How to sell on WhatsApp: Guide for small businesses

Today online shopping is going through a new stage of transformation. If you want to sell online, launching your own website or joining a marketplace are not the only possible options. You can also start selling on WhatsApp. Today this instant messaging app opens great marketing opportunities for businesses. And you shouldn’t miss your chance to diversify the range of your sales channels.

Top 5 benefits of selling on WhatsApp

Before finding out how to sell products on WhatsApp, it will be reasonable to understand whether it is really worth it.

1. Great audience coverage. Today the number of active monthly WhatsApp users is over 3 billion. It’s highly likely that your potential buyers are also among them.

2. Personalization. WhatsApp is a cool channel for building direct relationships with customers.

3. Mobility and convenience. By introducing the possibility of making purchases via the app, you will provide customers with new seamless shopping processes.

4. Better communication. Thanks to using this instant messaging app, you can ensure real-time interaction with buyers.

5. Cost-effectiveness. For small businesses, it’s important to allocate their budgets smartly. And the use of WhatsApp doesn’t require serious investments, maintenance, or setup.

How to sell on WhatsApp: basic steps

The instructions on how to sell in WhatsApp won't be long as the process itself is rather straightforward.

1. Download the WhatsApp Business app

You can find it on Google Play or App Store. The app is available for free. And its functionality, as well as the user interface, is very similar to what the traditional application version can offer. However, this business app will allow you to create an account for your company. There is also a desktop version of the app, WhatsApp Web.

2. Create a business profile

When your app is installed, you will have to verify your phone number. It is important to use a dedicated number for this account. You can’t use the same one that is already linked to your private profile. You also need to add to your WhatsApp business account all the required data like description, address, contact information, etc.

3. Set business hours and write a welcome message

The welcome message will be automatically sent to each customer who contacted you. That’s why you should carefully think about the info on your products or special offers that you will provide in this text. Moreover, you can schedule automated messages that will be sent to those who will try to reach your outside opening hours.

4. Promote your business

To sell on WhatsApp and enjoy your increasing income, you need to let clients learn about you. That is why you need to elaborate a good strategy that will help you advertise your business. What could it be? You can apply any traditional and digital marketing tools that seem to be relevant. Do not forget about the power that social media platforms have today!

5. Manage incoming chats and develop your business

Once your company’s account is set, and you have a general understanding of how to sell on WhatsApp Business app, you can start acting. Wait for incoming messages and make sure that you manage them efficiently.

Now that your business is running on WhatsApp, it's important to be available for communication 24/7 to avoid missing any sales opportunities. You can process all incoming inquiries manually spending all your time on customer communication, or you can…

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Claim your free 7-day trial to discover how Chatfuel can help you sell on WhatsApp.

How to boost your business on WhatsApp

If you have decided to sell on WhatsApp, you need to be aware of some tricks that can help you reach better results.

Create your customers’ phone contacts base

It’s impossible to reach people on WhatsApp without having their phone numbers. That’s why you can use the available integrated channels to get the required data. For example, many companies ask their website visitors to fill in forms and indicate their contact details if they are interested in the offered products or services. It is also important to ask potential customers for permission to add them to your contact list.

Use WhatsApp broadcasts to reach more people

Once you’ve collected customers’ contacts, you can group them based on specific criteria. For example, it can be the stage of their buying journey: “newbie”, “thinking it over”, or “repeat customer”. Now, you can send tailored messages to each group. It’s an easy and effective method of

Craft engaging content

Your messages on WhatsApp should be clear and interesting. They shouldn’t be too long but at the same time, they should be informative. Moreover, you can attach photos and videos that will make your offers better illustrated. You can use WhatsApp messages to inform your customers about discounts and special deals. These efforts will help you greatly drive your sales.

Automate customer service

WhatsApp can be a great tool for delivering exceptional customer service. However, slow responses can be a significant issue. Small businesses often lack the resources to maintain a large customer support team that can respond to inquiries 24/7 within seconds. This is where AI automation comes into play. With AI-powered conversational commerce tools like Chatfuel, you can provide instant answers to customer questions whenever they’re in the mood to chat without hiring extra staff.