7 Strategies to Increase Your Sales with WhatsApp

You own a business and use WhatsApp? Perfect. Now imagine that using this feature strategically can significantly boost your business.

According to Indigitall, a Spanish omnichannel platform recently launched in Brazil, companies increased their sales by 40% when using WhatsApp for direct conversations, highlighting the effectiveness of quick responses to customer needs.

For Victor Okuma, country manager of Indigitall in the country, WhatsApp has evolved from a simple messaging app into an essential strategic channel. It allows businesses of all sizes to connect swiftly with their customers, creating personalized experiences and expanding conversion opportunities.

"Nowadays, WhatsApp is a powerful tool transforming how businesses communicate with their customers, and it boasts a significantly higher open and conversion rate than traditional channels," says Victor.

The expert, who serves companies like McDonald's, Banco Inter, and Claro, shares some valuable strategies for maximizing WhatsApp use in businesses. Check it out:

1 – Create Virtual Catalogs

To further boost conversion rates, WhatsApp allows you to create digital catalogs with photos, links, and buttons. Therefore, leverage this tool. In a client experience, Indigitall reported an impressive 81% increase in click-through rate (CTR). "Sending messages with links directly to the e-commerce platform simplifies conversion and streamlines the purchasing process," explains Victor.

2 – Implement real-time alerts

Furthermore, WhatsApp has the option to keep customers informed through real-time alerts. Victor states that "a car rental service that implemented an alert system reduced payment delays by 34% among drivers. Now, users receive instant updates on their vehicle's status, ensuring more effective communication." 

3 – Automate to gain agility in service delivery

Automating customer service via WhatsApp increases customer agility and process autonomy, leading to a significant increase in conversion rates. This type of fast and direct service not only reduces the workload on the team but also improves the experience, allowing customers to be served in a practical and efficient manner. Using a robust API (a system that allows integration of WhatsApp with a chatbot, for example) with Artificial Intelligence to respond to customers can ensure personalized service. 

4 – Abusing retargeting for abandoned carts

WhatsApp also stands out as a retargeting tool, re-engaging customers who left items in their shopping cart on an e-commerce site, for example. Through readily available market tools, it's possible to send automated messages encouraging consumers to complete a purchase they started on the company's website. "A retailer who developed this strategy saw a 25% increase in sales," highlights the Indigitall specialist. **Note:** "25%" is not a standard unit of measurement for sales increase. There's likely a typo or a unit that needs clarification. The translation reflects the text exactly but should likely be revised depending on what the original meant.

5 – Integrate channels for a complete experience

Integrating WhatsApp with other channels, such as push notifications, email, or SMS, can be a good strategy for creating a continuous and cohesive customer journey. This approach creates a more orchestrated flow, which contributes to increased conversion and strengthening customer relationships. "If a customer began their purchase through Instagram, for example, receiving a message via WhatsApp could mention that, bringing the customer a message that the company is with them, following their interests. This creates a sense of closeness and loyalty, all in a synchronized manner."

This is possible through systems like Indigitall's Customer Journey, which integrates with any CRM (a system that stores data on customer interactions with the company) and creates personalized outreach campaigns.

Today, we are one of the few tools on the market offering an automated journey and a complete communication workflow (for both inbound and outbound channels), all within a single platform and powered by artificial intelligence. This approach not only improves the user experience but also all key performance metrics, such as open rates, click-through rates, and conversion rates into sales," Okuma completes.

6 – Enable purchase in just three clicks

The ease of use of WhatsApp allows companies to offer an agile buying experience, with just three clicks. This fast and convenient model generated a 36% increase in sales, in an experience recorded by Indigitall, proving that customers value the speed and personalization that WhatsApp provides.

7 – Promote interactive engagement

Dynamic interactions, like contests and quizzes, not only capture customer interest but also generate tangible results. "In the e-commerce sector, a 6% increase in sales was recorded when integrating contests into the marketing strategy," says Victor.