Guides 8 min read

Guide: how to set up WhatsApp Business in SimpleListings

From the button on your listing pages to full Facebook connection: step-by-step with screenshots to sync conversations and enable the AI assistant.

SimpleListings Team

June 7, 2026

WhatsApp is a primary channel for many real estate agents. In SimpleListings you can use it two ways: a contact button on each listing page and, if you need it, a full connection that syncs your conversations and enables the AI assistant.

This guide covers both levels, with the step-by-step connection process and reference screenshots you will see in the app.

Two setup levels

Basic · 2 minutes

WhatsApp button on listings

Add your number in profile and enable the button on property pages. Visitors message you directly.

Full · ~5 minutes

WhatsApp Business connection

Link your number with Facebook to sync chats in Messages and, on the Advanced plan, enable the AI agent.

Step 1: WhatsApp button on your listings

If you only want buyers to message you from a property listing page, this is enough:

  1. Go to Edit profile (sidebar menu or dashboard)
  2. On the Profile tab, enter your WhatsApp number with country code
  3. Under On property pages, check Show WhatsApp contact button
  4. Save your changes

Useful options in the same section:

  • Show phone number on listings — if you want the number visible in addition to the button
  • Ask for number before opening WhatsApp — capture the visitor's contact info before redirecting to WhatsApp

Step 2: Before connecting WhatsApp Business

For the full connection, have these ready:

  • The WhatsApp Business app on your phone, with the number you want to use
  • A Facebook account that manages your business
  • Your phone nearby to scan the QR code and confirm prompts
  • About 5 uninterrupted minutes

Important: you keep using WhatsApp Business on your phone as usual. SimpleListings connects in the background; it does not replace your app.

To start the connection:

  1. Open Messages in the sidebar, or go to Edit profile → Integrations
  2. Click Connect WhatsApp with Facebook
  3. The built-in step-by-step guide opens — keep that tab open while you complete Facebook

Step 3: In the Facebook window (desktop)

The actual connection happens in a secure Facebook window. Complete each screen there and use Continue in the SimpleListings guide to advance. These are the main screens:

Facebook login to connect WhatsApp Business
3.1 Log in — Confirm your Facebook account or switch if needed.
Permissions screen to connect WhatsApp Business
3.2 Permissions — Read the summary and click Get started. This is the standard WhatsApp Business API flow.
Confirm business details in Meta
3.3 Business details — Select your business portfolio and confirm name, website, and country.
Connect existing WhatsApp Business app
3.4 Existing app — Choose Connect your existing WhatsApp Business app, not a new number.
Enter WhatsApp Business phone number
3.5 Your number — Enter the same number you use in WhatsApp Business, with the correct country code.
Meta QR code to link WhatsApp Business
3.6 QR code — Meta shows a QR in this window. Do not scan screenshots from this guide; use the live QR in Facebook.
WhatsApp Business account connected successfully in Meta
3.7 Connection successful — When you see your account is connected, click Finish. You can skip the payment method for now.

Tip: Meta may ask for a payment method at the end. You can skip it; it is only required if you send bulk WhatsApp marketing campaigns.

Step 4: On your phone

While the QR appears on your computer, check WhatsApp Business on your phone. Follow these steps in parallel:

Facebook Business message in WhatsApp
4.1 Facebook Business message — Open the chat and tap Connect.
Share WhatsApp chat history
4.2 Chat history — Choose Share chats so previous conversations appear in SimpleListings.
Scan QR code in WhatsApp Business
4.3 Scan QR — If prompted, point at the code in the Facebook window (not at this guide).

Step 5: After connecting

  1. Return to SimpleListings and click Refresh to verify connection
  2. Wait for chat history to import (may take a few minutes)
  3. Review your conversations in Messages
  4. In Integrations, confirm that Receive conversations is enabled

AI agent (optional, Advanced plan)

If you have the Advanced plan, you can configure the assistant to reply automatically with data from your catalog. Go to AI Agent in the menu and set tone, business notes, and welcome message.

Read more in our update: AI WhatsApp agent for real estate →

Turn off duplicate auto-replies

If you use the built-in WhatsApp Business greeting or away message, disable it in the phone app (Settings → Business tools → Greeting message). Otherwise the client may receive two automatic replies.

Frequently asked questions

Yes. You keep chatting in WhatsApp Business as usual. When you reply yourself, the AI assistant pauses in that conversation.

No. The WhatsApp button on property pages only requires your number in profile. The Facebook connection is for syncing Messages and using the AI agent.

The connection still works, but you will only see new messages from the point of linking. We recommend sharing history so you have context in active conversations.

Close the Facebook window, click Connect again, and retry. Verify the number in Facebook matches your WhatsApp Business app and that your phone has a strong signal.