Each day, more than 175 million consumers message businesses via WhatsApp. Customer experience has altered since 90% of customers worldwide are willing to pay more if companies offer tailored services. WhatsApp Business was set up in 2016, transforming the image of how businesses would contact customers.

Then the story takes over: 97% of WhatsApp messages are opened, and according to Benefit Cosmetics, it has used the platform to double its sales year on year. Gartner predicts that by 2025, customer service conducted on platforms like WhatsApp will be generating profit and not just incurring expenditure in 40% of the cases.

Care to know all the incredible possibilities this app can offer? We are going to take you through setting up and optimizing your WhatsApp Business from A to Z!

What is WhatsApp Business and Why Use It?

WhatsApp Business is a tool that helps businesses talk to their customers on WhatsApp, the most popular messaging app in the world. It has special features that make business communication faster and more professional.

The platform comes in two forms. Small businesses can use a free app, while larger enterprises benefit from an advanced API solution. Small business owners can use the simple app to build branded profiles, show products, and handle customer conversations like professionals.

Businesses can construct elaborate business profiles or whatsapp marketing, which provide links to their websites, descriptions of the business, working hours, or product catalogs. End-to-end encryption between businesses and customers is guaranteed through the Signal protocol, which protects sensitive information.

WhatsApp Business stands out because of its built-in automation features:

• Automated greeting messages for new customers
• Away messages for after-hours
• Quick replies to frequently asked questions
• Automated business messaging at scale

Businesses can also create digital storefronts through catalogs, so customers can browse products without leaving the app. They can send images, videos, and quick-reply buttons to create an engaging customer experience.

How to setup your WhatsApp Business account?

Your first step in creating a WhatsApp Business account is need to download the app. The app is free on both Android and iOS platforms.

Launch the app and review the Terms of Service. The app will send a 6-digit verification code through SMS or call once you enter your country code and phone number in international format.

You have two options for your phone number:

1. Use your existing WhatsApp number
2. Register with a new dedicated business number

Note that one phone number cannot link to both WhatsApp Business and regular WhatsApp at the same time.

The app needs permissions to access your contacts and media for smooth operation. Your business profile requires these key details:

• Business name and profile picture
• Category (select up to three relevant options)
• Business description (limited to 256 characters)
• Operating hours
• Business address
• Website and email information

The app provides uninterrupted transfer of your chat history if you’re switching from a personal WhatsApp account. This includes messages, images, and videos. You’ll need your two-factor authentication code if you’ve enabled it.

The app offers several business tools to explore. You can set up automated responses, create product catalogs, and configure messaging tools to better connect with customers.

WhatsApp Business account vs. WhatsApp Business API

Differentiating between the WhatsApp Business app and WhatsApp Business API gives you solutions to your business problems. By itself, any small business can download the WhatsApp Business app for free. It goes beyond simple messaging; it allows business owners to showcase their products and professionally manage customer inquiries.

The WhatsApp Business API is a sophisticated solution that medium to large enterprises prefer. This platform handles high-volume customer interactions and smoothly integrates with existing business systems.

These platforms differ in several ways:

Feature	WhatsApp Business App	WhatsApp Business API
User Limit	Up to 5 devices (1 mobile + 4 PCs)	Unlimited devices
Message Broadcasting	Limited to 256 people	Unlimited recipients
Automation	Basic auto-replies	Advanced chatbot integration
Integration	Standalone application	Connects with CRM systems
Verification	Standard business profile	Green checkmark verification

The WhatsApp Business API requires pre-approved message templates for outbound communications. This requirement will give a spam-free environment and makes it perfect for delivering relevant, up-to-the-minute communications.

Businesses can track message performance, agent productivity, and customer engagement metrics through the API version’s detailed analytics and reporting features. The platform makes shared account access possible for multiple team members, which improves customer service operations.

The Business app costs nothing to use, while the API version uses a conversation-based pricing model. Businesses get their first 1,000 service-related conversations free each month. Additional charges apply based on conversation types and volumes after this limit.

The benefits of using WhatsApp for business

Businesses that use WhatsApp to communicate with customers see remarkable results. Studies show that 80% of WhatsApp messages are read within five minutes. This rate substantially outperforms traditional channels like email with its 22% click-through rate.

WhatsApp’s success comes from its ability to provide individual-specific experiences. A Meta-commissioned study showed that 50% of marketers believe WhatsApp helps customers in the pre-purchase phase. The platform lets businesses send tailored product recommendations, special offers, and personalized messages based on customer’s priorities and purchase history.

Everything in multimedia support boosts customer interactions. Businesses share videos, images, documents, and interactive elements like quick-reply buttons. These rich media messages show a 46% higher purchase rate compared to text-only communications.

