Several social networks began by focusing on personal connections and interactions centered on lifestyles. Companies like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat, down the line, discovered the benefit of inviting businesses and brands to join their networks in order to engage with customers. WhatsApp jumped in with WhatsApp Business, a free software for small business owners and startup founders that works on Android and iOS phones. Customers can now interact and engage with the app in a direct, personal, and targeted manner.
But the question is, how can businesses around the globe use this tool efficiently. Well, you are just in time to find out…
Overview
According to Connor Cirillo, HubSpot’s Head of Conversational Marketing;
“WhatsApp has become the focal point for billions of people all over the world. It’s where we send messages to the individuals that matter the most to us, such as our friends and family ”
He added that, to a large extent,
“Businesses want to create relationships with their customers and meet them where they are. WhatsApp has become one of the most essential marketing platforms.”
However, despite being the world’s most popular mobile messaging program, WhatsApp isn’t widely recognized as a business tool. Just over 7% of marketers, for example, use WhatsApp for business.
While WhatsApp may appear to be just another messaging service on the surface, the program contains elements that are useful for keeping solid client relationships and developing lead generation.
But, first and foremost, what is WhatsApp and what does it do?
What Exactly is WhatsApp?
WhatsApp is a free mobile messaging program that lets you interact with your friends and family. Regardless of mobile device type, WhatsApp is utilized for group messaging, calls, and multimedia sharing. The program also allows users to communicate with each other on a global scale.
To use WhatsApp, you must either download the app or use your phone’s camera to scan a QR code from a computer. The app is available for desktops, but in order to sign up, you’ll need a phone.
In general, WhatsApp is appealing since depending on your phone service’s message attracts charges. It also serves as a primary hub for various group conversations, multimedia sharing, and voice messaging.
Let’s take a look at some of the ways those features can be put to use in WhatsApp’s marketing efforts.
WhatsApp Marketing
For starters, WhatsApp is an excellent tool for reminding clients about specials, providing accessible customer service choices, and increasing visibility. And, with the launch of WhatsApp Business, building strong client interactions is now easier than before.
With WhatsApp Business, you’ll be able to provide personalized customer service to your customers via automated messages and chatbot-like features. If you’re introducing a new product, WhatsApp can deliver the messages you’ve written to the clients you choose automatically.
Consider customer selection to be the same as audience segmentation; which you can accomplish in the app using a broadcast list.
Furthermore, if you have a global audience or client base, connecting with your foreign customers would be simple and cost-effective, as WhatsApp does not charge a fee for international communication. This allows you to strengthen consumer ties abroad and solve problems quickly.
How to Set Up a WhatsApp Business Account
Creating a WhatsApp Business account is simple, especially if you already have the app. If not, search for “WhatsApp Business” in your local mobile app store. If you already have an account, the app will link it to a Business profile for you.
Accept the Terms and Conditions after that, and provide a phone number. (This is something you can alter letter in Settings if you don’t want to use your own number.)
Then you’re ready to go! From here, you may polish and professionalize your Business account. You can also start looking into some of the business-specific features, such as contact labels and quick links.
Let’s take a look at some of the features that you’ll encounter with WhatsApp Business.
First the “Business Profile” area is accessed by clicking “Business Settings.” Basically, you can list your company’s contact information, such as email, address, and website link here. If you’ve ever seen a Facebook or Google Business profile, you’ll notice how similar they are. Your WhatsApp Business profile will serve as a snapshot of your business.
When you communicate with leads and customers, they’ll know they’re talking to your business because your profile will be labeled as one. The green checkmark below is another customer identifier:
Basically, when WhatsApp verifies your account, which entails the app ensuring that the information you provided to set up your profile is accurate, you’ll see it appear.
Furthermore, labels can also be used to arrange sales functions, access messaging data (such as statistics on when messages are sent, delivered, and viewed), and create a catalog of your company’s items. In the next part, we’ll go through how these characteristics can benefit your marketing approach.
Why Should You Use WhatsApp Business in 2023?
WhatsApp Business offers two kinds of accounts for businesses, each with its own set of features. The typical business account helps to keep personal and work messages distinct while also making it easier to respond to customers. Automated greeting and away messages are also available. If you wish to have both a personal and a business WhatsApp account, you’ll need a separate SIM or phone number.
Besides the basic free Whatsapp account, growing businesses can also consider the WhatsApp Business API account, which is geared for larger businesses. Multiple users are allowed on this pay-to-use platform, allowing both sales and customer service teams to engage with customers.
Here are some reasons why using WhatsApp Business in your social media marketing strategy might be beneficial to your company.
#1. Engagement Messaging Tools
The messaging functionality of WhatsApp Business is one of the most significant features, as it connects a brand to its audience and client base. A company can send infinite free communications in numerous formats using open messaging choices. Automation elements also allow for the prompt delivery of responses.
