As a business owner who wants the best for their business, you might want to think about switching from the free WhatsApp Business app to the more sophisticated WhatsApp Business API. If you have been eyeing WhatsApp Business API for a while and are still skeptical about it then this article might just convince you to take that huge step for the better.

WhatsApp Business API opens up a world of new possibilities for you if you want to use WhatsApp for marketing. With its humongous user base of over three billion people who have access to the internet, WhatsApp is the best place to find your customers no matter what your product or service is.

There is a reason why the WhatsApp Business app is free to use. It is because of the limited functionalities that it offers. WhatsApp Business app is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to WhatsApp marketing. If you are currently using the WhatsApp Business app you would be blown away by the features of WhatsApp Business API when you make the transition.

If you would like to experience WhatsApp Business API for free then you must check out WANotifier’s free forever plan. This empowers you to take a glimpse of WhatsApp Business API without the risk of much investment. Also, it is free forever enabling you to experiment as you wish for as long as you wish. Keep in mind that you still have to spend the standard WhatsApp API charges that are levied by WhatsApp Business API. Create your free WANotifier account today!

Are you still considering if you want to get access to WhatsApp Business API? Let us take a look at the attractive reasons and exclusive benefits of getting access to WhatsApp Business API that is sure to persuade you to make this much-needed upgrade.

What is WhatsApp Business Mobile App? 

WhatsApp Business Mobile App

WhatsApp Business app was launched in 2018 with the goal of supporting small-sized businesses to communicate better with their customers. The WhatsApp Business app introduced new business-centric features that can be leveraged to increase customer satisfaction and engagement.

Businesses that were using the regular WhatsApp messenger app to connect with their customers eventually shifted to the WhatsApp Business app because of the better features. Installing the WhatsApp Business app came with an exclusive business profile which allows one to display information and credentials related to their business. Other benefits include automated messaging, product catalogs and global reach. Using the WhatsApp Business app helped businesses build better connections and foster trust with their customers. 

However, since the WhatsApp Business app is free to use it does not provide advanced features that are essential to scale the business to newer heights. Due to these reasons, the free WhatsApp Business app was more compatible with small businesses. To cater to the needs of medium-sized and large-sized companies and organizations, WhatsApp Business API was introduced.

What is the WhatsApp Business API? 

Before jumping into the benefits let’s quickly have a brief introduction of WhatsApp Business API. 

WhatsApp Business API is the official cloud-hosted API of WhatsApp introduced in the year 2018 to help businesses and organizations leverage the platform’s large user base spread across various countries for marketing purposes. It consists of a host of extremely powerful tools to help businesses of all sizes efficiently communicate with their customers.

WhatsApp Business API revolutionized the marketing sector and made WhatsApp a core component in any effective marketing campaign. Today almost all major companies have gotten their hands on WhatsApp from various sectors ranging from banking, finance, healthcare, education, food & beverage, entertainment etc.

Now with that being said let’s proceed to take a look at the top 10 reasons why you should make the transition from the WhatsApp Business app to WhatsApp Business API.

8 Reasons to Choose WhatsApp Business API over the free WhatsApp Business App

Well to be completely honest there are a lot more than 10 reasons to make the switch to WhatsApp API from the WhatsApp Business app. However, let’s take a look at the most important ones:

1. Scalability

In a growing business, as the number of customers or clients increases, it becomes hard to keep track of all of them and much less possible to provide individual attention or acknowledgment. These problems can be effortlessly tackled using the WhatsApp Business API. 

The free WhatsApp Business app only allows you to message 256 contacts at the same time whereas WhatsApp Business API allows you to broadcast to an unlimited number of contacts. In addition, if you want to send a message to a person using the WhatsApp Business app then they must have your number saved. This is not the case with WhatsApp API which enables you to send messages even if the recipient has not saved you as a contact.

Bulk messaging using the broadcast feature in WhatsApp API allows you to keep in touch with all your customers while also sending them personalized messages. Bulk messaging is the process that is used to send a single message to a large number of recipients at once. Using unauthorized third-party bulk senders can get you banned. So to avoid this WhatsApp Business API becomes essential.

2. Automation and Chatbots

If you want to get more work done with a lesser number of people then WhatsApp automation is the way to go. Eventually, when a business grows and customers start to pour in, it becomes essential for businesses and companies to provide quality customer support.

WhatsApp API can help reduce labor costs by eliminating the need for a lot of support staff. Tools like WANotifier built on top of WhatsApp API offer state-of-the-art automation features, which include chatbots and pre-designed message sequences which can greatly reduce the need for manual effort. 

You can set up custom WhatsApp auto-replies such as automatic “greeting” and “thank you” messages. Chatbots can be used to answer frequent and repetitive queries asked by customers and save valuable time so that human support staff can address more complicated issues.

AI-integrated chatbots are even more effective when it comes to providing tailored solutions to customer complaints. Chatbots work around the clock and significantly reduce response times. Learn how to build your own WhatsApp chatbots with WANotifier. These advanced automation features are not available in the WhatsApp Business app.

3. Verified Business Accounts

Having a Meta verified business account gives your customers reassurance that you are 100% genuine and that your business or company is trustworthy. It goes a long way when it comes to building credibility and authenticity as a brand. It also comes with the highly sought-after blue tick.

When customers see that blue tick and know that your business is verified they are more likely to view your marketing messages and make purchases. Getting verified strengthens your brand reputation, protects your identity from impersonation and increases your visibility and engagement.

Although it is possible to get verified using the WhatsApp Business app, it comes with a price tag whereas you can get verified for free when you get access to the WhatsApp Business API. 

4. Message Templates

WhatsApp Business API facilitates the easy creation and management of message templates. Pre-built message templates can come in handy in various situations such as appointment reminders in healthcare and service updates in tech companies. 

Specific templates can be designed for different purposes such as marketing, reminders, follow-ups, thank-you messages etc and can be sent to WhatsApp for approval. This also aids in saving a lot of time while also ensuring personalization. The WhatsApp Business app allows you to create and send marketing messages but you can only create basic messages and the customization capabilities are far less when compared to WhatsApp API.

5. Omnichannel Integration

WhatsApp Business API supports integration with other communication channels like SMS, email and web chat. This offers a uniform all-inclusive communication platform for your business while ensuring a unified customer experience and streamlining customer support.

6. Advanced Analytics and Reports

Analytics and reports give businesses insights into key metrics like delivery rate, open rate, response time, customer engagement, conversion rate, clickthrough rate etc. This allows businesses and marketing teams to learn valuable information on the effectiveness of their marketing campaigns.

Without proper analytics and reports, growing a business is like steering a ship across the sea without a compass. Businesses would not know where or how to increase their efforts or improve their marketing strategy. They won’t be able to understand what is working and what isn’t. 

Detailed analytics and reports given by WhatsApp Business API help businesses identify their weaknesses and their customer’s pain points and assist them in further improving the overall customer experience. The free WhatsApp Business app only provides basic analytical insights or reports on your business’s performance.

7. API Integration With Third-Party Apps

You can integrate WhatsApp with third-party tools and apps to send WhatsApp notifications from them using WhatsApp API. These integrations can help you receive payments (eg. Razorpay), set up shopping catalogs (eg.Shopify), build automated workflows (eg. Zapier) etc. 

API integration with CRMs like Hubspot and Zoho can help you stay connected with your customers on WhatsApp and send personalized and automated messages through the CRM software.

Integrating WhatsApp with payment gateways like Razorpay and PayU allows you to enable seamless payments for your customers without having them leave WhatsApp. By doing this businesses can simplify the payment process and avoid redirecting to an external payment gateway which may lead to frustration and an abandoned cart.

Integrating WhatsApp with e-commerce platforms like WooCommerce or Shopify enables you to send delivery updates, abandoned cart notifications, discount offers and more through WhatsApp. Integrating WhatsApp with business management software like Google Sheets or Facebook lead forms can help businesses manage their data in a more efficacious manner.

8. Multi-Agent Support

A growing business will need more agents to handle and deal with an increasing number of customers. In due course, businesses would have to outgrow their single-agent or double-agent support systems. The WhatsApp Business app only allows for a maximum of four agents and is limited to one user per device.

WhatsApp Business API on the other hand allows access to an unlimited number of agents and devices making it possible for larger teams to manage inquiries in a more constructive or productive manner. 

WhatsApp Business API also provides a single, unified and intuitive WhatsApp inbox that can be seen and accessed by all the team members. This enables your team members to handle service requests more effectively and streamline customer support.

Introducing WANotifier

If you wish to grow your business in the long run, eventually it becomes absolutely essential to make the switch to WhatsApp Business API. Choosing the right provider for WhatsApp API is also super important before you make this critical decision. So how can WANotifier help you here?

WANotifier is one of the top choices for businesses because of its 0% markup policy. While other business solution providers can charge upwards of 35% additional markup charges on top of the standard WhatsApp API charges, WANotifier charges you nothing other than the standard WhatsApp API charges. Know the WhatsApp API pricing before you step into it.

WANotifier helps you massively cut the costs of your WhatsApp marketing campaigns. Every single penny you spend on WhatsApp API through WANotifier provides 100% of its value. Check out WANotifier’s extremely affordable pricing plans.

Here at WANotifier, our goal is to make WhatsApp marketing accessible to everyone so If you are still doubtful and do not wish to abruptly make a decision you can get access to WANotifier’s free forever plan and test the waters before getting in.

Conclusion

Today WhatsApp Business API has become an absolute necessity for businesses that wish to use WhatsApp as a means of marketing to further grow and expand. WhatsApp has become a core element of any good marketing strategy due to its large user base of over 3+ billion people and its astounding 98% open rate which especially makes it superior to email.

The WhatsApp Business app is mainly built for micro-businesses. It is not feasible for businesses that aspire to grow in the long run. WhatsApp API is more suitable and provides powerful features for businesses of all sizes whether it be small, medium or large-sized companies and organizations. With that said we wish that you take that necessary step and transition into WhatsApp Business API and watch your business flourish. See you on the other side.

Obtaining the WhatsApp blue tick also known as a Meta verified subscription is an indispensable step when it comes to WhatsApp marketing and is foundational if you want to progress further in terms of revenue and profits thereby taking your business to the next level. 

WhatsApp rolled out the new verified blue tick update in July 2024 which earlier used to be a green tick. Before this update, the green tick was exclusively available to WhatsApp API users and not to regular WhatsApp Business users. The great news is that now smaller businesses using the free WhatsApp Business app can also get access to the blue tick helping them further strengthen their brand identity and credibility.

Getting the blue tick affirms customers of your legitimacy and reliability making them feel safe and protected when initiating a conversation with your business. Customers usually tend to make purchases from businesses that are verified as it assures them of the business’ trustworthiness and authenticity. In this article, we will explore the benefits of getting a blue tick verification on WhatsApp as well as how you can obtain it for your own business.

Why Should You Get The Blue Tick?

Getting the WhatsApp blue tick communicates to customers that your business has the Meta seal of approval and that they are chatting with an official business account (OBA). Getting access to this official verification badge signifies that your brand is authentic and trustworthy.

Here are some of the key reasons why you should consider acquiring this badge:

  • Enhanced reputation: As already explained, having a blue tick next to your business can greatly increase your business’s reputation and signifies trust and dependence.
  • Strengthens brand image: Getting the blue tick reaffirms to your customers the authenticity and uniqueness of your brand making your business stand out among the crowd and appear professional.
  • Identity protection: If you possess the blue tick Meta ensures that you are safe from impersonation thus protecting your business’ identity.
  • Increased visibility and engagement: With a verified blue tick your business is going to appear more prominently in WhatsApp search results and customers are more likely to interact with a business that they know is the real deal.
  • Business tools: When you get a blue tick you also get access to a multitude of business tools which you can use to better engage with your customers and get insights and analytics.

Let us now see how one can get Meta verified and gain access to the blue tick badge.

Eligibility Criteria For Blue Tick Verification

Before we jump in directly into seeing how we can set up the blue tick it is important to know the prerequisites and whether or not it is possible for you to get verified by Meta. So let us quickly take a look at the eligibility criteria that one needs to meet in order to get the blue tick verification:

Applicant Eligibility

To sign your business up for Meta verified businesses on WhatsApp, you need to:

Business Account Eligibility

Your business account needs to meet the following requirements:

  • Have a presence on the WhatsApp Business app for a certain number of days.
  • Have recently sent a message
  • Be located in a country where Meta Verified for WhatsApp Business is available.
  • Have a profile name and profile picture.
  • Not have an active subscription to WhatsApp Business Premium.
  • Not have an active Meta Verified subscription through Meta Business Suite.

