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There is hardly anyone you would know who doesn’t use WhatsApp.

WhatsApp has two models, WhatsApp Messenger and WhatsApp Business.

And for businesses, the WhatsApp Business one becomes super important as it lets you present your business in a better manner, connect better with your customers, build a healthy relationship with them and serve them better leading to better profits. 

And in today's blog, we dive deep into the advantages of a WhatsApp Business Account

‍WhatsApp Business has posed a challenge for several other names in the D2C market. Here are a few important facts you should know: 

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• Around 220.5 million people downloaded WhatsApp Business worldwide in 2021. It had 25.3% more downloads compared to the prior year. 

• WhatsApp Business generated around 1.2 billion U.S. dollars in revenues worldwide.

• In India, WhatsApp Business is used by over 15 million users, making India one of the largest markets. 

But what does this mean?

This means it is the only marketing tool that solves a ton of real-world business problems. No more endless waiting on hold or dealing with those pesky service tickets that give you nothing but automated responses. With WhatsApp, you can actually get real-time help from a human being. It's like a breath of fresh air, knowing that someone will actually read and respond to your messages

Whether you are a business owner or a customer with problems like assistance with a purchase, have questions about a product, or simply want to get some support, advantages of a WhatsApp business account are close to infinite for your brand that we have described below.

15 Benefits of Using WhatsApp for Business

Today, in an age of digitalization, customers can be communicated with in a more effective manner than ever. Business houses require connecting and reaching customers through their regular practice usage, and for this very purpose, WhatsApp has emerged as an outstanding tool.

More than 15 million users engaged through WhatsApp Business in the emerging markets, mainly India. An opportunity to connect directly with customers, it exemplifies a unique blend of convenience with functionality.

If you haven't thought about bringing WhatsApp to your business plan, here are 15 reasons why you should.

1. Direct Communication with Customers

Using WhatsApp, you can directly communicate to the customers in real time. That is far faster and responsive than the traditional means of communication, which includes emails or making calls. This becomes very useful for customer support, order confirmations, and updates.

2. Global Reach

Over 2.2 billion active users globally are exposed to businesses through WhatsApp. This means that whether it's a local business or a global enterprise, you can easily reach different markets with a single platform of communication. Such opens up an enormous opportunity of reaching new customers all over the world.

3. Cost-Effective Solution

WhatsApp is less expensive than regular SMS or call services. WhatsApp is a messaging service, and it sends the messages via an internet connection instead of the current way that regular SMS or call services typically operate when texting or calling internationally, therefore saving businesses money on texting or international calling.

4. Supports Media-Rich Messages

This makes businesses easy to share multimedia content like images, videos, PDFs, and audio files on WhatsApp. You will, therefore, not have a problem sharing product catalogues, promotional videos, or even tutorials with your customers, and this will make your messages more interesting.

5. Secure Communication

In WhatsApp, end-to-end encryption is available for all the messages between businesses and customers, meaning that none of the messages sent between businesses and customers are interceptable. This will particularly prove helpful in cases where security is a sensitive issue, as in handling sensitive information about the customers, payment confirmations, among others.

6. Experience by Customised Customer

This way, businesses can provide a more personalised customer experience through WhatsApp. Messages can be tailored to individual customers based on their preferences, behaviours, and past interactions with them. Such personalization may make the customers feel valued and thus proves helpful in developing stronger relationships.

7. Automated Messages for Better Efficiency

WhatsApp Business will allow businesses to create automated welcome messages, out-of-office messages, and quick replies for frequent questions and answers. This means that customers always receive timely responses even when you are unavailable. This improves customer satisfaction and efficiency.

8. WhatsApp Business API

The WhatsApp Business API has many more advanced functionalities, including automation and integration with existing CRM systems. This will enable companies to further streamline their operations and send batched notifications while tracking interactions between customers and businesses.

9. Easy to Set Up and Use

WhatsApp Business is very easy to set up and use, even for people with minimal technical background. The interface is pretty similar to the regular WhatsApp Messenger, so both businesses and customers should make a smooth transition.

10. Establish Trust with a Business Profile

WhatsApp Business Profile is done, whereby business information about the name of the business, location, website, and opening hours will be reflected. This will hence help in showing trust and professionalism.

11. Customer Engagement Boost with Broadcast Messages

The broadcast feature allows the business to deliver messages to numerous recipients simultaneously without the need to start a group. It's great for sharing updates, promotions, or announcements that keep customers active without flooding their inbox.

