You, sipping your third coffee, staring at Meta’s invoice. The landscape of WhatsApp for business is changing, and understanding the new WhatsApp pricing structure set to roll out in July 2025 is crucial for every D2C founder.
Chapter 1: It Was All Good Just a Message Ago (Understanding the Shift in WhatsApp Billing)
Before July 2025, the WhatsApp Business API felt like a buffet:
- Pay once per 24-hour “conversation window.
- Say what you want, send as much as you like within that window.
- Abandoned cart reminders?
- Order updates?
- Feedback nudges?
- All within one sweet session.
Now? Per message billing is here for template messages. This fundamental shift requires a new approach to your WhatsApp strategy.
| Model | Until June 2025 | From July 2025 |
| Billing Basis | Per Conversation (24h) | Per Template Message Sent |
| Example | 3 messages = ₹0.78 total | 3 messages = ₹0.78 x 3 |
| Vibe Check | Calm | Stress-eating Maggi |
Meta basically said:
“If it’s valuable enough to send, it’s valuable enough to pay for.”
Chapter 2: The Curious Case of The Abandoned Cart (A Cost Breakdown)
Let’s say your customer, Aditi, browses your skincare site. Adds to cart. Gets distracted by cat videos. Boom — cart abandoned. Here’s a potential cost breakdown under the new WhatsApp Business pricing:
- 10 AM – You send reminder #1 → ₹0.78 (Marketing)
- 2 PM – Still no response. You throw in a 10% discount → ₹0.78 (Marketing)
- 9:50 AM next day – Final nudge. She converts! → ₹0.78 (Marketing)
You cheer. She checks out. Order placed. 🧴
And then…
- Order confirmation = utility → ₹0.11 (Utility)
- Shipping update = within CSW (Customer Service Window) → Free
- Out for delivery (sent 36 hours later) → ₹0.11 (Utility)
- Delivery attempted (twice) → ₹0.22 (Utility)
- Delivered update = Free (inside CSW)
- Feedback request after 7 days → ₹0.11 (Utility)
Chapter 3: The Price of Loyalty (Calculating Your Potential WhatsApp Costs)
Let’s look at the total per order cost with different platforms:
| Message Type | Category | Charged | Cost |
| Abandoned Cart (3x) | Marketing | ✅✅✅ | ₹2.34 |
| Order Confirmation | Utility | ✅ | ₹0.11 |
| Out for Delivery | Utility | ✅ | ₹0.11 |
| Attempted Delivery (2x) | Utility | ✅✅ | ₹0.22 |
| Feedback | Utility | ✅ | ₹0.11 |
| Total (TheBotMode) | ₹2.89 | ||
| Total (AiSensy) | ₹3.85 |
Monthly Scenario: 1000 Orders
| Platform | Per Order | Monthly Cost | Notes |
| TheBotMode | ₹2.89 | ₹2,890 | No markup, GST included ✅ |
| AiSensy | ₹3.85 | ₹3,852.70 | Markup + 18% GST ❌ |
| Difference | — | ₹962.70 saved | That’s next month’s ad spend |
Chapter 4: How to Outsmart the New Pricing (and Meta)
Meta is giving you structure. You just need strategy to navigate the new WhatsApp Business API pricing effectively.
Tip 1: Trigger a Reply = Open the Free Messaging Door (Leveraging the Customer Service Window)
Don’t just send info. Ask questions to encourage a user reply, which opens a 72-hour free Customer Service Window:
“Your order is ready to ship. Want tracking updates?”
[Yes, please] [Not now]
→ Boom. 72 hours of free follow-ups unlocked.
Visual Flow: From Cart to Conversion (and Charges) (Consider adding an actual visual here in the live blog)
Tip 2: Segment Like a Sniper, Not a Shotgun (Targeted Messaging)
Don’t send to all 20,000 users. Send targeted messages to users who:
- Added to cart
- Viewed key categories
- Abandoned checkout
Fewer messages = Less cost = More ROI under the new WhatsApp per message billing.
Tip 3: Deliver When They’re Awake (Literally) (Optimizing Send Times)
- Rahul opens WhatsApp at 10 PM
- Sneha opens at 7 AM
- Mohit replies at 4 AM (weird, but okay)
With Smart Schedule, TheBotMode sends at each user’s peak time → higher read, higher conversion, and potentially fewer follow-ups needed.
Chapter 5: Founder Fails to Avoid (Common Pitfalls with the New Pricing)
Assuming utility = always free (check the per-message costs) ❌ Sending all updates in separate messages (bundle where appropriate within the CSW) ❌ Ignoring 18% GST on BSP rates (factor this into your cost calculations) ❌ Using a “spray and pray” approach (leads to unnecessary message costs)
Be intentional. Be efficient with your WhatsApp marketing and communication.
Final Chapter: TheBotMode to the Rescue (Minus the Drama)
With TheBotMode, navigating the new WhatsApp pricing in 2025 becomes simpler:
✅ No markup on WhatsApp fees ✅ Smart scheduling for optimal delivery ✅ Real-time segmenting for targeted campaigns ✅ Usage-based pricing clarity
And honestly? No BS. We help you make the most of WhatsApp without breaking the bank.
FAQs
Q1: What is changing with WhatsApp Business API pricing in July 2025? A: Starting July 2025, WhatsApp Business API will move from a per 24-hour “conversation window” billing model to a per-message billing model for template messages. Utility messages might have different pricing, and Customer Service Windows offer free messaging within a 72-hour window initiated by a user reply.
Q2: How will this new pricing affect my D2C business’s WhatsApp costs? A: Your costs could increase if you send multiple template messages within what was previously a single 24-hour conversation. Utility messages related to transactions might have lower costs per message. The examples in this blog post illustrate potential cost differences based on messaging patterns under the new WhatsApp Business pricing model.
Q3: What are some ways to reduce my WhatsApp costs under the new pricing model? A: This blog post outlines several strategies, including: * Triggering user replies to open a free 72-hour Customer Service Window. * Segmenting your audience to send more targeted and fewer overall marketing messages. * Using smart scheduling to send messages when users are most likely to engage.
Q4: What’s the difference between Marketing and Utility messages under the new WhatsApp pricing? A: Marketing messages (like abandoned cart reminders with discounts) are typically template messages and will be billed per message. Utility messages (like order confirmations and shipping updates) often have different, sometimes lower, per-message costs. Customer Service messages within a user-initiated 72-hour window are free.
Q5: How can TheBotMode help me manage these new WhatsApp costs? A: TheBotMode offers features like no markup on WhatsApp fees, smart scheduling, real-time segmenting, and clear usage-based pricing to help you optimize your WhatsApp communication strategy and potentially reduce costs associated with the new WhatsApp billing.
Ready to Stop Overpaying and Start Outsmarting?
Book your free strategy call → 👉 www.thebotmode.com/demo
And remember:
“Meta will charge you per ping. But you decide what that ping is worth.”