You can learn more about the eligibility criteria from the official WhatsApp website by clicking here.

How To Get WhatsApp Blue Tick Verification?

There are two ways by which you can get access to the blue tick. It depends upon how you’ve currently setup your phone number with WhatsApp. It would be either of the following two:

  1. Number added on the free WhatsApp Business app
  2. Number setup with the WhatsApp Business API

Depending upon how you’ve setup your number, we’ve shared steps below for both these methods.

1. Get blue tick for number added on the WhatsApp Business app

Applying for the WhatsApp blue tick verification via the WhatsApp Business app as easy as buying a paid subscription plan. All you need to do is ensure you meet the eligibility criteria and update your WhatsApp Business profile with the latest details such as business name, profile picture, address, category, email and other essential and then purchase one of the paid subscriptions.

Follow the below steps to get blue tick on the WhatsApp business app:

  1. In the WhatsApp Business app, click on the 3 dots and then go to Settings page.
  2. Click on “Meta Verified”.
  3. Among the different plans available choose the plan that suits your needs.
  4. Choose your payment method and make your purchase. 

Once you complete this purchase, it is important to note that your profile will be locked for a period of 20 days during which you won’t be able to make any changes to your profile. Additionally, deciding to change any profile details will remove the blue tick badge from your profile and you will have to re-subscribe to enable it again.

2. Get blue tick for number setup with WhatsApp Business API

Applying for the blue tick verification via WhatsApp API can be a bit more complicated compared to getting it through for numbers setup on the WhatsApp Business app. But the bonus is that while applying through the WhatsApp API the blue tick comes with no additional charges and is free!

Do not worry, we are here to make it easy for you. Let’s first look at the must-have requirements:

Must have requirements

Before diving into the application process to get the blue tick, let’s look at the must have requirements and eligibility criteria to get it:

  1. WhatsApp API Setup – Your business must have completed the setup of the WhatsApp API with your phone number. This step is crucial as it forms the foundation of your application for the blue tick.
  2. Meta Business Account Verification – You need you have your Meta business account is verified. This verification is a required to show the legitimacy of your business on Meta’s platforms.
  3. Display Name Approval – Your display name on WhatsApp must be approved. This name is the identity of your business on WhatsApp and should be recognizable and relevant to your brand.
  4. Two-step Verification – You should also have two-step verification enabled for your phone number from Phone Numbers > Settings > Two-step Verification tab.
  5. Media Presence – Your should must have presence online and have at least 3 pieces of organic content like PR articles, blog post on major publications, covered by news/media outlets etc. Paid PR articles do not count.

Once you have these things ready, you can move ahead with the application process.

Steps to apply for the blue tick

Step 1 – Go to the Phone Numbers page 

Open the Phone Numbers page on your WhatsApp Manager. You might need to choose the correct business account in case you have multiple accounts. See to it that you choose the right one to proceed to the Phone Numbers page.

Once you are on this page, your interface should look like the image below. Click on the settings icon next to your phone number.

Step 2 – Navigate to the Profile page

Once you are on the “Phone number settings” page, click on the Profile tab. Your screen should look like something similar to the reference image below. On this page click on the Submit request button after you have filled in all the required details.

If the “Submit request” button is disabled, there might be a few steps that you might have missed out on or failed to update. Complete filling in those details and make sure nothing is left out before coming back to this page and continuing the application process.

Step 3 – Submit Request for Blue Tick Verification

When you click the Submit request button a popup will appear requesting you to fill out some additional details. These include:

  1. Business website: This section displays your business website URL that you added earlier during your WhatApp Business API. Ensure that the URL displayed directs to your business website and not any random URL from Instagram, Facebook or other third-party websites. In case you need to edit this section you need to do it from your Business info settings page since you won’t be able to do it from here. 
  2. Country of operation: Enter the country in which your business is located and registered or where you operate primarily.
  3. Primary language: Enter the primary language that you will be using to communicate with your customers.
  4. Parent company: If the name of your company is different from that of the brand name that is displayed to your audience then enter the name of your company here and not the brand name that is displayed to your customers. For example, our brand name is WANotifier and our parent company’s name is Fantastech Solutions so we put the display name as WANotifier and our parent company name “Fantastech Solutions” in this field.
  5. Support links: Under this field add 3-4 links to articles, blog posts or independent reviews that talk about your brand and showcase that your brand is well-known and recognized by customers. Your business website, social media handles, self-published and paid or promotional content must be strictly avoided. 

After you have filled in all these fields hit the “Submit” button to submit your application. After submission, your application is reviewed by WhatsApp officials and needs to be approved by them in order for your application to be accepted so that you get that pretty and alluring blue tick for your business. 

Note that the approval is subject to WhatsApp’s discretion mainly based on your brand’s popularity and media presence.

Another thing to keep in mind is that once your application gets rejected for any reason you can reapply only after 30 days, so make sure that you keenly fill out all the details and attentively follow the instructions above and double-check everything before you hit that submit button.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long does the WhatsApp blue tick verification process take?

    The time taken for your blue tick application to be approved can vary depending on how widely known your company is, the completeness of your business profile and your company’s online media presence. Usually it takes less than a week to get the blue tick for your phone number setup on WhatsApp API if all details are added correctly.

    2. What to do if my application gets rejected?

      If your blue tick application gets rejected you need to wait for a period of 30 days to reapply. During this time make efforts and take coordinated measures to increase your brand’s media presence and visibility. If you want to know the reason for rejection, appeal to reconsider the decision or just speed up the process, you can reach out to WhatsApp via their Direct support channel.

      3. How much does the WhatsApp blue tick cost?

        If you are getting the WhatsApp blue tick through the WhatsApp Business app then the price ranges from rupees ₹639 and ₹21000 per month depending on the plan which you choose based on your requirements.

        On the other hand, getting the blue tick through the WhatsApp Business API is free but you have to pay for the standard API charges that are levied per conversation.

        4. What are the business categories that cannot obtain the blue tick?

          Certain businesses that come under the below-mentioned categories are restricted from obtaining the official Meta verification badge. This is done to ensure that WhatsApp remains a safe messaging platform for people of all ages to use.

          • Drugs
          • Tobacco items 
          • Alcohol brands
          • Gambling businesses
          • Weapons and ammunition
          • Live animals
          • Adult products and services
          • Medical and healthcare products
          • Dating services
          • Cryptocurrencies

          5. Can I use my phone number without a blue tick?

            Absolutely. You can use your WhatsApp Business or API account without getting access to the blue tick. There is no compulsion to get the blue tick as it is not mandatory in order to use WhatsApp Business or WhatsApp API. However, getting access to the blue tick greatly enhances your profile, making your business professional and improving your chances of making more sales or getting more leads.

            6. Can I get the blue tick for free on the WhatsApp Business app?

              No, in order to get the blue tick on the WhatsApp Business app you need to subscribe to one of their plans which does cost money. However, using WhatsApp API you can get it without any additional charges besides the standard API charges.

              Conclusion

              Bagging the blue tick on WhatsApp is a testimony to your company’s trustworthiness and authenticity. It gives your customers the confidence to communicate with your business and increases their chances of making a purchase from you. Having a blue tick next to your brand’s name significantly increases your brand value and reputation.

              So make sure you get access to this esteemed badge that makes you recognized by Meta as well as your customers. Keep in mind that the blue tick is not just a symbol, it can have a subtle but powerful effect on the psychology of your customers which makes them feel subconsciously safer when dealing with your business. 

              Have you ever fancied yourself having the superpower of being in multiple places at the same time? Well, it is actually quite possible if you have access to the WhatsApp Business app or WhatsApp API. We’re talking about automatic replies on WhatsApp and no you can’t actually be in several places at the same time. Sorry! 🤭

              By setting up automatic replies on WhatsApp you can make sure that no customer or client feels unattended while you are away or busy with other tasks. By taking the time to set up automatic replies on WhatsApp you are taking a major step to elevate the overall customer service experience.

              Automatic replies guarantee that none of your customers feel ignored or unappreciated while you are unavailable. Whenever customers send you a message they get a quick and prompt response reassuring them that you will get back as soon as possible or assisting them with the necessary information that they need. Auto-replies ensure that your customers aren’t left hanging and you can relax knowing that no customer goes unanswered even when you are sound asleep.

              What is WhatsApp Auto Reply?

              WhatsApp currently has over 3 billion users and is a fantastic channel for marketing your business. With WhatsApp messages having an astounding open rate of more than 98%, WhatsApp marketing has become a top choice for marketers and businesses.

              With WhatsApp’s large user base, it can be quite common to receive a large volume of messages which you may not be able to respond to instantly. Or it may be the case that you receive messages after business hours. It is during circumstances like these when WhatsApp auto-replies come to the rescue. 

              A WhatsApp auto-reply is a feature that allows you to send a pre-configured WhatsApp message to a customer automatically without your involvement in the WhatsApp Business mobile app or on the WhatsApp API. In this article, we will take a look at the benefits of setting up auto-replies and how you can set up auto-replies of your own whether for personal or business reasons.

              Why use WhatsApp Auto-Replies?

              Before jumping into learning how you can set up your own auto-replies, let us take a look at why you should consider using them and the benefits that come along with using them.

              Improved customer service: Auto-replies ensure that your customers receive a swift high-speed response when they send you a message acknowledging their presence and making them feel respected and heard. 

              Round-the-clock availability: Whenever you receive messages during off-work hours whether it be late at night or early in the morning or during quality family time, you can chill and be assured that your customers are being attended to even in your absence. 

              Time saving: By automating messages to frequently asked queries using previously crafted messages businesses can reduce the workload of their support staff and save lots of precious time by not having to respond to the same repeatedly asked questions.

              Personalization: Auto-replies can be formatted to include the customer’s name or other specific details making the conversation more personal.

              Sets clear expectations: Auto-replies can be used to inform a customer of your availability and an estimated time for your follow-up response. Informing this prior to following up makes sure your customers do not stay waiting thereby preventing frustration.

              Now that we have looked at the benefits of setting up auto-replies, let’s dive into how you can set them up yourself.

              How To Set Up and Send Auto-Replies?

              WhatsApp auto-replies can do so much more than just send an “unavailable” message or “greeting” message to your customers. Also, WhatsApp auto-replies sent using WhatsApp API can be so much more dynamic than the simple and ordinary auto-replies that can be sent through the free WhatsApp Business app. Let’s look at the different ways of creating auto-replies for the free WhatsApp Business app and the WhatsApp API:

              1. Auto-replies using the WhatsApp Business mobile app
              2. Keyword-based auto-replies using WhatsApp API
              3. Auto-replies using chatbots using WhatsApp API

              Let’s delve into each one of them and explore how you can set them up yourself.

              1. How To Set Up Auto-replies on the WhatsApp Business mobile app?

              Setting up auto-replies on WhatsApp Business mobile app is pretty easy. Follow the simple instructions below to do it by yourself:

              Step 1 – Activate away messages

              Open the WhatsApp Business app and click on the three dots in the top right corner of your screen. Then click on Business tools → Away message. Tap on the toggle button next to “Send away message” to enable auto-replies.

              Step 2 – Customize away message

              Tap on the message and write the message you wish to send to your customers to let them know you are away. Keep in mind to write this carefully and think quite a few times before finalizing it.

              Step 3 – Schedule your away message

              Schedule your away messages depending on your availability. There are three options for you to choose from:

              1. Always send: Choose this only if you are not going to be available for quite an extended period of time.
              2. Custom schedule: Choose this option if you need to send away messages during specific intervals during the day.
              3. Outside of business hours: Enable this option to send away messages to your customers outside of your everyday working hours. For this to work it is incredibly important that you set the working hours in your WhatsApp Business profile.

              Step 4 – Select your recipients

              Figure out who needs to receive away messages from you and then choose one of the options below: 

              1. Everyone: Send an automatic premade message to anyone and everyone who texts you after business hours.
              2. Everyone not in the address book: Send an auto-reply to everyone not saved in your contact list.
              3. Everyone except: If you don’t want to send auto-replies to certain contacts, choose this option.
              4. Send to: Only send messages to particular contacts that you select.