12. Customer Retention: The directness and personal approach that WhatsApp offers businesses allows them to maintain stronger relationships with customers. With the aid of personally connected messages, businesses can enhance customer loyalty and retention.

13. Performance Analytics

WhatsApp Business offers rudimentary analytics such as open rates for messages and delivery status. This will thus enable businesses to measure how well their campaigns are performing and enhance the understanding of customer engagement, which could be very important in refining subsequent communication strategy.

14. Two-Way Communication

There is real-time interaction enabled by WhatsApp for two-way communication wherein customers can ask questions or give feedback/inquire as necessary. This is an area where the improvement of customer service is enhanced and faster problems resolution.

15. QR Codes in Seamless Customer Engagement

Through QR codes, companies are motivated to encourage customers to connect over WhatsApp. Quoted on-doshi, within a store, or on a website, or part of an advertisement campaign, QRs allow customers to scan quickly and start chatting. They help move leads through the firm's acquisition funnel for customer loyalty.

Top 10 Features of WhatsApp Business

WhatsApp Business offers various features that allow businesses to engage with their customers effectively and provide a seamless communication experience. Here are the top 10 features of WhatsApp Business:

1. Business Profile

You can create a dedicated business profile containing essential information such as the business name, address, website, contact information, and a short description of what your business does. This helps customers easily identify your business and build trust.

2. Quick Replies

This feature allows you to set predefined responses to common questions or queries. For example, you can create quick replies for frequently asked questions like delivery times, return policies, or pricing details, saving time and ensuring consistent communication.

3. Automated Messages

WhatsApp Business enables you to send automated greeting or away messages to customers. This ensures that customers are greeted when they initiate contact or are informed when your business is closed, improving customer service even during off-hours.

4. Labels

You can organise customer conversations with labels such as "new customer," "order completed," or "payment pending." This helps businesses categorise and track interactions, making customer management more efficient.

5. Broadcast Messages

The broadcast messaging feature allows businesses to send messages to multiple contacts at once, which is great for sharing announcements, promotions, or updates. Unlike groups, the recipients cannot see other people in the broadcast list, maintaining privacy.

6. Catalogues

Businesses can create catalogues to display their products or services directly within the app. This allows customers to browse items and see images, prices, and descriptions without leaving the WhatsApp platform, enhancing the shopping experience.

7. Interactive Buttons

WhatsApp Business supports interactive buttons that can be embedded in messages. These buttons allow customers to take actions like clicking to call, visiting a website, or making a purchase, simplifying the customer journey.

8. End-to-End Encryption

WhatsApp ensures that all messages sent through its platform are end-to-end encrypted, which means they are secure and cannot be intercepted by third parties. This feature is especially crucial for businesses dealing with sensitive customer information.

9. WhatsApp Status

Businesses can use WhatsApp Status to share promotions, product launches, or updates with their audience. Similar to Instagram or Facebook Stories, statuses disappear after 24 hours, making it an engaging, time-sensitive way to connect with customers.

10. Analytics

WhatsApp Business provides businesses with basic analytics, including metrics such as message open rates and delivery status. This helps businesses track the effectiveness of their communication and identify areas for improvement.

How to get started with the WhatsApp Business API?

‍WhatsApp Business is a free app that helps small and medium-sized businesses to connect with their customers. It has features like creating a business profile, setting up automated messages, and sending broadcast messages to multiple customers at once. 

It is easy to use as most people are already familiar with using WhatsApp Messenger for personal communication. Both WhatsApp and WhatsApp Business have the same user interface and ease of use. 

The advantages of a WhatsApp business account also include allowing business owners to create and send broadcast messages to multiple customers at once.

WhatsAppBusiness has been successful in enabling businesses to establish a direct and convenient channel of communication with their customers. 

‍‍WhatsApp Business offers several key features and tools that empower businesses to engage with their customers in a more effective and personalised manner. Here are some of the notable features:

Business Profile: Businesses can create a dedicated profile that includes important information such as their address, contact details, website, and a brief description. This allows customers to easily identify and learn more about the business.

Quick Replies: Businesses can create predefined responses to frequently asked questions or common queries, enabling them to provide prompt and consistent customer support, leveraging the Benefits of WhatsApp Chatbots for enhanced efficiency.

Labels and Categories: WhatsApp Business allows businesses to organise their conversations using labels and categories. This feature helps in managing and prioritising customer inquiries and requests more efficiently.

Catalogue Integration: Businesses can create and showcase their product catalogue directly within the app. This enables customers to browse through products and services, enhancing the overall shopping experience.

Automated Messages: WhatsApp Business allows businesses to set up automated messages to greet customers, provide order confirmations, share important updates, and more. This automation helps save time and ensures timely communication.

