# Getting started and implementation | Bridge

> What to prepare, who does each part, how your WhatsApp number is connected and what happens after purchase.

## Getting started with Bridge

What to prepare, who does each part, how your WhatsApp number is connected and what happens after purchase.

## Before you start

- Someone in your company with the administrator role in the Bridge console.
- For WhatsApp: a Meta Business account your company administers, access to the number to receive the verification code by SMS or call, and the business name, description and category your customers will see.
- If your team will sign in with Google or Microsoft: an administrator of that account, and DNS access if you will restrict access to your company's domains.
- If you will connect your CRM: see what each integration includes in [CRM integrations](https://bridge.new/en/integrations/crm.md).

## Who does each part

- Your administrator sets Bridge up in the console with the [9-step setup guide](https://help.bridge.new/console/setup-guide?lang=en): languages, sign-in and workspaces; users and teams, contacts and conversation settings; WhatsApp, calls, and email and meetings. Bridge marks each step as done when it detects it.
- The Bridge team supports the launch and trains your team. The scope of that support is defined in the commercial proposal.
- Meta verifies the number and reviews the WhatsApp display name and templates. Those steps happen in Meta's window: Bridge cannot complete them for you and no password reaches Bridge.
- Additional integrations are optional: Bridge works without a CRM; it integrates with HubSpot, Salesforce, Zoho, Microsoft Dynamics 365, Pipedrive and Attio, and other connections use the Integrations API and webhooks; custom services are quoted separately.

## What can affect the launch date

- Number verification and the review of the display name and templates at Meta.
- Administrator access to Meta Business, Google or Microsoft and, where relevant, the CRM.
- DNS domain verification, if you restrict access to your domains.

## Your WhatsApp number

The number stays in your company's messaging account at Meta. There are four paths:

1. **A number that does not use WhatsApp**: It is connected from the console, in Meta's window.
2. **Free up a number that already uses WhatsApp**: The WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business app account on that number is deleted, and then the number is connected to Bridge.
3. **Coexistence**: The number stays in the WhatsApp Business app and is also connected to Bridge. Calls and groups in that app are not recorded in Bridge.
4. **A number provided by Bridge**: Bridge provides a number for your company's exclusive use.

[Guide: Connect WhatsApp and add a line](https://help.bridge.new/console/whatsapp-lines?lang=en)

## Personal accounts and history

- Bridge connects company numbers. With coexistence, each person can have their own WhatsApp Business line, which belongs to the company.
- When a line is connected through coexistence, part of that number's recent history comes with it. Older messages can also be imported with the Integrations API.
- Conversations on connected lines stay in Bridge. Who sees each contact and each conversation depends on the [permissions the administrator sets](https://help.bridge.new/console/contacts-access?lang=en).

## After purchase

- Support channels, hours and response times are agreed in each contract.
- [Help Center](https://help.bridge.new): step-by-step guides for Bridge and the console.
- [Service status](https://stats.uptimerobot.com/aUMhSPx0TX): monitored availability of the application, the admin console, the support console and the website.

## Let's talk about making every relationship more profitable.

Let's review your sales follow-up, your customers' experience and the productivity opportunities with Bridge.