WhatsApp is arguably one of the most popular messaging platforms on the market today, with up to 1.5 billion monthly active users across the globe. Statistics show that almost 60 billion messages are sent on this messaging app every day – a massive number to even consider. And this handy little communications app has just upped the ante for its competitors by introducing WhatsApp for Business.
WhatsApp Business is a version of the app that has been specifically designed with small to medium-sized businesses in mind. If you are working on your digital marketing strategy it is important to pay attention to such technological advancements, as they can help your marketing efforts and customer experience improve tenfold. Not sure that a messaging app can do anything to help your marketing? Read below for some tips and tricks for using WhatsApp Business.
So, How Do I Set Up WhatsApp Business?
Before you go rushing ahead and start building a content marketing strategy for this wildly popular messaging app, you will need to download the app and set up a profile for your business. Downloading the app follows the same process as downloading the normal, consumer WhatsApp but you should use a business number for this app instead of your own personal number.
You can create your profile by selecting Settings and then Business Profile Settings, making sure to enter the correct contact details, logo, and so forth. Once this is done, you can move onto setting up your business profile and customising the app so that it reflects your brand’s voice. You can set up automated messages and “away” replies as well as quick messages so that your customers are not left wondering where you went halfway through a conversation.
These messages can be set easily by using the Business Settings option under settings. Here you will see three options, namely: Away Message, Greeting Message, and Quick Replies. All of these can be customised, providing your consumers with a positive brand interaction and experience.
Top Tips And Tricks
Now that you understand how to set up a WhatsApp Business profile, you are likely wondering how you can make the most of this intriguing new app. Below we take a look at some of the top tips and tricks for your WhatsApp digital marketing strategy.
Love Those Labels
This is more of an internal, administrative tip to follow, but it can be extremely useful for driving leads, making conversions, and nurturing repeat customers. You can label customers as “New Customer” so that you know exactly how far along in the consumer journey the person is, or you can label them as “Returning Customer” so that you can alert them to deals on the products they are interested in from you.
Using labels will also make your WhatsApp Business app more organised and easier to manoeuvre, allowing you to focus on engaging with your customers and even reaching a wider audience. Think of it in a similar way to email marketing – you are simply segmenting customers into groups so that you can send them customised content or reply to their queries accurately. Be specific with your labels so that, if other staff members need to answer questions, they are aware of where the customer is in their journey.
Offer One-On-One Support
One of the major benefits of using WhatsApp Business is that you can provide one-on-one support for your customers. You are able to send PDF files, photographs, videos, and even links to websites using this app, which can be useful for support questions that might need a more in-depth explanation than what could be offered via a phone call or message.
Customers are also able to do the same, meaning that they can send you photographs, screen-shots, and videos to further explain their issues. By offering this unique support feature, you will put your business head-and-shoulders above the competition. And you will be able to solve customer problems quicker and easier than before, boosting your customer experience and reputation in the eyes of the consumer.
Be Social With Your Status
The WhatsApp status function is also available on WhatsApp Business and can be used as an effective content marketing tool for your business. You can update your status to reflect any deals that you might have on offer, a link to a landing page you might have for a campaign, or even share photographs of new products you have.
While the WhatsApp status will only last for 24 hours, more and more people are checking the statuses of their contacts on a regular basis. This means that your customers will be more likely to see this special content, click on a link, and possibly even make a purchase. You can also use this feature to maintain your brand voice and image by keeping your status fun and engaging.
Using WhatsApp Business as part of your digital marketing strategy can be extremely helpful, especially if you want to reach a new audience and improve consumer engagement. If you are interested in improving your content marketing strategy, feel free to contact NetMechanic to find out how we can help you.