Well, now there's an even easier way to sell more stuff directly on WhatsApp: WhatsApp Catalog.
Setting up a WhatsApp Catalog is one of the best ways to share and sell your products directly on WhatsApp and increase your sales.
In this blog, we'll discuss how to setup a WhatsApp Catalogs via WhatsApp Business API, share them with a mass audience on WhatsApp and increase your sales.
Read: WhatsApp Business API: Complete Guide
At a Glance
What is a WhatsApp Catalog?
Benefits of Using the WhatsApp Catalog
How to create WhatsApp Catalog via WhatsApp Business App?
How to create WhatsApp Catalog via WhatsApp Business API?
Tips to create WhatsApp Catalog
Conclusion
FAQs
What is a WhatsApp Catalog?
WhatsApp Catalog is a storefront that allows businesses to showcase their products and services directly through WhatsApp. Customers can browse your catalog, learn more about your products, and even make purchases without ever leaving WhatsApp.
Source
Benefits of Using the WhatsApp Catalog
Using the WhatsApp Catalog offers businesses several benefits for both businesses and customers. Here's a detailed look at the advantages:
For Businesses:
1. Increased Sales:
Wish to drive more sales for your products and services? Of course, you do! Who doesn't?
By making it easier for customers to browse and purchase products, WhatsApp Catalogs can boost sales.
2. Enhanced Customer Engagement:
Customers can easily interact with the catalog, share items with friends, and message the business with questions, leading to stronger engagement.
3. Improved Customer Experience:
The visual product browsing and easy purchase process within the app create a more convenient and enjoyable shopping experience for customers.
4. Cost-Effective Solution:
Eliminates the need for expensive website hosting or development, making it a more accessible option for businesses.
5. Direct Communication and Support:
Customers can easily connect with the business to inquire about products, place orders, and receive customer support.
6. Enhanced Marketing:
Catalog links can be shared on social media, websites, and WhatsApp groups to reach a wider audience.
7. Streamlined Order Management:
Easier to track orders and communicate with customers about shipping and delivery.
For Customers:
1. Convenient Shopping:
Browse products and make purchases directly within the WhatsApp app, eliminating the need to visit a website or physical store.
2. Easy Product Discovery:
Catalogs make it easy to find and explore products, saving time and effort.
3. Visual Product Browsing:
Images and descriptions help customers visualize and learn about products, making informed decisions.
4. Direct Communication with Businesses:
Customers can easily message the business with questions or concerns.
5. Faster Purchases:
The streamlined process reduces the time and effort involved in purchasing.
Let's tell you how you can get started with setting up WhatsApp Catalogs for your business. There are 2 ways to create WhatsApp Catalogs:
- WhatsApp Business App
- WhatsApp Business API
Let's discuss how you can create a Catalog via both these means👇
How to Create WhatsApp Catalog via WhatsApp Business App?
To create a WhatsApp Catalog, you'll need to have a WhatsApp Business account. Once you have a business account, you can create a catalog by following these steps:
1. Open the WhatsApp Business app
2. Select "Settings."
3. Tap "Business tools."
4. Tap "Catalog."
5. Tap "Create catalog."
6. Enter a name for your catalog.
7. Add products or services to your catalog.
8. Set prices for your products or services.
9. Add images for your products or services.
10. Save your catalog.
Once you've created your catalog, you can share it with customers easily by following these steps:
1. Open the WhatsApp Business app.
2. Open a chat with a customer.
3. Tap the attachment icon.
4. Select "Catalog."
5. Select the catalog you wish to share
6. Send the catalog to the customer.
While creating WhatsApp Catalog with WhatsApp Business App is super easy, there are certain downsides as well:
- No automation: You can't connect WhatsApp Chatbot to automate the WhatsApp Catalog. You need to send the Catalog manually.
- No scalability: The business app is created specifically to meet the needs of small businesses. If you're a business looking to attract a mass audience, WhatsApp Business App probably isn't the way to go.
There's a perfect solution for businesses who wish to target a mass audience: WhatsApp Business API.
Here's how you can create WhatsApp Catalog using WhatsApp Business API👇
How to create WhatsApp Catalogue via WhatsApp Business API?
You can easily create WhatsApp Catalogs via WhatsApp Business API through AiSensy, the Smartest WhatsApp Engagement tool built on official WhatsApp Business APIs.
Before we start creating the WhatsApp Catalog, there's one pre-requisite you must meet👇
Pre-requisites to create WhatsApp Catalogue in AiSensy
To create WhatsApp Catalog in AiSensy, you first need to create a Catalog in your Facebook Business Manager Account.
Check out how to create Catalog in your Facebook Business Manager Account
Note: If you've already connected your Ecomm+ (Shopify or WooCommerce store) with AiSensy, Facebook Catalog would already have been created. Just make sure your Facebook and your Ecommerce store are synced or connected.
Created your Catalog on Facebook Business Manager account?
Great! Now, let's activate this catalog on WhatsApp via AiSensy.
How to activate WhatsApp Catalogue easily using AiSensy?
