WhatsApp is where most Indian customers already spend their day, and they read messages there far more than email. Used well, it helps you reply to leads in seconds, share catalogues, confirm bookings and bring past customers back.
In short: start with the free WhatsApp Business app and reply to every enquiry fast. Message only people who agreed to hear from you. Move to the API when you need automation or broadcasts, and track replies and sales.
WhatsApp Business app or API?
| WhatsApp Business app | WhatsApp Business API | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | Per-message charges plus a provider fee |
| Best for | One or two people replying | Teams, automation and larger lists |
| Automation | Greeting, away and quick replies | Chatbots, integrations and automated flows |
| Broadcasts | Limited, to contacts who saved your number | Approved templates to opted-in customers |
Setting up WhatsApp Business
- Add your business name, category, address, hours, website and description.
- Set up a greeting message, an away message and quick replies. See our message templates.
- Create a catalogue with photos, prices and descriptions.
- Use labels to track leads, orders and follow-ups.
Getting more people to message you
- A WhatsApp button on your website, using our chat button code.
- A click-to-chat link in your Instagram bio and Google profile, made with our WhatsApp link generator.
- A QR code on your counter, packaging and visiting cards, from our WhatsApp QR code generator.
- Click-to-WhatsApp ads on Facebook and Instagram.
Replying fast wins customers
People message several businesses and often choose the first to reply. Aim to answer within minutes during working hours, use quick replies for common questions, and send an automatic greeting outside hours so nobody feels ignored.
Broadcasts without getting blocked
- Message only people who opted in, and tell them how to opt out.
- Send useful, relevant messages: offers, reminders, new arrivals, not daily spam.
- Segment your list, so each group gets messages that suit them.
- For large lists, use the official API with approved templates; bulk tools that send from a normal number risk a ban.
Clean your number list first with our phone number list cleaner, and estimate costs with the broadcast cost calculator.
When to move to the API
Consider the WhatsApp Business API when several people need to reply from one number, or you want automation or a chatbot. It also suits sending campaigns to hundreds or thousands of customers who opted in. It is accessed through Meta-approved providers, and Meta charges per message depending on the type: marketing messages cost more than utility and authentication messages. Check the current rates for India with your provider.
Writing messages people read
Keep messages short, personal and clear, with one action. Use *bold* for the key detail. Our WhatsApp text formatter shows how formatting will look.
Measuring results
Track the number of chats, response time, replies to broadcasts, and enquiries and sales that came through WhatsApp. Ask customers where they found you, and label chats that became orders.
Common mistakes
- Adding people to groups or broadcasts without permission.
- Using unofficial bulk-messaging tools.
- Slow or no replies outside office hours.
- Sending the same offer to everyone, every day.
- Your business number registered in someone else’s account.
Your WhatsApp checklist
| Set up once | Daily | Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| Business profile, catalogue and greeting | Reply to every chat quickly | Send 2–4 useful broadcasts |
| Chat button, links and QR codes | Label leads and orders | Review chats, replies and sales |
| Opt-in method for your list | Follow up open enquiries | Clean and segment your list |
See our WhatsApp marketing service and the API pricing guide.