he global market is a jungle where every brand is in a cut-throat competition, striving to survive. So, how does one decide which brand is winning? Sales.

The number of sales you make annually contributes directly to brand growth, product/service awareness, and profits. Therefore, to leave your competitors in the dust one is required to accelerate sales.

Accelerating sales is a combination of effective marketing, strategizing, approaching prospects timely, and data collection, simultaneously. Naturally, to optimize the process one is required to invest in software that will quicken the process and assist in-house teams.

This article discusses the need for softwares to accelerate sales and how WhatsApp Business catalog may be the ideal solution. 

Choosing the Most Effective Software

Each Software can be considered as a playing piece in a game of chess. The right combination of playing pieces, strategy, and timing can help you dominate the chessboard. However, needless to say, WhatsApp Business API will make you the grandmaster of all.😎

WhatsApp Business API is a whole package. It comes with several features which allow you to strategize and win over prospects timely. Some of WhatsApp Business API’s most sought-after features are:

1. Catalog feature
2. WhatsApp Chatbot feature
3. Third-party Software Integration
4. Automatic reports to track performance and key metrics
5. Centralized dashboard with multi-user access

Furthermore, the numbers back the claim of WhatsApp making you a grandmaster.

As per the latest WhatsApp statistics, more than 5 million businesses are actively connecting with customers on WhatsApp; as many as 80% are with the opinion that it helps businesses grow.

Spotlight: WhatsApp Business Catalog feature

The WhatsApp catalog feature allows you to provide recommendations, showcase new products, and allows customers to buy products while using their favorite messaging app.

Note👉: Catalogs do not require WhatsApp approval, unlike WhatsApp message templates.

The catalog provides users with two options:

1. Single product messages

2. Multi-product messages

Your customer can choose to interact with both messages in 4 ways. They may choose to view products and product details, share the product with another user, add desired products to their cart, and send the cart to the business to proceed to the next step such as order processing and billing.

In case your customer decides to use multiple devices, they can view the conversation, provided the Whatsapp account is the same. However, the carts are not updated on each device.

When should you use product messages?

Product messages are most effective when sent at the right instance. The two types of interactive features have different purposes. Thus, should be used accordingly depending on the situation.

Note👉: Product messages can only be sent in an existing conversation. They cannot be used as notifications or to trigger conversations.

1. Single product messages

Single product messages are effective when a customer wishes to view the specifics of certain products. That is, you can use a single product message as a response to a specific request made by the customer. 

Also, you may use it to provide a recommendation or alternative to a customer request. It also enables repurchasing of a single product if desired by the customer.

2. Multi-product messages

Multi-product messages are excellent for conversational shopping. You may use it as a response when a customer types out a shopping list. It can also be used to highlight a certain category of products.

For example, a multi-product message can be sent to a customer looking for fresh fruits. The product message can contain all fresh fruits which are available in the inventory.

You may also use multi-product messages to curate personalized product recommendation lists depending on customer details. You can also encourage re-purchases with the help of multi-product messages. Your customer can re-order their usual in a jiffy!

Perks of WhatsApp Catalog feature

Before you decide to use a feature for your brand. It is important to be aware of the expectations and goals the feature can help you achieve. 

Listed below are some perks that will be accessible to you while using the catalog feature:

1. Quick and Easy conversations

The catalog feature allows you to present relevant product information instantly. This makes conversations efficient, quick, and easy for your customer. They are no longer required to ask for basic information. The catalog will showcase all relevant and essential information regarding different products. 

2. Automatic updates

The catalog feature updates automatically when information is fed into the system. It will show live information on stock availability, product price, new product details, and so on, at all times. 

3. Personalization 

Catalogs give space for personalization. Your list of recommended products can be curated based on customer preferences and demands. 

4. Single platform for all requirements 

 WhatsApp Business API allows your customer to view products, add them to the cart, share product details with other users and complete the purchase on the same platform.

5. Integrated with Live agent conversations 

Your catalog can be used during AI bot conversations or be used by live agents while assisting customers. Catalogs help one to transfer information in a more readable, short, and organized manner.  

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Now that you know how WhatsApp Catalog features can help you accelerate sales for eCommerce business, let's look at few things that you might want to consider when you've decided to use it -

1. WhatsApp AI Chatbot

WhatsApp chatbots are NLP-powered and have proven to be an effective medium for communication. WhatsApp bots along with interactive catalogs can be used to engage customers in targeted and useful conversations, and allows one to close a sale on a single platform!

2. WhatsApp Message Templates

WhatsApp message templates are pre-designed and pre-approved messages that can be used to reach out to customers on their favorite messenger app. These templates can be used to provide order tracking details, payment confirmations, delivery updates, and so on. 

Ready to set up WhatsApp Catalog?🙋

You may wonder how the WhatsApp Business catalog keeps track of store inventory details? This is achieved through Facebook’s commerce manager. To ensure your catalog is always up to date, follow the steps listed below: 

Step 1: Upload inventory through Facebook’s commerce manager or API

Step 2: Once you have uploaded the business inventory. It’s time to connect your catalog with a WhatsApp Business Account.

Step 3: Once your catalog is ready and connected to an Active WABA, you can choose to send single or multi-product messages to customers. 

Step 4:  You can track webhooks to receive questions or orders from customers. 

3. WhatsApp Commerce Policies for Product Messages 

WhatsApp Business Accounts are required to follow commerce and business policies set by the WhatsApp commerce manager. Therefore, every product message is reviewed to ensure safety to all parties using WhatsApp. 

Rejection at catalog level: Every product present in a catalog associated with a WhatsApp Business account is automatically reviewed. In case WhatsApp finds any policy violation. The product is flagged and the business is redirected to WhatsApp policy guidelines. 

User-reported products: WhatsApp enables its users to report messages sent to them. Reports can be made if the user finds the message to be intrusive, insulting, or other related complaints. Therefore, if a user reports a specific product message. Then WhatsApp will send the product message for violations review. 

4. WhatsApp Business API

WhatsApp Business API is exclusive and requires companies to follow certain policies to access all of its incredible features such as WhatsApp messaging templates.

However, with Konverse AI as your partner, setting up WhatsApp Business API and WhatsApp Chatbot is effortless. Head over to our website and book a demo with our professionals today!

Additional Readings

Know WhatsApp Message Templates types with Examples

Boost Your Brand Sales with WhatsApp

Using WhatsApp for Business as a Marketing Channel

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(image credit: Facebook.com)