              2. How To Set Up Keyword-based Auto-replies Using WhatsApp API?

              You can also set up auto-replies for when customers send you specific keywords. Note that this can only be done when you get access to WhatsApp API via tools like WANotifier. This feature helps you better guide your customers to help them place an order or get answers to queries etc.

              Let us take a look at how you can set up keyword-based auto-replies with our tool WANotifier. Similar steps may apply to other WhatsApp API tools in the market:

              1. Open your WANotifier dashboard and click on “Automations” and then choose “Auto-replies”
              2. Click on the “Add new” button located in the top left corner. Now a popup must be visible on your screen.
              3. On the very top of the popup under the phrase “MESSAGE TEXT” you can list out the trigger words or phrases that will serve as triggers when customers send you a specific word or phrase. 
              4. Below that under the “MESSAGE TYPE” section you can choose whether the triggered auto-reply will be a text message or a message template.
              5. Further below that you can write down the auto-reply that you would like your customer to receive when they send you those particular trigger words or phrases.

              That’s it! Now you have created your very own trigger-based auto-replies. You can now enable them or disable them whenever you want from under the “status” column. The auto-replies will be triggered as per your set trigger words.

              3. How To Set Up Auto-replies Using WhatsApp Chatbots?

              Another way to set up auto-replies is by using a WhatsApp chatbot feature provided by WhatsApp API tools like WANotifier. You can learn how to build your own WhatsApp chatbots here.

              Here are some of the interesting features that come with using WhatsApp chatbots:

              • Even better customer service: Chatbots are more complex and advanced capable of delivering first-class customer service when compared to standard auto-replies. Chatbots can take on multiple customer inquiries simultaneously and provide rapid answers ensuring that no customer goes unattended.
              • More interactive: Chatbots can provide more personally tailored messages and can generate unique replies instead of the same pre-built message in case of auto-replies.
              • 24/7 support: Your business doesn’t sleep and neither do your chatbots. Chatbots provide instant replies at any time of the day regardless of any situation.
              • AI integration: It’s 2024 and AI is officially here to stay. By integrating artificial intelligence and making your chatbot AI-powered, they can deliver answers quicker and more detailed than ever before.
              • Lead generation: Chatbots can help discover prospective leads and engage with them to potentially make a sales conversion.
              • Multilingual support: You can program your chatbot to converse in many different languages and expand your outreach to customers of different ethnic backgrounds across the world.

              You can use these methods to set up your own auto-replies in WhatsApp. Let us now check out some of the best practices to be kept in mind while drafting your auto-replies.

              Best Practices For Drafting Perfect Auto-replies

              Here are some tips that will help you create a clear, crisp and concise auto-reply message that you can send to your customers: 

              • Keep it concise: Keep your message short and to the point. Avoid unnecessary text and long messages. Keep in mind to provide all the essential information while also avoiding large sentences.
              • Greeting: Make sure you start off with a friendly greeting such as “Hello” or “Hey there” and personalize the message by adding their name after the greeting.
              • Be professional: Write your message in a formal and polite tone and avoid slang words and abbreviations to ensure your message is clearly understandable to the readers.
              • Response time: Let your customers know that you are currently unavailable and give them an estimated time within which they can expect a response from you.
              • Alternative contact methods: If you have one or more platforms where people can contact you where you may respond faster let them know about it through your auto-reply.
              • End with appreciation: Finish off your message with gratitude by thanking your customers for reaching out to you. You can end it by saying “Thank you for your patience” or “I am grateful for your understanding” or any other way you see fit.

              Crafting your auto-reply using these tips is a great way to make a remarkable and outstanding first impression on your customers.

              FAQs

              What is WhatsApp auto-reply?

              WhatsApp auto-reply is a feature that enables you to send an automatic reply to customers when you are unavailable. You can set this up on the free WhatsApp Business mobile app at a basic level or use WhatsApp API-based tools like WANotifier for more complex auto-replies. 

              How to set up WhatsApp auto-reply on WhatsApp Business app?  

              To enable auto-replies on WhatsApp Business click on the three dots in the top-right corner of your screen and then click on “Business settings” and choose “Away message”. Here you can write and modify your away message and schedule them for when you need it.

              Is there a limit to the number of auto-replies I can send on WhatsApp?

              As of now, WhatsApp Business does not impose any limit on the number of automatic replies one can send. So you can send as many auto-replies as you want. In the case of WhatsApp API, you can still send an unlimited number of auto-replies but each message will cost you the standard WhatsApp API charges.

              Is it possible to send WhatsApp auto-replies during specific times?

              Of course. You can schedule your auto-replies to be sent as and when you’d like. This is particularly handy for dealing with customer inquiries after your business hours.

              Can you send different WhatsApp auto-replies to different customers?

              Yes, it is possible for you to personalize WhatsApp auto-replies based on a customer’s needs and requirements whether it be common queries or customer groups. This gives you the ability to cater to customers in a more individualized manner further improving customer experience.

              Conclusion

              WhatsApp auto-replies can be a lifesaver when it comes to running a business. WhatsApp auto-replies do so much more than just prevent you from losing your customers. It makes your customers feel valued, appreciated and understood. 

              One cannot overlook the power of automatic replies on WhatsApp when it comes to WhatsApp marketing. With that said go ahead and set up your own auto-replies on WhatsApp to make sure that your customers get the best possible customer experience with you or your business.

              We all must have heard of WhatsApp, the most popular messaging app in the world with over 3 billion active users. If you are a WhatsApp user yourself you probably know the impact WhatsApp has on our everyday lives. 

              We use WhatsApp to connect with our friends and family no matter where we are, we also use WhatsApp to interact with our colleagues at work and some of us receive information from our colleges and universities via WhatsApp while others use it to engage with potential customers or clients.

              WhatsApp is a messaging platform that has truly revolutionized the messaging and social media world. Constantly improving and adapting to the needs and requirements of users, WhatsApp has emerged as the most-used messaging platform in the world and the 2nd most downloaded app in the Google Play Store.

              WhatsApp is the third most downloaded app ever after Facebook and YouTube. In this article, we will take a look at the history of WhatsApp and the different types of WhatsApp that are available that assist us in performing a variety of functions. 

              The Story of WhatsApp

              Have you ever wondered how WhatsApp, the messaging app that took the world by storm came to be and how it has evolved into what it is today? WhatsApp has become so well known today that it has become synonymous with messaging with people saying “WhatsApp me” instead of “Message me” to other people. Let us dive in and take a look into the fascinating history of how the world’s greatest messaging platform became what it is today.

              WhatsApp was founded by Brian Acton and Jan Koum in the month of February 2009 in California, United States. Acton and Koum were former employees at Yahoo!

              Acton and Koum quit their jobs at Yahoo to travel across the world and traveling can be draining on the wallet. When they realized this they applied for a job at Facebook only to get rejected.

              This is when they came up with the idea of WhatsApp and incorporated WhatsApp Inc on February 24th 2009.

              Acton and Koum were helped by another person known as Alex Fishman who introduced the duo to an iOS developer named Igor Solomennikov whom they found on RentACoder.com. 

              The initial seed funding for WhatsApp was $250,000 which came from Yahoo! employees who were the former colleagues of Brian Acton. 

              Did you know? At a point in time, WhatsApp wasn’t free to use as it is today. During its initial days WhatsApp charged users $0.99 to use the platform and later on it was made free.

              Later in 2011, Jim Goetz, a partner of Sequoia Capital invested 8 million dollars for 15% of the firm becoming a strategic advisor.

              In 2013 after WhatsApp rose to 200 million users the company required additional funds. They approached Sequoia Capital once again for a second round of funding securing another $50 million valuing the startup at $1.5 billion dollars.

              In 2014, WhatsApp was acquired by Facebook for a whopping $19.6 billion! This was one of the largest acquisitions ever in tech history.

              In 2017, Brian Acton decided to leave the company three years after its acquisition by Facebook to work on his non-profit organization called Signal. Jan Koum followed the same path after disputes with Facebook over data privacy and WhatsApp’s business model.

              In 2018, WhatsApp launched the WhatsApp Business app and the WhatsApp Business Platform also known as WhatsApp API due to popular demand as its first way to make money. Since then till today WhatsApp has been serving customers across the world through its messaging platform as well as WhatsApp Business and WhatsApp Business API. 

              Checkout more interesting statistics about WhatsApp.

              Let us individually examine each of them along with their advantages and disadvantages to better understand what each one has to offer to its users.

              WhatsApp Mobile App

              WhatsApp Messenger is the standard free app that most people are aware of and use. WhatsApp Messenger is primarily intended to communicate with friends, family and colleagues while ensuring top-notch privacy via end-to-end encryption. 

              WhatsApp has developed several new features in recent times. Some of them include WhatsApp channels and WhatsApp pay in countries like India and Brazil. The latest update enables users to chat with Meta’s own AI assistant.

              WhatsApp can have its own pitfalls even though we are blinded by its benefits. Let us take a closer look at the pros and cons of using WhatsApp Messenger.

              Pros

              • End-to-end encryption: WhatsApp ensures your messages, calls and media files such as images, videos and documents are end-to-end encrypted which simply means only you and the person who you send them to can see or view them therefore ensuring privacy and security.
              • Free of cost: WhatsApp provides access to free messaging to its users not charging a single penny for sending messages, media files or making calls.
              • Video and voice calls: WhatsApp enables users to make voice calls as well as video calls which can prove to be useful when you want to speak to your loved ones or have professional meetings. 
              • Cross-platform availability: WhatsApp is available to download on Android and iOS and can even be accessed through web browsers making the platform available to everyone and accessible from different devices.
              • User-friendliness: WhatsApp has a simple, plain and user-friendly interface making it easier for users of all ages to navigate the platform.
              • Group chats and broadcasts: WhatsApp empowers users to communicate with multiple people at once through WhatsApp groups and broadcast lists. A WhatsApp group can have 1024 members while a broadcast list can have up to 256 members.
              • File sharing and multimedia support: WhatsApp allows you to share files with up to 2GB of storage space. WhatsApp also allows you to send images, videos, GIFs etc.
              • Minimal data requirement: You just require your phone number to get into WhatsApp. 

              Cons

              • Privacy concerns: Although WhatsApp assures end-to-end encryption there are still concerns over its data-sharing policies with its parent company Meta.
              • Data requirement: Unlike regular calls or SMS messages one needs to have data in order to use WhatsApp which might be slightly inconvenient.
              • Scams and spams: Despite the fact that WhatsApp provides maximum security and WhatsApp officials constantly monitor and regulate the app in order to keep it safe there are still fraudulent messages and spammers out there which you need to be careful of. You can avoid them by blocking their numbers and reporting them to ensure the safety of the app.
              • Backup issues: WhatsApp backups are stored on cloud services like Google or iCloud so efforts need to be taken to prevent security breaches.
              • Limited customization: Unlike a few other chatting apps WhatsApp has fewer customization options and chat backgrounds.
              • Storage consumption: WhatsApp can occupy significant storage space on your device due to media downloads and backups.

              WhatsApp can still be the best possible messaging app you can get your hands on if you educate yourself, avoid fraudulent chats and use the app wisely.

              WhatsApp Business Mobile App

              WhatsApp Business was launched in 2018 to support small and medium-sized businesses to better interact with their customers. WhatsApp Business offers additional facilities that can be taken advantage of in order to improve one’s business.

              Some of these features include an exclusive business profile where you can display information and credentials regarding your business, automated messaging and a product catalog, all for completely free.

              WhatsApp Business was created to capitalize upon the 2 billion already existing users during its release and to help businesses enhance customer engagement, have global reach and foster trust and credence with their customers all while being free of charge. 

              Pros

              • Cost-effective: The total charges for using WhatsApp Business are zero! You heard it right – zero. This makes the platform attractive to small businesses.
              • Business profiles: By using WhatsApp Business, businesses can get access to a business profile differentiating it from regular profiles. This profile can be used to display essential information about the business thereby increasing credibility.
              • Automated messages: WhatsApp Business enables businesses to send certain automated messages such as greeting messages and away messages to keep customers engaged even when they are not online.
              • Analytics tools: WhatsApp Business provides analytics tools that can be used to track how many messages are sent and organizational tools to track customers, orders, complaints and inquiries.
              • Global reach: With just a WhatsApp Business profile you get access to customers across the world without additional costs for international messaging.
              • Direct communication: WhatsApp Business serves as a channel to directly communicate with your customers. This helps businesses and business owners build better relationships with their customers by sending personalized messages and tailored product offers to them.

