WhatsApp Business App: Introduction
Easily interact with customers using free tools to automate, sort and quickly respond to messages.
What is the WhatsApp Business app?
The WhatsApp Business app is free to download and was built with the small business owner in mind. Use the app to communicate with your customers throughout their purchase process and build trust with new customers so they can shop with confidence.
Why use the WhatsApp Business app?
WhatsApp is used by more than 2 billion people around the world, and people want to communicate with businesses through messaging. Digital connection is more important than ever:
- COVID-19 has accelerated digital innovation; total messaging has increased more than 50% since the pandemic began.
- Three quarters of small and midsize businesses planning to reopen after lockdown are adopting new, digital-first business models.
Consider what your customers need and how to pivot your business to align with the changing market.
The WhatsApp Business app is free, easy-to-use and can help you:
Build strong customer relationships
Respond instantly to messages, assist sales, and establish business credibility with a virtual storefront.
Showcase your products and services
Use special tools like the catalog and cart to make transactions easier. Add products, set prices, and share items with customers.
Save time and energy
Greet new customers with automated welcome messages, use quick replies for common questions, and keep business and personal conversations separate.
Get Started
Follow these steps to begin using the WhatsApp Business app:
- Download the WhatsApp Business app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
- Register your business phone number by opening the app and following the prompts. You can migrate chats from an existing WhatsApp account.
- Create an account: Fill in your business name, select a category, and choose a profile picture (e.g., your store, products, or logo).
- Complete your business profile: From the chats screen, tap "More Options" (⋮) on Android or "Settings" (⚙) on iPhone, then "Business tools" and "Business Profile." Add your business description, hours, and more. A complete profile builds trust and credibility.
Explore Your Business Tools
Foundational Tools
Business Profile
Create a great first impression with your logo, location, business description, email address, and link to your Facebook page. [Learn more]
QR Codes & Short Links
Make it easy for customers to connect without saving your number. Share your unique WhatsApp Business QR code or short link across platforms to enable instant conversations. [Learn more]
Messaging Tools
Greeting Message
Send a custom welcome message to new customers when they start a conversation. [Learn more]
[Image Description: Screenshot of the Greeting Message setup screen, showing options to send a custom welcome message to customers.]Away Message
Respond automatically to messages received outside your business hours, informing customers when you'll be back. [Learn more]
Quick Replies
Answer frequently-asked questions in just a few taps (up to 50). [Learn more]
[Image Description: Screenshot of Quick Replies setup, showing examples of predefined responses like '/welcome', '/menu', and '/hours'.]Labels
Create custom labels to track payment statuses or mark conversations by importance, helping to organize chats and orders. [Learn more]
[Image Description: Screenshot of a business using Quick Replies in a chat conversation.]Shopping Tools
Catalog
Showcase your products and services with links to specific items on WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram. Customers can view your catalog from a chat by tapping the shopping button (🛒) next to your business name. [Learn more]
[Image Description: Screenshot of the WhatsApp Business Catalog feature on iOS, displaying a list of cakes with images and prices.]Cart
Simplify order management and streamline the shopping experience. Customers can easily choose items from your catalog to send as a single message. [Learn more]
[Image Description: Screenshots illustrating the customer journey: viewing a catalog, adding items to a cart, and sending the cart as a message. Includes a screenshot of a customer's cart in WhatsApp showing selected items and a total estimated price.]More than 40 million people around the world view a business catalog on WhatsApp each month.
[Image Description: Screenshots showing the customer journey: viewing a catalog, adding items to a cart, and sending the cart as a message.]
Data For Good Home
