It is a fact that marketing is pivotal to any business's success. Marketing has several strategies to generate more quality leads. One of the strategies is social media marketing. Upon the term "social media marketing," many platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pop up. But there is another platform that has gained popularity in this field, and that is WhatsApp. That's on point! WhatsApp isn't just limited to texting and sharing media anymore. It has evolved to be used in marketing strategies and gaining loyal customers. And such marketing is called WhatsApp marketing. WhatsApp has created a separate application to use WhatsApp for marketing, known as WhatsApp Business. It assists in connecting with customers and supports them with personalized, instant customer service.
Every marketer considers adding WhatsApp for marketing as their brand's social strategy. However, it can get a little tricky if you don't do it in the right way. But not to worry! Continue reading this blog until the end to get a complete guide for marketers on how to use WhatsApp for business.
What is WhatsApp?
WhatsApp is a messaging program for communicating with one person or several persons at once. You may interact with other WhatsApp users via the mobile app, which leverages the phone's Internet connection, giving it a more economical option than international calling or texting.
For either personal or professional purposes, people utilize WhatsApp because it is broadly accessible. There are 180 nations with active WhatsApp users. It is unpaid as the only fees you could incur are for data roaming.
What is Whatsapp Marketing?
WhatsApp marketing is communicating with your audience and advertising your goods through WhatsApp. Whatsapp is a popular platform that many people use to interact with their friends and family regularly. As a result, it becomes the most customized way to communicate with customers and to shop when you utilize this app to market/promote your items and respond to their questions.
Why Should You Use WhatsApp For Marketing?
The most used messaging app worldwide is WhatsApp. The number of monthly active users has increased to 2 billion by 2020. Businesses wishing to reach customers in emerging markets must access this marketing channel.
More than half of WhatsApp users check the app daily, allowing you to keep in touch with your consumers using WhatsApp marketing. Furthermore, since texts have a 98 percent open rate, you may be confident that they will accept your offers.
The last thing to mention is how much your consumers adore this contact. They have higher faith in brands that provide chat applications; 53% of consumers believe they would do business with chat-enabled brands.
6 Benefits of Using WhatsApp for Marketing
1. Create a thorough business profile.
Additional useful features of the business app let you set up a profile for your company with details like name, profile image, business address (with map), business category, business description, business hours, email address, and up to two connections to other websites.
Such details are helpful for both existing and future clients who want to assess a buyer's trustworthiness and be able to get in touch with you when necessary. The contacts' affiliation with a business account will also be visible to anybody you message through the business app.
2. Elevate your customer service
More than 55% of consumers feel more bonded to a brand when using messaging applications. As a result, WhatsApp marketing is now an impenetrable method for creating lasting, meaningful connections with clients. In turn, maintaining such a relationship aids companies in reducing costs as client retention is 5 to 25 times less expensive than acquisition. Over 70% of consumers claim that they only interact with brands through individualized marketing communications. Therefore this strategy keeps customers more invested in a company.
3. Showcase your products in a catalog
The catalog feature of WhatsApp Business is compared to a mobile storefront. Without leaving the app, it enables clients to peruse your items. This feature draws attention to new items, seasonal collections, or bestsellers.
4. Can set Auto-Reply Option
Does it imply you must stop your business while sleeping away or on vacation? Actually, no. With the auto-reply option, your users will receive pre-defined responses based on their inputs.
5. Engage in conversation with coworkers or staff.
WhatsApp Business may be used for more than simply consumer communications. It's a good technique to communicate with staff members as well. Up to 256 individuals can simultaneously share with the group chat function. You may use WhatsApp Business to transfer PDFs and other types of documents. The maximum file size is 100MB.
6. Hassle-Free Payments
Payments may be sent and received over WhatsApp! What a fantastic thing! You can create leads, turn them into customers, and collect payments through your WhatsApp Business app. Since it has been proven to be a secure payment option, even customers won't be hesitant.
How to create a WhatsApp Business account For Marketing
Step 1: Install the WhatsApp Business app
Download the app from WhatsApp's website, the App Store, or Google Play.
Step 2: Accept the conditions as written.
There will be several conditions that are asked to operate smoothly. Permit all the questions asked.
Step 3: Type the phone number of your company.
You need a different cell number than the one you use for your personal WhatsApp to sign up for the service. Purchase a different SIM card and use it if your phone has two SIM slots. If not, you might need to purchase a new phone and register with a new SIM card.