The messaging system encourages you to communicate with your audience in a proactive manner. For starters, you can use WhatsApp Business to send a welcome message to each contact if you have their phone number. While you don’t want to overwhelm your target audience or existing consumers by sending too many messages, this channel can serve as an alternative or additional channel for connecting with them.
You may also use the broadcast tool to distribute any kind of content to up to 256 people on each broadcast list you create.
Despite the fact that contacts will only receive the broadcast if they have saved your phone number, this is a quick and efficient way to send out a campaign. You may also segment your contacts and then design broadcast campaigns that fit those groups or personalities for appointments, shipping information, and booking requests.
Another option for participation is group messaging. This feature, like broadcasting, allows for group conversation so that everyone can interact. The application, which can hold up to 256 contacts in a single group, is useful for networking, beta testing, focus groups, and service meetings.
#2. Brand Visibility and Awareness
Several statistics demonstrate the advantages of using WhatsApp Business. As of 2020, WhatsApp estimates that there will be 2 billion users worldwide. The number of users has been growing at an incredible rate of half a billion people every two years. According to Statista, 1.6 billion people use the messaging app every month (Statista, 2019), which is 23% more than its nearest competition, Facebook Messenger.
WhatsApp Business, as part of the Facebook family of companies, can help you expand your online presence and reach a bigger audience. Linking the app to a Facebook Page is one enticing option. Using tools like a WhatsApp Send Message Button, Facebook Ads, or a WhatsApp number published on your Facebook profile, you can funnel visitors to your website.
#3. A Showcase for your Business’s Goods and Services
WhatsApp Business tools like the WhatsApp Business Catalog and WhatsApp Cart allow you to market and sell your items or services. Customers can access product and service listings through the catalog feature. With photographs, descriptions, and pricing information, you can highlight what you have to offer. All of your other channels can distribute links from your catalog or even individual items inside it.
Furthermore, customers can also add things to their shopping cart after browsing them in the catalog, and utilize the chat capabilities to finalize a transaction with your company. The app is also useful for businesses that have physical locations. You can, for example, physically display your WhatsApp Business QR code so that clients can scan it in the store and quickly add you to communicate with your business online.
#4. Analytics to Help Understand Your Customers
There are a few choices that allow you to evaluate critical consumer KPIs. The WhatsApp Business API provides statistics on how many messages were sent and received from specific phone numbers. Other indicators include the number of texts that recipients sent to specific phone numbers. You’ll be able to keep track of the overall expected cost spent on texts as well. The metrics are saved on the Insights tab, but you may also need to export the data and segment it by phone number, message type, and country.
#5. Expanding Channel Connections
WhatsApp Business gives you another way to connect with your target audience and interact with clients. But then, you’d need to begin with learning how to use it and determining whether it is appropriate for your company.
Either way, WhatsApp Business may be an excellent addition to your marketing methods if you’re seeking new ways to communicate with clients, operate across offline and online channels, and need to get extra metrics about your customers.
What is the Best Way to Use WhatsApp for Business?
WhatsApp can be used for business purposes in a variety of ways. The program is primarily used for conversation and sharing, and this is the foundation for making the most of WhatsApp.
For the most part, it will help to make your workflow more visible, automate communication, and keep it structured.
You won’t have to spend money on a new software because the app is free to use and operate. Let’s look at some alternative methods to leverage WhatsApp as a business tool.
#1. Increase the Visibility of your Business
WhatsApp, like Facebook, allows businesses to create a Business page on the app. Customers will be able to find vital information on your profile, such as your location, description, website, and contact information. You can also use WhatsApp to add a catalog, as seen below:
The catalog function allows you to mass upload your products so that users may browse them through the app. Customers can easily obtain a sense of what they can buy from your company with this tool. Having a company profile boosts the number of potential clients who may engage with your firm through the app.
Let’s imagine your customers want to know what your company has to offer but don’t want to Google it. They’ll be able to access your offerings if your catalog is put up properly before their focus is diverted to something else.
To entice your audience, you might utilize catalogs to display a new product line or feature your most popular products.
#2. Reduce Response Time
Customers can immediately engage with you when you use WhatsApp Business. You can also use a chatbot to automate messages so that your audience can get answers to their questions promptly.
Keep in mind how you can save a few quick responses for your clients. This interactive “FAQ” eliminates the need to enter or copy-and-paste answers to frequently asked inquiries.
Consider making a content offer with timely responses. For example, you may showcase your new goods in your welcome message
“Thank you for visiting! Do you want to be the first to hear about our new sale? “, and give a short response with a link to your catalog, another page, or a promotion.
#3. Organize your Duties
WhatsApp has a number of organizational features. To begin, you can use their label system to categorize your contacts. If you use a CRM that connects with WhatsApp, you can import your contacts directly from the CRM into the app and manage discussions from there.
