WhatsApp vs WhatsApp Business – is there a difference?

While WhatsApp is an excellent platform for personal use, WhatsApp for Business takes it a step further by providing a tailored solution for small and large businesses alike. In fact, more than 5 million businesses are already using the WhatsApp Business app to reach new and existing customers. Whether you’re a small business or a larger enterprise, there are significant advantages to using WhatsApp for Business.

Why should businesses choose WhatsApp for Business?

Consumers today prefer to engage with brands in a familiar way, and messaging apps like WhatsApp are their go-to platforms. Studies show that 85% of consumers prefer to message brands directly. What’s more, while email open rates can be low, 80% of WhatsApp messages are read within the first five minutes, boasting an average open rate of 98%. This makes WhatsApp a highly effective way for businesses to engage with customers quickly and efficiently.

The difference between WhatsApp and WhatsApp Business

WhatsApp is primarily designed for personal communication, offering features such as messaging, sharing photos, videos, and voice notes, with a focus on friends and family interactions.

On the other hand, WhatsApp Business is a portfolio of solutions built specifically to help businesses scale and improve customer engagement. From the free WhatsApp Business app for small businesses to the more advanced WhatsApp Business Platform (API) for larger enterprises, the focus is on helping businesses build better customer relationships, automate communications, and streamline operations.

Here’s how WhatsApp Business stands apart:

1. Professional business profile
Unlike the personal version, WhatsApp Business lets you create a professional profile that includes your business logo, hours of operation, address, and a link to your Savvy Site. This helps establish trust and provides customers with easy access to your business information.

2. Catalogue and cart
WhatsApp Business allows you to create product catalogues, turning the app into a mobile storefront. You can display products and services with descriptions, prices, and links to purchase. Customers can even use a built-in shopping cart to select items and initiate a conversation with your business directly from the app.

3. Automated messaging

WhatsApp Business helps businesses maintain fast response times through features like automated greetings and away messages. You can set up welcome messages for new customers and automated replies to queries received outside of business hours, ensuring customers always receive timely communication.

4. Advanced messaging tools

With WhatsApp Business, you can label contacts, segment customers, and send personalised messages to different groups. The platform’s automation tools allow you to handle everything from customer service to sales without requiring manual input for every interaction.

5. Click-to-chat ads

One of the standout features of WhatsApp Business is its integration with social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. With Ads That Click to WhatsApp, you can create Facebook or Instagram ads that lead customers directly to a WhatsApp conversation, enhancing lead generation and conversion rates.

6. Scalability with the WhatsApp Business Platform

For larger businesses, the WhatsApp Business Platform offers powerful APIs that allow you to automate interactions with thousands of customers at once. This includes integrating WhatsApp with existing systems like customer relationship management (CRM) and marketing platforms to streamline communication, sales, and customer support.

Why WhatsApp Business is a must-have for small businesses

Small businesses can leverage the free WhatsApp Business app to engage with customers professionally. From creating branded profiles to setting up automated messages and catalogues, it offers an easy-to-use solution for handling customer queries and promoting products or services.

Benefits of WhatsApp Business

1. A branded profile for your business

A professional, structured profile helps present your business consistently across platforms, fostering trust and ensuring potential clients can find all necessary information in one place.

2. Social media integration

Click-to-chat ads enable seamless conversion by allowing customers to engage directly with your business through WhatsApp. You can also integrate WhatsApp into your Savvy Site, creating a direct line of communication for visitors.

3. Contact labelling and management

WhatsApp Business lets you categorise and label contacts, which helps streamline customer interactions and targeted messaging.

4. Cart functionality

Customers can browse your catalogue, select products, and place orders directly through WhatsApp, making it easier for them to complete purchases.

5. Boosting customer service

WhatsApp Business allows multiple users to manage the same account, improving customer service by enabling multiple team members to respond to queries.

6. Higher open rates with broadcast messaging

With WhatsApp’s impressive open rates, sending broadcast messages to your customers with new promotions, offers, or updates becomes an effective tool for driving engagement and sales.

7. Insightful metrics

WhatsApp Business offers valuable metrics such as message delivery and read rates, which help you track the performance of your customer interactions and refine your communication strategies.

8. Global reach

With WhatsApp’s popularity across more than 100 countries, the platform offers unparalleled global reach, making it an essential tool for businesses aiming to scale internationally.

Today, more than ever, businesses need to be where their customers are. WhatsApp Business provides a reliable, secure, and professional way to engage with customers and grow your business. Whether you’re a small business owner looking to improve customer service or a large enterprise wanting to automate and scale, WhatsApp Business has the tools you need.

By integrating WhatsApp Business with your Savvy Site, you’ll not only create a better customer experience but also increase your chances of turning leads into loyal customers.