Today, e-commerce has become an integral part of every industry. More and more people are choosing e-commerce platforms over offline shopping. According to statistics, the sales of the e-commerce industry in the Southeast Asian market are estimated to reach nearly $200 billion by 2027.
You’ve likely heard of e-commerce giants like Amazon and Flipkart. But did you know that you can establish your own e-commerce shop or store on WhatsApp? That’s right! You can operate an e-commerce store on the world’s most popular messaging app, WhatsApp. WhatsApp now allows its users to create their e-commerce platform complete with a WhatsApp catalogue.
If you’re interested in launching your e-commerce shop on WhatsApp, this article is a must-read. We will provide all the essential information you need to set up your online or e-commerce shop on WhatsApp.
So, without further delay in our journey to unlock your e-commerce success, let us get started.
What is a WhatsApp Catalogue?
Before the introduction of the WhatsApp Business Catalog, sharing product photos was a tedious undertaking for most small and medium-sized businesses. They had to send photos individually and manually input all product details. This process not only consumed a significant amount of time but also required considerable labor. However, the WhatsApp Catalogue has greatly streamlined these tasks.
You might be wondering what exactly a WhatsApp Catalogue entails. In essence, a WhatsApp Catalogue functions as a mobile storefront for businesses operating on this messaging platform. This feature empowers you to showcase and share the products you offer, enabling your potential or existing customers to effortlessly explore, browse, and make selections in line with their preferences. All of this can be accomplished without the need for the traditional back-and-forth messaging exchanges.
The WhatsApp Catalogue encompasses more than just product images and titles. Here’s a comprehensive list of items that should be included in your catalogue:
- Price of the product
- Description of a product
- Product code
- Website link to the product
These essential details serve a crucial role in helping customers locate and identify your products within the catalogue. Maintaining an up-to-date catalogue facilitates effortless browsing of your products or services for your customers and fosters stronger connections between your business and its clientele.
Moreover, your customers can seamlessly share items or products from the catalogue with their friends and family members, enhancing the reach and impact of your offerings.
Catalogue sharing on WhatsApp offers a powerful avenue for small businesses, such as homemade clothing stores, to elevate their brand presence and expand their reach to a broader audience. WhatsApp boasts an impressive 2.7 billion active users, providing a vast potential customer base. WhatsApp Business users can effortlessly share their complete catalogue with their existing connections, enhancing brand visibility and engagement.
But that’s not all—the WhatsApp Catalogue equips businesses with the capability to distribute their catalogue links across various social media and other platforms. Sharing these catalogue links opens the door to a wider audience, allowing more people to discover your business. Additionally, these links enable businesses to directly engage with customers regarding their products and services.
Undoubtedly, the WhatsApp e-commerce catalogue brings a myriad of benefits. We’ll delve into these advantages in the upcoming section. However, it’s important to note that these catalogues come with certain limitations, with the capacity to include a maximum of 500 products or items in a single catalogue.
Why Small E-commerce Businesses Are Embracing WhatsApp Catalogues
Countless small e-commerce businesses are increasingly opting for WhatsApp Catalogues over other e-commerce platforms. They have compelling reasons for choosing this solution, and we’ve highlighted the key factors driving this trend among small businesses:
1. Showcasing Products: The primary reason small businesses favor the WhatsApp Business Catalogue is its capability to showcase their products directly within the app. This translates to an enhanced customer experience and a more efficient mode of business communication.
2. Streamlined Purchase Process: The WhatsApp Catalogue also offers the invaluable feature of streamlining the purchasing process for customers. This functionality empowers small businesses to enhance the convenience and efficiency of their e-commerce operations.
3. Time Saving: As mentioned earlier, WhatsApp Catalogues save precious time that small businesses would otherwise spend individually sending or sharing product photos with clients. Notably, this time-saving benefit extends to customers as well. Even if you have an existing e-commerce store, creating a catalogue on your WhatsApp Business account can streamline the shopping experience for your customers, eliminating the hassles of navigating through a traditional e-commerce website.
4. Cost-Free: Small businesses often face financial constraints, making e-commerce platform investments a challenge. However, establishing a WhatsApp store is entirely cost-free. Small businesses can create a WhatsApp Catalogue on their WhatsApp Business account without spending a single penny.
5. 3X Sales Boost: One of the most remarkable advantages of the WhatsApp Catalogue is its potential to significantly boost small businesses’ sales. Yes, you read that correctly. By enabling customers and clients to browse and make purchases on their preferred platform, the WhatsApp Catalogue has the capacity to triple your small business’s overall revenue.
The list of reasons motivating small businesses to choose a WhatsApp e-commerce catalogue doesn’t conclude here. It’s impractical for us to cover every single reason within the confines of a single article
Benefits of Using WhatsApp for Your E-Commerce
WhatsApp possesses the potential to deliver numerous advantages to your e-commerce business. Below, we outline the top benefits that your e-commerce venture can derive from the WhatsApp Business Catalog:
1. Enhanced Customer Engagement
WhatsApp is a platform widely utilized by individuals to stay connected with their loved ones. Leveraging a WhatsApp Catalogue can boost customer loyalty by showcasing your products or items within this familiar environment. Furthermore, it streamlines communication between your business and your customers, fostering greater loyalty and engagement with your brand.
2. Sell on the Leading Messaging App
WhatsApp stands as the dominant player in the world of instant messaging apps, boasting over 2 billion users across approximately 180 countries. By choosing to market your products through the WhatsApp Catalogue, you gain access to this vast user base. In essence, this feature enables you to significantly expand your reach by making your products and services available to the 2 billion WhatsApp users spanning 180 countries.
