Which is better, WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business?

WhatsApp Business is better for providing convenience to your customers. With marketing tools like product catalogues, automated messages, and broadcast messages, you can reduce human efforts. Customers can click on your profile anytime to see your products and services. You can also provide 24×7 support to your customers through automated messages, and leverage WhatsApp status to share the latest updates.

Is WhatsApp the future of eCommerce?

India is expected to have a 13.91% retail e-commerce sales compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2023 to 2027, overtaking China and Russia. It presents a great opportunity for businesses to leverage WhatsApp for direct-to-consumer (D2C) sales. Indians being the largest WhatsApp users is a boon to your D2C company. You can take advantage of these numbers to expand your reach and cost-effectively drive sales.

What are the advantages of using WhatsApp?

The large user base and features of WhatsApp can help you convert target visitors into customers. You can share pictures and videos to showcase your products to potential customers. In-app payments can help reduce friction and make the purchasing process easier for customers. Also, by re-engaging with your customers, you can build a stronger customer relationship with your brand.

Why Pivoting To WhatsApp Commerce Is A Must For D2C Companies In 2023

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Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, online shopping has become the preferred choice for countless customers. As more and more brands jump to provide their customers with a great experience, the expectations have only increased. Along with fast deliveries, and instant cash back, customers are now looking for personalised quick assistance and a highly seamless checkout process. As a result, D2C companies are increasingly looking for ways to cater to these ever-evolving customer needs and keep them turning to WhatsApp commerce to meet these evolving customer demands.

WhatsApp was launched in 2009 and now has over 487.5 million users in India – the largest in the world. With WhatsApp, you can provide a guided shopping experience, offering step-by-step assistance to customers looking to purchase your products. If you want your D2C brand to differentiate itself, pivoting to WhatsApp commerce will help you build a strong brand identity and cut the competition.

In this article, we will explore all the reasons you should pivot to Whatsapp commerce. And to begin Whatsapp commerce for your brand, you should check out the beginner’s guide to using WhatsApp commerce in India.

1. Customer Convenience

For 83% of customers, convenience comes first before making a purchase. As most of your customers are familiar with Whatsapp, it is the easiest place for them to buy anything. By enabling customers to shop directly on WhatsApp, businesses can provide a seamless shopping experience that is both convenient and enjoyable.

You can create a catalogue list of your product to provide customers with a quick and easy way to browse. You can enable Add To Cart feature so that your customers will be able to make in-app purchases. This ease of purchasing helps to increase customer retention and foster stronger customer relationships to ultimately drive business growth.

2. Increasing M-commerce

In 2020, the value of mobile retail e-commerce sales in India was estimated to be around 38 billion U.S. dollars. And it is only going to increase as the number of mobile users in India increase. Pivoting to Whatsapp can help you capture more of these customers, and take advantage of the growing mobile e-commerce market in India. By using WhatsApp to share promotional offers, new product launches, and other marketing content, businesses can reach a larger audience at a lower cost.

3. Automated Replies

It is practically impossible for you to reply to all your customers all the time. To make this process swift, you can automate greetings messages, away messages, and quick replies. One thing you need to make sure that the messages should not lack the human touch, as customers may not like overly robotic interactions. And if a customer is not happy with the automated response, have a support team in place to provide personalised support and address any issues.

It will reduce the need for a large support team and free up support teams to focus on more complex issues that require personalised attention. It will better the overall customer experience and shoppers won’t have to wait for too long to seek help.

You will also save some money this way, which you can allocate to other parts of your business for better returns.

4. WhatsApp Payments And Increased Conversion Rate

With the introduction of WhatsApp Pay, it has become easier for both customers and brands to make and receive payments, respectively, without any friction. This further helps you have a high conversion rate as you will be selling right within Whatsapp. By using WhatsApp effectively, you can nudge prospects towards the purchase and drive conversions.

5. Product-Market Fit Validation

As a D2C company using WhatsApp, you will have an edge over other marketplace-first companies. Direct contact with your customers will enable you to have their feedback more easily without giving them lengthy forms to fill out. This feedback can provide valuable insights into customer preferences and pain points that can be used to make improvements faster. It will demonstrate that you are listening to the customers and are committed to providing high-quality products and services.

6. Build Customer Relationships Via Post-purchase Experience

93% of consumerswill likely stick with your brand if you can offer an engaging post-purchase experience. WhatsApp is a valuable tool for engaging with customers after they have made a purchase. By using WhatsApp to follow up with customers, you can show that you care about customer satisfaction and are committed to providing ongoing support.

As a brand, it is your responsibility to offer quick assistance, and exclusive discount offers. This helps build a loyal customer base. Your satisfied customers will recommend your brand to others. This will, in turn, have a significant impact on your brand reputation and sales.

7. Proactive Communication

To keep your customers engaged on Whatsapp, you can send abandoned cart notifications, order tracking details, and return and refund updates. It is a great way to keep your customers informed throughout the customer journey. Sending thank-you messages and follow-up surveys can also be a great way to show that you value their input. Such proactive communication will reduce customer frustration and increase satisfaction with the purchasing experience.

8. Cross Selling

As a D2C company, you can suggest similar and even complementary products after your customers make a purchase. Suggesting related products can be a great way to drive additional sales and increase customer satisfaction. For example, if a customer buys a laptop through your online or offline store, you can suggest related products like a laptop bag.

One thing to keep in mind is to use messaging that is personalized and tailored to the customer to make the suggestion feel more genuine and less templated.
Also read:- whatsapp-commerce-6-best-strategies-to-market-sell-products

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AUTHOR

Vardhan Jain

Director of Product Program @ GoKwik

AUTHOR

Vardhan Jain

Director of Product Program @ GoKwik

Vardhan leads product and growth initiatives at GoKwik, driving D2C e-commerce innovations, conversion optimization, and scalable growth programs for products. An ISB alumnus based in Bengaluru, he brings expertise from Unacademy, Ola, and Mahindra in building high-impact product strategies.

Why Pivoting To WhatsApp Commerce Is A Must For D2C Companies In 2023

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1. Customer Convenience

2. Increasing M-commerce

3. Automated Replies

4. WhatsApp Payments And Increased Conversion Rate

5. Product-Market Fit Validation

6. Build Customer Relationships Via Post-purchase Experience

7. Proactive Communication

8. Cross Selling

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Vardhan Jain

Vardhan Jain