WhatsApp is the most popular messenger in the UK, used by 79% of internet users aged 16 to 64. While WhatsApp is particularly popular among younger users, its popular among all age groups. As a result, more and more businesses are using WhatsApp to reach the customers where they spend most of their time.
In this article, you will learn how to use WhatsApp for business. First, we will explain the difference between WhatsApp and email. Then, we'll illustrate how to use WhatsApp in compliance with data protection regulations and the associated costs. After this brief introduction, eight use cases for WhatsApp Business will be presented.
WhatsApp Marketing vs. Email Marketing
Most businesses still rely on email for customer communication, even though consumer behavior has changed dramatically in recent years. Consumers are bombarded with promotional emails daily, leading to increased email disregard and declining open rates.
In contrast, messaging apps like WhatsApp have gained immense importance in recent years. As a new advertising channel, open rates and conversion rates are currently very high. For example, the open rate for WhatsApp messages averages between 85-95%, while email open rates average only 20-30%. This discrepancy highlights the enormous potential of WhatsApp as a communication channel and presents a unique opportunity for businesses.
Email communication still has its place, especially for longer content and older target groups. Both communication channels complement each other optimally. Therefore, it makes sense to introduce WhatsApp as an additional communication channel to also engage younger audiences.
How to use WhatsApp Business: Data Protection (GDPR)
Is it permissible to use WhatsApp for business? Many companies hesitate to use WhatsApp due to data protection concerns. These concerns are valid, as both the WhatsApp app and the WhatsApp Business app from Meta are not GDPR-compliant, as they store metadata from contacts, among other things.
However, there is a third option that is compliant with data protection regulations. There are GDPR-compliant messaging software solutions like Superchat, which are based on Meta's WhatsApp Business API. With these providers, all data is processed in compliance with data protection laws, and they offer significantly greater functionality than the free WhatsApp Business app. These third-party solutions are paid services due to the high development effort involved.
How to use WhatsApp Business: Costs
When using Superchat and other messaging providers, there are fixed and variable costs. For example, the popular Professional Plan from Superchat costs a fixed monthly fee of €149.
The variable cost component depends on the number of conversations (marketing, authentication, utility, service) conducted by a company. Service conversations are the only conversations that Meta doesn't charge for.
For example, Meta charges £0.0382 for every marketing conversation. Meta is aware of how effectively marketing conversations work on WhatsApp, which is why this paid system was introduced in recent years to benefit from the significant value creation. The good news is that the Professional Plan from Superchat includes a monthly credit of €25, which covers approximately 221 marketing conversations on WhatsApp.
Ultimately, using professional messaging software is an investment in marketing that leads to higher customer satisfaction, higher open rates, and higher conversion rates.
8 Use Cases for WhatsApp Business
After discussing how to use WhatsApp Business in compliance with data protection regulations and the associated costs, let’s explore eight use cases for WhatsApp Business. WhatsApp Business is extremely versatile. With Superchat, it can be used across various business areas such as marketing, sales, customer support, and recruiting.
1. WhatsApp Newsletter (Marketing)
The WhatsApp newsletter from Superchat allows businesses to reach customers directly and interactively via WhatsApp, achieving significantly higher open and response rates than email campaigns. Companies can easily collect opt-ins and create engaging newsletters enriched with various media. Campaign management is simplified through numerous automations and templates, and there is a comprehensive analytics feature for evaluating campaigns.
2. WhatsApp Automation (Marketing)
With Superchat, businesses can automate their customer communication via WhatsApp without needing to program. Chatbots and automations save time by sorting inquiries, sending messages automatically, and facilitating follow-ups. Additionally, Superchat can integrate with tools like Zapier and Make to connect and automate communication processes with other programs.
3. Automatic (Lead) Qualification (Sales)
Automatic lead qualification via WhatsApp enables sales teams to efficiently filter incoming inquiries and follow up strategically. Chatbots and automated workflows gather essential information from potential customers without manual intervention. A good example of this is in insurance and loan applications. This automated process speeds up the sales pipeline and increases the closing rate by qualifying leads more quickly and accurately.
4. Appointment Scheduling in Messenger (Sales)
With WhatsApp, businesses can automate the appointment scheduling process and make customer appointments more efficient. Through QR codes or links, customers can access the chat directly, where confirmations and reminders are automatically sent. Templates and tools like Calendly can be integrated through Superchat, making scheduling faster and eliminating manual interventions.
5. Universal Inbox (Customer Support)
The universal inbox from Superchat combines almost all communication channels, such as WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook Messenger, and email, in one place, facilitating customer service. Teams can work together more efficiently by sorting messages, forwarding them to the right contacts, and labeling them. The platform also offers additional features like contact management, internal notes, and AI-assisted responses for smooth customer communication.
6. AI Chatbot (Customer Support)
The Superchat AI chatbot enables automated, personalized customer communication around the clock and across all channels. It continually learns, can be set up quickly without programming knowledge, and adapts to your brand's tone. Businesses maintain control at all times and benefit from secure data processing on German servers.
7. Simplified Application Process (Recruiting)
WhatsApp simplifies the application process in recruiting by allowing candidates to access the messenger directly via QR code or link. The QR code is particularly suitable for brick-and-mortar stores and job fairs. Superchat offers easy contact options, automated messages, and seamless integration with HR tools. It is a GDPR-compliant solution that enables businesses to manage applications efficiently and send personalized responses, making recruiting more modern and appealing to candidates.
8. Click-to-Messenger Ads (Recruiting)
Click-to-messenger ads in recruiting direct interested candidates through ads on Instagram and Facebook directly into a WhatsApp chat with the company. This simplifies the application process, as candidates can start communication with a single click. This method is especially effective for younger audiences, enabling quick and direct engagement, thereby increasing the quantity and quality of applicants. Click-to-messenger ads can also be used for selling products and services, but they are particularly well-suited for recruiting.
Conclusion: WhatsApp Business and Superchat
The use cases presented are just a small sample of the possibilities, but they already demonstrate the great potential of WhatsApp Business and Superchat. The numerous options with WhatsApp can initially seem overwhelming, which is why we offer all Superchat customers a comprehensive, free onboarding at the start, explaining the key features. This prepares you well to quickly and easily get started with WhatsApp Business and Superchat.
If you’re curious, schedule a free consultation with one of our experts, who will introduce you to our product and answer all your questions.
