What is a Whatsapp Business Account? What are the Benefits?

Launched in 2009, WhatsApp is today the world’s most preferred messaging app. According to statistics provided by Statista, as of 2023, more than 2.8 billion people worldwide use WhatsApp. The average number of messages sent on WhatsApp every day is 100 billion (Statista, 2023).

This application has become such a big part of our daily lives that we now often prefer to send messages from WhatsApp instead of phone calls when communicating with our surroundings. Thanks to the features added later, the application now also allows you to make voice and video calls. As such, it seems like a good idea to use this app as part of business life. The new version of WhatsApp, which allows businesses to communicate with their customers through this application, both facilitates and professionalizes this process. By using this version, also known as WhatsApp business account, you can interact directly with your customers. So what is a WhatsApp business account?

What is a WhatsApp Business Account?

We are literally living in an age of communication. Under these conditions, we see that it is very important for businesses to communicate efficiently. It is also possible to say that efficient communication is one of the most critical complements of commercial activities. Because now, customers can easily contact businesses through digital channels.

Thus, they expect to get the clearest possible answer to their questions as soon as possible. Therefore, it is very important to use all communication channels actively for businesses established with the aim of selling online. At the same time, WhatsApp business account is one of the practical applications used in this direction.

The WhatsApp Business account is the name given to user registrations created through the WhatsApp Business app. This app was developed primarily to enable small businesses to communicate with their customers via messaging. WhatsApp Business was launched in January 2018. In addition to messaging functions, it also offers features specifically developed for businesses.

For instance, every user registration is automatically considered a WhatsApp Business account. This means that it is not possible to convert a standard account, which is currently used by an employee or managed via a personal number, into a business account for the company. Transitioning to a WhatsApp Business account is done by downloading the app specifically developed for businesses.

This app offers two different account types for businesses. The first is defined as a standard Business Account. When you download WhatsApp Business and create a registration, your account will be of this type. The other type is an Official Business Account. WhatsApp grants this title to accounts it has verified as belonging to an official business.

Official Business Accounts are indicated by a green checkmark next to their names. For these accounts, it is not necessary for the phone number to be saved in the contact list for the company name to be visible to personal users.

WhatsApp Business Account Verification

To verify a WhatsApp Business account, two steps must be completed: integrating the business with the WhatsApp Business API and linking the account to Facebook Business Manager. However, completing these steps does not guarantee that your business account will receive a green checkmark, as this feature is still in its pilot phase. WhatsApp tends to verify accounts of well-known brands. Additionally, there are some industry-specific restrictions for business account verification. WhatsApp does not verify accounts for businesses operating in the following areas:

  • Pharmaceuticals, medical, and health products
  • Tobacco products
  • Alcohol brands
  • Gambling businesses
  • Adult products and services
  • Dating services
  • Live animals
  • Firearms and ammunition
  • Cryptocurrency

Features of the WhatsApp Business Account

The WhatsApp Business account offers several features that make it easier for e-commerce companies to manage their communication processes. It also helps establish a corporate identity and build a more efficient relationship with customers. The difference between standard accounts and WhatsApp Business accounts generally stems from the features that this version offers, such as:

  • Compatibility with landlines, including those starting with area codes or 0850.
  • Ease of use on computers through the web feature.
  • Spam and blocking features to prevent unwanted messages.
  • The official account feature strengthens your brand image.
  • Your business’s contact information is added to the WhatsApp Business account.
  • Allows you to respond to customer inquiries as quickly as possible, no matter where you are.
  • Provides detailed messaging statistics.

Is the WhatsApp Business Account Free for Users?

One of the most frequently asked questions is whether the WhatsApp Business account is free. You do not need to pay any fees to open a WhatsApp Business account. You can download the WhatsApp Business app for free on your smartphone, whether it runs on iOS or Android. In short, there is no fee for a WhatsApp Business account.

Who Uses the WhatsApp Business Account?

Any organization that wishes to do so can use the WhatsApp Business account by downloading the app mentioned above. However, it’s important to note that this application was primarily developed for small businesses. For medium and larger-sized businesses, the features of the WhatsApp Business app may be relatively insufficient. For companies of this scale, using the WhatsApp Business API would be a better choice.

