WhatsApp Business: Everything You Need to Know - Chapter 1
WhatsApp Business is a free mobile application for Android and iPhone designed specifically for businesses, especially small and medium-sized companies. It allows businesses to connect with their customers instantly and easily. It's an extremely useful tool, particularly in times when remote communication and social distancing have become essential.
Have you heard of it? Are you already using it? Here's how to install it and an overview of its main features.
How to install it
- Before using WhatsApp Business, back up your existing WhatsApp chats unless you don't mind losing them.
- Download the application from Google Play (Android) or the App Store (iPhone). Be very careful to download only the official application, as unofficial versions may compromise your personal data.
- Once installed, you'll need to use a phone number dedicated exclusively to your business account, or choose to convert your existing personal WhatsApp account into a Business account.
- Open WhatsApp Business and request the verification code.
- Register your business name. Keep in mind that once it has been set, it cannot be changed.
- Once your Business account is active, your phone number will no longer function with the standard WhatsApp application.
Main features and benefits
- Create a complete business profile including your business hours, address, and key company information.
- Access messaging tools that help you respond quickly to customers and improve communication:
- Welcome Messages: Automatically greet customers the first time they contact you.
- Away Messages: Ideal for notifying customers when you're outside business hours or unavailable.
- Quick Replies: Create predefined responses for frequently asked questions, greetings, or closing messages.
- Access statistics showing how many messages have been sent, delivered, and read successfully.
- Product Catalog: Upload your products directly into WhatsApp, making it easier to showcase your offerings and send them to customers during conversations.
- Contact Labels: Organize your customers using labels such as "New Customer," making it easier to track your sales and customer management process.
- Direct WhatsApp Link: Generate a link that redirects customers directly to your WhatsApp conversation, making it easy to integrate with your other digital marketing strategies.
- Integration with Facebook Ads and your Facebook Business Page.
- All these features are also available through WhatsApp Web.
Using WhatsApp Business allows you to reach far more people than traditional email marketing.
After all, do you know anyone who doesn't check their WhatsApp messages?
Another major advantage is response time. While the average response time for an email is around 90 minutes, the average response time through WhatsApp is approximately 90 seconds, allowing you to provide information faster and close sales more efficiently.
Keep in mind that WhatsApp Business replaces the standard WhatsApp application for the phone number you register. This means you cannot use the same phone number simultaneously in both applications. However, you can use one personal WhatsApp number and one separate WhatsApp Business number on the same smartphone.
