Examples of Companies Using WhatsApp to Sell
In a world where technology is constantly advancing, it’s no surprise that some of the most popular brands sell on WhatsApp. From home goods to fashion, companies across the world are reaping the benefits of billions of potential customers having easy access to their products through the fastest-growing app.
WhatsApp provides an easy way for customers to buy services or products. It allows businesses to integrate a product catalog into their WhatsApp profile & communicate directly with potential and current customers. The programmable nature of the WhatsApp Business API allows deep integrations with CRM systems and other tools that companies use to manage leads and prospects. This strategy has proven successful in driving product sales. Countless success stories confirm this.
Why More Businesses Are Selling on WhatsApp
More businesses are turning to WhatsApp to boost their sales numbers due to its widespread use and high engagement rates. With over two billion users globally & 50 million brands, WhatsApp has become a crucial platform for business communication. Its high open and response rates make it an effective sales tool for closing deals.
When businesses want to expand operations to sell better and faster, they need access to WhatsApp Business API due to the limitations of the WhatsApp Business app.
Here are some key reasons why businesses use WhatsApp to sell:
- Direct & personal communication with customers
- High message open & response rates
- Deep integration with CRM systems
- Advanced automation
- Bulk messaging
- Real-time reporting
- Centralized team inbox
The trend of using WhatsApp for sales is growing, as supported by numerous articles & success stories in the industry.
Key Things You Need to Sell on WhatsApp
Here are the essential components you need to set up before you can start effectively selling on WhatsApp:
1. A WhatsApp Business Account
Start with a WhatsApp Business account and connect on the WhatsApp Business API. This allows you to use advanced business messaging tools. The API is essential as it enables the integration with your CRM, advanced automation, and detailed reporting, necessary for effective sales on WhatsApp.
2. A Shared Team Inbox
A shared team inbox lets multiple team members access and manage customer interactions. This provides more efficient communication and helps your sales team work together effectively. Automation tools, such as WhatsApp Chatbots & automated workflows, help manage high volumes of messages and ensure customers receive instant replies. This frees up your team to focus on closing deals and retaining customers.
3. A WhatsApp CRM Integration
Integrating WhatsApp with your CRM system is crucial for managing leads and customer relationships. It allows you to track interactions, automate follow-ups, and maintain a comprehensive view of your sales pipeline.
Real-time reporting & analytics tools let you monitor the performance of your sales activities on WhatsApp. These insights help you understand customer behavior, track important metrics, and make informed decisions to improve your sales strategy.
If you have these in place, then you’re well-equipped to start selling on WhatsApp. The next step is to develop an effective sales strategy that integrates the platform’s powerful features. For this, check out our WhatsApp for Sales Guide.
5 Famous Brands using WhatsApp to sell
Need inspiration? These brands have gone the extra mile to boost their profits, retain customers, and build their brand image with WhatsApp.
1. Estée Lauder
Estée Lauder was the first large cosmetics company to give customers customized skincare advice via WhatsApp. In 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 epidemic, Liv, an AI chatbot, was created to take the role of the in-person consultations that clients had in department stores in the past. Customers were able to learn how to use the brand’s products through these online discussions, and they can get advice on how to maintain an efficient skincare routine.
Estée Lauder x Google Home: Ask Liv || Skincare Regimen
2. Absolut Vodka
Swedish spirits company Absolut Vodka used WhatsApp to promote a live product launch event in Argentina. Customers were urged to message a chatbot doorman named Sven to persuade “him” that they deserved one of the two tickets that were still available. Over the course of three days, this campaign generated more than 1,000 messages from 600 people.
Absolut Unique Access - English
3. Hellman’s Mayonnaise
Hellman’s Mayonnaise assisted customers in preparing a meal. The concept was simple: open their website and enter your phone number. An online chef contacts you via WhatsApp and gives you cooking lessons depending on the ingredients you have in your refrigerator. The clever part of the campaign was that it encouraged consumers to use Hellman’s mayo in novel ways while also capitalizing on the one-on-one feel of WhatsApp to foster brand loyalty.
13K signups and a 99.5% approval rating speak for themselves in terms of the results. After the success of the campaign in Brazil, where WhatsApp is the largest social media and communications platform, it was quickly introduced in Chile, Uruguay, and Argentina.
WhatsCook. The first live recipe service via WhatsApp.
4. Tafel Lager
The beloved Namibian beer, Tafel Lager wanted to support the nation’s Independence Day by using a creative campaign strategy that would be entertaining, interactive, and able to increase consumer engagement. To meet the challenge, the ad agency Techsys Digital created a WhatsApp line through which users could post their own recordings of their beats or movements and enter to win Tafel Lager cases and airtime every week.
The WhatsApp line was a huge success with over 8,000 entries over the two-week campaign, boosting national pride and rewarding customers in a lighthearted manner. The video submissions were so potent they blended them to show the “Beats of Namibia,” which artistically represented the spirit and inclusiveness of Namibia’s Independence Day.
THE BEAT OF NAMIBIA – Made by You
5. ADAC
Although ADAC, an automobile club in Germany that provides roadside assistance to its members, had 20 million loyal clients, younger audiences couldn’t relate to them as well as older ones did. They wanted to stay relevant to the audience that did not own a car yet, so they started their first digital campaign on WhatsApp.
ADAC launched a WhatsApp ad campaign called “Don’t call mom—call ADAC.” The idea was to open a hotline for young people and invite them to contact ADAC with ANY queries. Literally, any question, especially those they shouldn’t or can’t trouble their parents with.
The users asked for advice on topics like how to handle heartache or how to take care of a pet cat.
20 ADAC experts played the role of the “mom” who answered all of the WhatsApp messages for 14 hours each day. Influencers were also invited to respond to WhatsApp messages, which further increased awareness of the campaign, prompting 140,000 messages from users on WhatsApp.
ADAC | DON’T CALL MOM - CASEFILM [RCKT]
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Get creative with WhatsApp and maybe we’ll showcase your story on our blog.
Conclusion
Whether you sell cars or hand-made bags, WhatsApp can elevate your business to an entirely different level in terms of revenue, brand image, and customer loyalty. You don’t have to be a giant enterprise to be one of the most successful brands selling on WhatsApp. Sometimes, you just need a good idea and a reliable partner to execute it.
Companies like Estée Lauder, Absolut Vodka, Hellman’s Mayonnaise, Tafel Lager, and ADAC have shown how effective WhatsApp can be. The high engagement rates and direct communication capabilities make WhatsApp an excellent platform for selling products and services. The success stories of these brands confirm the potential of WhatsApp as a sales channel.
Miodrag brings over 15 years of hands-on experience in content writing and marketing, with a talent for making even the trickiest topics clear and interesting. His passion lies in guiding businesses to effectively utilize WhatsApp to build stronger customer relationships and drive results. With an eye for detail and a heart for storytelling, he’s here to show how effective WhatsApp communication can boost sales and enhance customer engagement.
