How to Build and Optimize Your WhatsApp Business Catalogue in 2024?

By TimelinesAI
Reading Time: 7 Min

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Multi-number WhatsApp management and integration platform

Imagine if your customers could browse your offerings in a sleek, virtual storefront directly within WhatsApp. Yes, that is possible with the WhatsApp Business Catalogue!

With over 2 billion users worldwide, WhatsApp has an incredible open rate of nearly 98%, making it a goldmine for businesses to connect with their audience.

Because of this high engagement, the way you present your products in your WhatsApp catalogue can significantly influence your sales. As people seek convenient shopping options, having a well-organized and attractive catalogue can set your business apart and boost your revenue.

In this blog, we will discuss All Things WhatsApp Catalogue—how to create, share, and manage your catalogue like a pro.

What is a WhatsApp Business Catalogue?

A WhatsApp Business Catalogue is a digital storefront built directly within the WhatsApp Business app. It allows businesses to showcase their products and services to potential customers in a convenient and mobile-friendly format.

Customers can browse product images, descriptions, and even prices. This can significantly improve the customer experience and potentially lead to more sales. Here are some key features of a WhatsApp Business Catalogue:

Showcase products and services: Businesses can use the WhatsApp catalogue to display their products or services with rich media content like images and descriptions. This lets customers easily browse through your offerings without going anywhere else.

Product organization: You can categorize your products effectively, making it easier for customers to find what they’re looking for. The WhatsApp Business app lets you create multiple categories and organize products within them.

Note: You can create subcategories within your main categories only with WhatsApp Business API.

Detailed product information: In addition to images and descriptions, you can also include details like pricing (with your country’s designated currency), SKU codes for internal reference, and links to your website for more information.

Overall, the WhatsApp Business Catalogue is a valuable tool for businesses to showcase their offerings, improve customer communication, and potentially boost sales.

Curious about the perks? Let’s break down the benefits of creating a WhatsApp Product Catalogue.

What are the Benefits of Using a WhatsApp Product Catalogue?

There are several advantages to using a WhatsApp catalogue for your business:

Improved Sales and Reduced Sales Cycle: Imagine this: a customer flips through your catalogue right in their WhatsApp chat. They see product descriptions, photos, and even prices. All without leaving the conversation!

This streamlined experience can lead to more sales by making the buying process smoother and faster. Customers can make informed decisions quicker, reducing the overall sales cycle.

Increased Convenience: Customers can browse your catalogue at their leisure, on their own time. This gives them the flexibility to shop when it’s convenient for them, rather than having to visit a physical store during specific hours.

Enhanced Communication: Catalogues open the door for better communication with your customers. After browsing the catalogue, they can easily ask questions about products directly through WhatsApp.

This two-way chat lets you address concerns, provide additional information, and ultimately lead to a sale.

Simple Setup and Management: Creating and managing a WhatsApp catalogue is a relatively simple process. The WhatsApp Business app allows you to easily add, edit, and update your product listings.

Increased Customer Engagement: Catalogue can be a great way to showcase new products, highlight special offers, and promote upcoming sales. This can help keep customers engaged with your business and encourage them to return for more.

Improved Brand Image: A well-organized and informative catalogue can create a more professional image for your business. This can be especially important for small businesses that are trying to establish themselves in the marketplace.

Real-time Updates: Any changes you make to your catalogue are reflected in real-time for your customers. This ensures that they always have access to the most up-to-date information about your products.

This automatic system eliminates the need for manual updates. However, it’s a feature exclusive to only WhatsApp Business API for now.

Data and Analytics: Some WhatsApp Business API solutions offer features that provide data and analytics on how customers interact with your catalogue. This valuable information can help you understand customer behaviour and improve your product offerings and marketing strategies.

Reduced Costs: Using WhatsApp catalogues is a free feature, which can be a major benefit for businesses with limited marketing budgets. It eliminates the need to create and maintain a separate website or online store.

Overall, a WhatsApp catalogue can be a valuable tool for businesses of all sizes looking to improve their sales, communication, and customer experience on the popular messaging platform.

So, ready to get started? Here’s how you can set up your very own WhatsApp catalogue.

How to Add Catalogue in WhatsApp Business?

