# Send your first WhatsApp message
 
To use WhatsApp on the Infobip platform, you need to meet the following requirements:
 
- Create an [Infobip account](https://www.infobip.com/docs/essentials/getting-started/create-an-account) (if you do not already have one) by completing the platform onboarding.
- Register a [WhatsApp sender](https://www.infobip.com/docs/whatsapp/get-started/embedded-signup).
 
## Start your free trial
 
New Infobip users automatically receive a **60-day [free trial](https://www.infobip.com/docs/essentials/getting-started/free-trial)** and are assigned a **shared sender**. A shared sender refers to an Infobip-branded phone number you can use for WhatsApp communication.
 
**Limitations**:
 
- Your free trial includes **100 free WhatsApp conversations**, where each conversation includes all messages sent within a 24-hour window.
- You can only send messages to **verified numbers**.
- If you want to start sending live traffic, you will need to [register a dedicated WhatsApp sender](https://www.infobip.com/docs/whatsapp/get-started/embedded-signup) during your onboarding on our web interface.
 
When your free trial ends, a banner will appear at the top of your homepage. You can add funds by selecting the **Upgrade now** button, allowing you to continue sending messages to your customers.
 
## Upgrade to a paying account
 
When ready, you can upgrade to a [paying account](https://www.infobip.com/docs/essentials/getting-started/paying-account). Select the **Add funds** option at the top of the page and choose a [billing option](https://www.infobip.com/docs/essentials/getting-started/paying-account). Once you add funds to your account balance, it will no longer be in the free trial mode.
 
If your free trial has ended, a banner will appear at the top of your homepage. You can add funds by clicking the **Upgrade now** button, allowing you to continue sending messages to your customers.
 
## Start using WhatsApp
 
1. **Get started with WhatsApp on our [web interface](https://portal.infobip.com/)**
 
    At the top of the page, select whether you are a **business user** or a **developer**:
 
    - Business users can test messages directly in the **web interface**.
    - Developers can send test messages using the **ready-made API request**.
 
    _Business user experience_
 
    _Developer experience_
 
    - After sending a **test message**, check the **delivery report** to confirm successful delivery. If delivery fails, review the [response status and error codes](https://www.infobip.com/docs/essentials/api-essentials/response-status-and-error-codes) to identify the issue.
 
2. **Register a WhatsApp sender**
 
    - To start sending live messages to customers, you must **register a WhatsApp sender**:
        - Select **Register sender now**, or
        - Go to **Channels and Numbers** > **Channels** > **WhatsApp**, then select **Register sender**.
 
    Follow our [step-by-step guide](https://www.infobip.com/docs/whatsapp/get-started/embedded-signup) for detailed instructions.
 
3. **(Optional) Upgrade your account**
 
    - To upgrade your account now, select **Add funds** and follow the steps to become a [paying account](https://www.infobip.com/docs/essentials/getting-started/paying-account).
    - To upgrade your account at a later time:
        - If your **free trial is still active**, select **Add funds** at the top of the web interface.
        - If your **trial has expired**, a banner will appear on your homepage. Select **Upgrade now** to add funds.