Set up Meta Business Manager and Business Portfolio
This article contains essential information and setup guidelines for creating a Meta Business Manager account and Business Portfolio, which are required prerequisites for manually connecting a WhatsAp
What is Meta Business Manager?
Meta Business Manager is Meta's centralized platform for managing business assets across WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram. It allows you to create and manage Business Portfolios, phone numbers, message templates, permissions, and other resources required for WhatsApp Business integrations.
This is a prerequisite for manually setting up a WhatsApp bot with Meta.
When should you use this?
Use this setup when:
You want to manually connect a WhatsApp bot through Meta
You need access to WhatsApp Business Platform resources
You are trying to manage WhatsApp phone numbers, templates, and permissions through Meta
Benefits of Meta Business Manager
📱 Enables WhatsApp Business Platform integrations
🔐 Centralizes access control and permissions
📂 Organizes business assets in one location
⚙️ Supports phone number and template management
📈 Provides a scalable foundation for Meta-based automation
Expected Outcome
After completing this setup:
Your Meta Business Manager account will be active
Your Business Portfolio will be created and verified
You will be ready to proceed with WhatsApp Business Platform configuration
💡 Tip: Once completed, all WhatsApp-related assets such as phone numbers, templates, and permissions will be managed through your Business Portfolio.
How to Set Up Meta Business Manager
Visit "business.facebook.com" and sign in using your Facebook account.
Complete the Meta onboarding process and create your Business Manager account if prompted.
The business manager account will be created. You will need a business portfolio.
After signing in, click the business dropdown menu from the left sidebar and select "Create New Business Portfolio".
Enter the required information:
Business Portfolio Name
First Name
Last Name
Business Email Address
Then click "Create".
Select the assets that you want assigned to the Business Portfolio. If no assets are avaialble, then click on the "Skip" button.
In order to add more people to the Business Manager Account, add their emails in the "Add people to this business portfolio" screen. If none are needed, click Skip.
Finally, review and confirm your Business Portfolio, and click on "Confirm" to take the same forward.
With this, the Business Porfolio will successfully have been created.
Best Practices
💡 Use a business email address that your organization can access long-term.
⚠️ Avoid creating multiple Business Portfolios unless absolutely necessary.
🚀 Verify your email immediately after creating the Business Portfolio to avoid setup delays.
🎯 Use a Facebook account that will remain associated with the business for long-term administration.
Troubleshooting
I cannot access Meta Business Manager
Ensure you are logged into a valid Facebook account.
If the issue persists:
Clear your browser cache and cookies.
Try using an incognito/private browser window.
Switch to a different browser.
Verify that Meta services are accessible in your region.
The "Create New Business Portfolio" option is missing
This usually occurs when the Meta Business Manager setup process has not been fully completed.
To resolve this:
Complete any pending onboarding steps.
Refresh the page and sign in again.
Confirm that your Business Manager account has been successfully created.
Ensure your account has the necessary permissions to create business assets.
I did not receive the verification email
Check the following:
Spam or junk mail folders.
Promotions or filtered inbox tabs.
The business email address entered during setup.
If the email is still missing, try resending the verification email from Meta Business Manager.
Meta is preventing me from creating a Business Portfolio
Meta may have temporarily restricted your account due to policy, security, or account review requirements.
Possible solutions:
Wait for any temporary restriction period to expire.
Review any notifications or warnings in your Meta account.
Complete any requested identity or security verification steps.
Contact Meta Support if the restriction continues.
FAQs
Is a Meta Business Manager account required for WhatsApp bot setup?
Yes. A Meta Business Manager account is required for manually configuring a WhatsApp Business integration.
Do I need a Facebook account before starting?
Yes. A Facebook account is required to access Meta Business Manager and related business tools.
What is a Business Portfolio?
A Business Portfolio is the central workspace where Meta business assets such as phone numbers, templates, permissions, and integrations are managed.
Can I use a personal email address for the Business Portfolio?
Yes, but a business email address is recommended for better administration and account recovery.
How long does Business Portfolio creation take?
The setup process usually takes only a few minutes, provided the verification email is completed promptly.
Do I need business verification immediately?
Not necessarily. However, certain WhatsApp Business Platform features may require business verification later.
Will my WhatsApp phone numbers be managed through the Business Portfolio?
Yes. Phone numbers, templates, permissions, and other WhatsApp assets are managed through the Business Portfolio.
Support
If you still have questions for our team, write to us at support@botpenguin.com. We'll get back to you within 48 hours.
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