WhatsApp Business Marketing: How to Reach & Convert Customers

The world is becoming noisy, with everyone wanting a piece of your customer’s attention. To add to the woes, attention spans are reducing faster than you can even fathom. 

If being seen by your customers is your brand’s #1 challenge, WhatsApp marketing for business can help you cut through the noise. 

With 98% open rates and lightning-fast response times, it offers what email and social can’t: attention, immediacy, and intimacy.

In this guide, we share everything you need to know about using WhatsApp marketing for your business. Bonus: we’ll also show you how ClickUp helps coordinate your entire WhatsApp marketing workflow in one place.

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What Is WhatsApp Business Marketing?

WhatsApp business marketing involves using WhatsApp to promote your products, talk directly to customers, and drive sales through personalized, two-way communication. 

This form of conversational marketing lets you send marketing messages like special offers, product launch announcements, abandoned cart reminders, order updates, and helpful tips or guides. 

Small businesses typically use the free WhatsApp Business App, while larger brands use the WhatsApp Business Platform (API) to automate and scale their outreach.

Remember: Under WhatsApp’s Business Policy and Commerce Policy, you can only send marketing or promotional messages to people who have opted in, i.e., given you explicit permission to contact them via WhatsApp.

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Why Use WhatsApp for Marketing?

For starters, WhatsApp has nearly 3 billion monthly users across 180 countries and 60 languages. But the real value goes beyond just reach. 

Here’s why WhatsApp Business deserves a place in your marketing communication strategy:

• High engagement: WhatsApp messages have a 98% open rate, compared to the average 20% for email. Even better, 90% are read within 3 minutes. This immediacy is gold for flash sales and event reminders
• Rich multimedia and interactive features: WhatsApp supports product images, videos, PDFs, audio messages, and stickers. With the WhatsApp Business API, you can also add buttons to make messages interactive—like “Yes/No” surveys or tap-to-buy links
• Real-time two-way communication: Communicating through WhatsApp speeds up sales and removes friction. For example, if someone sees your product and asks, “Is it available in size M in blue?”, a quick reply can turn interest into a purchase on the spot
• High trust and security: WhatsApp marketing messages are end-to-end encrypted and tied to real phone numbers. Plus, verified business badges add another layer of credibility
• Cost-effective marketing: The WhatsApp Business app is free, and even API costs are lower than SMS or paid ads. Your marketing messages don’t need expensive creatives or ad slots
• Fits into an omnichannel strategy: You can use email for detailed updates, social media to attract leads, and then invite them on WhatsApp for quick, personal follow-ups. Many CRMs also integrate WhatsApp, so you can manage chats alongside email in one place

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How to Use WhatsApp for Business Marketing: Strategies & Real-World Examples

From getting your first opt-ins to automating personalized content drops, here’s how to use the WhatsApp Business platform in your marketing strategy like a pro. We’ve also included actual examples of successful WhatsApp marketing campaigns to inspire you.

1. Build opt-in lists

Unlike passive channels like Instagram or TV, WhatsApp’s messaging app forces you to earn attention. Your brand cannot just broadcast to any WhatsApp user; you need permission. Opt-in is mandatory.

Since every subscriber on WhatsApp has explicitly asked to hear from you, this is one of the most intentional, high-signal lists you can build. In a world moving away from third-party data, this kind of direct, consent-based access is a marketing goldmine.

Some ways to build your opt-in lists for customer engagement include:

• Post-purchase prompts: Add a checkbox during checkout asking if customers want order updates or early access via WhatsApp
• Website popups: Offer a lead magnet, like a discount or a free guide, in exchange for a WhatsApp opt-in
• Instagram/Meta CTAs: Use story highlights or bio links to drive traffic to a WhatsApp sign-up form or click-to-chat link
• QR codes: In-store or on packaging, use QR codes that link directly to your WhatsApp opt-in flow
• Event or webinar registration: Ask users to opt in for reminders or bonus content via your WhatsApp business account during sign-up

Always specify what the users can expect from your brand. In this case, the brand shares updates through the messaging app. 

2. Personalize promotions

Considering WhatsApp’s open rate of north of 98% (compared to a mere 20% for emails), your customers are more likely to click on your WhatsApp message and read it. 

But that kind of access means higher stakes. The bar for relevance is much higher.

Start by segmenting your opted-in list into smaller groups based on customer demographics, purchase history, interests, location, or last interaction date. 

Then, use the Labels feature to tag each contact with categories, such as “New customer,” “VIP,” or “Seasonal buyer.” You can also assign different colors to labels for visual distinction. 

Based on these labels, you can personalize your WhatsApp marketing campaigns more effectively: 

• Tailor product suggestions based on purchase history 
• Send birthday offers or renewal reminders tied to last purchases
• Geo-target messages based on delivery availability or local promos.
• Create tags in your CRM for customer types (e.g., high-value, frequent returns, coupon lovers) and map those to campaign flows

👀 Example

Fashion and lifestyle retailer 6thStreet adopted the WhatsApp Business Platform to improve declining engagement on traditional marketing channels such as email, push notifications, and SMS. 

The brand sent opted-in users the following messages: 

• Personalized welcome message to new users
• Personalized product recommendations to keep customers engaged 
• Promotional message campaigns sent to specific customers based on recency, frequency, and monetary value 
• Abandoned cart messages 
• Follow-up marketing messages sent within 24 hours of purchase 
• Ongoing campaigns, including sale alerts 

Result:

• 10X increase in first-time shopper conversions compared to other channels 
• 6X increase in abandoned cart conversions compared to email and push notifications 

3. Send product launch broadcasts

When you announce a product on social media, it competes with algorithms, memes, and ads.  But on WhatsApp, it shows up next to a friend’s message, meaning more attention and faster action. 