              Cons

              • Limited features: WhatsApp Business although free has its own limitations. It does not provide many features required to run a full-fledged business. It lacks several advanced sales and service functionalities.
              • Broadcast limitations: WhatsApp business has a cap of 256 members per broadcast list. This can be an obstacle if a business has a larger customer base or if there is a need to run a bigger marketing campaign.
              • Limited collaboration: Team collaboration can be a disaster with WhatsApp Business because all employees use the same account making it difficult to figure out which employees sent which responses thereby creating confusion.
              • Limited Devices: WhatsApp Business can only be accessed by five devices and this can be a hindrance to companies with many employees.
              • Not entirely GDPR compliant: WhatsApp Business automatically reads all saved contacts and their phone numbers. This can be avoided by using WhatsApp API. The largest drawback of WhatsApp Business is storing chats for regulatory compliance and the data protection issues that may arise when using it.

              WhatsApp Business is ideal for small-sized businesses with a few employees. Larger companies with a significant number of employees require additional advanced features that come along with using the WhatsApp Business API.

              WhatsApp Business API

              WhatsApp Business API was launched by WhatsApp in 2018 with the goal of serving larger companies looking to use WhatsApp to interact with their customers at a huge scale. Unlike WhatsApp Business, WhatsApp API has charges depending on the number of messages sent.

              Compared to the standard WhatsApp Business app, WhatsApp API gives businesses access to advanced and sophisticated features. Some of them include the ability to send automated messages in bulk, chatbots, detailed analytics and reports. 

              WhatsApp Business API has greatly restructured the way businesses operate and is used by thousands of businesses to dramatically increase revenue and customer engagement.

              Pros

              • Increased visibility: WhatsApp Business API provides companies access to a wider audience with whom they can communicate directly. WhatsApp API also provides access to swift and personalized messaging increasing the chances of making a conversion. Having access to WhatsApp API also gives your business the verified green tick making it feel more reliable and trustworthy to customers.
              • Central WhatsApp inbox: With WhatsApp API each employee or team member can get access to an individual employee account. Unlike WhatsApp Business you can now see which messages employees replied to in this central inbox.
              • Customization and integration: WhatsApp API is highly customizable to suit business needs and integrates seamlessly with other third-party CRMs and software. 
              • Automated messaging: WhatsApp API allows you to send automated messages to a large number of people provided they have opted in to receive messages from you. You can schedule these messages to be sent whenever you want as well.
              • AI-powered chatbots: With WhatsApp API you can leverage the power of chatbots to deal with customers whenever you are away.
              • Multi-device access: WhatsApp API allows access from an unlimited number of devices as opposed to the WhatsApp Business app which only gives access to five devices.

              Cons

              • Long approval process: To get access to WhatsApp Business API one needs to apply through the official Meta Developers Portal and the approval process can be long and arduous potentially taking weeks to set up.
              • Lack of front-end interface: WhatsApp API does not come with a built-in interface for companies to operate on. To access WhatsApp API companies need to choose a third-party provider. Check out WANotifier, the all-in-one WhatsApp marketing software designed to help you get the most out of WhatsApp Business API. 
              • Cost: WhatsApp Business API comes with a nominal charge for every message sent. However, depending on the type of business you have, WhatsApp API can prove to be more harmful than beneficial. 

              WhatsApp Business API is better suited for medium and large-sized businesses or any business with over 5 employees.

              WhatsApp vs WhatsApp Business vs WhatsApp API

              Let us take a comparative look at the three versions of WhatsApp and how they can assist you in further improving your revenue and sales while building better relationships with your customers.

              Features WhatsApp MessengerWhatsApp BusinessWhatsApp API
              Business ProfileNo Yes Yes
              PriceFreeFreePaid 
              Meta verified profileNo YesYes
              Number of users15Unlimited
              CatalogNoYesYes
              Automated messagesNoYes (Limited)Yes
              Broadcast listsYes (256 contacts)Yes (256 contacts)Yes (unlimited)
              ChatbotsNoNoYes
              Third-party integrationsNoNoYes
              Quick replies and CTA buttonsNoNoYes

              FAQs

              What is the difference between WhatsApp Business and WhatsApp Business API?

              The principal difference between WhatsApp Business and WhatsApp API is that WhatsApp Business is a free mobile app designed to help improve small-scale businesses whereas WhatsApp API is a programmatic API created to assist medium and large-scale businesses to do WhatsApp marketing.

              Is it better to use WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business?

              Both of them have their own unique benefits however WhatsApp Business gives you all the features of WhatsApp along with additional functionalities and tools. Some additional features include a verified business profile, the ability to send automated messages, analytics and message templates.

              How many users can use WhatsApp Business API? 

              WhatsApp Business API can be used by an unlimited number of employees or team members, unlike WhatsApp Business which can only allow access to up to 5 members.

              Is WhatsApp API free?

              WhatsApp API is not free to use but has minimal charges per message you send. WhatsApp only charges you for the number of messages you send so this price is entirely dependent on the size of your company and the number of customers you have.

              Is WhatsApp Business free or paid?

              WhatsApp Business is free to use and is ideal for small businesses but it does not provide advanced features that are available only through WhatsApp API such as chatbots, detailed analytics, bulk and automated messaging and an intuitive WhatsApp inbox.

              Conclusion

              So there they are, each type of WhatsApp has its own advantages and disadvantages which need to be considered before deciding to use them. WhatsApp API is the most versatile and beneficial form of WhatsApp providing businesses with the most superior features and tools that are needed to take your business to the next level. Anyhow, you need to carefully analyze which type of WhatsApp is the most compatible with your business necessities prior to making your concluding choice. 

              Has your WhatsApp Business API account been disabled? Is your phone number status showing “Banned”? If yes, do not worry, we have got you covered. In this article we will take a look at all the possible reasons which might lead to your account getting banned and also most importantly we will see how you can recover your account if you are in such a situation.

              The first and most significant step: Do not panic! We understand you are in a problematic scenario and probably have a lot at stake. We empathize with you and we get the feeling of possibly losing your customers can be frustrating and nightmarish especially if you already have invested a lot into this. Do not worry, everything has a solution.

              If you get an alert informing you that your business has been disabled then it means that your WhatsApp Business API account has been disabled (not your Meta Business account) possibly because you have knowingly or accidentally violated one of their business policies. 

              Let us see what are all the possible reasons that may lead to your account getting banned so that you can avoid them in the future and safeguard yourself.

              Reasons Why Your WhatsApp Business Account is Disabled

              There are a number of reasons why WhatsApp may decide to block your WhatsApp Business Account. It is important to understand them and stay in compliance with WhatsApp’s privacy policies to prevent something like this from happening again in the future.

              Sending Messages Without Obtaining Consent

              Always keep in mind that customers have to opt in to receive messages from your business. You must ensure you get their consent before sending them additional messages. You cannot message random numbers as this will result in getting banned. So always make sure that you’re only sending messages to people who have given you permission to be contacted.

              Multiple User Reports

              It is fairly common for businesses to be blocked by users on WhatsApp if they are not interested in the product or service that you offer. However, getting blocked and reported by many users could arouse suspicion particularly if they happen within a short span of time. In order to prevent this, learn how to broadcast messages on WhatsApp effectively while adhering to best practices.

              Impersonation 

              If you are found to be impersonating someone else using a fake account then you are bound to get banned. Pretending to be someone else like a celebrity or popular figure is against WhatsApp’s rules and WhatsApp will take your account down for safety reasons.

              Sending Malicious Links 

              WhatsApp takes strict action over sending malicious software or viruses. Messaging suspicious links which may contain hazardous software or spyware is strictly prohibited and WhatsApp will ban your account to protect their users’ privacy and safety.

              General Violation of WhatsApp’s Terms and Conditions 

              Avoid sending hateful, discriminatory, harmful or threatening messages. Also selling illegal goods such as firearms, drugs, and adult products is against WhatsApp’s commerce policy. It is recommended that you read it before you sign up in order to avoid getting banned. Any other direct violation of WhatsApp’s terms of service such as using unauthorized bulk senders is guaranteed to result in penalizing action.

              Even if you did not engage in any of the malpractices and stayed within the boundaries of WhatsApp’s terms of service, it is still possible that you get banned. Let us jump straight away and see how you can get back access to your account in case of a ban.

              How To Recover Your Banned WhatsApp Business API Account?

              There are a few ways by which you can attempt to restore your account. Make sure you read carefully and implement the methods accordingly for the best possible chance of getting your account back.

              Resolve the issue mentioned in their notice

              First, you need to know why they disabled your account and fix the issue before you proceed to recover it.

              To do this you need to open WhatsApp Manager . On the top where it shows the Account Disabled error, click on the View details in Business support home link.

              It will take you to the account review page. Under the Disabled status, you might find out why they have restricted your account. The different kinds of notices you might receive are:

              • Website: If the issue is related to your website, you need to ensure that you have entered the correct website that is currently live. Do not enter random URLs or other websites. Make sure you enter the URL of your own website.
              • Spam: If the issue displayed is spam, you might have sent multiple messages repeatedly to users via the platform and were reported by a large number of receivers as spam. If this is the case, it will be very difficult if not impossible to get back access to your account.
              • Business Policy violation: If the notice is related to a violation of WhatsApp’s business policy then it is most likely that your business belongs to a category that goes against WhatsApp’s guidelines. It may also be due to the fact that you have sent unsolicited messages or products to users.

              Other than these, WhatsApp can also sometimes restrict your account for no valid reason. We’ve seen this happen to some of our users. Note that this is not intentional and is most likely due to a technical issue or incorrect flagging by their backend system. 

              Nonetheless, no matter what the problem is, make sure to rectify it before moving forward. 

              Adding as many details about your business on the Meta portal can help as this assures Meta of your transparency.

              Request a Review

              If you believe you have sorted out the issues that caused the ban to the best of your ability or if you think your account might have gotten banned without a genuine reason then you can proceed to request a review of your account.

              To do this go to WhatsApp Manager and then go to the account review page and click on the Request review button on the right side of the page. In the popup that appears type in something like this:

              In the popup that appears type in something like this:

              Hello,

              With all due regards, I have noticed that there has been a ban on my account. I have resolved all the issues that might be the reason for this restriction to the best of my ability. I kindly request you to review my account and restore it as soon as possible.

              Thank you.

              See to it that you use polite and formal language while drafting this message. WhatsApp officials usually review the request and restore your account within 6 hours if no additional details are required.

              Still not Recovered?

              If your account is still not recovered please conduct a thorough scan for any other possible issues and try to fix it accordingly to confirm you have not left anything behind then request a review again. 

              Some of our users have reported that they had to request a review 3-5 times before they got back their account!

              What Next?

              If you have tried all the above ways and you still couldn’t get back access to your account then we are sorry to say that your account may be banned permanently. If you still wish to use WhatsApp Business API then you can start over by creating a new account using a new number.

              Follow the steps below to do it:

              Conclusion

              We hope you have learned a thing or two about how to avoid getting your WhatsApp business account banned and how to recover it in case of a ban. Do you know what the best way to prevent all this is? It is to carefully read and understand everything related to a WhatsApp Business account such as their commerce policy, terms and conditions etc. and adhere to them.

              In case you have further doubts or queries make sure to check out our help desk. If you want to learn more about using WhatsApp for your business then take a peek into our blog. You may find really cool and useful tips there. Thank you for reading and we wish you good luck on the journey of recovering your WhatsApp Business account!

              Are you thinking of getting a virtual number for WhatsApp to boost your business? Or maybe you just want it for other personal reasons?  Either way, we have got your back, in this blog post we will be diving deep to see how you can get your own virtual number and delve into the benefits that come along with having a virtual number for WhatsApp.

              If you are reading this you probably already know what a virtual number is. Well, in case you don’t know, a virtual number is a phone number that enables you to communicate with others without the requirement of a physical SIM card.