You won’t have to manually add contacts to your WhatsApp account if you can integrate WhatsApp with your CRM. Both platforms will collaborate to input contact information into your company’s dashboard.
Additionally, if you want to save the conversations you have with consumers, an integration allows you to do so.
This will assist you in keeping track of your consumers as well as the relationships you develop with them.
Examples of WhatsApp Marketing Campaigns
If you’re unsure how to incorporate WhatsApp into a larger brand campaign, think of it as a way to streamline communication in a way that’s a little more personal and accessible than email or a product page. Let’s take a look at how some businesses make use of WhatsApp.
#1. Hellmann Brazil
The Hellmann’s team in Brazil got to work, marketing through WhatsApp, to teach their younger viewers how to cook. This was an excellent decision for the team because WhatsApp is widely used in Brazil, and their Brazilian audience would most likely be familiar with it.
The following was how it works;
Users can ask the WhatsCook Business profile for recipes based on what they had in their refrigerator by texting the profile. They can then message the profile for further information, video-based training, or to share progress images.
To make the learning experience more individualized, the profile includes multimedia directions such as photos and videos. The app will even send you a text message when the food is ready. Hellmann’s hit a home run with less than $900 invested and four million pleased customers.
As part of a promotion to educate children about cooking, the company employed chatflows and labels to deliver a choose-your-own-adventure story to customers via text texts.
Consider how WhatsApp’s rapid messaging features would make it easier for your customer care personnel to organize their contacts and assist consumers. They can use integrated tools to design bespoke workflows and then upload them to WhatsApp.
Finally, leads won’t have to do a Google search to learn more about your company. They can simply access your user profile by clicking on it. These situations are cost-effective alternatives to email marketing and international marketing for every type of organization.
#2. Beck’s Brewery
Beck’s Brewery is a well-known European alcohol firm that focuses on unforgettable experiences. Their team produced an app that connects with WhatsApp and offers a comic book theme for their discussions in order to make one for mobile phone users.
This app encourages lengthier WhatsApp conversations and raises brand awareness for Beck’s Brewery. For example, if a fan’s friend had never heard of the company before checking out the app, they will learn about it when they check out the comic book-themed integration.
Perhaps your organization provides graphic design services or develops software. Your company’s brightest designers may leverage the WhatsApp API to create comparable integrations to use as a promotional tool in your next campaign.
#3. Tikkie
Tikkie is a European-only software that allows users to repay small loans using their phones. The software is most famous for being utilized by ABN AMRO, a multinational bank, to allow users in the Netherlands make bank payments.
This is possible for clients that use WhatsApp. To promote this feature, Tikkie’s creators designed a range of customizable stickers that users can use in their chats. These stickers, like those in other messaging platforms like Slack, offer a hilarious, meme-able element to conversations.
Tikkie isn’t the first company to utilize stickers for WhatsApp marketing, but they do demonstrate how you can use the money you save from a free service to good use. Customers will find marketing messaging more enjoyable as a result of this.
What Is Difference Between Whatsapp and Whatsapp Business?
WhatsApp Business is a new business-oriented app. It’s not the same as WhatsApp’s ordinary version, but it functions similarly – the foremost difference is that its goal is to connect businesses and consumers rather than friends and family. Small business owners are the target audience for the app.
How Can I Use Whatsapp for Business?
- Get the Business Whatsapp from your respective App Store.
- Cross- check your Business’s phone number.
- If you wish, restore from a backup.
- Put in a name for your company.
- Set up a profile for yourself. Go to Settings > your company name.
Is Whatsapp Business Any Good?
It is quite simple to use for both the business and the clients, even for those who are not particularly tech-savvy. Due to Whatsapp Pay, selling items has become increasingly easier. It offers an API that allows you to interact with customers more quickly and easily. This can even be used to send pre-programmed messages.
Is the Whatsapp Business Free?
WhatsApp Business is a free app for Android and iPhone that was made with the small business owner in mind. WhatsApp Business makes it easy to communicate with customers by giving you tools to automate, sort, and respond quickly to messages.
What Are the Disadvantages of Whatsapp Business?
The WhatsApp Business App’s Disadvantages:
- GDPR compliance is just in part. The most serious flaw of the WhatsApp Business app is the data security risks that can develop when utilizing it.
- Limit of five devices…
- Only one employee account…
- There are no professional service choices.
Conclusion
Finally, keep in mind that WhatsApp should not be used as a primary marketing tool, similar to a CRM or email marketing program. Instead, it should be viewed as a collaborator in the advancement of your marketing messages.
Give WhatsApp a try if you have unorganized chat-flow architecture and feel like you can do more to create consumer loyalty. You’ll find a platform that’s simple to use, integrates easily, and delivers performance analytics to help you improve your efficacy over time.
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1 comment
Thanks for sharing! This article is very useful!