If you own a small company that has just started operations, you should consider opening a WhatsApp Business account to communicate with your customers in the most efficient and practical way possible.

Is a WhatsApp Business Account Secure?

Security is a top priority in almost all aspects of e-commerce, which leads to concerns about the reliability of a WhatsApp Business account. This application is directly developed by WhatsApp, meaning it is not software created by another company using the WhatsApp name. Thus, it is considered to be very reliable. The security of a WhatsApp Business account is ensured through its features, which include:

  • The green checkmark feature proves that the account belongs to a legitimate business. Even for businesses that have not yet attained the official business account status, communicating with customers via the business app instead of a personal account increases the sense of security.
  • All messages and calls made through the app are end-to-end encrypted. This also applies to WhatsApp Business accounts, making it impossible for third parties to access the shared information.
  • WhatsApp conversations and shared data or documents are not stored on the app’s servers. They are only stored on the devices of the parties involved in the conversation. This means that even if someone illegally gains access to the app’s servers, they will not be able to access your conversations.
  • WhatsApp Business API offers various features for businesses, including enhanced security.

What Are the Benefits of a WhatsApp Business Account?

A WhatsApp Business account provides numerous benefits, especially for small businesses. Some of these benefits directly boost sales figures, while others contribute positively to brand value, even if they cannot be measured numerically. The advantages include:

  • The fact that using a WhatsApp Business account is free means you don’t need to allocate resources for such an application, easing your financial burden.
  • Features like automatic messaging and labeling significantly reduce the time spent on communication processes, helping your business improve time management.
  • Since WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps, your customers are likely to prioritize communicating with you through this platform. Being easily accessible strengthens your customer relationships over time.
  • Communicating with customers via email can be cumbersome in today’s environment. By choosing WhatsApp for communication, you can create a warmer and more effective customer service process. Additionally, the app’s support for voice and video calls helps resolve issues most effectively.
  • You can reinforce your brand identity with a customized business profile, including your slogans, business descriptions, contact information, and website address.
  • The catalog feature allows customers to easily browse your products and services, positively impacting sales and making it easier for customers to provide feedback on products. By using feedback obtained through a single message, you can improve your business processes and increase customer satisfaction.
  • WhatsApp is a globally used communication tool. If you’re considering expanding your e-commerce activities on a global scale, a WhatsApp Business account facilitates communication with customers in different countries.

How to Use a WhatsApp Business Account?

A corporate WhatsApp account is generally used similarly to the standard version of the app designed for individuals. It allows you to communicate with your customers through messaging and voice or video calls, helping clarify any questions they may have.

However, the use of a corporate WhatsApp account differs slightly due to the tools available in the app. These tools are essentially what provide the advantages for businesses.

What Are the WhatsApp Business Tools?

These tools are generally divided into three categories: catalog, shortcuts, and messaging features. These tools offer many advantages to businesses and their usage differs between Android devices and iPhones. To access the tools, while on the main screen of the app, tap “More Options” on Android devices or “Settings” and then “Business Tools” on iPhones.

Catalog

The catalog is one of the most useful tools available on a WhatsApp Business account. This tool allows your customers to browse your products and services directly from your WhatsApp profile. Creating a catalog is a simple and practical process. After accessing the relevant menu from the “Settings” section, you can prepare your catalog by entering the images, names, prices, and descriptions of your products or services.

The link addition feature for each product also allows you to direct customers from WhatsApp directly to the sales page. Additionally, the SKU codes you can add make it easier to track your stock levels. Products added to the catalog can be easily shared in conversations with customers via the corporate WhatsApp account.

Shortcut

The shortcut is a tool that makes it extremely easy for customers to start a conversation with you. To use this tool, you first need to create a shortcut. By entering the relevant section from the “Settings” menu, you can click on the symbol that represents a “link” in digital platforms to copy your shortcut link. You can place this copied link on your website or social media accounts, allowing your customers to quickly start a conversation with you.

When clicked on mobile devices, the shortcut link immediately initiates a chat. However, the process works slightly differently when accessed through web browsers. Users accessing through a web browser will first see a page with your business information. To start the conversation, they need to click on the “Start Chat” button on this page. If you’ve prepared a message in advance, it will also appear on this page. To set this message, simply use the “pencil” button in the “Shortcut” menu. You can change the message to suit your preferences.