Creating a WhatsApp catalogue is a straightforward process that can significantly enhance the way your business interacts with customers on the platform. Here’s a detailed, step-by-step guide to help you set up your WhatsApp catalogue:

Step 1: Set Up WhatsApp Business

Before you can create a catalogue, ensure you have the WhatsApp Business app installed on your smartphone. This version of WhatsApp is designed specifically for small and medium business owners.

Step 2: Access Your Business Profile

Open the WhatsApp Business app.
Tap on the “Settings” icon at the bottom right corner (on iOS) or the three dots in the top right corner (on Android).
Select “Business Tools” and then tap on “Catalog”.

Step 3: Start Adding Your Products or Services

In the Catalog section, you’ll see an option to add a product or service.
Tap on “Add new item or ”Add new collection”. (You can add up to 10 images at once on a WhatsApp Catalog)
Here, you can start inputting the details of your first product.

Step 4: Input Product Details

For each product or service, you can add:

Images: Upload clear, high-quality images that represent your product well. You can add up to 10 images per product.
Name: Provide the product name.
Price: (Optional) You can include the price, making it easier for customers to make purchasing decisions.
Description: Write a concise yet detailed description that highlights the key features and benefits of the product.

Then click on More Fields to fill in the following details.

Link: (Optional) Add a link to your website where customers can learn more about the product or even purchase it directly.
Item Code: (Optional) This can be the SKU or any other relevant code that helps you manage your inventory.

Step 5: Save and Publish

Once you have filled in all the necessary details, tap “Save” to add the product to your catalogue.

You can repeat this process to add more items to your catalogue. If your portfolio is large, categorize them effectively.

After saving your product listings, WhatsApp will review your catalogue to ensure it complies with their commerce policies. This process might take a while. You will be notified within the app if your catalogue is approved.

But what if things don’t go as planned? Here’s how to tackle catalogue rejections head-on.

How to Handle Catalogue Rejections?

In case any listing from your WhatsApp product catalogue gets rejected during the review process, you will see a red exclamation mark next to the corresponding image within your catalogue.

This could be due to:

Policy Violations: Ensure your product listings comply with WhatsApp’s commerce policies. This includes avoiding prohibited items like weapons, drugs, or age-restricted products.
Incorrect Information: Double-check your product descriptions, pricing, and image quality for any errors or inconsistencies.
Missing Information: Essential details like product name, description, category, and high-resolution images might be missing.

Once you’ve identified the issue(s), make the necessary edits to your product listings and resubmit your catalogue.

If you believe your item was wrongly rejected, you can initiate an appeal process:

Click on the rejected item within your catalogue.
Locate the option to “Request another review.”
Clearly explain why you believe the rejection was a mistake. Be specific and provide any relevant details that support your case.
Click “Continue” to submit your appeal.

If WhatsApp upholds the rejection after your initial appeal, you can send a reply explaining your request for a third review. Be clear, concise, and professional in your explanation.

Once you have your catalogue ready, it’s time to share it with the world!

How to Share Your WhatsApp Business Catalogue?

There are two main ways to share your WhatsApp Business Catalogue. First, ensure you have the latest version of the app installed for all the updated features.

Sharing Individual Products:

Open the WhatsApp Business app and go to the “Catalog” section.
Select the specific product or service you want to share.
Tap “Forward item.”
Search for or select the individual or group chat where you want to share the product.
(Optional) You can add a message to provide more context about the product you’re sharing.
Tap Send.

Sharing a Link to Your Entire Catalog:

Go to your WhatsApp Business profile.
Tap on Catalog.
Within the Catalog, tap the three dots menu in the top right corner (it might look different on your device).
Select “Share Catalog”.
You’ll be given three options:

Send link via WhatsApp Business: This allows you to share the catalogue link directly in a WhatsApp chat.
Copy Link: This copies the catalogue link to your clipboard, allowing you to share it through other platforms like email or social media.
Share Link: This opens your phone’s share menu, where you can choose the app you want to use to share the link.

By following these steps, you can easily share your WhatsApp Business Catalog and showcase your products or services to a wider audience.

Now, let’s discuss a few ways you can polish your catalogue and craft something that your customers will love.