              Unlike a regular phone number, a virtual number is not associated with any specific network operator. Virtual numbers can be used on multiple devices simultaneously and this gives them a wide range of applications especially, customer support. With a virtual phone number, you can make calls and send messages just like a regular number. To access a virtual number you just need a stable internet connection and you need to pick a third-party provider.

              Now, it is essential to ask an important question: “Why do I need to use a virtual number when I can simply use my regular number?” The most common reason why people use virtual numbers is to protect their privacy. When it comes to a business there are numerous other benefits. Let us plunge into the perks that come along with using a virtual number for WhatsApp.

              Advantages of Using Virtual Numbers for WhatsApp

              There are a plethora of benefits that a business can avail by utilizing a virtual number for WhatsApp. Here are some of the most predominant reasons:

              Multiple Devices

              With virtual phone numbers, you can use the same number on multiple devices, unlike a normal phone number which is limited to a single device.

              Privacy and Number Masking

              Using virtual phone numbers for WhatsApp safeguards your privacy as you don’t need to use your real phone number to communicate with customers. You also have the choice to mask your number so that nobody can see it. This makes sure you aren’t exposed to fraudulent calls and keeps you shielded against unnecessary spammers and scam calls.

              Improved Team Coordination

              Having virtual numbers immensely improves internal communication by making it easier for team members to collaborate effectively and increasing overall productivity. If you are a remote business with employees in different locations this becomes a big benefit. As virtual numbers are accessible globally they can be used to provide a seamless internal communication experience to your employees.

              Cost Effectiveness

              Virtual numbers are comparatively budget-friendly over regular numbers from network service providers. As virtual numbers can be used on multiple devices it removes the need for an individual dedicated number for each employee and hence saves your valuable money.

              Broader Reach

              With access to a virtual number businesses can reach out to a wider audience. Virtual numbers can be used to communicate with people across the globe. This makes it possible to reach audiences from different locations throughout the world.

              If you wish to make your business go international and operate in multiple countries, virtual numbers become all the more essential. Using virtual numbers can thus increase your customer base thereby increasing sales and revenue.

              Better Customer Support

              Having a virtual number tremendously enhances the customer support experience by providing access to robust features such as call forwarding and interactive voice response (IVR). These super cool features can be leveraged to improve customer experience and provide them with personalized solutions.

              Increased ROI

              Investing in a virtual number can significantly reduce expenditures by removing the need for multiple phone numbers. WhatsApp is a potent marketing tool and with a virtual number you can track the effectiveness of your WhatsApp marketing campaigns.

              Customer Engagement

              Virtual numbers can be used to broadcast messages, images, videos and other forms of multimedia via WhatsApp similar to a regular number therefore ensuring customer engagement.

              Apart from the wealth of benefits described above, virtual numbers can also be integrated with other platforms such as Microsoft 365, Salesforce, Zendesk etc. making the work experience smooth and simple. Let us now take a look at how you can get your own virtual number for WhatsApp.

              How to Set up a Virtual Number for WhatsApp?

              A virtual number can be used for both WhatsApp and the WhatsApp Business app. It can also be integrated with WhatsApp Business API. To get access to a virtual number for WhatsApp you need to follow the steps below:

              Choose a Provider

              Choosing the right virtual number provider is a crucial step in the process of obtaining your own virtual number. Make sure that the provider you pick is compatible with your needs and requirements. Also, ensure to check the following:

              Privacy and security: Double-check if your provider values your data privacy and confidentiality.

              Customer support: Check if your provider has a dedicated customer support team to assist you if you have any doubts or queries.

              Affordability: Make sure the packages offered by the provider fall under your budget. Compare the prices of different providers before making a final decision.

              Convenience and ease of use: See if the user interface is easy to navigate and if they have an overall convenient user experience.

              Call quality: Confirm the call quality is good. Request a demo if needed.

              Also, do not forget to check the testimonials and reviews, compare different providers and request a demo if needed before you make your final choice.

              Pick a Country and Phone Number Type

              One of the major benefits virtual numbers provide is the ability to communicate with people across the planet. Pick the country where you provide your services and then pick a number type (local, mobile, toll-free or national). Decide on this before you set up your account with the provider.

              Set-up Your Account

              Go to the provider’s app or website and fill in the required details. Follow the instructions and provide essential details like your name, email and payment information. Then pick your desired country and number type. Finally, pick a package that suits your requirements and make the payment. Now you will have obtained the virtual number.

              Verify it on WhatsApp

              Proceed to verify the number on WhatsApp and create a WhatsApp account with that number.

              • Enter the country code and the virtual number on WhatsApp.
              • You will receive a verification SMS or call.
              • Enter the code in WhatsApp to create your account.

              Congrats! You have now set up your very own Virtual number for WhatsApp!

              Tips for Choosing a Number Provider for WhatsApp Business

              During the process of selecting a virtual number provider for WhatsApp Business, you need to verify if they are in alignment with your requirements and in accordance with your financial limitations. It might be considerate of you to double-check the following points before you zero down to a suitable provider. The following tips might come in handy while choosing your virtual number provider:

              • Go through the reviews and testimonials of a provider to ensure their trustworthiness and honesty. 
              • Check if they have quality customer support and it would also be beneficial if they cater to multilingual customers.
              • It is of vital importance to check for portability so that you don’t have to switch numbers in case you decide to switch providers. Keep in mind that customers are always more comfortable when dealing with familiar numbers. You might be surprised by the effect that the air of familiarity has.
              • Compare costs between different providers before committing to a provider as you might find another provider that is more compatible with your needs with a lower price tag.
              • Check for a provider with minimal downtime and choose the one with the highest uptime.
              • Find out if they offer a free trial. It is always better to test the waters before jumping in.
              • Make sure they are updated and have most of the useful features.
              • If you are an international business or have ideas to go international in the future, it is important to double-check if your provider has global reach. 

              By being aware of these factors you will be better equipped to choose a virtual number provider that is in alignment with your business goals and offers a smooth experience with WhatsApp Business.

              Commonly Asked Questions

              What is a virtual number for WhatsApp?

              A WhatsApp virtual number is a phone number that allows you to message WhatsApp users without the need for a physical SIM card from a network service provider.

              Can we port an existing number to a virtual number?

              Yes, it is possible to port your existing number to a virtual number. This way you can continue using the same number which is familiar to your customers while also switching to a virtual number.

              How to get a free virtual number for WhatsApp?

              To get a free virtual number, sign up for a free trial with a trusted virtual number provider. Note that this is temporary and you will have to pay eventually to continue using the number.

              How to get a virtual number for WhatsApp? 

              Choose a trusted virtual number provider and pick a payment plan. Then enter the required details necessary to obtain the virtual number. After you get access to the virtual number, enter WhatsApp to verify it and create a WhatsApp account with that number.

              Is it possible to use WhatsApp without a phone number?

              You can use a virtual number to use WhatsApp instead of your real number.

              Can we call using a virtual number?

              Yes, you can make and take calls just like any other phone number. All you need is a stable internet connection.

              Wrapping Up

              These days it has become a necessity for businesses to own a virtual number to communicate with WhatsApp users. A business with a significant number of customers literally cannot function without a virtual number. Since we have also looked at the advantages of using a virtual number you might want to consider using a virtual number if you want to take your WhatsApp marketing efforts to the next level. So what are you waiting for? Go ahead and get your own virtual number.

              Do you need to send a message to someone via WhatsApp without saving them as a contact? Maybe you need to share your location with a taxi driver or send a document to take a printout in a stationery shop but you do not want to save the contact for just a one-time use or maybe just want to make it quick.

              In scenarios such as these, you might find WhatsApp’s requirement to save a contact before sending them a message complicated and annoying. But what if we tell you there are techniques that you can deploy to maneuver past this obstacle? 

              Why would you not want to save the contact number before messaging them on WhatsApp in the first place? Well, there might be a couple of reasons:

              1. You do not want to accumulate too many contacts on your phone.
              2. You are in a hurry or just want to save your time.
              3. You are lazy, just kidding 😁.

              If you are in such a situation and want to send a message instantly on WhatsApp, these methods can come in handy. Remember to keep these hacks up your sleeve the next time you need them.

              Creating a WhatsApp link

              The first method that you can use to message anyone with access to WhatsApp without saving their number is by making use of the “wa.me” link feature. To do this follow the steps below:

              • First, make sure you have the number you want to message ready with you and then copy this standard link format: https://wa.me/mobile-number. 
              • Then proceed to open a web browser like Google Chrome on your device and paste the link in the URL bar.
              • Now, replace “mobile-number” with the phone number of the person you want to message and most importantly remember to include the country code. For example, if you want to message someone from let’s say India whose number is +919876543210 then your link should look like this: https://wa.me/919876543210. 
              • Hit enter and you should arrive on a WhatsApp page. Now, click on the “Continue to Chat” button.
              • The chat window for that mobile number will open in WhatsApp and Voila! Now you can send them a message without saving their contact number.

              If you have a business you can reverse engineer this tactic to increase customer engagement by adding your wa.me link to your website and social profiles. This is a phenomenal way to drive sales as this encourages potential customers to reach out to you through WhatsApp.

              To make this process effortless, check out our free WhatsApp Link Generator. Just enter your mobile number along with the country code and then add your custom message that will be automatically sent to your customers when they click on your link. That’s all, you’re done. Make sure to add your wa.me link to your website and social media pages so that your customers can click on it.

              Message Yourself

              This method is a walk in the park. This method probably takes the least time of all the available methods. Follow the steps below to learn how to do it yourself:

              • Copy the number you intend to send a message to and then open WhatsApp and tap on the “New chat” button. 
              • At the very top of the list, you should find your name with a “(You)” suffix next to it.
              • Click on it and send the copied number to yourself.
              • Tap on the number and if the person is on WhatsApp, a “Chat with…” option will be visible.
              • Click on it and a chat window will open with that number and now you can send your message.

              This tactic makes it easy to message anyone on WhatsApp without storing their contact on your phonebook.

              Find the Contact Number in WhatsApp Groups

              Another method that can be used to send messages to a person without saving their contact number is by finding them in group chats. This one is easy as pie. Obviously, the method is only applicable if you and the person you want to message are in the same group. This method is especially convenient if you don’t want to add a new contact but still want to send messages to a person who is in a group chat with you. There are two methods to do this:

              Method 1:

              • Click on the group in which both you and the number you want to send a message to are in.
              • Click on the three dots on the top right corner of your screen.
              • Click on the “Group info” option
              • Scroll down till you find the number you want to send a message to and click on it.
              • At this point, a menu will appear and on that menu click on the “message (phone number)” option.
              • A chat window with that number will open and now you can send your message.

              Method 2:

              • Click on the group in which both you and the number you want to send a message to are in.
              • Find a message that the person you want to message has sent previously to the group.
              • Click on the number at the top of the message.
              • A menu will appear and now click on the “chat message” icon.
              • A chat window with that number will open and now you can send your message.

              Using this approach is a brilliant way to quickly send messages to someone you are in a group chat with without saving their number thus saving you time.

              By using Google Assistant on Android or Siri on iOS

              If you are the type of person who uses Google Assistant a lot then this method would be a perfect fit for you. Follow the steps below to learn how:

              • Activate Google Assistant by long pressing your home button or by voice activation.
              • Direct Google Assistant by saying “Send a WhatsApp to +(country code)(phone number).
              • Now Google will ask you to prompt the message you want to send.
              • Dictate the message you wish to convey to the other person.
              • That’s it, Google Assistant will send the message via WhatsApp to that person.

              The exact same process can be done by using Siri as well if you are an iOS user. By using this technique you can get the job done by just using your voice. You don’t even have to lift a finger, literally.

              By Using Shortcut App on iOS

              If you are an iOS user then you can use this alternative. You are going to love this if you like using shortcuts on iOS. Follow the steps below:

              • Open the Apple Shortcuts app on your iOS device and tap on the “Add Shortcut” button to search for new shortcuts.
              • Search for and install the “WhatsApp Unsaved Number” shortcut.
              • Once the shortcut is installed, click on it and a pop-up will appear asking to “Choose recipient”.
              • Now all you need to do is enter the phone number you want to send a message to along with the country code in the “Choose recipient” field.
              • After you do this, a WhatsApp chat window will appear with that number and now you can send a message to that person.

              This is a great way for iPhone users to send messages through WhatsApp without saving their numbers.

