WhatsApp Cloud API Bot Setup

I’m ready to launch a customer-facing bot on the WhatsApp Cloud API and need an experienced developer to take me from account configuration to a fully functioning chatbot. Your first task will be to ensure the Facebook Business settings, phone number, and Meta developer console are correctly configured (or created from scratch if they don’t yet exist). Once the account is live, I want a simple, reliable bot that can handle common customer interactions and be easy for me to extend later.

Here’s how I see the engagement flowing:

• Account & App Setup: Verify or create the WhatsApp Business account, connect the number, obtain the permanent access token, and configure webhooks in the Meta dashboard.
• Bot Development: Build a lightweight node, Python, or PHP service (I’m flexible) that receives messages, generates automated replies, and logs the conversations for analytics.
• Testing & Handover: Demonstrate the bot responding in real time, then walk me through the code, environment variables, and any hosting requirements so I can maintain it confidently.

Best practices on message templates, rate limits, and opt-in compliance are important to me, so please highlight your experience with the official Cloud API rather than unofficial libraries. If you’ve integrated with CRMs or other messaging tools before, let me know—future expansions are on my roadmap.

Deliverable: a working WhatsApp Cloud API bot, codebase in my chosen repo, clear setup docs, and a short, live demonstration showing successful message exchange.