WhatsApp Ads: Boost Your Business Marketing

Reach across the entire Meta ecosystem

Meta's social media platforms are the go-to places digital marketers like to focus their marketing efforts. In fact, a Statista survey states that 86% and 79% of respondents said they use Facebook and Instagram, respectively, for all their marketing needs. 

When you run WhatsApp Ads, they are displayed on Facebook's and Instagram's feeds and stories and within the Facebook Marketplace. 

Highest deliverability and higher engagement rates

WhatsApp has a near-perfect record when it comes to delivery rates as long as you follow their guidelines and best practices. In terms of engagement, the metrics are nearly 70% higher than those of other marketing mediums like SMS and email. 

Instant lead generation

WhatsApp users, on average (globally), spend over 16 hours a month on the app. Add to this the fact that WhatsApp Ads eliminate the faff of redirects and filling out forms, and you can instantly start generating a lead. 

Convenience for your customers

Finally, with WhatsApp Business Ads, the sales process is no longer a one-way street for your customers. By allowing customers to communicate with your brand before making a purchase, you help them make more informed buying decisions, hence building trust. 

Convenience and cost-effectiveness for you

Since WhatsApp Ads allow you to market and provide customer support via the same channel in one fell swoop, you also save on operational expenses.

To avoid confusion, you must know that WhatsApp Business ads are not separate from Facebook or Instagram ads. They are all managed through the Meta Ads Manager. As a business, you use all of Meta's advanced targeting and optimization capabilities in your marketing outreach. 

Method 1: Click-to-WhatsApp ads (CTWA)

Click-to-WhatsApp Ads are exactly what they sound like and are essentially what we described in the previous sections. These ads are run (on Facebook and Instagram) and managed directly via the Meta Ads Manager.

Here is how you create them. 

Step 1: Head to the Meta Ads Manager

Assuming you already have the following:

• A Business account set up on Facebook
• A WhatsApp business account either on the WhatsApp Business app or on the WhatsApp Business platform
• Your Whatsapp number is linked to the business manager. (You need to be the admin of your business page to do that).

Head over to Meta Ads Manager, log into your account, and navigate to the "Campaigns" section. 

Click the + Create button to start a new campaign.

Step 2: Choose your campaign objective

Choose from one of six objectives, which are intended to be your end goals for this specific ad campaign.

Engagement and leads work best for WhatsApp Ads, as these options ensure your ad is optimized for conversations rather than web traffic or purchases. Click "Continue" to proceed.

Step 3: Select WhatsApp as your messaging app

Now head to the "Conversions Location" section and select Messaging Apps from the list.

Then, choose WhatsApp as the preferred messaging platform.

Note that if you do not have a WhatsApp number linked, you can simply follow the prompts to link it at this stage. 

Step 4: Define your target audience

At this stage, you can use Meta's extensive targeting feature set to fine-tune your target audience. You can specify locations and age groups or target a specific gender. 

You can also drill down into specifics like interests and behaviors for more precise ad targeting. Once you are done selecting your preferred parameters, click "Save this audience." After this, you will be able to decide on a budget for your ad (daily or lifetime) and when you want to schedule your ads to be displayed. 

Step 5: Design Your Ad

Now, you can move on to the creative part of the process. Meta allows you to create multimedia-rich ads that can contain everything from images to Carousels. Make sure your headlines are catchy and have a clear CTA that prompts your audience to take action. Once you are satisfied with the design, click "Publish."

Congrats, you have just created your first Click-to-Whatsapp Ad. 

Method 2: Using WhatsApp templates + broadcast messages

Suppose you are looking for a means to connect with your existing customer base at scale. In that case, using Gallabox to capitalize on WhatsApp Templates and WhatsApp's Broadcast Messaging capabilities should be your approach. Here is how to get started. 

Step 1: Log into Gallabox and create a new broadcast

Log into Gallabox to access your dashboard. On the left side of your screen, locate the "Broadcast" option. If you are new to Gallabox, this simple five-step account setup guide should help you set up your account. 

You should now be in the broadcast section of the app. To start the process, click the blue "New Broadcast" button at the top right corner of the screen. 

You will then be taken to a page that lets you pick a pre-existing approved Whatsapp template or create a new one from scratch. If you need help creating one, our blog on "How to Create Effective WhatsApp Message Templates" should give you all the information you need on the process. 

If you are creating a new template from scratch, note that WhatsApp can take up to 24 hours to approve it (WhatsApp uses this process to ensure templates meet their standards and prevent spam), so plan accordingly. 

Step 2: Select the target audience for your Whatsapp Business ads

Gallabox gives you two options to select the target audience for your WhatsApp. The first step is to upload a contact list using an Excel file. Make sure the formatting replicates the sample files provided during the process.

Option two allows you to filter and select specific groups of customers to send your ads to based on shared attributes like purchase behavior or location, a.k.a segments. 

Step 3: Personalize your messages

Now is the time to add some flair to your Whatsapp Ads by using images, videos, or even product information in the form of PDFs. Since you are sending these ads to your existing customers, personalize them using dynamic variables to address them by name or personalized promo codes based on their past interactions with you, and so on.

It is these small touches that can mean the difference between getting the customer to click on your ad or scroll past it. 

Step 4: Sent our your ad broadcast or schedule it for a later time and date 

Once your message is crafted and polished to perfection, you can either send it immediately or schedule it for an optimal date and time for optimal engagement. 

Pro Tip: Always use the “Test Broadcast” option to send yourself or your team a preview of the WhatsApp Business ad before sending it out to thousands of customers.

Also Read: How to Schedule WhatsApp Messages? - A Step by Step Guide

Method 3: Using QR codes for WhatsApp engagement

The two methods discussed above focus on actively targeting customers who are either Facebook or Instagram or have contact information you already have. That still leaves a large chunk of a potential lead pool untapped. That's where WhatsApp QR code  come in. 

Print them on a poster, a flyer, or at the back of an Ad truck and the moment any curious person scans it, they will instantly have a conversation with you on WhatsApp—no need to type in numbers or click through endless links. It's that simple and here is how you can create them. 

Step 1: Access Gallabox's free QR code generator

Access Gallabox's QR Code Generator and once the tool opens, click on "Generate Links Now". 

Once you’re in the QR Code Generator, follow these simple steps: 

Enter the phone number connected to your WhatsApp business account. Ensure that your country code is correct. You can change it via the drop-down on the left-hand side of the text box. 

Add a pre-filled message that automatically appears when they scan the QR code. Gallabox allows you to add emojis to make your welcome text stand out. 

Once you are happy with your message, use the Preview option to send a test message to ensure the WhatsApp ad looks good. 

Step 2: Generate your QR code

Click "Generate QR Code" and wait a few seconds. Your customized code will be ready to download in high-resolution format.

From here, you can either copy the link to add your social channels or download a print-ready, high-quality image of your QR code to add to your storefronts, product packaging, and checkout counters. 

Pro Tip: Always include a creative CTA encouraging potential customers to scan your QR code. 

Segment your audience

Your customers are not all the same, and your ads shouldn't be either to have the maximum impact. For example, if you have a tiered loyalty program, the promo code within your ad can be personalized based on their tier level.

Similarly, a first-time discount is a great way to rope in new customers. 

If you are using Meta's Ad Manager to create your ads, use its advanced filters to target your ads. If you are using Gallabox, take advantage of its segment's features. 

Provide real value with your ads

An ad that doesn't provide any value to your customers will simply be perceived as digital noise and overlooked. Remember, WhatsApp is a conversational platform; capitalize on it. For example, you can frame your ad's messaging as a solution to a problem, such as, "Need help choosing the right plan? Chat with us on WhatsApp!”

Use all of the available options, like the ability to send pre-filled messages, how-to guides, video tutorials, or offer exclusive promotions (crafted for each segment of your target audience) to make your ads feel less like a sales pitch and a rather helpful message instead. 

Always personalize your messages

Personalization is now a customer expectation, and that little extra effort to meet that expectation can pay you back tenfold. Use Gallabox's customization features, which allow you to use dynamic variables to personalize your Ads.

Localize your ads for that additional personal touch and to tap into a customer base that doesn't speak your language. 

Monitor your quality rating

WhatsApp assigns every business a Whatsapp Quality Rating (Good(green), Okay(yellow), and Low(red))based on how users respond to your messages. A low-quality rating will limit the amount of WhatsApp Ads you can send out in a day and can result in your account being temporarily restricted or even banned. 

Here are a few tips to help maintain a good quality rating:

1. Respond quickly: WhatsApp expects businesses to reply within 24 hours to maintain good standing.
2. Engage meaningfully: Focus on conversations rather than pushing sales.
3. Track user feedback: If customers frequently report your messages as spam, take it as a red flag and adjust your approach.
4. Stay compliant with WhatsApp policies: WhatsApp has strict rules to protect users from spam and misleading content. Here are some of the key guidelines to follow to maintain a high-quality rating:

• Get explicit consent: Only send messages to users who have opted in.
• Provide clear opt-out options: Allow customers to unsubscribe easily.
• Avoid misleading messages: Don’t promise unrealistic offers or use deceptive language.
• Follow privacy regulations: Ensure compliance with data protection laws like GDPR or CCPA.

Test and optimize your ads

A high-quality rating will help increase your daily sending limits from a minimum of 1000 messages daily to over 10,000. That said, sheer volumes alone don't bring in customers.

You need to continually experiment with different elements of your ads to see what works best and adapt accordingly. 

A few key areas to focus on in this regard include: 

• Ad creatives: In some cases, text may work better than images or videos, in other cases it can be the other way around. Perform A/B testing with various formats to see what's working and what's not. 
• CTAs: A clear and compelling CTA can make or break your ad. Avoid vague CTAs like “Learn More” like the plague. Be specific about what users can expect when they click your ad.  CTA's like “Chat with us now!” or “Need help? We’re one message away!” are more likely to start the conversation. 
• Messaging styles: Just as with your creatives, the tone of your messaging can also impact your bottom line. Some ads may work better with witty humor, others with a touch of emotion, and some just need to be direct. 
• Targeting options: You will likely not land your ideal customer base in one go. Keep adjusting your targeting parameters until you find your ideal customer base. 

How do WhatsApp Business Ads differ from traditional Facebook or Instagram ads?

Traditional Ads, whether on Instagram or Facebook, generally redirect users to a website and a landing page. These usually have a CTA at the end that encourages users to initiate further action. WhatsApp Ads, on the other hand, skip this step and instantly redirect your customers to a WhatsApp chat, where you can initiate a conversation with them immediately. 

Can I use WhatsApp Business Ads for both customer support and sales purposes?

Absolutely! That’s the beauty of this format. Once a user clicks on the ad, your customers are now in a two-way conversation, meaning you can both market your product or service and answer all their queries in one go. 

How can I improve the response rates of my WhatsApp Business Ads?

The following three-step formula should help you improve the response rates of your Whatsapp Ads: Personalize your ads, Keep it simple, and use a compelling CTA. As with all digital marketing campaigns, capitalize on analytics to further improve your ads for the best results.