When we hear WhatsApp, most of us think about chatting with friends and family or sending the occasional meme. But did you know that WhatsApp is becoming a go-to platform for businesses to showcase their products?
With over 2 billion active users globally, WhatsApp is no longer limited to messaging—it's a centre piece of companies' omni-channel strategies. According to a survey, 28% of WhatsApp users globally have interacted with a business account, and many of these interactions lead to purchases.
The WhatsApp Business catalog is a feature that allows small and medium-sized businesses to create an online storefront within the app. This makes it easier for customers to browse products and purchase without leaving the chat.
.png)
In this guide, I’ll walk you through creating and uploading a catalog to WhatsApp Business App. Whether you’re using the mobile app or the desktop version, I’ve got you covered. Plus, I’ll sprinkle in some pro tips to help you maximize your catalog’s potential.
First things first—why should you even bother with WhatsApp Business catalogs? If you’re a small business owner, you might already juggle multiple platforms, from Instagram to your website. So, what’s unique about WhatsApp?
For starters, WhatsApp allows you to engage with your customers right where they are. Unlike traditional e-commerce platforms, where customers can navigate multiple steps, WhatsApp makes it simple.
With a catalog integrated directly into the chat, your customers can browse, ask questions, and purchase all in one place. This seamless experience reduces friction and can significantly increase conversion rates.
According to WhatsApp's data, businesses see up to a 20% increase in sales when they start using WhatsApp catalogs to showcase their products.
Creating a catalog is no rocket science and is easier than you might think. Let’s break it down step by step.
.png)
If you offer multiple products, organizing them into collections can make a world of difference for your customers. For example, if you run a clothing store, you can create collections for "Summer Wear," "Formal Attire," or "Sale Items."
Here’s how you can do it:
.png)
Collections make it easier for customers to find exactly what they’re looking for, leading to quicker decisions and higher sales.
Creating a catalog is just the first step. To truly make it work for you, you’ll need to optimize it. Here are some tips:
.png)
Want to share your catalog with customers? Creating a catalog link makes it super easy. Here’s how:
This feature is handy for promoting your catalog across various channels, driving more traffic to your products.
Like any tool, WhatsApp catalogs come with their own set of challenges. Here’s how to tackle some of the most common issues:
.png)
While WhatsApp catalogs are a fantastic tool for small businesses, they do have limitations:
.png)
If you’re running a larger operation or want more control and automation, the WhatsApp Business API is a better choice. Unlike the standard app, the API allows for:
Using WhatsApp Business catalogs is a great start, but if you're looking to create a conversational catalog flow, want product feed syncing, or manage inventory, you’d need a WhatsApp automation software like QuickReply.ai.
.png)
Let’s understand how QuickReply.ai can enhance your WhatsApp Business catalogs:
Consider you’re running an online clothing store. When a customer messages your WhatsApp Business account that they are interested in a specific item, QuickReply.ai enables you to engage them in a tailored conversation.
Instead of sending a generic catalog, you can ask targeted questions (using pre-trained chatbots) like, “What size are you looking for?” or “Do you have a preferred color?” Based on their answers, QuickReply.ai narrows down the catalog options and presents only those items that match their preferences.
This personalized interaction makes it easier for customers to find what they want, improving their overall experience.
QuickReply.ai simplifies product recommendations with its Product Feed Syncing feature. For instance, if your store sells a dress in multiple sizes and colors, QuickReply.ai can pre-train the chatbot to understand specific customer requirements.
When customers indicate they need a medium-size, red dress, the chatbot filters through the catalog and displays only the relevant options. This approach helps customers find the right product without sifting through unnecessary choices, making their shopping experience more efficient.
Keeping your catalog up-to-date, especially concerning stock levels, can be challenging. QuickReply.ai addresses this by automatically syncing with your inventory, ensuring that only items currently in stock are shown to customers.
This real-time inventory management reduces the chances of customer disappointment and helps maintain trust in your brand.
QuickReply.ai does more than manage your catalog; it improves the entire shopping process. With advanced chatbot filtration, QuickReply.ai tailors product recommendations based on customer preferences and previous interactions.
The platform also facilitates seamless payment processing within WhatsApp and automates order creation in Shopify or your Point of Sale (POS) system.
This integration allows customers to complete their purchase journey—from selection to payment to order creation—without leaving WhatsApp.
In short, QuickReply.ai helps ensure your customers find exactly what they’re looking for—right when they need it. Book a Demo today to watch it live in action.
Tool and strategies modern teams need to help their companies grow.
Leverage the untapped growth potential of WhatsApp marketing to acquire and retain customers.
To create a WhatsApp catalog PDF, follow these steps:
Creating a catalog for your WhatsApp Business account involves these steps:
If your WhatsApp Business catalog is not functioning correctly:
If your WhatsApp catalog is not showing, it could be due to:
