Communication and connectivity are essential for any business, no matter the size. And in today’s rapidly changing digital landscape, companies must stay updated on the latest trends and tools to achieve business growth.
One such tool businesses utilize today is WhatsApp.
What Is WhatsApp?
Founded in 2009 by two former Yahoo employees, WhatsApp is a mobile messaging application acquired by Facebook in 2014 with over 2 billion active users. It’s one of the most popular messaging applications today. Aside from the usual messaging functions, it features voice and video calls, group chats, and end-to-end encryption for secure communication.
There are two versions of the application, one for personal and another for business use. It has become a valuable tool for many businesses to connect with customers, promote their brand and drive growth.
You can integrate WhatsApp marketing software with your application to help run and analyze promotions. This post will discuss this and other ways you can utilize WhatsApp for business growth, so read on.
1. Create A WhatsApp Business Account
As previously mentioned, there are two versions of the app—personal and business. Both are free to use. You can use it on both Android and IOS devices. After installing the app, you must verify your phone number and create your business profile.
You may retain your old personal WhatsApp application and merge it with your business one. However, you need to use a different phone number for it. To use it simultaneously without switching applications, you may use the web or desktop version.
Once you’ve set up your WhatsApp business application, you may use helpful features such as creating automated messages and quick replies.
2. Use The App For Customer Service
Customers appreciate a quick response to queries and complaints. Using WhatsApp can allow you to create automated messages to greet new customers and provide quick answers to customer queries.
With this feature, you don’t need to hire a customer assistant, which can save you personnel costs. At the same time, you’ll be able to address customer-related queries quickly. Automated messages can also give your customers helpful information such as business hours, location, and more.
You can create and save quick replies for common queries, so your customers don’t need to wait long to receive an answer. A quick response can drive sales as the customer may be waiting for an answer to check out an item on their cart. Common questions like ‘Do you offer shipping?’ ‘Are you closed on weekends?’ are valuable questions that need quick replies.
You can also use WhatsApp to provide customers with updates on their orders. Information regarding shipping, such as changes in the estimated delivery time and tracking numbers, can help provide a better customer experience. In time, this feature will not only elevate your customer experience but will also increase customer loyalty.
3. Create Broadcast Lists
A broadcast list is a feature on WhatsApp that allows you to send a message to multiple contacts simultaneously. It’s different from a group chat, as the message will look like a personalized message to the recipient. Therefore, only the sender of a message can see the replies they receive on WhatsApp.
Many businesses have seen how much a broadcast list has helped them grow quickly. A single broadcast list can send up to a maximum of 256 recipients.
Here are some ways businesses use the broadcast list:
- Send Offers And Promotions: Businesses use this to help them achieve their goal of driving traffic to their website or e-commerce store.
- Send Event Invitations: Businesses use this to increase the number of participants and create much–needed noise.
- Send Products Or Service Updates: This is used among food service businesses. They can utilize this to announce a change on a restaurant’s menu or adjustment in business hours. They can also use it to update subscribers about service interruptions or system updates to help customers easily adjust.
- Share News And Announcements: You may use this feature to let customers know of any critical information. Many financial institutions leverage this feature to warn their customers about new prevailing scams they must avoid.
The broadcast list is one of WhatsApp’s most utilized features businesses use to drive growth.
4. Use It To Launch Your Marketing Campaign
Using WhatsApp, you can build and segment a database of customer phone numbers, just like you would in email campaigns. You may categorize them by location, purchase history, or interests. You can create targeted campaigns for various segments.
With WhatsApp, you can send multimedia messages to make the campaign more interactive and engaging. You can send images, videos, and audio messages. Make sure you tailor your message to the segment and utilize your brand voice to deliver the campaign effectively.
5. Integrate The App With Your Website And Social Media Platforms
To improve customer engagement, increase sales, drive traffic, and amplify your online presence, you may integrate WhatsApp with your website, e-commerce store, and social media platforms. You can do this through the following:
- Add the WhatsApp button to your website
- Include WhatsApp link on your social media posts
- Embed the WhatsApp link on your email campaigns
- Use the application for customer support
- Offer WhatsApp exclusive deals
- Use WhatsApp for lead generation
Many businesses have used WhatsApp this way and have reaped its many benefits. It has enhanced their customer engagement and increased their profits.
6. Analyze Your Results
Using the built-in WhatsApp Business analytics tool, you can measure how your campaigns performed and if you need to adjust them. The analytics tool can include metrics like the number of messages sent, delivered, and read. And you may also have the number of chats initiated and closed.
In addition, using third-party analytics tools can give a much-detailed analysis, like engagement and conversion rates.
Conclusion
WhatsApp is a valuable tool many businesses use to enhance communication, promote marketing campaigns, and elevate the customer experience. The many ways your business can use it to drive growth that this post enumerated can help you quickly reach your business goals.
Whether it’s to drive traffic, increase brand recognition or enhance customer loyalty, you can be sure the application’s accessibility can deliver many possibilities for your organization. So, why not download the application today and get started?