WhatsApp not only benefits socializing individuals, but also benefits small businesses that don’t have the resources to run a website or expensive marketing. In 2018, WhatsApp launched a dedicated business app with additional features for small businesses. Now, they have introduced a new feature called Business Directory. Let’s explore with WhatsApp Web 10 things to know about the business category on WhatsApp
1. What is a business category on WhatsApp?
Categories in the business world refer to a wide range of similar products being sold. You must have heard this term when buying something.
The business category on WhatsApp also mentions the same thing. That is, you can showcase your products on WhatsApp now. Every business owner has their own digital storefront on WhatsApp Business. Inside the store, you can create multiple categories. Each category has price, description, image, product name and quantity. You can even add a website to each category.
Categories can be used as a list of similar products or individual products with multiple images. For example, if you’re selling Celine t-shirts, you can group them into a category. Alternatively, you can create a category for each t-shirt, then you can upload multiple color variations of the same picture.
2. How to create a business directory on WhatsApp
To create business category on whatsapp follow these steps:
Step 1: Launch WhatsApp Business app.
Step 2: Tap on the three dots icon in the upper right corner and select Settings from the menu in case of Android. On iPhone, tap Settings at the bottom.
Step 3: Tap Business Settings, then Catalog
Step 4: You will be taken to the Category manager. If you’re using the feature for the first time, tap Add product or service. Alternatively, tap the green add icon to start creating a product catalog.
Step 5: On the next screen, you will find different fields for your product like name, price, description, website and product code.
Note: You can upload up to 10 images in each category.
Step 6: Your product will not appear immediately. That’s why you will see on the product a tiny green clock icon. It indicates that WhatsApp is currently reviewing your product. Once approved, the green icon will disappear and the product will appear online.
Note: WhatsApp verifies all products uploaded in the catalog. Products must meet WhatsApp’s legal guidelines. You cannot upload products related to drugs, alcohol, adult products, etc. Check out the full list of products that cannot be added.
3. WhatsApp product approval time
It doesn’t take long to review products in the business category on WhatsApp. WhatsApp usually approves them in a minute or two.
4. Editing and Deleting Products
To edit or delete products in a business category on Whatsapp, you can do the following:
Go to Catalog Manager → Go to WhatsApp Settings → Business Settings → Catalog. Tap the product you want to edit or delete. To edit, tap the edit icon, and to delete it, tap the three-dot icon and select Delete from the menu.
5. How to Share a Business Directory on Whatsapp
Once you’ve created your catalog of products or services, they can be shared in three ways.
Method 1: Share the catalog with only one person
WhatsApp offers a category-specific button in each chat for business owners. So open the chat where you want to share the categories. Tap the attachment icon (looks like a paperclip) on Android and the add icon (plus sign) on iPhone. Select Category from the list.
Tap the products you want to share and tap the send icon.
Tip: A green check mark on products indicates that they are selected.
Method 2: Share the catalog with many people
In case you want to share the same category with more than one person, you will have to open the Category Manager in your WhatsApp Business. For that, follow these steps:
Method 3: Share the category with your friends
As a customer or viewer, you can also share the catalog with your friends. They will then be able to view products and message the business directly using the Message Business button.
To do so, tap the category that you want to share with your friends. Then tap the share icon at the top (on Android) and select your friends. On iPhone, tap the three-dot icon and select Send.
6. Define a category in Chat
How to identify a business category on Whatsapp while chatting. Categories on Whatsapp look different from normal images in chat thread. These include the name, price, and View button.
7. Access Business Directory on Whatsapp
Besides getting categories in chat, you’ll find them on the WhatsApp owner’s business info screen. For that, open the chat thread of your WhatsApp business account. Tap the contact name at the top. Here you will find the option to Catalog a home product or service added by that business owner.
8. Privacy of Catalogs
Anyone who has saved your WhatsApp number can see the categories. Besides, if your customers share the catalog with their friends, they will also be able to see the products.
9. Store Catalogs
When you create a business category on WhatsApp, the photos are saved in the cloud, which means WhatsApp stores those photos. That means if you delete those specific images from your phone’s gallery, they’ll still be available in the catalog. That saves storage space on both the business owner’s and customer’s phones.
When a customer receives a catalog, they need to tap the View button to check out the catalog without downloading any images. The received category will have a preview image. If you tap on the preview image, it will be downloaded on your phone, taking up memory space. For other images, you will have to download them or take a screenshot of them manually.
10. Availability of Business Category on Whatsapp
The catalog feature is available to WhatsApp Business users on both Android and iPhone. At the time of launch, the feature was available in India, Brazil, Germany, Indonesia, Mexico, UK, and US. It will soon start rolling out to other countries.
Note: Regular WhatsApp users cannot create categories.
Business Category on WhatsApp is a cool feature. Some small business owners who use WhatsApp to advertise and sell their products will greatly benefit from this feature. It will save them much time and effort.
Above are 10 things that you need to know about the business category on Whatsapp compiled by WhatsApp Web. Hopefully, this knowledge will help you better understand the use of WhatsApp to manage work more effectively.