3. Enhanced Customer Service
The WhatsApp Business Catalog offers a valuable capability: the ability to provide exceptional customer service. Yes, you read it correctly! You can elevate your customer service using the WhatsApp Catalogue. This feature empowers you to offer your customers a convenient avenue for acquiring comprehensive information about your business’s products and services.
Whether you run a small or large business, you can alleviate the workload of your customer service staff by implementing automated responses to common queries through WhatsApp chat bots like SmatBot.
How to Set Up Your E-Commerce Shop on WhatsApp?
Now that you have a comprehensive understanding of the WhatsApp Business Catalog, it’s time to delve into the step-by-step process of setting up your e-commerce shop on WhatsApp.
Below, we outline the essential steps you must follow to establish your Whatsapp ecommerce presence:
- Download the WhatsApp Business app
To kickstart your e-commerce venture on WhatsApp, you’ll need to download the WhatsApp Business app from either the App Store or Play Store. It’s crucial to note that the WhatsApp Business app is distinct from the regular WhatsApp Messenger app, as it offers exclusive business-oriented features and functionalities.
- Create a business profile
- Once you’ve successfully installed the WhatsApp Business app on your device, the next step is to create a business profile on the platform. Follow these steps to establish your business profile on WhatsApp:
- Open the WhatsApp Business app and access the menu button.
- Navigate to the settings option within the menu.
- Select “Company Settings” and then proceed to “Profile.”
- Within the profile section, choose the “Edit” option.
- Here, you can edit various fields, including your business contact number, company name, business email, profile picture, and more.
- Save the changes and exit to complete the setup. Congratulations! You’ve successfully created your business profile.
- Set up the open time and welcome message.
In addition to your business profile, you should also configure the following details:
- Welcome Message: Customize the welcome message or response that your current or potential customers will receive when they initiate a conversation.
- Business Operating Hours: Specify the hours during which your business will be available for customer interactions. This information helps your customers understand when they can reach out to your business.
- Out-of-Hours Message: Create an absence message that customers will receive if they message you outside of your working hours.
- Templates: Setting up templates can streamline your responses to common queries from customers, allowing you to avoid manually typing each message.
- Create catalogue
Now, you have to create a catalogue on WhatsApp. The following are steps that you should follow to create a WhatsApp e-commerce catalogue:
- Open WhatsApp Business
- Go to the “Settings” option within the app and then select “Business Tools.”
- Within the “Business Tools” section, choose “Catalogue” and then select “Add New Items.”
- On the following page, tap the “Add Image” icon. Note that you can upload up to 10 images.
- You can either select “Take a Photo” to capture product images in real-time or choose the “Choose Photo” option if you’ve already taken product photos.
- Enter the item’s name, description, and price.
- Click on “More Fields” to incorporate the product link and code.
Congratulations! You’ve successfully created your WhatsApp catalogue or e-commerce store.
Best Practices for Setting Up a WhatsApp Business Catalog
Creating a WhatsApp catalogue is just the beginning; to ensure its success, you must adhere to best practices. Below, we outline the essential practices for making your WhatsApp store a resounding success:
- Policy Compliance Check:
WhatsApp maintains a strict e-commerce policy for its business users. Before embarking on the setup of your WhatsApp Business Catalog, it’s crucial to thoroughly review their policy. This step helps you avoid any potential negative consequences in the future.
- Organize Collections:
When adding various items from different categories to your catalogue, it’s essential to categorize them effectively. Proper categorization simplifies the browsing experience for your customers, enhancing their overall shopping experience.
- Utilize Product Codes:
Implementing product codes can be a valuable practice for tracking your catalogue items or products. These codes not only aid in tracking but also provide valuable insights into the popularity and sales performance of your products.
Examples of E-Commerce Brands Using WhatsApp Businesses
Certainly, here’s your revised text with improved grammar and SEO optimization:
Numerous businesses are leveraging WhatsApp Business and WhatsApp Catalogue to enhance their operations.
Below, we highlight the top three examples of e-commerce brands effectively utilizing WhatsApp Businesses:
- Tata Cliq: Tata Cliq employs WhatsApp Businesses to send cart abandonment recovery messages. This proactive approach helps them recover potential lost sales by re-engaging with customers who left items in their shopping carts.
- IndiGo: IndiGo utilizes WhatsApp Businesses as a communication channel to provide critical information to their customers. This ensures travelers receive essential updates and support, enhancing their overall experience.
- Flipkart: Flipkart harnesses WhatsApp Businesses to drive customer engagement by delivering enticing offers directly to their customers’ WhatsApp accounts. This strategy effectively captures their customers’ attention and promotes sales.
Conclusion :
WhatsApp ecommerce shops and the WhatsApp Catalogue serve as essential ingredients for unlocking the path to success. Establishing your e-commerce shop on WhatsApp with the assistance of catalogues enables you to reach a larger audience, even if you’re a small business owner, such as a homemade clothing store. We trust that our article has provided you with the guidance you need to set up your WhatsApp Business Catalogue with ease.
If you’re contemplating ways to enhance customer engagement and boost sales after reading this article, we highly recommend exploring SmatBot. SmatBot is a robust WhatsApp chatbot and Business API provider that simplifies customer interactions. Offering valuable features like automated responses and broadcast template messages, SmatBot streamlines customer communication, allowing you to focus on the growth of your online store.