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Opening an account, step by step

From signing up to your first campaign, a picture for every step.

Opening an account from start to finish: signing up, naming the workspace, and the set-up guide.

Sign up

  1. Go to Start free at the top of any page.
  2. Give your name, your business's name, your work email and a password of at least eight characters. Your mobile number is optional; give it, and tick the box, if you would like a welcome and set-up tips on WhatsApp.
  3. Press Start free. The first 14 days are a free trial, and no card is needed.
The sign-up page: a name, the business, an email and a password.The sign-up page: a name, the business, an email and a password.

Confirm your email

Sema emails the address you gave. Open it and press Confirm my email, then sign in. Nothing within a few minutes? Look in your spam folder.

The email that confirms the address, with its button.The email that confirms the address, with its button.

Turn on two-factor sign-in

Recommended, and a minute's work: an authenticator app on your phone gives a six-digit code that Sema asks for after your password.

  1. Scan the code with the app, or type in the key under it.
  2. Type the six digits the app shows and press Turn on two-factor sign-in.
Setting up two-factor sign-in: a code to scan with an authenticator app, or to type in.Setting up two-factor sign-in: a code to scan with an authenticator app, or to type in.

Not now leaves it for later; it is in Settings → You whenever you want it. More in setting up two-factor sign-in.

Name your workspace

Your workspace is your business in Sema. Its name is already your business's; choose its address (sema.datacare.co.ke/your-address), where you operate, and what kind of organisation it is, then press Create workspace.

Naming the workspace: the business’s name, what kind of organisation it is, and its address in Sema.Naming the workspace: the business’s name, what kind of organisation it is, and its address in Sema.

Follow the set-up guide

Five short steps: your business (from your website or a few questions), what your assistant knows, trying it as a customer, how it writes, and connecting WhatsApp. Skip any of them with Skip for now; Getting started keeps what is left.

The set-up guide: the steps from a new workspace to the first message.The set-up guide: the steps from a new workspace to the first message.

Each step in full: the set-up guide.

Connect your number

  1. Open Numbers and press Connect a number. Meta's own window opens over Sema.
  2. Sign in to Facebook, choose or create your business, and choose or create its WhatsApp Business account.
  3. Give the display name and the number, and type in the code Meta sends to it.
  4. Allow what Meta asks for, and finish. Sema shows Connected.
Connecting a number: the button that opens Meta’s own window, and help to do it with us.Connecting a number: the button that opens Meta’s own window, and help to do it with us.

Rather not do it alone? Ask DataCare to help and we do it with you on a call. Keeping your WhatsApp Business app, a number with no spare line, and the card Meta asks for are all in connecting a number.

Your name, and being verified

Meta reviews the name customers see on your messages, and verifying your business with Meta lets you ask for the Official Business Account badge. Numbers shows each, ticked when done, with where to do what is not.

The number’s page: its quality, daily limit and how customers know it is really you.The number’s page: its quality, daily limit and how customers know it is really you.

More in what the Numbers page tells you.

Write your first template

To write to a customer first, you need a template Meta has approved. In Templates, press Write a template, or start from the template library. The words go on the left, the message as the customer will see it on the right, and anything Meta would refuse is said as you type. Save it, then send it to Meta from the list; most are approved within minutes.

Writing a template: the words on the left, the message as the customer will see it on the right, checked as you type.Writing a template: the words on the left, the message as the customer will see it on the right, checked as you type.

More in writing one Meta will approve.

Invite your team

In Team, under Invite a teammate, give their email and their role, and press Create invitation. They get an email; the link is shown once too, to hand over yourself.

The team page: inviting someone by email with the role they will have.The team page: inviting someone by email with the role they will have.

What each role may do: roles.

Top up by M-Pesa

Messages are paid from your Sema credit. In Credit, give an amount and the M-Pesa number to pay from, press Add, and approve the prompt on your phone. Or pay by card through Paystack.

Credit: the balance, top-ups by M-Pesa or card, and every charge.Credit: the balance, top-ups by M-Pesa or card, and every charge.

More in topping up.

Send your first campaign

In Campaigns, press New campaign: a name, an approved template, what goes in its gaps, and who receives it. Sema says how many people it will reach (only those who agreed) and what it will cost before you send it, now or with Send later.

A new campaign: the template, who receives it, and the cost before it is sent.A new campaign: the template, who receives it, and the cost before it is sent.

More in sending a campaign.

Not what you needed? Ask us.