by Alex Rothers
As a small business owner, you are probably familiar with using social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn and YouTube to promote your brand and communicate with your customers. However, there is one platform that you may not have considered before – WhatsApp.
WhatsApp is not just a messaging app for personal use but also an excellent tool for small business owners to connect with their customers. With over two billion users in more than 180 countries, WhatsApp is the world’s most popular mobile messenger app and the third-most-popular social media forum, behind only Facebook and YouTube.
If you are interested in using WhatsApp for your business, here is how to create a WhatsApp Business account:
- Download the WhatsApp Business app for Android or iPhone (make sure you choose the business version).
- Agree to the terms and conditions.
- Enter your business phone number.
- Fill in your details, including your business name, profile picture and business category.
- Once you have set up your WhatsApp Business account, you can start customizing your settings and features, including product catalogs for e-commerce companies and auto-messaging. It is important to review all available options and set up the best programming for your unique business.
Here are some best practices for using WhatsApp professionally:
Do:
- Communicate only with contacts you know for safety.
- Ask for permission before adding any of your contacts to a group.
- Use the provided control mechanisms, such as the admin-only message setting for WhatsApp groups.
- Be judicious when forwarding messages, as WhatsApp limits the number of times you can forward a message.
Don’t:
- Keep sending messages to someone who has requested you not to do so.
- Spam! Do not bulk message, auto-message or auto-dial using WhatsApp.
- Use contact lists that are not yours or share phone numbers when consent has not been explicitly given.
- Overuse broadcast lists, as frequently using broadcast messages may lead people to report your messages.
- Harvest personal information from WhatsApp for non-sanctioned use.
Remember, WhatsApp’s terms of service prohibit publishing falsehoods and engaging in illegal, threatening, intimidating, hateful and racially or ethnically offensive behavior. It is essential to review its terms of service and use the platform ethically.
In conclusion, WhatsApp Business is an excellent platform for small business owners to connect with their customers. By following the best practices mentioned above and setting up your account correctly, you can start communicating with your customers more effectively and efficiently.
Need help getting your business started on WhatsApp? TLC Marketing Consultants can help! Contact us today for full-service social media management.
This blog was sourced from several pieces of information provided directly by WhatsApp.