Did you know that in 2022, WhatsApp recorded a user base of 2 billion monthly users in over 180 countries?
WhatsApp is now officially the most popular text messaging platform in the world.
Initially, people mostly used WhatsApp for connecting with their friends, family and loved ones. However, with the growing user base, businesses quickly recognised the incredible marketing potential of this app.
With time, businesses started building their WhatsApp marketing strategies too. In fact, it’s now said that if you’re not marketing on WhatsApp, you’re not marketing at all.
In this article, we will delve into why your business needs a WhatsApp marketing strategy. We will also help you learn how to build a WhatsApp strategy of your own and much more.
What exactly is WhatsApp Marketing?
WhatsApp Marketing is a dynamic strategy that utilizes the popular messaging app to connect businesses with their audience. This approach involves sending targeted messages, ads, and promotions directly to users’ WhatsApp inboxes.
It’s a personalized method integral to any comprehensive WhatsApp marketing strategy. With automation, direct communication, and strategic content, businesses can enhance brand visibility, build relationships, and drive results.
As such, WhatsApp Marketing is not just a tool; it’s a pathway to creating meaningful connections with your audience.
Why should you use WhatsApp Marketing for your business?
By now, you must have grasped how WhatsApp has incredible marketing potential.
If you own an SMB, you should be marketing on WhatsApp and there are many reasons why. The first reason is that you need to engage with customers on a platform where they’re most active.
As you know, people engage more with multimedia content. Combined with the fact that WhatsApp‘s such a popular text messaging platform, you have the ultimate marketing channel.
Another reason to market on WhatsApp is because of its open rate. Every WhatsApp user opens the app at least once a day. So, you can rest assured, your customers will surely get your offer messages.
In fact, in India, businesses can highly benefit from using WhatsApp as a marketing channel. It will be much easier for SMBs to connect to their target audience. You really can take your marketing to new heights with WhatsApp!
Benefits Of Having A WhatsApp Marketing Strategy
Customers generally trust brands which are easy to connect with, especially on chatting platforms. In fact, 53% of customers say that they would buy from companies that can be reached via chat.
Here’s how you can benefit from building a strong WhatsApp marketing strategy:
1) Better relationships with customers
Since 53-55% of customers prefer brands connected with a messaging app, WhatsApp marketing is essential. Even more so, because you can build more profound relationships with your customers over this app.
Consequently, you can cut the costs of acquiring new customers because you will have more loyal customers. That means, you will have a good customer retention rate.
Pro Tip – Remember that customer retention is up to 5 to 25 times cheaper than acquiring new customers.
2) Higher conversion rates
If you constantly call your customers about products or services, they would get frustrated. If you send too many emails, they might just mark you as spam.
Pro Tip – You need to choose the right channel for initiating a conversation with your customers. In such scenarios, WhatsApp is the perfect channel to nudge your customers towards making a purchase.
Up to 40% of customers answer their WhatsApp messages and messaging drives conversion rate. Also, messages after an initial conversation drives up conversion by 112%.
3) Better sales
WhatsApp marketing can work like real magic to boost your sales. According to statistics, you can get 27% more sales leads just by adding your brand’s phone number to the website.
Pro Tip – When customers find an easy way to contact any brand, their trust increases. That happens especially if you use WhatsApp as your primary communication channel
Around 66% of customers feel better about making a purchase if the brands are available on messenger apps like WhatsApp.
4) Lower cost of Marketing
Even if you consider WhatsApp Business Pricing or WhatsApp API costs, it is still affordable. WhatsApp charges nominal costs from businesses to send bulk messages. This is a great scenario for all SMEs.
In fact, if you have just launched your SMB, you can just feel things out with WhatsApp.
Pro Tip – The WhatsApp Business App allows you to send individual messages for free, while showcasing your brand!
20 Best WhatsApp Marketing Strategies
In the dynamic landscape of digital marketing, adopting certain WhatsApp marketing strategies can enhance your brand’s outreach and engagement.
