What is WhatsApp Marketing? Everything You Need to Know

WhatsApp has now gone on to become the world’s most popular chat app, while still being less than 20 years old. With over three billion users in 180 countries, it’s a secure and reliable messaging service for all devices.

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As marketing becomes more personal, businesses are looking for new ways to engage with customers. That’s where WhatsApp can help. It allows you to have 1:1 conversations with interactive elements such as CTA’s and suggested replies.

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With its global reach and high open rates, WhatsApp is undeniably establishing itself as a powerful channel. Not only to boost conversions, but also as a key driver of customer retention.

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Ready to connect with your audience on WhatsApp? We’re decoding everything you need to know and how you can effectively incorporate the channel into your marketing strategy.

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How does WhatsApp marketing work?

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In today’s omnichannel era, it’s crucial to connect with your audience where they already are. WhatsApp has over three billion monthly active users, meaning there’s huge potential to reach both new and existing customers.

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In addition to its global reach, there’s one key differentiator that sets WhatsApp apart from other channels. Authenticity. It allows you to engage in two-way conversations that feel like speaking with a friend or family member rather than a business.

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Features such as CTA’s and suggested reply buttons also facilitate quick and fuss-free conversions.

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WhatsApp features include:

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Image carousels - move beyond single images and create engaging carousels with a mixture of images and buttons.

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Reply buttons - make it easier for customers to engage with your messages with suggested replies.

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Interactive lists - give customers the power of choice with the ability to select options from a list without leaving the message.

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Urgency messages - create limited-time offer messaging to drive urgency during sales or special events.

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Product catalogues - display a Meta catalogue within your messages to highlight your full product offering.

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WhatsApp Flows - build customisable forms, conduct surveys, and recommend products. Customers can also easily book appointments or services without leaving the app with WhatsApp Flows.

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Business profile - provide customers with key information about your business and establish trust. Display links to your website and social media channels, as well as details of your business location.

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WhatsApp consent collection

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As with any marketing channel, it’s important to comply with global data regulations when collecting customer opt-ins. WhatsApp requires businesses to gain explicit consent and to comply with its Business Policy.

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How to collect consent for WhatsApp:

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Users need to enter their phone number or check a visual element to give active consent for your messages.
It’s a requirement to let users know what type of messages they are consenting to, such as order and shipping updates, or special offers.
You must provide a clear way for users to unsubscribe from your WhatsApp messages.

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What are the benefits of WhatsApp marketing?

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Engaging with your customers via WhatsApp brings a whole new dimension to your marketing strategy.

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High engagement

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As the world’s most popular chat app, WhatsApp boasts a 98% open rate. This shows the true potential of the channel over traditional marketing channels, where messages can be missed.

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Data also shows that the average user spends around 29 minutes per visit on the app, demonstrating how engaged WhatsApp users are.

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Global reach

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WhatsApp has a huge global user base in 180 countries and supports 60 languages. If your business is looking to attract new customers globally, it's a channel you can't afford to miss.

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Unlike SMS, which can have high international costs, WhatsApp is generally more cost-effective. WhatsApp charges for each conversation you have with a customer, as opposed to SMS, where you are charged for each message.

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Interactivity

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Traditional SMS and MMS messages are limited to text and images. However, WhatsApp unlocks a new level of interactivity between you and your customers.

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Messages are more interactive and personal, with the ability to share:

Images
Clickable buttons
Suggested replies

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Mass-marketing can feel impersonal. But WhatsApp is transforming consumer interactions, making conversations feel more authentic.

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Relationship building

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Customer loyalty is extremely powerful to succeed in today’s competitive landscape. With rising acquisition costs, it’s now becoming more expensive than ever to reach new customers.

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WhatsApp is a great tool for nurturing lasting relationships with your customers. Traditional channels, such as email and phone calls, can often have slower response times. However, WhatsApp offers faster resolution times with the ability to quickly help customers and solve any issues.

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Increased conversions

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WhatsApp does all the hard work for your customers. Whether that’s helping to make a purchase, book an appointment, or provide support.

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With the ability to guide your customers with CTA’s, lists, and suggested replies, conversions are effortless.

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Data shows that conversion rates can be as high as 60%, compared to email and SMS, which are both significantly lower.

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WhatsApp and SaleCycle

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Ready to expand your global reach and leverage real-time engagement with WhatsApp? Talk to our specialists today to discover how SaleCycle can help you harness the full power of omnichannel marketing.

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Sources

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https://business.whatsapp.com/blog/use-whatsapp-business-goals

https://explodingtopics.com/blog/social-media-usage

https://spotler.com/en-gb/solutions/use-cases/whatsapp-marketing

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