If you run a small business, you likely understand the importance of social media in reaching customers. But have you considered branching out beyond traditional platforms like Facebook and Instagram? One increasingly popular option is WhatsApp for Business, a communication tool that allows businesses to interact with customers in real time. While it may not have the same reach as some other social networks, What’s App is worth considering for its potential to create more intimate, personalized connections with customers. Here are a few reasons why you shouldn’t ignore What’s App when it comes to your business’s social media strategy.
What’s App has come a long way from its early days as a simple messaging app. Today, it’s grown into a platform that offers a range of tools for businesses to connect with customers. From automated messaging to live chat functionality, What’s App for Business makes it easier than ever to engage in real-time communication with customers. This can be especially valuable for small businesses that rely on building strong relationships with customers to drive repeat business.
From the WhatsApp Website, A Few Features
WhatsApp Business Profile
Create a virtual storefront with helpful information for your customers like your logo, business description, hours of operation and website.
Greeting
Automatically send a custom welcome message to new customers when they start a conversation with your business.
Manage customer relationships
Easily interact with customers while saving time and energy, using tools to automate, sort and quickly respond to messages.
Attract new customers
Promote your WhatsApp channel using entry points and ads to let people know you’re available to chat.
Free WhatsApp entry points
- Free entry points include QR Codes, short links, and action buttons on your Facebook Page and Instagram profile, as well as Facebook and Instagram Shops.
Meta ads – Boost a Post
- Turn a Facebook post into an ad that sends new customers into a conversation with your business. Learn more
Call to Action ads
- Promote the “Send Message” button on your Facebook Page to encourage people who may be interested in your business but don’t follow you to start a conversation. Learn more
Ads that Click to WhatsApp
- Expand your reach by sending potential customers on Facebook and Instagram straight into a WhatsApp chat with your business. These ads will be delivered to people who are more likely to have a conversation with your business on WhatsApp, where you can guide them from consideration to action.
Privacy
Another key benefit of What’s App is privacy. While some social media platforms have faced scrutiny over data privacy concerns in recent years, What’s App has built a reputation as a secure and private platform. For businesses that prioritize customer privacy, What’s App offers a level of comfort and trust that may not be available on other social networks.
Serve Customers
Of course, one of the biggest advantages of What’s App for Business is that it allows you to serve customers where they are. If your target audience is already using What’s App as a messaging tool, it makes sense to meet them where they are and engage with them on that platform. By doing so, you can create a more seamless customer experience and make it easier for them to interact with your business on their own terms.
Global Reach. Not Just USA Customers.
It’s worth noting that What’s App isn’t just for non-US customers, either. While it’s true that What’s App has historically been more popular in other parts of the world, its user base in the US is growing rapidly. As of early 2021, What’s App had more than 2 billion active users worldwide, making it one of the most popular messaging apps on the planet. This means that even if your business is primarily focused on US customers, there’s still a good chance that many of them are already on What’s App – and if they’re not, they may be open to trying it out if it means they can better connect with your business.
While What’s App for Business may not be as well-known as some of the more established social media platforms, it’s clear that it’s a tool that small businesses should take seriously. With its focus on real-time communication, privacy, and personalized customer interactions, What’s App has a lot to offer businesses that are looking to connect with customers in a more meaningful way. If you haven’t yet explored What’s App for your small business, now is the time to start. With billions of users worldwide and growing momentum in the US, it’s an opportunity you don’t want to miss.
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