Step 4: Enter your information
You will be sent to this page immediately after entering your phone number. Include the necessary information, such as your company name, profile image, and the category that best fits your operation.
Step 5: Gain knowledge of WhatsApp's commercial features.
Be sure to provide more details about your company before utilizing sophisticated services like automatic messaging. You may adjust addresses, times, and websites in the options menu under the Business Profile category.
Step 6: Configure the WhatsApp Pay feature.
Go to the "Payments" option by clicking the three dots or the settings menu. To add a payment method, choose it. You'll be prompted to consent to WhatsApp's payment terms. Accept it and keep on. Choose your bank, enter your information, and provide the registered account number. You will receive an OTP. Once you enter it, it will confirm your account. Just create a UPI pin now for upcoming transactions.
Even if they don't have a WhatsApp Pay account, anyone may send you money using your WhatsApp UPI ID.
Step 7: Inform all of your current business connections.
Sending a message to your current business contacts to let them know about your new number is a brilliant idea right away. Ask them to only WhatsApp you from this number moving forward.
Step 8: Start communicating with your clients now.
You may start utilizing the messaging app to connect with consumers now that you know how to set up a WhatsApp account for your company.
How To Use WhatsApp For Marketing - Strategies and Tips
1. Lessen the response time
Utilizing WhatsApp Business, you may communicate with clients directly. Using a chatbot, you may also automate messages, giving your audiences instant answers to their inquiries. Take note of the fast responses you can store for your clients. There will no doubt be less typing or copy-and-pasting of replies thanks to this interactive "FAQ."
2. Create a proper business profile
It's crucial to fill out your profile with all the necessary business details to make the most of WhatsApp Business. The one that matters the most is your profile image.
Then, you may include your company's opening and closing times, website, email address, and location (if necessary). Finally, you may add your business description and category. These actions are crucial to establishing the legitimacy of your company and demonstrating your commitment to it.
3. Set your objectives and KPIs
Establish your marketing objectives to launch your WhatsApp marketing campaign. This stage will enable you to set boundaries for unnecessary items and direct your attention toward worthwhile pursuits.
Start by reviewing and identifying weak points in your marketing funnel. Consider what commercial objectives your WhatsApp marketing plan may help you achieve. Determine the KPIs that will enable you to determine if you have achieved these objectives.
4. Utilize messaging apps
When it comes to securing and upholding your client connections, messaging features like "Away Message," "Greeting Message," and "Quick Replies" are fantastic.
A greeting message will automatically be sent out when someone messages you for the first time or after 14 days of inactivity. You may schedule away messages for various periods at your convenience.
5. Make a list of contacts.
You require a contact list if you plan to utilize WhatsApp for purposes other than customer service. Utilizing subscription forms is the most effective technique to get one and acquire new connections.
Choose multichannel forms if you want to provide subscribers the option of receiving updates by email, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and other channels. This action enables you to interact with consumers in the methods they prefer. In turn, this strategy fosters greater engagement and increases conversions.
6. Post stories to promote your company
Use tales to let customers know about new items, popular items that have returned to stock, what happens behind the scenes, accolades and honors you have gotten, etc.
7. Personalize your communication
Determine your primary points and the ideas you wish to convey first. Try not to restrict yourself to only marketing messaging; keep in mind to inform and amuse your audience.
Multimedia materials, such as animations, photographs, or videos, can help you emphasize your points. Emojis are suitable for WhatsApp marketing as well. Choose smiling faces or people instead of items with a corporate theme if you want to get away with it.
8. Create various marketing groups
To reward high-value clients for their loyalty with exclusive discounts on current product pricing, you may create several groups based on their preferences. Additionally, you may provide them with samples of your newest products, solicit their opinions, and request their input.
9. Send out greetings and critical information
You may broadcast wishes to your clients and suppliers on significant events like Diwali, Christmas, New Year's, etc., to let them know you are thinking of them. Additionally, this will improve brand recognition.
Conclusion
WhatsApp for marketing is an all-in-one platform marketing strategy for any brand's success. It gives an excellent option for improving customer service and marketing. With its features like templates, instant messaging, and automation, a business can provide a great customer experience to its customers. WhatsApp helps you monetize the platform and incorporate the features to run smoothly. WhatsApp for marketing is easy to use marketing strategy compared to others. As billions of people are already present on WhatsApp, targeting leads can be very easy for businesses. With the right WhatsApp marketing strategy, you can have successful marketing result from this platform.
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