              Using the Truecaller App

              Have you heard of Truecaller? Truecaller is an app that enables you to identify incoming calls and block unwanted spam and fraudulent calls. The app has over a billion downloads on Google Play Store. But this app can also be leveraged to send WhatsApp messages to people without saving their numbers. Let’s see how you can do that:

              • Open the Truecaller app on your Android or iOS device.
              • Within the app click on the search bar and search the number you want to message.
              • Once the search is finished, Truecaller will display the profile associated with that phone number.
              • Click on the profile and scroll down till you find the WhatsApp icon and click on it.
              • This will directly open a chat window with that person on WhatsApp and now you can send them a message without saving their number.

              WhatsApp Business API

              If you are a business owner looking to send messages to a large number of people without saving their contact number then WhatsApp Business API is the right option for you. WhatsApp Business API is an official API created by WhatsApp to cater to businesses and enable them to broadcast messages to a wider audience.

              This approach lets you take your WhatsApp marketing game to the next level by granting you the ability to send personalized, creative and interactive messages to numerous people simultaneously. To get access to WhatsApp API you need to apply through the official Meta Developers portal or via a business solution provider.

              WhatsApp API is a dream come true for several marketers and business owners across the planet. WhatsApp marketing done through WhatsApp API is the most efficacious method that has the greatest possibility of yielding results that are worthwhile. When it comes to marketing on WhatsApp it is important to remember about customer consent before you can send them messages. Customers need to opt-in to receive messages from you.

              To get to know how you can broadcast messages effectively on WhatsApp read how to broadcast messages on WhatsApp. If you want to get the most value out of WhatsApp Business API and aspire to get the best possible experience for yourself and your customers you might want to consider using WANotifier.

              Why Choose WANotifier?

              WANotifier is an all-in-one WhatsApp marketing software that provides several features that would incredibly benefit your business. Let us take a look at some of them:

              No Additional Markup Charges

              WhatsApp API comes with a small charge for every message that you send to your customers. However, when you access WhatsApp API through a business solution provider, some of them tend to add extra charges on top of the standard WhatsApp API charges. This is not the case with WANotifier. We charge you 0% extra other than the original charges that are set by Whatsapp API. This way, 100% of the funds you put in provide you with 100% of its value.

              Automation

              WANotifier gives you the ability to automate your messaging process to a significant level reducing the requirement of manual effort thus saving time. You also get access to powerful and complex chatbots that do the work for you so that you don’t have to get involved. You can sleep tight knowing well that your business is in safe hands.

              Detailed Analytics

              Track your progress and monitor traffic to understand your shortcomings and improve upon them to advance faster and hence maximize revenue and sales.

              Marketing Messages and Transactional Notifications

              Send bulk WhatsApp messages containing promotional offers to a humongous number of customers with the help of pre-made templates. You can choose to send them now or schedule them to be sent later when your customers are most likely available to view messages. Additionally, send automatic transactional messages to your customers to confirm that they have made a purchase.

              Mobile App

              Take complete advantage of our mobile app built for both iOS and Android to never miss a chat request or inquiry no matter where you are.

              WANotifier ensures you get access to all the above-mentioned benefits and much more while also providing flawless and comprehensive integration with WhatsApp API. If you need to give it a trial before you decide to make a final choice, create your free account and test the waters before jumping in.

              Frequently Asked Questions

              Can I send a WhatsApp message without adding a contact?

              Yes, you can use methods such as using a wa.me link, finding them on group chats, messaging their number to yourself, using Siri shortcuts, using Google Assistant or using the Truecaller app.

              What is WhatsApp Business API?

              WhatsApp Business API is a tool crafted for businesses to send messages at scale without the need to save contact numbers.

              How do I message someone on WhatsApp for the first time?

              Click on the “New chat” button on the bottom right of the WhatsApp interface and then click on the contact you want to send a message. This will open a chat window with that contact where you can now send your message.

              Can someone contact me on WhatsApp if they are not in my contacts?

              Yes, it is possible for someone to contact you even if they are not in your contact list. They only require your phone number in order to contact you.

              Conclusion

              So there you have it, all the possible methods to send a message on WhatsApp without saving their number. WhatsApp can be a convenient medium to send messages due to its adaptability. Remember to keep these aces up your sleeve to use in times of urgency. 

              These tactics can also be applied if you don’t want a cluttered and long contact list on your phone. Ranging from simple tricks to elaborate solutions, these methods can be used according to your needs whether big or small. Make sure that you understand these methods so you can become a master of messaging on WhatsApp!

              Are you a business owner or marketing professional who wants to ace your WhatsApp marketing game? Want to know how to reduce lead times and supercharge your customers’ engagement and satisfaction? 

              Automation is simple: You let machines or technology take over what you do, and you call it automation. When it comes to Whatsapp automation, the case is no different. It is about using some advanced features and software tools to automate all your business communication on WhatsApp with your customers.

              You can’t be online all the time, so to make the most out of your WhatsApp marketing, automating your WhatsApp conversations can truly result in exceptional ROI and also happier customer experiences.

              Lets dive right into it…

              Why Do Businesses Need WhatsApp Automation? – Benefits and Uses 

              Opting for WhatsApp automation can be very beneficial for your business. Let’s take a look at these and how companies in different industries are reaping benefits of WhatsApp automation:  

              1. Improved Efficiency

              By handling all your business’s routine tasks like customer inquiries, FAQs, and scheduling appointments automatically on WhatsApp, you can free up your employees and their time for handling more complex issues. 

              For instance, in the renting industry, guest housing or renting businesses or platforms use WhatsApp automation to streamline communication between guests and hosts. It covers things like inquiries about bookings and check-in-related updates, and it frees up employees for more demanding customer support work. 

              2. Round-the-clock Availability

              Whatsapp automation can make sure that your business stays responsive to your customers even when your customer support team is dozing off at night time or enjoying a break by providing 24/7 service with automated responses. 

              In the entertainment industry, online streaming platforms benefit from WhatsApp automation. They send automated messages about new releases, account updates, and billing information to subscribers across the globe 24/7 so no time differences can come in the way.   

              3. Cost Savings

              You can cut down the cost of hiring additional customer support staff or the resources that your business may use to manage Whatsapp dealings by opting for Whatsapp automation. 

              For instance, in the food industry, fast food chains use WhatsApp automation to let their customers place orders as well as track them using automated responses. That way they don’t need extra call center staff and end up saving money and also improving their operational efficiency. 

              4. Consistent Customer Service

              Remember that one time you had good customer service on call then the next day you had it worse? With WhatsApp automation, that can’t be a possibility because automation can ensure uniformity in your business responses and provide consistent information and experiences to customers to increase their satisfaction and loyalty. 

              Hospitality industry businesses often use WhatsApp automation to provide consistent responses to their guests’ inquiries about room reservations, hotel amenities, and local attractions.  

              5. Personalized Interactions

              Advanced automation tools like WANotifer can use your customer data to personalize interactions like it will address your customers by their name or recommend them products based on their purchasing history. 

              In the beauty and cosmetics industry, beauty retailers use Whatsapp automation to give personalized recommendations about beauty tips and products as well as exclusive offers targeted to customers’ preferences.  

              6. Increased Engagement

              You can use automated messages to initiate and maintain customer engagement as you send them reminders, updates, or promotional offers to boost their engagement with your business. It is part of the plan of 65% of marketers to invest more in messaging apps like Whatsapp for customer engagement in the following years.

              Global beverage chains and businesses use whatsapp automation to keep a tab on customer preferences and send them personalized promotion messages, loyalty program updates, and order notifications. Automated messages keep their customers engaged with the business and motivate them to visit their outlets or go for online orders.

              7. Analytics and Insights

              Automation platforms like WANotifier can also provide analytics and insights about your business’s customer behavior, preferences, and interaction patterns, all of which can inform your marketing and customer service strategies.

              For instance, in the apparel industry, businesses integrate WhatsApp automation with their CRM system to garner customer feedback, analyze how they are interacting with the brand, and track their preferences. This way, they refine and customize their products and marketing campaigns. 

              8. Compliance and Security

              Automation tools can also help your business by being mindful of compliance with data protection regulations and enhance your business’s overall security by handling your customer information and interactions with utmost security.

              For instance, sensitive organizations like banks employ WhatsApp automation for secure account notifications, transaction alerts, and customer service inquiries keeping the risk of breaches away. 

              All these benefits and examples show how no matter which industry the companies are operating in, Whatsapp automation can help them benefit in multifarious ways and also highlight different use cases of Whatsapp automation for businesses. 

              How WhatsApp Automation Can Work For Your Business?

              A WhatsApp automation tool comes with different features to work for your business in various ways:

              1. Basic Automation

              Whatsapp automation can automate your basic WhatsApp marketing tasks via: 

              Welcome Messages:

              When a new customer messages your business on WhatsApp, you can send them an automatic personalized welcome message. You can set up automatic replies to greet customers quickly just when they message your business. In that, you can include what your business is about its services and also give special introductory offers.

              OOO or Out-of-Office Messages:

              You can’t always be available for complex customer queries or requests, but instead of keeping your customers waiting in those times, basic Whatsapp automation can help you send them Out-of-Office (OOO) messages. These messages can tell them when you will be back or direct them to different methods of contact.   

              Subscribe/Unsubscribe: 

              You can offer automatic subscription and unsubscription options to your audience, allowing your business to send only messages they’re truly interested in. This is vital for promotional messages and newsletters. 

              Scheduled Messages: 

              You can plan and schedule your business messages in advance to send them later at specific times and make sure you are communicating them timely with your target audience.

              Broadcast Lists: 

              Send messages to multiple recipients at once while maintaining the personalized feel of individual messages.

              2. Auto-Replies

              Keyword-based Replies: 

              You can feed customized responses in the automation tool based on specific keywords that are present in messages your business receives and offer specific information or direct to specific departments or representatives accordingly. For example, if specific keywords like ‘price’ or ‘pricing’ are present in customers’ messages, whatsapp automation can send them your pricing information and relevant product knowledge. 

              Businesses that are using WhatsApp automation benefit from a response rate of 80%.   

              3. Chatbots 

              Whatsapp automation leverages Chatbots to boost your business’s marketing strategy: 

              Automating Complex Workflow:

              Chatbots can automate complex workflows by handling various tasks like booking appointments, confirming and processing orders, and even giving personalized product recommendations to your customers. 

              For instance, your whatsapp automation chatbot can guide your audience through a step-by-step process for choosing and buying a product, feature, or service, collect necessary information, and also send reminders and promotional offers all without any human intervention.

              Interactive Experiences: 

              Using WhatsApp automation tools can let you deploy chatbots to engage with your customers in real-time conversations. These chatbots can answer some FAQs, provide product information to your customers, and even complete some transactions for your business.

              AI-Powered Responses: 

              Chatbots can also employ AI (Artificial Intelligence) to handle all the complex queries that your business may receive and provide 24/7 accurate content to your customers. 

              More than half of businesses, over 50%, have already integrated Chatbots to handle customer queries on whatsapp. You can also learn to build your Whatsapp chatbot easily using our guide. 

              4. Drip Sequences 

              Whatsapp automation can benefit your business with drip sequences, which include a series of automated messages delivered after certain time intervals.

              Lead Nurturing or Lead Generation:

              You can nurture leads or customers with drip sequences using WhatsApp automation. Let’s say a visitor or potential customer subscribes to your updates. After this subscription, the drip sequence feature can send them a series of messages over the following days or weeks. These messages could be about some blogs present on your business website, special offers, or product updates so they engage and leads can be converted into sales. 

              5. Workflow Automation

              Whatsapp automation isn’t just limited to automating replies to customers. It can also automate the entire workflow: 

              Integration with CRM: 

              You can integrate WhatsApp with your CRM system to automate lead nurturing, follow-ups, and customer lifecycle management, and streamline the sales processes of your business easily.

              Advanced Analytics and Reporting: 

              You can use WhatsApp automation to automate your business’s analytics and reporting workflow. Automation can collect data by integrating WhatsApp interactions with analytics tools to keep a tab on customer engagement, and purchasing behavior and give you insights to optimize your communication strategies and marketing decisions. 

              Internal Communication: 

              You can also automate the internal notifications and updates about your business to make sure all your teams stay informed about important developments or tasks and boost overall collaboration and efficiency.

