What began as a straightforward chat app has evolved into a potent instrument for businesses looking to engage with clients and increase revenue. Yes, we are talking about WhatsApp. In 2024, it had around 3 billion (Statista) unique active users worldwide.
For you as a business owner, today the challenge isn’t just generating leads, it’s engaging them instantly and converting interest into sales. Conventional channels, like phone calls and emails, frequently result in missed opportunities and irate consumers.
This is where WhatsApp for sales reigns supreme by helping you stay connected with customers and creating a more personalized buying experience. It automates follow-ups and expedites conversations to increase their conversions, making it perfect for both small and large businesses.
But how do you actually make it work for your business? Let’s break it down, one step at a time.
Why WhatsApp for sales?
Before we tell you how to use WhatsApp for sales, it’s important to understand why it’s worth your attention. To help with that, here are three solid reasons as follow:
1. Your customers are already there, and so are your competitors
WhatsApp remains the most popular messaging app worldwide, with 57 million downloads in January 2025 alone. WhatsApp Business also saw nearly 26 million downloads, proving that businesses are actively using it to connect with customers.
Unlike emails that go unread or cold calls that get ignored, WhatsApp messages have an open rate of over 98%.
2. Personalized sales at scale without losing the human touch
Customers expect fast, personalized responses, but scaling one-on-one conversations can be challenging. WhatsApp Business helps you do both.
It offers features like quick replies, chat labels, and automation to guarantee every customer gets timely and relevant responses without making interactions feel robotic.
You can also send product recommendations, answer queries, and even recover abandoned carts, all while keeping conversations warm and engaging.
3. You get a complete sales funnel in one place!
WhatsApp Business lets businesses showcase products in catalogs, send payment links, automate follow-ups, and more. All this makes it a complete sales channel.
There are platforms like Facebook or Google Ads, where customer interactions often end after a click; however, WhatsApp keeps the conversation going. You can guide leads from inquiry to purchase very smoothly while building trust and increasing conversions along the way.
How to set up WhatsApp for sales?
To start using WhatsApp for sales, you must set up a WhatsApp Business Account. It offers key features like business profiles, automated messages, quick replies, and product catalogs. If you're a larger business looking for advanced automation and integrations, you may need the WhatsApp Business API.
Here’s a detailed section to help you set up WhatsApp for sales, whether you're a small business or a large enterprise.
Choosing the right WhatsApp Business solution
Take a look at this side-by-side comparison of WhatsApp Business App and WhatsApp Business API to see which one better suits your sales needs.
Steps to set up WhatsApp Business for sales
Here are the step-by-step guides for how to set up WhatsApp Business App for small businesses and WhatsApp Business API for mid-sized to large business enterprises.
Setting up WhatsApp Business app for small businesses
Step 1: Download the WhatsApp Business App from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android).
Step 2: Register with a business number (separate from your personal WhatsApp if possible).
Step 3: Add details like your business name, category, description, working hours, and website link to set up your business profile.
Step 4: Enable key features like quick replies, greeting messages, and labels to manage conversations efficiently.
Step 5: Start engaging customers by sharing your WhatsApp link on your website, social media, and emails.
Setting up WhatsApp Business API for enterprises
To use the WhatsApp Business API, you must apply through an official Business Solution Provider (BSP) like Gallabox or Meta’s own API setup.
Step 1: Open Facebook Business Manager since WhatsApp API is managed through Meta.
Step 2: Go to Business Settings > WhatsApp Accounts.
Step 3: Click “Add” > “Create a WhatsApp account.”
Step 4: Fill in the required details such as account name, messaging purpose (own business or client), time zone, and currency.
Step 5: Complete the phone number verification using an OTP sent to your business number.
Step 6: Assign user roles for your team to manage conversations and permissions.
Step 7: Integrate with CRM, chatbots, and automation tools for a smooth sales process.