Best Practices To Maintain WhatsApp Business Catalogue

Here are some best practices to optimise your WhatsApp Business Catalog:

High-Quality Images

High-resolution photos play a crucial role in online shopping. These are the first things customers will see, so they should be attractive and showcase your products in the best light. Consider these tips:

Use uniform image sizes and backgrounds to create a cohesive look.
Show products from multiple angles so customers can get a full 360-degree view of what they’re interested in.
Let your photos tell a mini-story. Focus on key features and how customers can use your products in their daily lives.

Additional Notes:

Sharp, attractive images build trust and can convey the quality of your products more effectively. They make your catalogue look professional and encourage customers to make a purchase.

While there are no fixed guidelines for image size in the WhatsApp Business catalogue, it’s recommended to use square images. This ensures your photos display perfectly without any awkward cropping.

Aim for a minimum image size of 640 x 640 pixels for your WhatsApp Business catalogue. While there’s no official limit, it’s generally recommended to keep your image files under 5MB to avoid slow loading times.

Remember, stunning visuals are a silent salesperson, so go make those pictures sing!

Concise and Compelling Descriptions:

Your product descriptions should be informative and easy to read. Try to answer all the “The Five W’s (and How). They should provide essential information that helps customers make purchasing decisions. Include:

Don’t just list features – tell your customers what those features mean for them. For example, instead of just saying “wireless headphones,” highlight “freedom to move around without tangled wires
Do you have different sizes, colors, or models? Mention them clearly!
Are there special instructions or care tips? Include them!

Understand what drives your audience. Younger consumers might prioritize sustainability, while others might look for luxury and exclusivity. Customize your descriptions to meet these expectations.

According to a study, product content can make or break a sale for 70% of online shoppers. So make sure you ace on this front!

Keep Your Catalogue Updated

Regularly review and update your catalogue to ensure all listings are current and accurate. This includes:

Adding new products as soon as they become available.
Removing outdated or discontinued items to avoid customer confusion or disappointment.
Updating prices and descriptions if there are any changes.

Categorize Products Effectively

Organize your WhatsApp catalogue in a way that makes it easy for customers to find what they’re looking for. You can:

Group similar products together and label categories clearly.
Create categories based on usage, popularity, or other relevant criteria.
Skip the jargon and use clear, simple terms that everyone gets. Customers shouldn’t need a dictionary to figure out what you’re selling!
Use intuitive category names that customers understand immediately.
Don’t just categorize by product type. Consider factors like usage (athletic wear, work clothes), target audience (men’s, women’s, children’s), brand, or even price point.
People shop to solve problems or fulfill needs. Instead of just “Appliances,” categorize by function (cooking appliances, laundry appliances).

Take categorization a step further by creating curated Collections within categories. This allows customers to browse by specific themes, interests, or solutions they’re looking for.

Imagine a “Home Office Essentials” collection within the “Office Supplies” category or a “Summer Essentials” collection that includes items from various categories like sunscreen, beach towels, sunglasses, and inflatable pool floats.

Optimize for Search

Ensure that your products are easy to find within your WhatsApp catalogue by:

Use terms people would search for when looking for your products. For instance, if you sell sunglasses, include words like “aviator sunglasses,” “polarized sunglasses,” or “UV protection sunglasses” in your titles and descriptions.
Applying tags if supported by the platform to improve searchability.

Monitor and Respond to Customer Queries Promptly

Active engagement on WhatsApp can drive sales. Be attentive to customer inquiries about products in your catalogue and respond promptly:

Set up automated greetings and away messages to let customers know when they can expect a reply.
Use quick replies for frequently asked questions about your products.

Get Customer Feedback

Regular feedback can help you understand what works well and what needs improvement. Encourage customers to give feedback on the following:

Product quality and descriptions
Catalogue layout and usability
Overall shopping experience

Utilise Features of WhatsApp Business API

While the WhatsApp Business App itself allows the creation of a catalogue, the WhatsApp Business API offers a more powerful and feature-rich way to manage and use your product listings. Here’s how you can utilize features of the WhatsApp Business API to enhance the use of your WhatsApp Catalogue:

Sending Product Messages: The API allows you to proactively send targeted product messages to specific customer segments or as triggered responses based on keywords. This can be used for promotions, new product launches, or special offers.

