a provider. A dedicated number is strongly recommended; avoid reusing a number that already has an active WhatsApp
- A Meta Business account — if you run Facebook ads or manage a business page, you likely already have one. If not, you can create one during setup
How to configure
Step 1
Get a WhatsApp number:
If you already have a number, skip to Step 2.
Go to your virtual number provider account and acquire a new line. Select the option for Virtual Number for the Official API, this type is built specifically for API integrations. After the number is created, select Configure WhatsApp Business → Cloud API. Copy the number displayed on screen. The provider will wait to receive a verification SMS from Meta.
Step 2
Add the number to Jestor:
In your Jestor account, navigate to WhatsApp and click New number → Connect with Facebook. A Meta authentication window will open.
Follow the steps below inside that window:
- Select a Business Portfolio, choose your existing Meta Business account. If you don't have one, you can create one here.
- Select or create a WhatsApp Business account, pick an existing account or click Create a WhatsApp Business account.
- Add the phone number, select Add a new WhatsApp number, choose your country, and paste the number from Step 1.
- Confirm the display name, this is what contacts will see. Display name changes go through a Meta approval period
- Verify the number, choose SMS as the verification method. Go back to your provider account, wait for the code to arrive (usually under a minute), and enter it in the Meta window.
- Confirm the integration: Meta will ask for a final confirmation to connect the number to Jestor. Confirm.
Step 3
Add a payment method (recommended):
After the window closes, Jestor will prompt you to add a payment method. This step is optional, but without it you won't be able to send automated messages using templates. Manual conversations will still work, you can receive and reply to messages normally.
Step 4
Connect the number to a table:
The WhatsApp number must be linked to a specific Jestor table, this is where conversation cards will be created.
Prepare the table: Create (or open) the table you want to use
Make sure the table has at least these four fields: a Title field (default text) to store the contact's name, a Phone field for the WhatsApp number, an Attachments field to receive files and images shared during the conversation, and a Status field (single select) to track the conversation stage.
For the Status field, create for example, this four options: New conversation, In progress, Closed, and Archived (names are flexible, what matters is defining which ones mark a conversation as new or finished).
Activate WhatsApp for the table: Inside the table settings, click WhatsApp and toggle the integration on.
Step 5
Map the fields:
Connect each piece of incoming data to the right field in your table:
- Phone → Phone field
- Contact name → Title field
- Status → Status field
- Attachments → Attachments field
Step 6
Configure status rules:
Define which status means a conversation is open and which mean it is closed. This controls re-engagement: if a contact messages again and their card is closed, Jestor creates a new card instead of adding to the old one.
Select the connected number:
Under WhatsApp management, choose the number you connected in Step 2. Click Save. The integration is now active.
How it works in practice
Once the integration is active, every new incoming message from a contact creates a card in the connected table. Opening that card shows the full conversation thread. You can type and send replies directly from inside the card — the contact receives your message on their WhatsApp. As files and images are exchanged, they appear automatically in the Attachments field of the card.
Message templates
Templates are pre-approved message structures required by Meta for outbound messages sent outside the 24-hour service window. Create and manage templates in Settings → WhatsApp → Templates. Choose the type (marketing, authentication, utility), write the content, and submit for Meta approval. Approved templates can be used in automations
Keep in mind
- One WhatsApp number can only be connected to one table. Need multiple processes? Use separate numbers.
- Automated messages require a payment method in Meta and a pre-approved template.
- Display name changes for the WhatsApp Business account go through a Meta review period and are not instant.
- If your Meta Business account or number was just created, Meta may take a few hours to fully activate the connection. This is expected — wait and test again before contacting support.
FAQ
1 - Why I can't acess this feature?
Whatsapp Integration is currently in beta, only available in Jestor accounts that are in fun mode.
2 — Can I use an unofficial WhatsApp connection?
The official API (used by this integration) is authorized by Meta. It is stable, compliant with WhatsApp's terms of service, and supports templates and automations. Unofficial integrations use workarounds not approved by Meta — they tend to be unstable, risk account bans, and do not support the full feature set. Jestor only supports the official Cloud API.
3 — Can more than one team member reply to the same conversation?
Yes. Any Jestor user with access to the card can see and reply to the conversation. The contact sees one unified thread from the connected WhatsApp number.
4 — Why am I not being charged through Jestor for WhatsApp messages?
The message usage charge comes directly from Meta, not from Jestor. You register a payment method in your Meta Business account, and Meta bills you according to their pricing table for automated messages. Jestor does not add a fee on top of this.
5 — I completed all the steps but messages are not coming through. What should I check?
Confirm the number is listed and marked as active in Settings → WhatsApp. If your Meta account or number was created recently, wait a few hours — Meta has an activation window for new accounts. If it still doesn't work, contact Jestor support with your number and Meta Business account details.
6 — Do I need a brand-new WhatsApp number, or can I use my existing business number?
You can use an existing number, but it must be migrated to the WhatsApp Business API, which removes it from the regular WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business app on your phone. For this reason, using a dedicated number is strongly recommended so your personal or team communication is not affected.
Updated about 2 hours ago