Mashable: As of late last year, tens of thousands of organizations were using the non-cloud-based version of the Business API.

As part of its ongoing drive into the enterprise market, Facebook-owned WhatsApp announced today that it will make its Cloud API available to all enterprises across the world.

Developers have been testing a cloud-based version of WhatsApp's first revenue-generating commercial product, the WhatsApp Business API, since November, but housed on Meta's infrastructure.

As of late last year, tens of thousands of organizations were using the non-cloud-based version of the Business API. For those that choose to utilize the API in-house, it is completely free.

For several years, the business had been developing its Business API platform as a crucial revenue source for the otherwise free messaging service. Businesses pay for WhatsApp based on the number of messages exchanged and the region they are in.

As part of their overall messaging and communications strategy, many businesses use the API to link WhatsApp with their back-end systems. They can also use SMS, other messaging applications, emails, and other methods of contact.

Despite this, the company claims that the cloud-based version is geared toward small enterprises and can be set up in minutes rather than weeks. It is also free.

At yesterday's live Meta event, focusing on messaging, "Conversations," Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg revealed that the cloud-based platform, now known as the WhatsApp Cloud API, is globally available to the public.

Small and large companies alike can now benefit from a more direct line of communication thanks to the new API, he added.

In order to better manage an influx of chats, WhatsApp has introduced capabilities such as the ability to manage chats on up to ten devices.

WhatsApp will also feature new click-to-chat links that may be customised to assist businesses in attracting clients throughout their digital platform.

Additionally, it intends to provide these as additional, optional capabilities for a cost as part of a new premium service for the WhatsApp Business app. The services will be described in greater detail in the future.