1. Unlock Flow Builder
The very first step you need to do is Unlock the Flow Builder. Flow Builder is an Add-on feature that you need to purchase to unlock or claim your 14-day free trial (for existing as well as new users).
2. Go to Flows & connect your Facebook Business Account
First, go to the Flows section in AiSensy App & connect your Facebook account.
3. Connect Catalog created via Facebook
Next, connect the Catalog you've created in your Facebook Business Manager account.
Note: Only select the catalog you wish to run on WhatsApp.
4. Go to Catalog & connect the Catalog you wish to run on WhatsApp
Now, go to the Manage Catalog section in Flows and connect the same Facebook catalog you chose in the previous step.
5. Go to Product & edit the listed products (Optional)
Next, go to the Products section which includes all the products listed in your Shopify account.
If you want, you can edit these products by clicking the pencil icon.
Clicking the pencil icon will take you to Shopify, where you can edit these products.
6. Create a New Flow
Now, go to Flow Builder and click Create Flow to create the flow for your WhatsApp Catalog.
7. Add Keywords which will trigger the Catalog
Clicking the button will open the Flow Builder. Here, you can build the complete flow for your WhatsApp Catalog.
To start creating your flow, you first need to add Keywords that will trigger the Catalog flow.
Enter common keywords like Shop, products, e-commerce depending on what your users enter most to ensure the catalog gets triggered.
In the below image, we've added 'hi' as the keyword that will trigger the catalog flow. So, the flow will automatically get triggered whenever someone sends you a 'hi' on your WhatsApp Business API number.
8. Create the Flow
You can use a series of options, including Text, Quick Replies, Images, List, Section List, Single Product & Multi-product.
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9. After completing the flow, click 'Save'
Once you've completed the flow as per your satisfaction, press Save.
10. Enable the Catalog
Finally, enable the Catalog in the flow builder.
That's it!! Your WhatsApp Catalog is now Live 🎉🎊
Once you've enabled the catalog, it'll get triggered whenever a user enters your Catalog Keywords.
Benefits of using WhatsApp Catalog
There are many benefits to using WhatsApp Catalog, including:
- Get 3x sales: WhatsApp Catalog can help you increase sales by making it easier for customers to browse and purchase your products on WhatsApp. It’s also a great tool for those looking to turn their small business into a profitable side hustle, allowing them to showcase products effortlessly and reach more customers.
- Improved customer service: You can improve customer service by providing customers with a convenient way to learn more about your products and services and automate their queries by connecting a WhatsApp Chatbot easily.
- Global Reach: WhatsApp Catalog massively boosts your reach by allowing you to make your products and services available to over 2.4 Billion WhatsApp users globally.
- Boost brand awareness: WhatsApp Catalog helps you boost brand awareness by giving customers an accurate glimpse of your products and services.
Tips to create WhatsApp Catalog
Now that you know what WhatsApp Catalog is and how it works, it's time to start creating your own catalog.
Here are a few tips for creating a WhatsApp Catalog that appeals to a mass audience:
- Use high-quality images: Images are a great way to catch customers' attention and make your catalog more visually appealing. Make sure to use high-quality images that accurately represent your products and services.
- Keep your catalog up-to-date: Customers want to see your latest products and services, so keep your catalog up-to-date with the latest additions.
- Use clear and concise descriptions: When writing descriptions for your products and services, be clear, crisp and concise. Rather than simply stating your features, stating the benefits of those features will drive more engagement on your products and services.
- Offer discounts and promotions: Everyone loves a good deal, so offer discounts and promotions to attract new customers and encourage existing customers to purchase.
- Respond to customer inquiries promptly and courteously: Customers appreciate it when businesses respond promptly and courteously.
Make sure to respond to customer inquiries within 24 hours, and always be polite and helpful.
Or connect a WhatsApp Chatbot to automate your support queries.
Conclusion
Well, that summarizes everything you need to know about creating WhatsApp Catalogs via WhatsApp Business App and WhatsApp Business API, sharing them with your users and boosting your sales right on WhatsApp.
Here are a few resources which you might find useful👇
How to automate WhatsApp messages: Complete Guide
Complete WhatsApp Marketing Guide: Top 10 Strategies
Top 10 WhatsApp API Benefits you need to know
FAQs about WhatsApp Catalog
Creating a catalog via the WhatsApp Business App is simpler and faster, ideal for small businesses. However, using the API through platforms like AiSensy is better for businesses that need scalability, automation, and advanced customization.
Combining a product catalog with a chatbot allows customers to browse products and get details without waiting for a human response, improving customer satisfaction and reducing support load.
Yes, you can list digital products like eBooks, software licenses, online courses, or subscriptions in your WhatsApp Catalog.
Yes, WhatsApp currently allows up to 500 products per catalog, making it suitable for small to medium-sized businesses.
To drive traffic to your catalog, share direct links in email campaigns, social media posts, or QR codes. You can also use Click to WhatsApp Ads for better reach.
Yes, you can integrate payment options with your WhatsApp Catalog using platforms like WhatsApp Pay or third-party payment gateways, making it easier for customers to complete purchases directly within the chat.