Let’s take a look at some of the best WhatsApp marketing strategies you should know:
1) Create ‘Broadcast Lists’
First, you segregate your audience based on specific criteria. This means you create contact lists based on specific audience segments or topics.
Once you have these lists, you can go ahead and send one way communications. This communication is specifically meant for one or more audience segments.
You could always add links or offers in your text messages. Broadcast lists are really helpful to send your audience updates about brand things they might be interested in.
2) Use Group Chats
One great feature on WhatsApp are group chats. With it, you can bulk message a group of many people, generally your customers. You can also receive their feedback or insight on the same group chat.
If you have specific groups within your audience, you can make individual groups for them too. This helps you provide exclusivity to every customer group. Moreover, group chats are a great way to encourage customer-to-customer interaction.
3) Offer Customer Service over WhatsApp
Most SMEs struggle with offering live customer service. In fact, it is quite a luxury. But, you can overcome this challenge easily by using WhatsApp.
WhatsApp can help you address and resolve customer queries easily.
You can even provide personalized customer service to your customers by providing multimedia content. Live-video help or tutorials are also ways that you can offer customer service on WhatsApp.
4) Ask for Feedback
Rather than calling up your customers to ask for feedback, just drop them a WhatsApp text. Many people might get annoyed at frequent calls. So, the best way to engage customers and get their feedback on recent purchases is via WhatsApp.
You could send questions or surveys for your customers to answer or fill. This way you can conduct market research without having to spend anything!
Moreover, WhatsApp messages have such a high open rate you can rest assured that people would respond to your messages.
5) Send personalized communication
If you are utilizing WhatsApp marketing in the best possible way, you would see your groups growing. As your groups grow, personalize your interactions with individual customers by having one-on-one conversations.
If you own a small business, this would be especially helpful. If you directly message customers, they can bring their questions or problems as well. This way you can provide faster customer support.
6) Make use of WhatsApp Status feature
It has just been a while since WhatsApp has released its Status Update feature. Yet, now it is a feature that people love and use often.
You can use WhatsApp Status updates to your benefit. Start by sharing your promotional codes, coupons and discounts with customers to redeem during checkout.
These promotional codes can be of anything –- a one day event or a flash sale that you are hosting. This is one WhatsApp marketing strategy that you can have great success with.
7) Use the WhatsApp call feature
It is not always possible to solve every customer query over text. If a customer faces some issues with using a product, you should be able to call them and explain. This is part of good customer service.
WhatsApp has got you covered for this as well. All you have to do is avail the WhatsApp phone call. You can directly connect with your customers over a phone call and help them resolve any issues they’re having.
8) Partner with other businesses as well as influencers in your niche
Collaborating with businesses or influencers in your niche helps you reach a wider audience.
Even if you collaborate with businesses outside your niche, you can still participate in more WhatsApp group conversations. This helps with more brand awareness and greater brand visibility.
9) Create ‘Quality’ Content
This is quite a no-brainer. Without quality content, you might reach success with good marketing strategies. But then, your success would plateau and you’d be unable to see any growth in your business.
One of the basic foundations of any good marketing strategy is quality content. On WhatsApp, your messages need to be brief, powerful and original. Your content should be able to resonate and connect with your audience.
10) Use Third-Party Analytics
Similar to every other marketing campaign or strategy, the most important part of WhatsApp marketing too, is analytics.
With third-party analytics apps, you can track and analyze your traffic. That way you will know how to optimize and fine-tune your marketing campaigns on WhatsApp.
11) Run Direct to WhatsApp Ads
Initiate your WhatsApp marketing journey by sending targeted ads directly to users’ WhatsApp inboxes. This approach adds a personal touch, making your brand stand out in the digital advertising clutter.
Furthermore, using direct communication channels helps establish an immediate connection with your audience. Thus, enhancing the impact of your marketing messages.
