Most people, and certain company owners in particular, view WhatsApp as a tool primarily for socializing and having fun with friends and family. However, WhatsApp is capable of doing far more for your company than you may have ever imagined.
As a business owner, you need to invest in other social media channels as well in order to develop your brand and boost interaction. You may be familiar with WhatsApp Business, which was created to assist small business owners in connecting with their clients in a personalized way and providing them with efficient customer support.
Today, a number of businesses have embraced this concept and are using WhatsApp to offer their consumers individualized customer support. According to a study, 90% of consumers worldwide prefer to continue doing business with companies that provide them with more individualized service.
What Is WhatsApp and How Does It Work?
With the help of the widely used messaging program WhatsApp, users may have voice, text, or video chat conversations with their friends and loved ones. It is a centralized, cross-platform, freeware voice-over-IP (VoIP) and instant messaging (IM) service that is operated by US tech giant Meta and available worldwide.
WhatsApp is a program that may be used on computers and mobile devices. Millions of individuals use it on a global scale. It was founded in 2009 by Jan Koum and Brian Acton and then purchased by Meta (formerly Facebook) in 2014. The app’s simple user interface makes it simple to use. Its usability makes it incredibly accessible and simple to use.
Both WhatsApp and Messenger can be downloaded for free on iOS and Android devices. Its size in iOS is 178MB; however, it is 33.85MB in Android. It is offered in 40 languages for iOS and 60 languages for Android.
Before utilizing the app, users must download and install it. Once installed, you may establish an account by entering your phone number and verifying it with a one-time verification code that will be given to your number.
The Difference Between WhatsApp Business And Regular WhatsApp
Regular and Business WhatsApp WhatsApp differs from other services, even though they appear to be similar. They stand for several iterations of the messaging app.
For example, people use WhatsApp Messenger or the standard WhatsApp app to talk to their friends, family, and coworkers. WhatsApp is made for personal use. Although most business owners use WhatsApp for their operations, there isn’t much to accomplish with an ordinary account because it lacks WhatsApp Business’s features and tools, like automation choices.
An app called WhatsApp Business was created to help small- and medium-sized business owners communicate with their clients effectively. The use of it is likewise free. Despite the fact that both parties can engage in both group and private chats, WhatsApp Business has features that set it apart from normal WhatsApp, such as automated messaging, WhatsApp Web, and the opportunity to build a company profile.
Businesses can build a profile on WhatsApp Business that contains information about their company name, operating hours, email address, business phone number, and website. This makes it simpler to broaden your brand exposure and establish connections with new audiences. Creating a credible internet presence for your brand also helps.
Unlike a regular account, a WhatsApp Business account requires a distinct phone number, albeit both accounts can be on the same phone.
Why Use WhatsApp for Business Communication?
There are several benefits to using WhatsApp for business communications, including the fact that it is more comfortable and easier to connect with your consumers and that it has a highly attractive user experience. The most widely used and well-known messaging service is WhatsApp, which has millions of users worldwide.
I’d like to start by giving you some WhatsApp business features you won’t find in normal WhatsApp, which will improve corporate communication.
Here are a few WhatsApp business features that normal WhatsApp lacks.
Business Profile
You can make a business profile for your company on WhatsApp Business. It provides space for crucial details such as the company name, description, address, phone number, and website.
Automated message
You may create and schedule automatic messages for customers using WhatsApp for business, including welcome messages, thank you messages, FAQs, and more. Reminders for appointments can also be made.
Quick Replies
With just a few taps, pre-written communications may be created, saved by businesses, and sent. This enables businesses to swiftly and effectively reply to clients who frequently have the same queries or demands.
WhatsApp Web
You can utilize WhatsApp Web thanks to a feature in WhatsApp for business. Phone number with a landline. Even without a mobile phone, you can use this function to send and receive WhatsApp messages from your browser on a laptop or computer.
Benefits Of Using WhatsApp For Business
Build Trust
Customers who don’t trust your company will never stay with you or buy from you again. The WhatsApp corporate app is not only a tool for corporate communication; it also aids in client relationship building.
Trust is one of the most crucial elements in customer-business partnerships; if your clients don’t trust your brand, you risk losing them to your rivals.
End-to-end encryption, one of WhatsApp’s business features, gives clients peace of mind when speaking with you. Ratings of quality are based on consumer comments, like reporting problems.
Cost-effective
A cheap method of communicating with your customers is using WhatsApp for business. Regular text messages can be very expensive to send, but WhatsApp Business only requires an internet connection for effective, cost-free communication with your customers and clients.
Reach a Wide Range of people
According to a study, WhatsApp businesses can get open rates of up to 98% and click-through rates of 60%. It is a real-time communication channel, so while you are occupied with emails, it checks for new messages and answers right away. This increases your chances of quickly and automatically texting a huge number of people in a short period of time. Consider how much labor it would be to manually communicate with 254 different customer numbers. You avoid that worry by using WhatsApp for business.
Downloading And Installing WhatsApp for Business
To download and install WhatsApp for business, follow these steps.
Verify device compatibility.
Make sure WhatsApp is compatible with your device before downloading it. Both Android and iOS-powered iPhones and devices can run WhatsApp Business.
Install and Download
Search for “WhatsApp business” in the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store, then click the download icon.
Once the program has been downloaded, install it on your device by clicking the install button or by following the on-screen directions.
Open and Verify
Once it has been installed, open the app and enter your company’s phone number.You cannot use your normal WhatsApp phone number for business WhatsApp if you already have ordinary WhatsApp. You’ll have to purchase a new mobile or landline number.
