WhatsApp has gone from being just a messaging tool to a shopping channel. The launch of WhatsApp Business has facilitated direct communication between users and businesses, simplifying the shopping process and improving the customer experience.
With the new version of the WhatsApp Business API, sales are more interactive and personal, retailers can show their products and/or services for customers to purchase without leaving the chat. In addition, they are also able to include multiple products in messages and single product messages, which acts as a type of catalog and displays products from stock.
Read also: Why geolocation increases the efficiency of your e-commerce
What is an API anyway?
APIs ( Application Programming Interface) are a set of standards and routines that integrate an interface and allow the construction of platforms in a simpler and more objective way. In other words, their function is to facilitate the developer's work.
It is possible to use them in the creation of software, applications, programs, and various platforms.
When a company creates an API and intends to allow other software developers to develop products associated with its service, they make their codes available to be used in other sites and in a more convenient way for their users.
WhatsApp Business' own API, for example, enables brands and businesses to build product catalogs and a shopping cart through chat. Helping to increase sales, as well as simplifying the buying process and improving the customer experience.
In short, APIs make different websites and tools "talk" to each other, and achieve results that would not be feasible if they worked in isolation.
WhatsApp Business vs. WhatsApp Business API
Although the names are similar and even imply the same thing - which ends up causing some confusion - WhatsApp Business and WhatsApp Business API have quite different functionalities and uses.
- WhatsApp Business
The WhatsApp Business application is designed to meet the needs of small retailers, who use the app to communicate with customers, but without having to associate their personal numbers - since a professional contact channel is opened.
Creating labels, product catalogs, and entering office hours are some of the features available to those who use this version. However, WhatsApp Business has certain limitations, the main one is that the tool is tied to the smartphone where it is installed and makes an exclusively manual management of messages impossible.
This can be a problem for larger or expanding companies that need to structure this strategic channel and make it scalable for large volumes.
- WhatsApp Business API
The WhatsApp Business API application, on the other hand, is designed for medium-sized and large companies, or those that are growing. This is because this version offers other advanced and unique features, allowing you to communicate with customers at scale.
Using WhatsApp Business APIs, businesses can connect thousands of agents and bots to interact with customers programmatically and manually. In addition, the APIs can be integrated with various back-end systems, such as CRM and marketing platforms.
Read also: E-commerce trends: How Conversational commerce can impact your business
What are the main features of the WhatsApp Business API?
In addition to featuring - almost all - the features of the standard version, the WhatsApp Business API also enables:
- Connects a WhatsApp API account to a multi-user platform;
- Create chatbots: allowing automated message flows and answer customers' most frequently asked questions at any time
- Quick dissemination of content: quickly sends messages to multiple contacts of notifications, alerts or services (with certain limitations regarding promotions);
- Centralizes communications with customers on a single number;
- Obtains detailed reports about the chats;
- Captures new leads and redirects them to the chat.
How to use the WhatsApp API to sell
WhatsApp is an app that is available in everyone's hand.
It is estimated that over 120 million Brazilians have a WhatsApp account and about 3 million companies use this communication channel in their marketing strategy.
Check below some features of WhatsApp Business API that will help you attract more customers and increase your sales.
1 - Product and/or Service Catalog
Since WhatsApp is synonym of agility, creating a catalog presenting your products and/or services will make the exchange of information faster and easier with your clients.
In addition, by including a catalog with the API of WhatsApp Business, customers will have access to products at any time and can contact the store already knowing exactly what they want to buy.
2 - Create a chatbot (set up automatic messages)
Creating automatic messages (chatbots) is a very useful feature for larger companies that use WhatsApp Business API for simultaneous calls.
You can set up messages for after hours, indicating that the person will receive a reply when the store opens. Or even during business hours, indicating that they will be answered soon.
In addition, the chatbot also understands the preferences of the public and learns from the behavior of users, making the service more humanized and closer to the customer.
3 - Organize the conversations by tags
Assigning labels to organize the services that are in progress helps to define their status (such as "not answered", "in progress" and "finished").
Or even the type of service that was requested (such as "exchanges", "questions", etc.).
4 - Create a Transmission List
By creating a mailing list in the WhatsApp Business API, the customer's contact information is protected and the messages look like individual messages, which gives a more personal touch and refers to greater proximity - just like what happens with the chatbot.
More than sending offers and discounts, mailing lists can also be used to send relevant content to customers and make your brand an authority in the market, being a great ally in inbound marketing strategies.
So, did you like to know how to use API for selling products on WhatsApp?
To evolve your e-commerce, you can count on Codeby's team. We are a company specialized in technology, focused on performance and usability that helps companies sell more on their online channels!