12) Send WhatsApp Retargeting Campaigns
Revitalize your engagement strategy with WhatsApp retargeting campaigns. These campaigns re-engage users who have shown interest in your products or services.
Moreover, craft messages strategically to resonate with their preferences, reinforcing your brand presence and guiding them through the customer journey. This acts as a pivotal aspect of a robust WhatsApp marketing strategy.
13) Automate Support & Sales with WhatsApp Chatbot
Enhance the customer experience by integrating a WhatsApp chatbot into your marketing strategy. This automated tool handles routine queries, provides instant support, and guides users through the sales process.
With Chatbots, you can boost efficiencyand ensure a consistent and responsive interaction—a cornerstone of any successful WhatsApp marketing strategy.
14) Redirect Website Traffic with a WhatsApp Button
Seamlessly integrate your digital touchpoints by adding a WhatsApp button to your website. Not only does this redirect website traffic directly to WhatsApp, but it also serves as an instant connection point for interested users.
Furthermore, this streamlined approach improves user experience and reinforces the effectiveness of your WhatsApp marketing strategy.
15) Create & Share WhatsApp Links
Simplify user engagement in your WhatsApp marketing strategy by generating custom WhatsApp links. Then, share these links across various channels to generate easy connections with your audience.
Whether initiating conversations or sharing updates, custom links play a pivotal role in creating an accessible user experience within your strategy.
16) Use Automated Messages
With automated messages, you can efficiently manage your communication workflow.
From welcome messages to follow-up prompts, automation ensures no lead is left unattended. As a result, this not only saves time, but also contributes to a more responsive and dynamic WhatsApp marketing strategy.
17) Send Messages with Quick Reply Buttons & Call to Actions
You can encourage user interaction by incorporating quick reply buttons and call-to-action messages into your WhatsApp marketing strategy. With these features, you can guide users through predefined responses. As such, fostering engagement and facilitating desired actions.
18) Organize Contacts and Chat with Labels
Optimize your communication strategy within your WhatsApp marketing approach by organizing contacts with labels.
By categorizing leads, prospects, and customers, you can enable a targeted and personalized outreach. Thus, ensuring that your messages resonate effectively with the right audience. This strategic organization is a cornerstone of a successful WhatsApp marketing strategy.
19) Create a Catalog of Your Products
Enhance visual appeal and user engagement by incorporating a WhatsApp catalog into your WhatsApp marketing strategy.
With this feature, you can showcase products or services creatively and provide users with a comprehensive view. Furthermore, a visually appealing catalog creates an immersive and effective WhatsApp marketing experience.
20) Introduce Loyalty Programs
Foster lasting relationships within your WhatsApp marketing strategy by introducing exclusive WhatsApp-based loyalty programs.
Moreover, reward active engagement with special discounts, promotions, or exclusive content. This loyalty-centric approach adds a valuable dimension to your strategy, contributing to sustained success.
Why You Should Use WhatsApp API For Your Business
Integrating the WhatsApp API into your business strategy can be a game-changer. This versatile tool facilitates real-time communication, providing a seamless way to interact with customers.
From automated messages to targeted campaigns, this API seamlessly integrates into your WhatsApp marketing strategy, adding depth to your approach.
Take for example NeoDove’s WhatsApp API – a game-changing solution for businesses seeking seamless and effective communication. With this powerful tool, businesses can integrate WhatsApp into their operations, streamlining customer interactions and enhancing engagement.
As such, you should definitely consider exploring how the WhatsApp API can enhance your business outreach and help create meaningful connections.
Conclusion
Just like WhatsApp has evolved from a messaging app to a social media platform, so should your marketing efforts. It is crucial for you as an SMB owner to start incorporating WhatsApp in your marketing strategy from today.
WhatsApp is a very versatile marketing platform. With it, you can share multimedia content and offer the best customer service to your audience. Moreover, it can help increase your brand visibility too.
With the Marketing strategies listed above, we are sure you can optimize your WhatsApp marketing. Lastly, always remember to track your analytics too to help your business grow!