WhatsApp Business

WhatsApp Business is a free-to-download app designed specifically for small business owners. While it looks and feels like the standard WhatsApp you use to talk to friends, it includes a suite of professional tools to help you manage customer interactions, showcase products, and automate replies.

🛠 Key Features You Won’t Find on Standard WhatsApp
Business Profile: Create a professional “storefront” with your address, business description, email, and website link.

Product Catalog: A digital mobile shop where customers can browse your products or services without leaving the app.

Automated Messaging:

Greeting Message: Sends an automatic “Hello!” to new customers.

Away Message: Tells customers you’re currently closed or busy.

Quick Replies: Create “keyboard shortcuts” for common questions (e.g., typing /hours instantly sends your opening times).

Labels: Color-code your chats (e.g., “New Customer,” “Pending Payment,” or “Order Complete”) so you never lose track of an order.

Short Links & QR Codes: Give customers a link they can click to start a chat with you instantly, without them having to save your phone number first.

🚀 How to Get Started (Step-by-Step)
1. Download and Verify

Important: You cannot use the same phone number for both the personal and business apps at the same time. If you use your personal number, your chat history will move to the Business app. Ideally, use a dedicated business phone number.

2. Set Up Your Profile
Go to Settings > Business Tools > Business Profile.

Upload a professional logo or a photo of your shop.

Enter your business name, category, and a brief description of what you do.

Add your location, opening hours, and website.

3. Build Your Catalog
Go to Business Tools > Catalog.

Click Add new item to upload photos of your products.

Add names, prices, and descriptions. This makes it easy for you to “share” a specific product directly into a chat when a customer asks.

4. Enable Automation
Go to Business Tools > Messaging.

Set up an Away Message for when you’re closed and a Greeting Message for first-time callers.

Create Quick Replies for the questions you get asked most often (like “Do you deliver?” or “What are your payment options?”).

💡 Quick Tips for Success

Get Consent: Only message customers who have given you their number for business purposes.

Be Responsive: WhatsApp is built for speed. Use the “Quick Replies” to ensure customers aren’t waiting hours for a simple answer.

Use Status Updates: Just like “Stories” on Instagram, use WhatsApp Status to show behind-the-scenes content or daily specials to your saved contacts.