How to use WhatsApp for marketing and sales

The short answer

In our region, WhatsApp is often where an enquiry turns into a sale. Use the WhatsApp Business app: a clear business profile, a catalog, greeting and quick replies, and chat labels. Most important is replying quickly and well, and never messaging people who didn't ask.

Set up the basics

  • A business profile with name, hours, location, and website link.
  • A catalog of products or services, with prices where possible.
  • A greeting message and an away message.
  • Quick replies for frequent questions.

Organize conversations

Use labels: new customer, waiting for price, ordered, needs follow-up. This stops customers getting lost in a crowded inbox.

Connect it to ads and measurement

Click-to-message ads bring lots of conversations, but not every conversation is an order. Record how many chats became real orders to know your true cost per order.

What to avoid

  • Bulk messages to numbers that didn’t request contact; it can get your number banned.
  • Long automated replies that don’t answer the question.
  • Leaving customers unanswered for hours during business hours.

Frequently asked questions

Regular WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business?

WhatsApp Business is free and adds the catalog, quick replies, and labels. For large volumes there's the WhatsApp Business Platform (API) through providers.

Should I add a WhatsApp button to my site?

Yes, but it complements your form rather than replacing it; some customers prefer writing a detailed request.

Related service: Social Media Management

Want to apply this to your business?

Tell me what you're working on, and I'll point out where to start.