You will be asked to verify your business phone number after you have entered it. Once you have completed the procedures, you will receive a verification code via SMS or phone call. You simply need to enter the code in the box provided, and your phone number will be verified. Verify that you entered the right code.
Set up profile
Now that your phone number has been verified, it’s time to create your profile. This entails including the name of the business, images, a description of the business, and other details.
Setting Up Your Business Profile
Because your profile is the first thing people see when trying to contact you, it’s critical to configure it for efficient company marketing and communication.
The steps to creating your profile are listed below.
Get the app and install it.
Downloading and installing the app are prerequisites before you can begin creating your business profile. Before you do anything else, make sure your smartphone is compatible with the app. If it is, head over to the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store and download the app.
In most cases, the app will be listed in the recommended apps section of your Play Store; just click on it and download it by typing its name into the available search box. Simply enter “WhatsApp business” in the search field offered to find the app if it isn’t already on your Play Store’s recommended applications list. The app will then appear; click the download icon to begin the download process. Once it has been downloaded, you can either click the install button or follow the on-screen directions to install the program.
Go to Settings
Go to your settings after your phone number has been validated. You can create your company profile there.
Hover over Settings, pick Business, and then choose “Business Setting” to accomplish this. Here, you may enter details about your company.
Business name: Make sure your business name reflects something for which you or your company is well known when adding one. Include a name that accurately represents your brand and is familiar to your audience.
Profile picture: This can be a photo of your storefront, the company logo, or a photo from an event in your field. Keep in mind that your audience receives information about your company through your profile image; it serves as a representation of your company.
Check to see if your profile photo was taken online and is not fuzzy.
Address: You must include your business address so that clients may locate you when they require your services. You can include your website address if you don’t have a physical location.
About Section
You can provide comprehensive information about your company here. This includes details you want clients to know about your business, like your opening and closing times, as well as your offerings.
Use Automated messages
Welcome and thank-you letters contain this. When clients text you for the first time, you can use them to send them messages. Go to “Settings,” click on “Away message” or “Greeting message,” and then configure it as you see fit.
Verifying Your Business Account
The first step to setting up a successful business account is to verify your company account. You are unable to use Business’s services until your account has been verified.
You can confirm your business account in the following ways:
Open your WhatsApp
Navigate through the profile by opening your business account on your mobile device. On the menu button, click.
Then select “Profile” by clicking after hovering over “Business Setting.” Click the ‘Verify’ button next to your phone number in the business profile setting to complete the verification procedure.
Verification Process
You must choose the verification method that is most convenient for you after clicking the verify button next to your phone number. It’s important to keep in mind that a slow or unreliable internet connection could cause the verification procedure to take longer.
It offers two options for verification:
SMS Verification Method: An SMS will be sent to the phone number you gave to verify your identity. Your verification code is in the SMS; input it in the space provided for verification.
Phone Call verification method: If network troubles or other problems prevent you from receiving SMS via it, you can use this technique. You’ll receive a call from it with the verification code. Make sure you have a pen and paper nearby before choosing the phone call option so you can take notes as they are calling, or even better, input the information right away into your phone.
Adding Business Details
You can’t live in a house without a roof, right? In a similar vein, you won’t want to create a credible online persona when your business account profile is deficient in crucial details.
What occurs when your body is deficient in certain essential or significant nutrients? The doctor would undoubtedly advise you to take vitamins and put you on a diet in order to regain those nutrients, as they are crucial for your health. Include details about your company’s name, address, website, goods, and services that are necessary for your internet presence.
Now that I think about it, if your company or brand is missing some essential details, how would people be able to identify and interact with it? Here are a few methods for including this data in your business account.
Create a business account.
Open your settings and launch its business app. To access your profile, click on the pen-shaped icon next to the company address.
By entering the right address, you can edit your company’s address. If you don’t have a physical location, just provide the URL of your website, as in the example above.
Edit Business Description
You should include a succinct description of your company so that your clients may better comprehend you. To achieve this, navigate to the ‘About and Phone Number’ area in the Business Settings, click on it, and then enter a few details about your company.
Using WhatsApp for Customer Support
It can be used for customer support in the following ways:
Complete your Business profile
Your business must have the necessary information that makes it simpler for lucrative clients to connect with you or contact you before you can begin to provide the best, quickest, and most efficient customer service.
By doing this, you establish credibility and win your clients’ trust.
Make them aware.
Make sure your clients know they can reach you on it by contacting them one-on-one, including a click-to-chat button on your website or Facebook page, or by using QR codes.
You can make a QR code and put it on your business cards or the product’s packaging, as this article has already shown. To connect with you, customers can scan it.
Auto response
Because you can’t always be accessible to speak with your clients, it has these capabilities to help you send automatic messages to them, particularly when you’re not available to do so. Instead of making your customers wait for a response, do this.
Integrating WhatsApp with Email Marketing Tools
This offers a successful method of reaching customers. The integration of it with email marketing solutions is demonstrated here.
You can use third-party connectivity tools or custom-built integration to connect it to email marketing software.
You get capabilities like analytics, automation, personalization, etc. through this integration. These tools include, among others, MailChimp and Hubspot.
Benefits of Integrating WhatsApp with email marketing tools
1. Personalization
You can send consumers tailored emails by using information from it about their preferences. Integration with email marketing systems creates a greater area for personalization choices.
2. Automation
Automation for it is possible thanks to integration with email marketing platforms. Marketing efforts can be automated by companies. With the help of this connection, you may give customers who have visited your website or left a shopping basket personalized messages.
3. Reach and engagement Your audience’s reach and involvement may grow as a result. They won’t need to miss out on any news or updates regarding your company. Customers who want to receive communications via it can continue to do so, while those who prefer emails will receive messages via email.