              6. Notifications and Transactional Alerts

              WhatsApp automation can oversee the alerts and notifications for your business, too:

              Order Status Updates: 

              You can automatically send notifications about your business activities, like any changes in order status, payment confirmations, and delivery updates, to keep your customers informed during the buying process.

              Promotional Offers:

              You can also automatically send notifications about promotional offers, sales, and exclusive offers to your customers and subscribers. 

              Event Reminders: 

              Your business can send automated reminders to your team, customers, and partners for appointments, bookings, or events. That way, you can bring down the no-shows and enhance your customer satisfaction.

              How to Get Started with WhatsApp Automation for Your Business? 

              Now that you know the benefits, and uses, here is how you can get started to reap those benefits for your business yourself.  

              Options for WhatsApp Automation 

              You have two main options to get started with Whatsapp automation, the WhatsApp Business mobile app and the WhatsApp API.

              1. WhatsApp Business Mobile App

              The WhatsApp Business app is free to use, and it can offer you basic automation features that are mainly suitable for small businesses like:

              • Quick Replies: You can send predefined responses to common customer questions.
              • Automated Greeting Messages: You can send welcome messages for new chats.
              • Away Messages: You can send automated responses when you’re not available.

              Limitations: While useful and free to use, the WhatsApp Business app is limited in terms of scalability and advanced automation features.

              2. WhatsApp API

              The WhatsApp API is best suited for medium to large businesses that need more advanced automation and integration capabilities and also for small businesses that want to achieve success in a short time.  It has features like:

              • Advanced Chatbots: It can allow you to leverage customizable chatbots that handle complex queries.
              • Integration with CRM Systems: You can seamlessly connect with customer relationship management tools.
              • Scalable Messaging Solutions: Your business can manage large volumes of messages and automated workflows without any difficulty.

              Advantages: It is more advantageous than the Whatsapp business app as it gives greater flexibility, scalability, and the ability to integrate with various business systems. While you can only automate messages in whatsapp business, whatsapp API will let you automate workflow comprehensively including segmenting the customers and delivering personalized messages which is key to generating sales for any business, big or small. 

              Tool for Enhancing WhatsApp Automation: WANotifier

              WANotifier is a powerful tool that leverages the WhatsApp API to offer advanced automation features for your business. Here’s what WANotifier brings to the table:

              Features of WANotifier

              1. Advanced Chatbots

              Using WANotifier, you can create intelligent chatbots that can handle complex queries, provide personalized responses to your customers, and guide them through various processes without constant human intervention. 

              2. Basic Automation

              WANotifier can equip you to set up automated workflows for common tasks like customer inquiries, order confirmations, and follow-ups using WANotifier.

              3. Auto-Replies

              You can set and automate responses using WANotifer for common questions and scenarios to make sure your customers receive answers in a timely and consistent tone and style.  

              4. Easy Template Management

              WANotifier can let you manage message templates effortlessly. You can create, edit, and organize these templates for various use cases in one place.

              5. Detailed Analytics

              You can gain insights into message performance and the overall engagement level of your customers and track customer interactions using WANotifier. These insights and analytics can help you optimize your automation strategies as well as your marketing strategies. 

              How to Get Started with Whatsapp Automation Using WANotifier?

              Here is a simple step-by-step guide you can follow to employ the one-step solution,  WANotifier for Whatsapp Automation 

              1. Sign Up – Visit the WANotifier website. Create an account for free and connect it to your WhatsApp Business API.
              2. Configure Your Chatbots – Use WANotifier’s intuitive interface to set up and customize your chatbots.
              3. Set Up Automation – Explore different features. Design workflows and automated responses to streamline your customer interactions.
              4. Manage Templates – Create and manage message templates for various business needs.
              5. Analyze Performance – Monitor and analyze performance through detailed analytics to continually refine your marketing and animation approach for boosting your business growth. 

              By following all these steps with WANotifier, you can effectively implement WhatsApp automation for your business. Next thing you know, you will improve your customer service efficiency, enhance engagement, and drive overall business growth through streamlined communication on WhatsApp.

              FAQs 

              1. Is WhatsApp automation free to use?

              WhatsApp automation typically involves costs, especially when using tools like WANotifier that integrate with the WhatsApp Business API. While some basic features might be available for free, advanced functionalities such as sending automated messages, integrating with CRM systems, and accessing analytics will require subscription plans or usage-based pricing.

              2. How do I get started with WhatsApp automation?

              To get started with WhatsApp automation, you can sign up for WANotifier, a robust tool that facilitates automation through the WhatsApp Business API.  

              3. Is the WhatsApp API free to use?

              No, the WhatsApp Business API is not free to use. Businesses need to apply for access and pay for API usage based on message volumes and other usage metrics. You can learn more about Whatsapp API pricing here. 

              4. How can automation help my business?

              Automation on WhatsApp can significantly enhance your business operations by automating routine tasks such as customer inquiries, order updates, appointment scheduling, and promotional campaigns. 

              Final Thoughts 

              Now that you know the importance of WhatsApp automation, wait no longer. Get started with Whatsapp automation for your business today and reap all the benefits to supercharge your marketing game. 

              Sign up now and start automating your WhatsApp interactions. Your customers will thank you for it!

              If you are looking to incorporate digital marketing or social media marketing into your brand strategy, you cannot afford to miss out on WhatsApp. WhatsApp is the direct messaging platform that has the largest user base in the world with over 3 billion active users.

              Consider this: the world population is around 8 billion people and WhatsApp has over 3 billion users which means that with WhatsApp you get access to over 30% of the world’s population. On top of this, the cherry on the cake is the fact that WhatsApp messages have an open rate of 98% making them more effective when compared with any other means of marketing including email marketing. 

              So what are the possible reasons for this huge success of WhatsApp? What are the features that WhatsApp has which provide a competitive edge over other platforms? One of the main features why WhatsApp is so successful is the ability to broadcast messages to a lot of people at once that directly leads to more conversions and sales.

              Let us now take a look at the benefits that come along with using a WhatsApp broadcast.

              Benefits of Broadcasting on WhatsApp

              There are a variety of benefits that you or your business can avail by broadcasting on WhatsApp. Let us dive into some of the most beneficial ones:

              Personalized content

              While using the power of a WhatsApp broadcast, you gain the ability to send messages to multiple contacts simultaneously. However the recipients of these messages receive an individual message that seems to be crafted specifically for them by adding their name and personal details. This provides customers with the illusion of personal attention making them feel validated.

              User-Friendliness

              With a WhatsApp broadcast, you don’t have to go through the dreadful process of selecting each and every contact you want to send a message to nor do you have to deal with adding them to a group. This ensures you save a lot of time and effort that could have been utilized in a more productive way.

              Privacy

              Messages sent through a WhatsApp broadcast are received like a personal message which means that individuals cannot see who else has received the same message. This ensures that the conversation between you and your customers remains private.

              Reduced notifications

              If you have been in a WhatsApp group, you would know that you receive a notification for a message sent by any of the participants of that group. However, your customers will not have to experience being bombarded with so many notifications as sending messages through a WhatsApp broadcast makes sure they receive these messages as personal messages. Which means they only receive notifications for the messages you send them.

              Convenient and Time-Saving

              Creating a WhatsApp broadcast is a piece of cake as we will soon explore how. As soon as you finish setting it up, sending messages en masse becomes super easy and convenient involving very few simple steps.

              How to Broadcast Messages on WhatsApp?

              Let’s examine the various methods one can use to broadcast messages to several contacts at once.

              WhatsApp Broadcast Lists

              The simplest way to communicate with multiple contacts at once is to create a broadcast list. Now, how does one create a broadcast list? Follow these simple steps :

              • Open WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business app on your phone and click on the three vertically arranged dots on the top right corner of your screen.
              • Click on the New broadcast option.
              • Select all the contacts you wish to broadcast to (Note: You can only select up to 256 contacts).
              • After you have selected the contacts click on the green tick on the bottom right corner of your screen.
              • Ta-da! You have created your first broadcast list.

              Click here to read how to use broadcast lists from the official WhatsApp website. The greatest limitation here is the fact that you can only add up to 256 contacts for a broadcast list. 

              WhatsApp Channels

              WhatsApp channels are a relatively new feature launched by WhatsApp in June 2023. If you are a regular WhatsApp user, you must be familiar with them. If not, just open WhatsApp And click on the “Updates” tab and you will find them under the “Channels” section. If you click on the “explore more” button, you will be able to find and follow the channels that you find relevant to you.

              Creating a WhatsApp channel is another fantastic way to communicate with your target audience. Hey, and guess what? WhatsApp channels are completely free to create and use. 

              Woohoo! WhatsApp channels allow you to send text, images, videos, stickers, links, audio and polls to a large number of people. Isn’t that so cool? Wait a minute, but it is not all sunshine and rainbows. Sorry to break it to you but here are the drawbacks of WhatsApp channels:

              • No Personalization: The messages you send through WhatsApp channels are exactly the same for all your followers.
              • Less Interaction: WhatsApp channels are like a one-way communication tool, the messages you send are visible to all your followers but the only way for them to react to it is through emojis. 
              • No Analytics: You don’t get access to analytics which means you can’t track performance and monitor results.
              • No API Integration: You cannot integrate your WhatsApp channel with WhatsApp API.
              • Limited Engagement: WhatsApp channels have less engagement because people need to actively open and view your channel, notifications are not enabled by default and followers can disable notifications with a single click. WhatsApp channels are effective only if you already are well known among the people relevant to your field.
              • Reduced Visibility: Channels are available in the “updates” tab which means you don’t appear in the personal chats. Moreover, posts are automatically deleted after 30 days.

              WhatsApp Groups

              If you are reading this you probably already know what WhatsApp groups are. In case you don’t know, a WhatsApp group is a feature that allows you to chat with multiple people at the same time. To keep it simple, a group chat. Everyone in the group can join in on the conversation and interact with messages however they want. A message sent in a WhatsApp group can be viewed by all the members of that group.

              Although WhatsApp groups are commonly used to chat with friends and family, the traditional and trusty WhatsApp group can still be used for marketing purposes. However, this is not recommended as it has a ton of limitations. You can add up to 1024 contacts in a single WhatsApp group. WhatsApp groups can be put together to create WhatsApp communities. 

              Broadcasting using WhatsApp API

              Out of all the methods discussed till now, broadcasting using WhatsApp API is the best of all of them. It solves almost every single limitation that the other methods have. It has numerous benefits including personalized messages, automation, bulk messaging, detailed analytics, chatbots, the ability to send promotional messages and transactional notifications, templates and much more, all while ensuring security and privacy.

              In order to get access to WhatsApp API you can either apply through the official Meta developers portal. If you are not tech savvy and don’t want to get into coding and stuff and just want a ready-made solution then you can get access through a Business Solution provider or a tech partner like WANotifier.

              At WANotifier, we are official Meta Business Partner and we provide you with an all-in-one WhatsApp marketing software for businesses. We care about you and your customers and work tirelessly to make sure that your WhatsApp marketing strategy comes to fruition and yields exceptional results.

              We provide all of the above-described features while charging 0% additional markup charges on top of the standard API charges, unlike several other BSPs. If you are still skeptical about giving us a shot, check out our free forever plan before you make a final decision. No strings attached and no commitments, sign up to try WANotifier for free.

              Best Practices for Broadcasting on WhatsApp

              Before you begin a broadcast it may be helpful if you plan ahead and consider following some of the best practices below to elevate your customer experience, improve engagement and increase customer retention.

              Know your audience

              It is very important to keep your customers’ buyer persona in mind when crafting a message to broadcast to your audience. Knowing your audience’s likes and dislikes and understanding what they expect from a message will tremendously improve your outcome. Personalize messages to make them more convincing.

              Right message format

              Now there isn’t exactly an ideal messaging format but there are some formatting practices that when followed trigger the right results. Be concise and straightforward in your message. Do not send too much information. Do not send large media files. 

              Avoid frequent messages

              Be careful not to annoy your customers with frequent messages. WhatsApp is intended for personal messaging so don’t spam them with too much content. Remember you are one click away from getting blocked by a potential customer.

              Consider time-zones

              Take note of where your business operates and when your audience is typically active online and available to view messages. This can greatly help improve engagement rates.

              Track progress

              Take advantage of the analytics tools that you have access to and leverage them to monitor which strategies work well and which don’t. 

