How to Make a WhatsApp Business Account For Your Company
If you’ve decided to start running WhatsApp campaigns, creating a WhatsApp Business Account is the first step. You can’t do much WhatsApp marketing with a regular WhatsApp account.
With a business account in WhatsApp, you’ll be able to reach current and potential customers with instant messages for greater engagement and be able to provide an additional line of support and communication.
Let’s see how to create WhatsApp Business accounts and start using it for marketing.
What exactly is a WhatsApp Business account?
A WhatsApp Business Account is a professional account companies create to access WhatsApp's business tools. Just like individuals provide their name and phone number, companies must provide additional details to verify their authenticity when signing up for this specialized account.
How to create a WhatsApp Business account
First, it's important to understand that if you want to use WhatsApp for your business, you have two options: the free WhatsApp Business app with limited features, or the paid WhatsApp Business API with more advanced capabilities. The app and the API differ in the marketing tools they offer.
To get started, each option requires a different process for setting up a WhatsApp business account. We'll guide you through both methods.
Creating an account for WhatsApp Business app
The WhatsApp Business App is a free option suitable for micro and small businesses, but with limited capabilities. It can only be used on one device tied to a single phone number, which can be restrictive for larger teams. Here's how to create a business account in the WhatsApp app:
- Download the free app from the Google Play Store (Android) or Apple App Store (iOS) and follow the installation instructions.
- Register by entering the phone number you want to use for your business in international format. Verify this number via SMS or call by providing the 6-digit code received.
- Grant WhatsApp permission to access your phone's contacts.
- Enter your business name, category, profile picture (typically your logo), and address.
- Create a WhatsApp business profile for contacts to see your brand's details like description, hours, location, etc., from Explore -> Business profile.
- You're all set! You can now chat with contacts who have your number saved.
With a business account in WhatsApp, you can provide better customer support using basic marketing features like:
- Away messages: Automated responses to inquiries outside business hours, with options to help customers find what they need.
- Quick replies: Pre-set replies you can access quickly during live conversations.
- Greeting message: A welcome message for first-time customers not in your contacts.
Small business owners already using WhatsApp personally may want to switch to the business app. However, each phone number can only be associated with one account, so you'll need to either get a new number or convert your personal one for business use.
How to convert WhatsApp into business account
To convert your existing personal WhatsApp account to a business account, follow these steps:
- Update the WhatsApp app you are currently using to the latest version.
- Download the WhatsApp Business app from your device's app store.
- Open the WhatsApp Business app and accept the terms and conditions.
- Allow your personal phone number that you use on WhatsApp Messenger to be used as your WhatsApp Business phone number by clicking "Use [number]".
- Verify your WhatsApp number (this step may be skipped for iPhone users with iCloud Keychain).
- Set up your business profile with details like name, category, logo, etc.
Once you complete these steps, your personal chat history will be transferred to the new WhatsApp Business account on the same phone number.
Creating an account for WhatsApp Business API
The WhatsApp Business API is an advanced solution designed for mid-sized and large companies. It offers the full suite of WhatsApp features but, being an API, it does not have a user interface of its own.
To utilize the API, businesses need to integrate it with third-party software such as a marketing platform. Usage is paid per message sent, with rates varying based on the recipient's country code.
Before connecting to the API through a service provider, companies must first create a WhatsApp Business account and then link it when integrating the API.
The API provides more robust capabilities compared to the free WhatsApp Business app, making it suitable for enterprises with higher-volume messaging needs. However, the added functionality comes at the cost of paid usage.