WhatsApp Business API: For larger businesses and enterprises, WhatsApp provides a Business API that offers more advanced features and customization options. It allows businesses to integrate WhatsApp into their existing systems, enabling automated notifications, transactional messages, and more.

How to Get Started with WhatsApp API

WhatsApp Business API is designed for medium and large businesses that need advanced automation and communication capabilities. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to get started with the WhatsApp API:

Step 1: Choose a WhatsApp Business Solution Provider (BSP)

The WhatsApp API is not directly available via the app but through WhatsApp's Business Solution Providers (BSPs). Research and select a BSP that aligns with your business needs and budget.

Step 2: Verify Your Business

To use the API, your business must be verified by WhatsApp. The BSP will guide you through the verification process, which includes providing your business’s legal name, business address, and phone number.

Step 3: Set Up the WhatsApp API

Once verified, the BSP will help you set up the WhatsApp API for your business. This involves configuring the API to integrate with your existing CRM, customer support tools, or other systems you use to manage customer interactions.

Step 4: Customise Templates

The WhatsApp API allows businesses to send template messages such as order confirmations, appointment reminders, and shipping updates. These templates must be pre-approved by WhatsApp, so ensure that your messages comply with WhatsApp’s policies.

Step 5: Start Messaging

Once set up, you can start using the WhatsApp API to engage customers on a large scale. Automate customer support, run marketing campaigns, and send transactional messages to improve customer experience and increase efficiency.

Step 6: Track Performance

The WhatsApp API offers advanced tracking and analytics tools, allowing you to monitor metrics such as message delivery rates, customer engagement, and response times. Use these insights to optimise your messaging strategy.

6 reasons why you should get a professional WhatsApp Business account!

The benefits of WhatsApp business account when included with its features cover a variety of industries that it can help.

These include automated messages, broadcast messages, etc where businesses can streamline their communications and improve customer satisfaction, WhatsApp is on top of its competition.

Here are the advantages of a business account in WhatsApp, and how it can benefit businesses of all sizes:

1. Improves Customer Experience and Engagement: 

One of the primary advantages of WhatsApp Business Accounts is the ability to enhance customer engagement. With its massive user base, businesses can tap into a vast audience and establish direct communication channels with their customers. 

Two-way communication and personalised interactions allow businesses to engage with customers in real time, addressing their queries, providing product information, and offering personalised recommendations. 

The quick response times enabled by WhatsApp Business Accounts contribute to improved customer satisfaction, fostering long-term relationships and loyalty. Additionally, businesses can leverage automation features to streamline customer support, ensuring timely responses even during peak periods.

2. Integration with Third-Party Tools and CRM Systems:

WhatsApp Business Accounts can be seamlessly integrated with third-party tools and CRM systems, further enhancing business operations. Integration with CRM platforms enables businesses to centralise customer data, streamline data management, and provide a holistic view of customer interactions. 

Automating workflows through integration increases efficiency, reduces manual effort, and ensures smooth operations across different systems. Moreover, businesses can explore additional integrations such as chatbot platforms, customer support software, and e-commerce platforms to further enhance their WhatsApp Business Account functionalities.

3. Lets you scale your multichannel strategy:

WhatsApp provides a seamless solution for enhancing your multichannel approach and boosting customer engagement in untapped markets. By utilizing WhatsApp, you can effectively combine customer support and marketing efforts. This versatile platform enables you to handle inquiries, process orders, resolve concerns, and deliver updates, all while executing targeted marketing campaigns through direct messages.

With WhatsApp Business, you can operate multiple phone numbers (including virtual ones), users, and devices using a single business account. This feature empowers you to scale your customer support and marketing teams according to your specific requirements. This stands as a distinct advantage over live chat platforms, where typically you are charged per team member utilizing the tool.

4. Building Customer Trust and Brand Loyalty:

WhatsApp Business Accounts provide tools that enable businesses to build customer trust and brand loyalty. Establishing a professional and branded business profile enhances the business's credibility and helps distinguish it from personal accounts. Verifying business accounts adds an extra layer of authenticity, giving customers confidence in engaging with the business. 

WhatsApp's end-to-end encryption ensures secure communication, protecting customer data and fostering trust. Businesses can also leverage customer feedback and reviews on WhatsApp to improve their products and services, ultimately building a strong reputation and loyal customer base.

5. Collect subscribers using QR codes:

QR codes became increasingly popular during the pandemic, leading to a wider familiarity with their usage among people. They provide a convenient method of seamlessly transitioning potential customers from offline environments to your digital assets.

Consider a scenario at a trade show where you display a poster containing a QR code. By encouraging attendees to scan the code, they can easily sign up for your WhatsApp messages, enabling you to maintain communication with them. This approach ensures compliance with GDPR regulations while effectively building a valuable list of contacts.

Similarly, incorporating QR codes on shipping boxes offers customers the opportunity to initiate a direct chat with you and helps you build a community. This feature proves invaluable in cases where they require assistance after receiving their orders, providing a seamless channel for addressing their needs.

6. Advanced Marketing and Promotional Opportunities:

WhatsApp Business Accounts offer a range of advanced marketing and promotional opportunities for businesses. The multimedia features of WhatsApp enable businesses to create compelling content by sharing images, videos, and audio messages. These engaging formats can be utilised to showcase products, offer tutorials, or share promotional offers, effectively supporting Lead Generation via WhatsApp Business and driving higher engagement rates. 

With the WhatsApp Business, businesses can run targeted marketing campaigns, delivering personalised messages to specific customer segments. Furthermore, WhatsApp Status provides a platform for businesses to showcase products, promotions, and events, effectively reaching a wider audience.

Disadvantages of WhatsApp Business Account

While WhatsApp Business offers numerous benefits, there are a few limitations to be aware of:

1. Limited Reach Without API

Small businesses using the free WhatsApp Business app have limited scalability, as they can only handle one user per account. For larger teams and more advanced needs, businesses must invest in the WhatsApp API, which requires third-party integration through a BSP, adding extra costs and complexity.

2. No Payment Integration in All Regions

Although WhatsApp has integrated payment features in certain regions, this feature is not universally available, particularly in India. Businesses may have to rely on external payment links or systems, which can disrupt the customer journey and lead to potential drop-offs.

3. Strict Messaging Policies

WhatsApp enforces strict policies on what types of messages businesses can send. For instance, unsolicited promotional messages are discouraged, and businesses must stick to approved message templates. Violating these guidelines can result in account suspension, limiting your ability to engage customers freely.

4. Limited Analytics for Free Version

The free version of WhatsApp Business offers basic analytics, such as message read receipts and delivery status, but lacks more detailed data like engagement metrics and customer segmentation. Businesses seeking deeper insights will need to upgrade to the API version for advanced analytics.

5. Account Bans for Violations

Businesses that misuse WhatsApp or violate its policies risk having their account banned. This can be detrimental, especially for small businesses relying heavily on WhatsApp for customer communication. It's crucial to comply with WhatsApp’s policies to avoid this risk.

How to Set up a WhatsApp Business Account? A step-by-step Guide. 

WhatsApp Business App is available for free on Android and iOS devices. Here is a  step-by-step guide to setting up a WhatsApp Business account: 

Step 1: Install the WhatsApp Business application from Google Play Store or App Store. 

Step 2: Enter and Verify your Business Contact Number.

Note:  Note: If you have an existing WhatsApp Messenger account, you can easily migrate your account, including chat history and media, to a new WhatsApp Business account. 

Step 3: Fill in the necessary details about your business, such as the business name, address, description, and contact information by clicking on 'Show more options' to Optimise WhatsApp Business Profile effectively. 

Step 4: Customise your business profile by adding your logo, description, profile picture, and more, or go to Setting to fill in later. 

Once you click on the edit icon, you can add or edit the following details of your business:

• Profile image
• WhatsApp business phone number
• Your business’s description and location
• Business Category
• Working days and hours
• Email and website address
• Your business’s status

Conclusion

Online consumers tend to gravitate towards a unified platform that enables them to efficiently manage various tasks. With WhatsApp, online shoppers can seamlessly perform multiple activities, including browsing, placing orders, making payments, and tracking their purchases, all within a single platform.

Scaling your business through tools like WhatsApp Business is the way to do business now. WhatsApp Business has made Conversational Marketing as the new way to market and sell. Irrespective of the size of the business, you can now reach out to people at scale. 

WhatsApp commerce has benefited small and medium-sized businesses as well because it has grown into a stand-alone sales channel. Advantages of WhatsApp Business like enhanced customer experience, marketing and promotional opportunities, regulatory compliance, database management, branding, gaining customer trust give us a glimpse of the advanced future of e-commerce shaped by WhatsApp Business. 

In this fast-paced digital era, understanding the WhatsApp business account benefits is no longer a luxury but a necessity. If you’re looking for even more opportunities to use social messaging to build stronger customer relationships, Pragma’s WhatsApp Business Suite is the one to choose from.