Messaging Tools

As a messaging application, this version of WhatsApp offers several features to help businesses communicate more effectively with their customers. Among these features, automated messages stand out. A WhatsApp Business account can send pre-prepared messages for specific situations without requiring any additional action.

Under the “Business Tools” section of the app, you’ll find three types of automated messages. Welcome messages are sent to customers when they message you for the first time. These messages can be set to be sent to everyone or only to a selected group. By crafting welcome messages that reflect your brand identity, you can establish a warm connection with your customers right from the start.

Away messages are particularly useful for letting customers know that you are currently unable to respond. These messages can be scheduled to be sent at all times, during a specific period, or outside of working hours. To use away messages during working hours, you need to enter your business hours into your business profile.

Quick replies are used to respond to frequently asked questions as quickly as possible. You can define these messages in advance in your business account, and then easily access them by pressing the “/” key and entering the designated shortcut in the chat window. You can also add up to three keywords to each quick reply, making it easier to find the response you’re looking for during a conversation.

In addition to automated messages, you can organize your chats by categorizing them with labels like “New Customer” or “Awaiting Response,” making your messaging processes smoother and more manageable.

How to Set Up a WhatsApp Business Account

Setting up a business account on WhatsApp is a straightforward process. Anyone familiar with using the personal version of WhatsApp can complete this setup without much difficulty. By following the steps below, you can start communicating with your customers via your WhatsApp business account in no time.

Download and Launch WhatsApp Business App

The first step is to download the WhatsApp Business app on your device. Instead of searching the internet for “WhatsApp business account download,” simply go to Google Play or the App Store, depending on your device, and install the app. Once installed, click on the icon that resembles the classic WhatsApp logo but with a “B” inside it to launch the app.

Review the Terms of Service

When you launch the app, you’ll first see a welcome screen. From this screen, access the Terms of Service and review them in detail. After reading, click the “Accept and Continue” button to proceed to the next step.

Register

To register for the app, use either your mobile phone number or a landline number. The accuracy of the phone number you enter will be verified through a code sent via SMS. If you registered with a landline number, you’ll receive a call delivering the code verbally.

Grant Access to Contacts and Photos

By allowing the app to access your contacts, you can communicate with them through WhatsApp Business. Granting access to photos enables you to use images from your gallery when creating a catalog. Similarly, this access allows you to share various visuals with your customers to provide information.

Create Your Account

After granting the necessary permissions, it’s time to set up your business account. The information you enter at this stage will form the foundation of your company’s account. At this point, you will need to enter your business name, category, and profile picture.

Set Up Your Business Profile

Once your account is created, you can add additional information by entering the “Business Profile” section under the “Explore” menu. Details such as business hours or address that you can enter here will help your customers get to know your business better while also giving your account a more professional appearance.

Start Chatting

After completing the above steps, your company’s WhatsApp business account will be ready for use. You can now send and receive messages from your customers. Sending and receiving messages are conducted exactly the same way as in standard WhatsApp.

How to Set Up WhatsApp on Your E-commerce Site

As your go-to resource for topics like setting up an online store or creating an e-commerce site, IdeaSoft offers many tools to make these channels more functional. One such tool is integrating a WhatsApp account into your e-commerce site.

By downloading the specially developed application from our app store, you can answer customer questions via WhatsApp and provide instant responses while they visit your site. Integrating your website with your WhatsApp account allows you to build a closer relationship with your customers and offer a stronger user experience.

Summary: WhatsApp Usage Statistics

Here is a summary of WhatsApp statistics that you should know in 2023:

  • There are 2.78 billion unique WhatsApp users worldwide.
  • 2 billion WhatsApp users use the app monthly.
  • WhatsApp was downloaded 13 million times in August 2022.
  • WhatsApp is available in over 180 countries and 60 different languages.
  • India, with 487.5 million users, is WhatsApp’s largest market.
  • 100 billion messages are sent daily via WhatsApp.
  • 53% of WhatsApp users in the U.S. use the app at least once a day.
  • Nearly one-third of adults aged 18-34 in the U.S. use WhatsApp.
  • Over 200 million businesses use the WhatsApp Business app every month.
  • Half a billion WhatsApp accounts use the WhatsApp Status feature every day.