Order and Shipping Updates: Keep customers happy with automated order confirmations, shipping updates, and delivery notifications. The API makes it easy to do this, saving you time and building trust.

Purchase History Recommendations: The API allows you to integrate with your CRM system. This enables you to analyze customer purchase history and send targeted recommendations based on past purchases. For instance, if a customer recently bought a phone case, you could suggest a compatible screen protector.

Simple Inquiries and FAQs: Integrate a chatbot powered by the API that can answer basic product-related questions outside of business hours, like product specifications, availability, or troubleshooting steps. This frees up your human customer service team to focus on more complex issues.

Inventory Management: Integrate your inventory management system with the API for real-time stock updates. This ensures customers see accurate product availability and avoids disappointment due to out-of-stock items.

Multilingual Support: Cater to a wider audience by offering your catalogue and product information in multiple languages through the API. This can be particularly useful if you have a global customer base.

Promote Your Catalogue Regularly

Use other marketing channels to promote your WhatsApp catalogue and maximize visibility. The more people see your catalogue promoted across channels, the more familiar they become with your brand. This could include:

Social media posts linking to your catalogue.
Email newsletters featuring popular items or new additions.
Promotions or discounts exclusive to your WhatsApp audience.
Generate a QR code that links to your catalogue and display it in your physical store, on business cards, or at events.

Personalize your promotions based on user behaviour and preferences. This can be achieved through targeted ads, chatbots within WhatsApp, or segmented email marketing campaigns.

You can also partner with relevant micro-influencers or brand ambassadors to promote your WhatsApp catalogue to their audience. This way, you can leverage their established trust and reach.

Review Performance Analytics

If available, review analytics to understand catalogue performance. Look at metrics like:

Most viewed products
Common search terms
Customer interaction rates
Sales conversions from catalogue views

By understanding what works, you can keep improving your catalogue and make it even more successful!

By following these best practices, you can maintain a robust and effective WhatsApp catalogue that not only enhances the customer shopping experience but also drives more sales and improves customer loyalty.

WhatsApp Business Catalogue: How TimelinesAI Can Help

TimelinesAI can significantly enhance the WhatsApp Product Catalog feature by integrating it into a more comprehensive communication and management system. Here’s how it can help:

Centralized Management: By incorporating the WhatsApp Product Catalog into TimelinesAI’s unified platform, businesses can manage product listings alongside customer interactions.

This centralization makes it easier to update and refer to product information during customer conversations, ensuring that the sales team always has the most current details at their fingertips.

AI-Powered Chatbots: TimelinesAI’s chatbots powered by ChatGPT can answer basic product inquiries directly within the chat window. This frees up human customer service for complex issues while providing 24/7 support for simple questions about your WhatsApp catalogue.

Enhanced Customer Segmentation and Targeting: With the ability to send bulk messages, TimelinesAI can help businesses promote new products or updates to the catalog to targeted customer segments.

This feature allows for the customization of messages based on customer interests or previous purchases, making marketing efforts more effective and personalized.

Integration with CRM: Integrating the product catalogue with CRM systems allows for better tracking of customer interactions related to specific products. This data can be invaluable for understanding customer preferences, optimizing inventory, and tailoring future product offerings.

Efficient Follow-ups and Reminders: Someone eyed something in your catalogue but didn’t buy it? TimelinesAI can automate friendly follow-up messages, gently nudging them back to your catalogue to complete their purchase.

By adding these features to your WhatsApp Catalog with TimelinesAI, you’ll not only streamline operations but also enhance your customer engagement and sales strategy.

บทสรุป

A well-designed and informative WhatsApp catalogue can be a game-changer for businesses of all sizes. It allows you to showcase your products or services directly within the chat window, making it a convenient and engaging shopping experience for your customers.

By following the tips and best practices outlined in this blog, you can create a compelling catalogue that drives sales, improves customer communication, and strengthens your brand image.
Managing a catalogue and personalizing the customer journey can be time-consuming, but TimelinesAI is here to help! Explore its features like AI-powered chatbots, targeted marketing, and CRM integration to simplify interactions and boost sales. Check out TimelinesAI today!