WhatsApp’s security measures create customer trust through end-to-end encryption. This protection makes it ideal for handling sensitive information, including password resets and account credentials.

WhatsApp disrupts more than just communication. 4 out of 5 marketers who use the platform expect positive returns on their investment. It excels at recovering abandoned carts, with optimized reminder messages achieving up to a 58% recovery rate.

These engagement metrics are impressive:

• Messages achieve a 98% open rate
• Click-through rates reach 45-60%
• 85% of consumers prefer messaging brands directly

WhatsApp reshapes the scene of customer service into a revenue driver. Through automated responses and chatbots, businesses handle up to 80% of customer queries automatically. This frees the core team to focus on complex issues while maintaining 24/7 availability.

Related Article: How To Do a WhatsApp Blast? Send Bulk SMS Without Getting Blocked

Limitations of the WhatsApp Business App

WhatsApp Business offers many advantages, but you should know what it all means before setting your expectations. The platform lets you send only 5,000 messages per month. This limit can be challenging for larger businesses.

Device accessibility creates another hurdle. Users can only run the app on two devices at once – a smartphone and a computer. Teams find it hard to work together when several agents need to handle customer messages.

The app’s automation features are more simple compared to the API version. You get automated messages and quick responses, but these tools aren’t sophisticated enough for complex customer interactions. The catalog feature also sets limits on how many products you can display.

WhatsApp Business creates some data management challenges. You won’t find built-in tools to store or archive messages. Businesses that need communication records might struggle with this limitation. The 100MB file size limit restricts sharing bigger documents or media files.

End-to-end encryption makes the platform reliable but creates monitoring issues. Only senders and recipients can see message content. This security feature could cause problems in regulated industries.

Here are more operational limits:

• No VoIP numbers – you need an active physical SIM card
• Few customization options for business profiles
• Simple analytics without detailed metrics
• Limited broadcast message recipients
• Customer queries need manual handling without advanced routing

Legal compliance adds another layer of complexity. WhatsApp clearly states that companies shouldn’t use it for internal communication or highly confidential matters. Businesses must also provide proper data disclosures and get customer permissions for communications.

How to use WhatsApp Business account?

Your WhatsApp Business account has several key features you need to become skilled at. We used the Business Tools menu as our main hub to handle professional communication.

A customized greeting message will give a warm welcome to your new customers. They’ll see this message when they first contact your business or after staying inactive for 14 days. The away message lets customers know you’ll respond when you’re back at work.

Quick replies make your communication smoother. You can create templates for common questions using shortcuts. To name just one example, typing “/thanks” can trigger a complete thank-you message with your business details.

Your messaging statistics are worth checking regularly. These numbers show:

• Total messages sent
• Successfully delivered messages
• Messages read by recipients
• Customer response rates

The WhatsApp Business web interface makes things even more convenient. You can access your account from your computer with all the mobile features intact. This flexibility leads to increased efficiency and faster responses.

WhatsApp Business Conclusion

WhatsApp Business helps companies connect with their customers. Companies can create professional profiles, set up automated responses, and manage customer interactions naturally through its extensive features.

Built-in security measures and high engagement rates make this platform vital for modern business communication. The free app version serves small businesses well, while larger enterprises can expand operations using the API solution.

Want to enhance your business communication? Learn more about maximizing WhatsApp for your business growth.

Businesses that welcome this communication channel will find numerous opportunities through the platform’s evolving features and growing user base.

Note that successful WhatsApp Business usage demands regular monitoring and quick responses. You should start small, test different features, and adjust your planning strategy based on your customer feedback and engagement metrics.

We focused on answering the most common questions about WhatsApp Business to help you get started:

How do I use my WhatsApp for business?

You can download the WhatsApp Business app from your device’s app store first. The setup process verifying your phone number first and creating a business profile. The app gives you tools to manage customer communication better – automated greetings, away messages, and quick replies. You can also create a digital catalog to showcase products and use labels to organize your conversations effectively.

Is WhatsApp for business free?

You can download or use the WhatsApp Business app for free. Small businesses can access simple features without paying anything. The WhatsApp Business API uses a conversation-based pricing model for larger organizations and offers 1,000 free conversations each month. Service conversations are now free to help businesses stay available to customers.

Can I use the same number for WhatsApp and WhatsApp Business?

You can’t use a single phone number for both WhatsApp Messenger and for WhatsApp Business at the same time. You have two options when setting up:

• Convert your existing WhatsApp account to a business account
• Use a different number to create your business profile

You can switch between these apps, but each needs its own unique phone number. If you have a dual SIM phone, you can link different numbers to each app. Note that your business features will not transfer if you switch back to regular WhatsApp.