Actionable ways to use WhatsApp for sales
Gone are the days when sales only happened through cold calls and emails. Today, customers expect quick, convenient, and personalized interactions, and WhatsApp delivers just that. It makes the entire sales process seamless and efficient.
Here’s how you can also turn casual chats with potential customers into real conversions and make WhatsApp a powerful sales channel for your business.
1. Build a high-value broadcast list
Sending the same message to hundreds of customers one by one? That’s a nightmare.
Instead, WhatsApp’s broadcast lists let you notify customers about product launches, discounts, updates, etc, all in one go. Unlike groups, these messages land directly in the customer’s inbox and maintain a personal feel while saving you hours of manual work.
The best part? These messages reach customers who have already engaged with your business like they’ve either made a purchase, signed up on your website, or interacted with you before. This makes them more likely to respond and convert.
2. Share content that sells without "selling"
No one likes to be bombarded with sales messages. Instead, use WhatsApp to educate and engage your customers with content they genuinely find useful. Share product guides, demo videos, industry tips, or even behind-the-scenes clips of your business.
When customers see value in what you share, they’re more likely to trust your brand, and that trust translates into sales.
3. Maximize product visibility with WhatsApp Catalog
Make it easier for customers to browse and buy your products by setting up a WhatsApp Catalog. Think of it as your mini storefront within the app, complete with images, pricing, and descriptions.
All of this eliminates the need to direct customers to external links and keeps the buying journey quick and hassle-free. For businesses selling multiple products, this feature is a game-changer.
4. Turn Facebook Ads into WhatsApp conversations
If you're running ads on Facebook or Instagram, don’t let potential customers slip away.
Click-to-WhatsApp ads let users start a conversation with your business in just one tap. Once they land in your WhatsApp chat, you can engage them in real-time, answer queries, and guide them toward a purchase.
In simpler terms, it is a direct, no-friction approach that makes digital ads far more effective.
5. Strengthen customer loyalty with exclusive deals
Loyal customers don’t just bring repeat business; they eventually become your brand advocates. You can use WhatsApp Business to reward returning customers with exclusive discounts, early access to new products, or personalized recommendations.
You can even create VIP lists for frequent buyers and send them priority offers to make them feel valued and keep them engaged with your brand.
6. Make buying easy with clickable shop links
If you’ve set up an online store, make sure customers can access it effortlessly. WhatsApp lets you share direct links to your shop via chat, broadcast lists, or even on your website and social media. This eliminates unnecessary steps and makes it easier for customers to browse and buy instantly.
You can also add QR codes in physical stores to enable offline shoppers to connect with you online.
7. Collect feedback and improve post-sales experience
The best time to understand your customers is right after they purchase. Use WhatsApp to request feedback, ask about their experience, and offer after-sales support. Collecting feedback post-purchase helps improve your services and keeps customers engaged for future purchases.
A simple “How did you like our product?” message can go a long way in making customers feel heard.
8. Track and improve your WhatsApp sales strategy
Sales don’t just happen erratically; they need constant analysis and optimization. You must be vigilant about customer engagement, response times, and conversion rates.
Many WhatsApp Business Solution Providers offer in-depth analytics to help you track performance and refine your sales approach.
5 ways to automate sales on WhatsApp
Manually handling customer queries and sales processes on WhatsApp can quickly become overwhelming, especially as your business scales. This is where automating sales on WhatsApp becomes a game-changer.
Find out the five ultimate ways to utilize sales automation on WhatsApp for maximum sales:
1. Set up WhatsApp auto-replies for instant engagement
Customers today expect quick responses, and long wait times can cost you potential sales. With WhatsApp Business tools, you can set up automated replies for frequently asked questions, such as pricing, product details, or business hours.
2. Use chatbots to qualify leads and personalize interactions
A WhatsApp chatbot can handle multiple conversations at once, qualifying leads based on their responses and guiding them through the buying process. Thus, instead of manually asking each customer about their preferences, a bot can instantly collect this data and recommend the right product or service.
3. Automate follow-ups to close more deals
Following up is crucial in sales, but it’s easy to miss potential leads when done manually. Automating sales on WhatsApp allows you to send scheduled follow-ups based on customer actions.
For example, if a customer shows interest but hasn’t completed a purchase, you can send a gentle reminder or a special discount offer.
4. Schedule bulk messages for promotions and announcements
Whether launching a new product, running a limited-time sale, or updating customers on an exclusive offer, WhatsApp's Broadcast feature lets you send bulk messages without losing the personal touch.
Pro Tip: Personalize your messages by using customer names or past purchase data to make bulk messaging feel more engaging rather than spammy.
5. Automate customer re-engagement to drive repeat sales
Staying connected with past customers can significantly increase sales. Automated re-engagement messages can remind customers about your brand, suggest complementary products, or offer special loyalty discounts.
A great example would be a customer who purchased a skincare product a month ago and now receives an automated message suggesting a replenishment order with a special discount.
How to track sales performance on WhatsApp?
Businesses using WhatsApp for sales need to track their success by the number of messages sent and how customers interact with them.
- The first step is to monitor response rates—how many people reply, how quickly they engage, and whether conversations lead to meaningful interactions. A high engagement rate usually means your messages are relevant and well-timed.
- For businesses closing sales directly on WhatsApp, integrating it with a CRM or eCommerce platform provides deeper insights. You can see how many inquiries turn into purchases and even track customer preferences to refine future messaging.
- If you’re directing customers to your website, UTM-tagged links can help track how many WhatsApp users visit your site and complete a purchase. This way, you can measure WhatsApp's actual impact on your conversions rather than just assuming it's working.
Case Studies: WhatsApp for Sales in Different Industries
Check out these real-world success stories illustrating how businesses across various industries are utilizing WhatsApp for sales to improve engagement and revenue.
Future of WhatsApp in Sales
WhatsApp is set to become an even more powerful sales tool. AI-driven chatbots and automation are making customer interactions faster and more efficient.
Businesses will soon be able to offer a completely seamless shopping experience by answering queries, recommending products, and even processing payments within the chat itself.
As more companies integrate WhatsApp into their sales strategies, those that embrace these changes early will stay ahead of the competition.
Supercharge sales with WhatsApp
The impact of WhatsApp is undeniable. But simply using WhatsApp isn’t enough; the real game-changer is how effectively you integrate it into your business strategy. Companies that utilize automation and personalized communication are the ones seeing the highest returns.
As one of the top WhatsApp business solution providers, Gallabox helps you integrate the WhatsApp Business API with your favorite tools to manage customer contacts and streamline bulk messaging. It also offers no-code chatbot solutions to make your customer interactions smoother and more scalable.
Sign up for a free trial today and see the difference for yourself!
FAQs about whatsapp for sales
1. Can I automate sales conversations on WhatsApp?
Yes! By using WhatsApp Business API and chatbot solutions, you can automate responses, qualify leads, send follow-ups, and even close sales without manual intervention.
2. Can I use WhatsApp for group sales?
You can create WhatsApp groups for product discussions, exclusive deals, or community-based selling. However, for a more structured approach, WhatsApp Broadcast lets you send messages to multiple customers without creating a group.
3. How can I track sales performance on WhatsApp?
Using WhatsApp Business API insights and UTM-tagged links for website conversions, you can track key metrics like response rates, conversion rates, and customer engagement.
4. Is WhatsApp secure for handling sales transactions?
Yes, WhatsApp uses end-to-end encryption to ensure that customer communications remain private. However, it is recommended that transactions be processed using secure payment gateways.
5. Can WhatsApp be integrated with my existing CRM or eCommerce platform?
Yes, WhatsApp Business API allows seamless integration with CRMs, e-commerce platforms, and other automation tools to streamline sales and customer interactions.