              Segment your audience

              Classify your audience into categories and segregate them so that you can create compelling and even more personalized messages with curated offers and promotional content.

              Stick to WhatsApp’s broadcast guidelines

              Remember to adhere to WhatsApp’s terms and conditions. Keep in mind that users have to opt in to receive your messages and you cannot message unknown contacts at random. Most importantly refrain from the usage of unauthorized bulk WhatsApp senders.

              Remember that the ultimate goal here is to maximize customer engagement and retention, so be sure to adhere to these best practices to provide your audience with a high-quality and customer-friendly experience.

              Frequently Asked Questions

              What is a WhatsApp broadcast?

              A WhatsApp broadcast is a feature that is available on WhatsApp and the WhatsApp Business app that enables you to send messages to multiple contacts simultaneously while the recipient receives them as a personal message. 

              What is the maximum number of contacts that can be added to a broadcast list?

              You can add a maximum of 256 contacts to a broadcast list.

              How can I create a WhatsApp broadcast?

              Open WhatsApp and click on the three dots in the top right corner and click on “New broadcast”. Add the contacts you want to send messages to and then click on the green tick button on the bottom right corner. You have now created a WhatsApp broadcast.

              What is the difference between WhatsApp broadcast and group?

              Messages sent through a WhatsApp broadcast are received as personal messages whereas messages sent in a WhatsApp group can be viewed by all participants of the group. Furthermore, in a WhatsApp broadcast the recipients are not aware of the other contacts receiving the same message.

              Can I send media files in a WhatsApp broadcast?

              Yes, you can send media files like images, videos and audio through a WhatsApp broadcast.

              Conclusion

              So to wrap it all up, WhatsApp can turn out to be a fabulous platform for you to focus your marketing efforts on. WhatsApp broadcasts can be an innovative way to supplement your results.

              If you are a small or medium-sized business, broadcasting using WhatsApp API is the most optimal way to reach your customers. If you have a solid comprehensive WhatsApp marketing strategy and if you are persistent, you will eventually make great progress and reap astounding profits.

              Are you a small business owner or just anyone looking to communicate with a large audience? You might be considering WhatsApp as a potential method and may be thinking if you can use it to communicate with your audience or customers. During this process, you might encounter unauthorized bulk WhatsApp message senders that promise to get the job done for cheap rates or maybe even for free. 

              However, it is important to note that these softwares are “unauthorized” by WhatsApp and Meta (the parent company of WhatsApp). Using them could harm your efforts gravely in due time and may even get your number permanently banned from WhatsApp. Let us take a look at how you can safeguard yourself from falling for such unauthorized bulk senders.

              What are Unauthorized WhatsApp Bulk Senders?

              To understand this we must first try to understand what WhatsApp bulk senders are in the first place. In simple terms, WhatsApp bulk message senders are tools that you can use to send messages in bulk to a large number of people privately in WhatsApp.

              Unauthorized WhatsApp bulk senders are software tools that can be used to send bulk WhatsApp messages but are unauthorized by WhatsApp as it violates their terms and conditions. You can read more about this here.

              The reason for this is that WhatsApp is solely intended for the purpose of personal use and WhatsApp strictly condemns automated and bulk messaging through unauthorized tools.

              Now the only authorized way you can send bulk messages in WhatsApp while adhering to WhatsApp’s terms and conditions is through WhatsApp Business API. Any other way is not authorized and can even get your number permanently banned from WhatsApp. Not just this, WhatsApp can even take legal action if such terms and conditions are violated.

              How to Spot Unauthorized WhatsApp Bulk Senders?

              The next most important question we must ask is “How can we differentiate between authorized and unauthorized WhatsApp bulk senders in order to safeguard ourselves?”

              Unauthorized WhatsApp bulk senders usually have a few common characteristics that you can use to easily identify them and stay away:

              No per message charges

              WhatsApp Business API accessed through authorized business partners always has a small per-message fee that is charged after every message is sent. However unauthorized providers usually keep this charge really low or even free to lure innocent people such as yourself into their trap. You need to keep an eye out for this to keep yourself and your valuable customers safe.

              Ask to scan QR codes to finish the setup

              The foolproof way to identify an unauthorized bulk message sender is to see if they ask you to scan a QR code in order to finish setting up your phone number so that you can start sending bulk messages to your customers. You need to be highly cautious when dealing with something like this as it may compromise your as well as your customer’s safety and privacy.

              Lack of features

              Authorized WhatsApp business partners provide you with several cool features in addition to a bulk messaging tool. These features can prove to be extremely useful in the process of customer relationship management. These include features like chatbots, automated messages, analytics insights and much more.

              Advanced features like these can only be obtained through the official WhatsApp API. Unauthorized bulk message senders tend to lack these other useful features which makes it helpful to identify them and protect yourself.

              Apart from these if you think anything might be suspicious like poorly organized websites and shady URLs, you need to ensure that you flee as fast as you can. Let us now take a look at the disadvantages and complications one can face if one uses these unauthorized tools.

              Drawbacks of Using Unauthorized WhatsApp Bulk Senders

              There are several downsides and complications one can face while using such unauthorized software. One may get through with some bulk messages but it won’t last long. WhatsApp clearly states that its products are not meant for bulk and automated messaging and doing so would be a guaranteed violation of their terms of service.

              WhatsApp will take strict action if they find out that somebody or some company is misusing their platforms by sending bulk and automated messages using unauthorized bulk senders. This is to ensure the integrity of the platform and provide security to its users. WhatsApp aims to be a trustworthy company that its users can depend on to protect their data and privacy.

              Here are the main downsides of using unauthorized WhatsApp bulk message senders:

              Getting your number banned  

              Individuals and companies that are engaged or involved with the utilization of unauthorized bulk message senders can end up getting their numbers banned permanently from the WhatsApp platform. This could mean losing all of your valued customers that you worked so hard to reach. The customers could also lose the trust they had in your business and that is not something anyone would want. So be vigilant and make sure you choose the right tool for your WhatsApp marketing efforts.

              Lack of features

              You cannot go far and expect to gain success in your WhatsApp marketing campaign with just a bulk message sender. WhatsApp marketing is much more than that and you would require a host of other tools and resources which these unauthorized providers won’t be able to offer. 

              On the other hand, authorized Meta business partners can provide you with a myriad of powerful tools that you can take advantage of to accelerate your marketing efforts. These include complex chatbots to answer basic customer queries, detailed analytics to track your progress, templates that can be used to easily craft messages and the ability to send automated transactional notifications. They also enable full API integration and most importantly help increase your revenue.

              Legal action

              WhatsApp has announced that they are entitled to take legal action against individuals or organizations if they are found to be engaging in malpractices such as the usage of unauthorized bulk message senders. Now nobody wants to deal with a lawsuit, do they? In order to avoid situations like this it becomes important to refrain from the use of these unauthorized bulk message senders.

              So you might be wondering what is the proper way to reach people at a large scale through WhatsApp. As stated previously the only way to do this is by using the WhatsApp Business API. Let’s take a look at that. Also learn how to send bulk messages on WhatsApp: How to send bulk WhatsApp messages

              WhatsApp Business API

              WhatsApp Business API is a system that is designed to help businesses perform WhatsApp marketing at a large scale involving a large audience. WhatsApp Business API can be used to reach a large audience, broadcast bulk messages and automate conversations. WhatsApp APi also enables complete integration with your CRM or your business website.

              WhatsApp API has several cool features that can be leveraged to increase the output of your marketing efforts but there can be scenarios in which WhatsApp API is not that useful. Let us dive into the pros and cons of WhatsApp Business API.

              Pros

              1. Reach

              WhatsApp API can be used to reach a huge number of people increasing brand awareness and visibility among the masses. This number can be in the thousands or even in lakhs. WhatsApp API is a fantastic way to broadcast messages to a large number of people. People need to know you to buy from you and WhatsApp API takes care of that. On top of this, the icing on the cake is that WhatsApp messages have a staggering 98% clickthrough rate. Keep in mind that you can still only reach out to people who have opted in to receive messages from you. You cannot message unknown contacts.

              2. Automation

              One of the main reasons why you would want to consider using WhatsApp API is automation. Reaching out and responding to a large number of people can be laborious and time-consuming. WhatsApp API solves this problem by enabling you to send automated messages for simple queries and tasks.

              3. Personalization

              WhatsApp API allows you to send messages that seem to be crafted for a particular individual by adding their name, relevant information and curated offers taking your customer experience to the next level.

              4. Analytics

              WhatsApp API enables you to track your progress which you can use to identify problems and improve your weak points.

              5. Security

              WhatsApp API ensures that messages are private by using end-to-end encryption keeping you and your customers safe.

              Cons

              Although WhatsApp API seems to be really good, it has its own drawbacks which you need to be aware of,

              1. Pricing

              It is essential to not overlook the fact that WhatsApp API can have a significant impact on your budget if not used carefully. Although it is a fact that WhatsApp API has reasonable rates but depending on the type of your business, the size of your business and your budget WhatsApp API may prove to be a wasteful outlet to put your resources in. WANotifier can make this less burdensome for you since we charge 0% additional markup charges. Make sure you know the prices before you get into it. Read WhatsApp API pricing and cost of WhatsApp marketing.

              2. Time-Consuming Onboarding Process

              To get access to WhatsApp API, you need to apply through Meta and it can take weeks before you can get approved in order to start using WhatsApp API. This process is to ensure the safety of WhatsApp users. 

              3. No requirement for micro-businesses

              WhatsApp API is mostly designed for small, medium and large businesses with a significantly large customer base. If you are a micro business WhatsApp API might be unnecessary for you. Another good alternative you can use is the WhatsApp business app which you can use for free to communicate with up to 256 contacts. If you have a need to communicate with an audience larger than 256 people, you can go for WhatsApp API.

              One of the best tools out there that makes the process of WhatsApp marketing sophisticated and appealing is WANotifier. Let’s take a look at why WANotifier may be the superior option when it comes to WhatsApp marketing.

              Why WANotifier?

              WANotifier is a WhatsApp marketing tool that provides complete and seamless integration with the WhatsApp API. It comes with several awesome features that can be utilized to elevate customer experience while increasing revenue and sales.

              We at WANotifier are committed to ensure that you and your customers have the best possible experience. Moreover, we are official Meta business partners.

              Here are some of awesome feature that we provide:

              • No additional markup charges: Unlike many other business solution providers, WANotifier charges you 0% extra over the original WhatsApp API price. This helps you stay within budget and increase profitability.
              • Automated messages: Send automated and personalized messages to thousands of contacts at once with the help of WANotifier.
              • Templates: Create and manage templates in the WANotifier dashboard and use them to create convincing messages easily.
              • Marketing messages and transactional notifications: Send curated promotional offers and product updates using WhatsApp API and also send automated transactional notifications to customers after they make a purchase.
              • Detailed Analytics: You can access detailed analytics to track your results and experiment with strategies to see what works and what doesn’t to ensure the best possible outcome.
              • Mobile app: Use our mobile app which is available on both iOS and Android to never miss a chat or inquiry no matter where you are.

              Not just these there are several other benefits that you can avail while using WANotifier such as automated chatbots, direct API access and full API integration. We also have a free forever plan that you can give a try before choosing us. So what are you waiting for, sign up to get WANotifier today!

              Commonly Asked Questions

              What are unauthorized bulk WhatsApp message senders?

              To put it simply, unauthorized bulk WhatsApp message senders are tools that can be used to send bulk messages on WhatsApp that are unauthorized by WhatsApp as they break the company’s terms of service.

              Can your number get banned if you use unauthorized bulk WhatsApp message senders?

              Yes, WhatsApp reserves the right to permanently ban a number from their platform if found to be using unauthorized bulk senders.

              Are WhatsApp Bulk senders legal?

              No usage of unauthorized WhatsApp bulk senders is illegal and WhatsApp can take legal action against individuals and companies using them.

              Conclusion

              So now that you have learned the detrimental effects of using unauthorized bulk WhatsApp message senders and how to identify them, we hope you steer clear of them to keep yourself and your customers safe. WhatsApp is an excellent platform for your marketing efforts to yield real results.

              Crafting a clear and well thought out WhatsApp marketing plan is a brilliant formula that will greatly increase your customer base and profits. Thank you for reading and make sure to safeguard yourself from unauthorized WhatsApp bulk message senders.

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