WhatsApp holds immense importance in today's time and age due to its impact on communication and connectivity. As per statistics, over 40 million businesses around the world use WhatsApp Business for marketing, sales and support functions. And a big part of being able to do so, is the ability to schedule WhatsApp messages to ensure timely responses for better customer engagement. 

When you schedule WhatsApp messages in advance, you don’t just save time in replying to your customers, but also ensure your brand looks proactive when it comes to serving their needs. And that’s a positive look if you want to grow your brand in a competitive market! 

In this blog, we’re going to tell you all about how to schedule WhatsApp messages. We will share the capabilities of the WhatsApp app by itself, the browser plugins and how and when it is time to use a WhatsApp Business API solution like QuickReply.ai instead. 

What are scheduled messages on WhatsApp? 

Scheduled messages on WhatsApp allow users to plan and designate a particular date and time for sending messages.  When the scheduled time arrives, the selected app or service automatically dispatches the message on the user's behalf. 

This functionality enhances time management, facilitates consistent communication, and enables users to engage recipients at optimal moments, fostering higher levels of engagement.

Why should you schedule WhatsApp messages?

Scheduling messages helps you respond on time, especially when you're using WhatsApp for your business. Just imagine a customer reaching out to you, and you don't respond in time. That could mean losing a potential customer simply because you could not provide them with the right information or shopping assistance. 

Not only does scheduling messages ensure timeliness, but it also helps you stay consistent. You can plan a series of messages or announcements, keeping your customers informed about upcoming deals, discounts, sales, launches and more. 

If you ask us, when you schedule WhatsApp messages, you ensure you also remain at the top of the consumer’s minds. 

How to schedule messages on WhatsApp and WhatsApp business apps? 

If you’re looking at a very basic level of scheduling WhatsApp messages, you can do so using the messaging app’s platform itself. 

To schedule WhatsApp messages using the WhatsApp Business app on Android or iPhone, you can easily follow these steps:

• Launch the WhatsApp Business app on your device
• Access the 'Settings' menu within the app
• Locate and select the 'Business tools' option
• Enable the 'Away Message' feature by toggling it on
• Craft your desired message in the provided text field
• Activate the 'Send Away Message on WhatsApp Business' toggle
• Specify that the message should be sent only to the intended recipients
• Tap the 'Schedule' button to set the desired date and time for sending the message

How to schedule messages on WhatsApp web?

When using WhatsApp on the web, its functionalities are limited. However, you can still schedule messages on WhatsApp web by installing a browser plugin like Blueticks. With Blueticks added to your browser, you can follow these steps to schedule WhatsApp messages:

• Open WhatsApp web in your browser
• Choose a chat, contact, or group where you want to schedule a message
• Click on the icon next to the message box, which opens the scheduler window
• Compose the desired WhatsApp message you want to schedule
• Select the date and time for the message to be sent
• Click on 'schedule send' to finalize the schedulin.

While the above tactic of using browser plugins and add-ons may work to schedule WhatsApp messages on WhatsApp web, it can be prone to complete lapse. 

Owing to WhatsApp’s privacy policy and security guidelines, there have been instances where popular browser plugins have either failed or shut down. 

This is where working with a WhatsApp Business API solution provider like QuickReply.ai becomes important. The platform’s ability to analyse customer data, segment recipients based on engagement and interaction, helps schedule WhatsApp messages that are personalised and contextual to every buyer. 

Best way to schedule WhatsApp messages is using the WhatsApp Business API  

The best WhatsApp Business API solution providers like QuickReply.ai have built powerful integrations with eCommerce CMS like Shopify. So all you need to do to schedule WhatsApp messages, is install the app on your Shopify store and follow the steps below: 

• Identify the event at which you want to send the WhatsApp message. For instance, replying to a customer demanding service or reminding a person about a due delivery. 

• Take note of any additional features or criteria for the recipients of the scheduled WhatsApp message. Consider factors such as target audience, specific groups or segments, or any personalized attributes.

• After registering with the service provider, navigate to the notifications tab or section and click on the  "+ New Campaign" button to create a new scheduled WhatsApp message campaign.

• Provide an appropriate name for your scheduled WhatsApp message campaign to easily identify and manage it later.

• Choose "Ongoing" as the message type to indicate that this campaign will be triggered and sent repeatedly based on the specified conditions.
• Specify the trigger or event at which you want the WhatsApp message to be sent. This could be a specific date, time, user action, or any other condition defined by the service provider.

• Define the target audience for your scheduled WhatsApp messages. Select the groups, segments, or individual contacts that should receive the messages based on your predetermined criteria.
• Specify the content of the scheduled WhatsApp message. This includes the text, media files, or any other elements you want to include in the message.

• Review and confirm all the details of your scheduled WhatsApp message campaign.

• Once everything is set, activate or set the campaign live to start sending the scheduled WhatsApp messages according to the defined trigger and recipient criteria.

With these steps, you can easily schedule and automate WhatsApp messages based on specific triggers or events, ensuring timely and targeted communication with your audience.

What type of WhatsApp messages should you schedule?

You can schedule WhatsApp messages to serve various business goals. But here are some that we recommend: 

1. Promotional Messages

Scheduling promotional messages allows you to plan the timing and content of your marketing campaigns. Whether you're introducing new products, offering discounts, or promoting special deals, scheduling these messages ensures they reach your audience at the right time, boosting the chances of generating conversions.

2. Reminder Messages

Scheduling reminders are great for important events, appointments, or deadlines. With timely reminders, you can keep your recipients informed and ensure they take the necessary actions. This is especially useful for business meetings, payment due dates, or scheduled webinars, where being prompt is essential.

3. Customer Support Messages

Scheduling customer support messages helps streamline your support process and enhance customer satisfaction. Whether it's automated responses or personalized messages, scheduling them allows you to efficiently address common queries, provide assistance, and follow up on previous interactions, ultimately improving the overall customer experience.

4. Content Sharing

Scheduling messages to share valuable content like blog posts, articles, or videos allows you to distribute them at the best times. After analyzing your audience's behavior and engagement patterns, you can schedule content-sharing messages when they're most likely to be receptive. This maximizes the visibility and reach of your content.

5. Newsletters

Scheduling messages for WhatsApp newsletters or updates ensures consistent delivery and keeps your subscribers informed about your latest content, announcements, or industry insights. Using the scheduling feature, you establish a consistent communication rhythm and keep your audience engaged over time.

Conclusion

In conclusion, scheduled WhatsApp messages are a valuable tool for effective communication. Scheduled messaging ensures consistency, saves time, allows targeted communication, prevents information overload, and considers time zones. This personalized approach increases relevance and resonates with your audience. It is a no-brainer to use scheduled messaging in your professional forum. 

And QuickReply.ai has the perfect arsenal to deliver all the requirements. So, go ahead and book a demo today!