The WhatsApp Business app is one of the most searched business messaging apps on the Internet today. WhatsApp Business The best marketing tool of 2021. For countries with many monthly active users of WhatsApp (MAU), WhatsApp Business App is an indispensable tool for many local businesses. In this guide, we will show you how to use the app to reach more customers and connect with them.
What is the WhatsApp Business app?
Businesses started using WhatsApp for Business long before the WhatsApp Business app. Many companies were actually using personal WhatsApp accounts to send messages to their customers, which prompted WhatsApp to do something about it.
The WhatsApp Business app is a business messaging app for small businesses. While similar to WhatsApp, it has few additional features to help businesses chat with customers. The WhatsApp Business app is available on Android and iOS.
To set up an account you will need a phone and a SIM card. You can't use the same SIM card you use for personal WhatsApp. If you want to have your WhatsApp and WhatsApp Business App account on the same phone, you will need a dual sim phone.
It is important to understand that the WhatsApp Business app is limited to one user on one device. If you expect a lot of team members to need access, you should consider a WhatsApp Business API account for your company.
How to create an account for the WhatsApp Business app
To get started, download the WhatsApp Business app from the Play Store or the Apple Store and verify your number. Next, complete your business profile by uploading a profile picture and adding your company name, description, address, website, opening hours, and more.
When visitors click on your business profile, they will see a popup showing that the account is not verified. Unfortunately, there is no space in the app to ask for verification of a WhatsApp Business App account.
Although the WhatsApp FAQ states that big brands will be verified, we have never seen this happen. We don't expect big brands to use the WhatsApp Business app. If you need a verified account, apply for a WhatsApp Business API account instead.
WhatsApp Business App: Catalog
Many small businesses in Asia and South America use WhatsApp as a digital showcase. To make it even easier, WhatsApp launched WhatsApp Business Catalog to help businesses show and share their products and services.
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Once your catalog is ready, it's time to spread the word via the catalog link and the item link. Anyone with your Catalog link can browse the entire catalog, while the Article link is specific to the product only.
Entrepreneurs have three options when sharing these links. You can send it in-app to all your contacts in a conversation, copy and paste the link on other sites or share the link on social media platforms.
The WhatsApp Business App Catalog is an important tool for small businesses. Help customers get the basic information they need. Now let's talk about how you get your customers to find your WhatsApp catalog in the first place.
WhatsApp Business App: Find your customers
In addition to features, WhatsApp has rules and limitations on using the WhatsApp Business app. In this section, we'll walk you through some best practices for getting your existing customers to message you on WhatsApp and how to attract new ones! WhatsApp Business The Best Marketing Tool 2021.
If you have your customer numbers handy, you may be wondering if you can import your contacts. While not directly in the WhatsApp Business app, you can install Google Contacts on your phone, import your contacts and they will be available to send messages.
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After importing your existing customers, you may be wondering how to chat with your prospects. Here are some quick tips on how to connect your Facebook page, use links on your website and QR codes in store.
Turn Facebook page traffic into WhatsApp contacts
As part of the Facebook family, the WhatsApp Business app can be linked to a Facebook page to funnel traffic using a Send WhatsApp Message button, Facebook ads, or simply by viewing your WhatsApp number in the About section of your page.
Once added, the WhatsApp button will appear directly under the cover image of your Facebook page. Note that the WhatsApp button will replace the Facebook Messenger Send Message button, if you have one.
Use short links to direct website traffic to the WhatsApp Business app
Short links or direct links are useful for companies with a lot of website traffic. Adding a WhatsApp Business app link to a website creates an easy way for a website visitor to directly enter a WhatsApp conversation with your company.
By navigating to Settings> Business Tools> Short Links in the WhatsApp Business app, you will be able to create WhatsApp short links. In addition to the link, you can add a message that will be added to the input bar when the WhatsApp user clicks the link. WhatsApp Business The Best Marketing Tool 2021.
Turn foot traffic into WhatsApp contacts with QR codes
If you have a store with a lot of foot traffic, placing a print of the WhatsApp Business app QR code on your brick and mortar store is a great way for customers to add you. To find your account QR code, go to Business Tools> Short Link> QR Code.
All your customers need to do is scan the QR code and they will be instantly redirected to your account. Plus, your unique QR code won't expire unless you reset it or delete your WhatsApp Business App account.
WhatsApp Business App: messaging functionality
Messaging on the WhatsApp Business app is as simple and straightforward as messaging with regular WhatsApp. However, WhatsApp Business App provides some extra tools to help businesses with their messaging productivity.
Since WhatsApp Business App is really meant to be used by only one user on one device, it's important to get the most out of these features. Here's how you can do it.
Master 1: 1 messaging with quick replies
After messaging multiple WhatsApp contacts at the same time, managing a busy inbox can be overwhelming. To answer frequently asked questions faster, you can customize up to 50 quick responses from the WhatsApp Business app and use them in 1: 1 chat with your customers. WhatsApp Business The Best Marketing Tool 2021.
From Business Tools, click the + button to add new quick replies. Then, edit your message and add a shortcut with up to 3 keywords with up to 15 characters each. These keywords are useful in helping you locate and sort multiple quick responses.
Once you are in a chat, view your quick replies by typing "/". A list of saved responses will be displayed where you can select the best response to your request. These replies are editable in case you need to add or remove information before submitting.
While quick replies are useful for shortening the reply window, they must be done manually while the user is online. In case you are not available, WhatsApp allows you to automate greetings and absence messages.
Automate chats with greetings and away messages
As a business, customer service responsiveness is paramount. With automated greetings and absence messages, your customers won't be left wondering if you're around to answer questions.
When enabled, greetings are automatically sent to visitors and customers who message you for the first time or after 14 days of inactivity. To set your greeting, go to Business Tools, select Greeting, edit and save your changes.
There is also an option to choose who to send the greeting to by including or excluding certain groups of people. The only drawback is that you can't customize the greetings for each recipient group to make it more personal. WhatsApp Business The best marketing tool of 2021.
Another equally important automated message is the away message. Likewise, the away message can be enabled or disabled. However, we recommend that you leave it on in case someone texts you when you are offline.
The away message can be set to be sent always, based on a custom schedule or outside business hours. While we haven't found any real purpose for always sending an away message, the other two options are useful if you know exactly when you're not available.
Mass message customers with broadcasts
In addition to 1: 1 chat, WhatsApp Business App Broadcast allows users to send mass messages and multimedia content to multiple contacts at the same time for free. Businesses can use it for new product updates, changes in opening hours or store relocation, etc.
While this sounds useful, WhatsApp has introduced some limitations to prevent spam. Only contacts with your number saved in the address book can receive your broadcast message and there is a maximum of 256 recipients in each broadcast list.
To broadcast to more than 256 contacts at the same time, you need to create another broadcast list. WhatsApp Business Marketing Tool 2021. Each broadcast list can be tagged and organized into different categories such as new customers, new orders, pending payment and so on.
In terms of privacy, any message transmitted will appear in a private chat with the recipient. Just like the way BCC or blind carbon copying in emails works, no one else on your broadcast list can see another person's reply and contact details.
WhatsApp Business Marketing Tool 2021.
The only differentiating feature between a 1: 1 message and a message broadcast in a private chat is the speaker icon. Only corporate accounts can see the speaker icon next to a broadcast message, while it appears as a normal message for the contact.
Collaborate with customers using group messaging
Like broadcasting, businesses are also using WhatsApp Business app group messaging to connect with a large audience. The difference is that group chats are more collaborative where everyone can interact and see each other's contact details. WhatsApp Business Marketing Tool 2021.
You can invite up to 256 contacts to a group from the contact list. Some common use cases for corporate group chats include customer or customer service groups, corporate product / service beta test groups, marketing campaign groups, and so on.
To invite someone to your group, you can send them the WhatsApp Business app group link and QR code. However, you can't limit access to anyone with your link, so only share it with people you trust. Alternatively, you can revoke public access by resetting the link. WhatsApp Business Marketing Tool 2021.
Having trouble tracking conversations around the clock? You can also choose to disable your contacts' messaging privileges so that the group chat is now similar to a broadcast list, except that everyone can see messages within the group.
Alternatively, you can assign multiple WhatsApp Business app group admins to help you out. Group administrators have the right to add or remove people, change group information, and allow or prevent members from posting messages.
To bypass the criteria for a WhatsApp Business app user and device, having additional group admins is another way to have an extra pair of hands or phone to help keep your customers happy.
To send bulk messages via whatsapp to everyone, use SendApp:
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I found the article really insightful, especially the part about using WhatsApp for customer engagement. I've started implementing some of these strategies in my business, and I've already noticed an increase in customer interaction. It would be great to see more examples of successful campaigns.