The WhatsApp Business app’s Broadcast feature lets you deliver the product launch straight to the user’s chat.

Here’s what to include in your launch broadcast customer message:

• A short, punchy message: “We just dropped something new 👀”
• A clear CTA: “Tap here to be first in line” or “Reply YES for a sneak peek”
• An image or video: A visual always boosts clicks
• Exclusivity: “Only available to our WhatsApp fam for the next 24 hours”
• A pre-launch tease: “ 🤫 Tomorrow 10 AM – something new is coming to [Your Brand]! Get ready…” 

4. Automate follow-ups and nurture sequences

Over 74% of consumers have walked away from purchases simply because they felt too overwhelmed. It’s no wonder. Your consumers are bombarded with messages, ads, distractions, claims, and noise. 

But the good news is that WhatsApp messages help you cut through the noise. And you can automate this process using ClickUp’s CRM Software. Think hyperpersonalization at scale. Here’s how: 

• Abandoned cart reminders: If a shopper leaves items in their cart, trigger a WhatsApp message within a set time. Use ClickUp CRM to tag the lead’s status and set automation rules for time-based nudges, personalized by product category or cart value
• Shipping updates: Once an order is shipped or out for delivery, keep the customer informed. To do this, connect your fulfilment management system with ClickUp CRM
• Review requests: Post-delivery, ClickUp can automatically assign a task to send a review prompt via WhatsApp. Once the review is submitted, trigger a thank-you message with a coupon for their next purchase
• Lead nurturing sequences: Using ClickUp CRM, segment and tag warm leads, then set up a WhatsApp message series that educates your leads
• Smart auto-replies: Use WhatsApp’s Away message feature for automatic off-hours replies, directing users to your FAQ or chatbot. ClickUp can track these auto-replies and create follow-up tasks when a manual response is needed. Set up ClickUp Automations to change a task status and trigger a reminder when it’s time to manually send the next message

Watch this video to learn how ClickUp Automations makes business processes more efficient!

💡 Pro Tip: Instruct ClickUp’s Autopilot Agents to run daily or weekly checks across your Workspace and flag delays. An Agent can check, for example, which contacts haven’t received a follow-up after their cart was abandoned, or which customer review requests have not received a response.

It automatically adds a comment, updates a custom field, or reassigns the task to the right teammate, so your team knows exactly what needs action.

5. Engage customers with content marketing via WhatsApp

You don’t have to wait for the customer to reach out to you before interacting with them using helpful content. Set up a workflow wherein, as soon as the customer signs up on your platform, you interact with them through prewritten content. 

Think ‘how-to’ guides for specific features, a blog that answers frequently asked questions, or quick product tips sent on specific days of the week. 

👀 Example

The French skincare brand Clarins delivered a National Lipstick Day campaign of personalized WhatsApp messages to its existing customers. The campaign aimed to foster a conversational relationship with Clarins’ opted-in customer base. 

Customers had to select the type of lipstick they preferred, then were shown a video of their selection, and redirected to the brand website for personalized advice on finding the right shade for them. 

Result:

• 4.5X higher open rate than email 
• 7X higher conversion rate than email 

Your brand can also take a similar approach. But if you’re a small business owner or an e-commerce entrepreneur managing multiple things, manually drafting each message is time-consuming. Even if you have long-form content, it still needs to be repurposed into shorter formats. 

ClickUp Brain, ClickUp’s built-in AI assistant, helps you convert your content into WhatsApp-ready messages. 

For example, see how ClickUp Brain creates copy that you can then refine and send. 

You can also use ClickUp Brain to summarize recurring questions from WhatsApp chats—like “Is this product safe for kids?” or “What’s the return policy?”. Turn those into reusable message prompts, FAQs, or educational tips.

What’s more, Brain also helps you convert copy into a visual. 

✨ Try this prompt

Prompt 1: Write 3 skincare tips for my buyers who have oily skin, suggesting what they can do in summer to keep their skin healthy

Prompt 2: Can you create a social media post with these tips for Instagram? Convert it into a visual, in a retro style.

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Best Tools for WhatsApp Business Marketing

The WhatsApp Business App is the most accessible starting point. It’s free, easy to set up, and ideal for solo business owners or small teams. You can create a business profile, set automated greetings, and organize contacts with labels. 

But as your marketing needs grow, this basic setup often hits limits. In this scenario, here are the best WhatsApp marketing tools you should consider. 

1. WhatsApp Business Platform (API) 

This is an interface provided by WhatsApp (Meta) and is best suited to mid-sized to large businesses. Marketers can use it to send and receive messages programmatically and through third-party business solution providers (BSPs). 

What you can do:

• Send messages to opted-in users at once
• Automate workflows by triggering WhatsApp messages based on user actions (e.g., abandoned cart, form filled, or delivery status)
• Handle FAQs, take orders, or qualify leads using chatbot tools connected to the API
• Use pre-approved templates for outbound messages like shipping updates, re-engagement nudges, or appointment reminders
• Plug into your CRM, helpdesk, or ecommerce platform for smooth data flow and context-rich replies
• Access detailed delivery, open, and customer engagement metrics to optimize your campaigns

Most BSPs charge either per message or a monthly fee. But the cost pays off in better reach, response rates, and time saved. Also, if you want the green tick verification badge on your WhatsApp Business account, the API is your only route.

2. Other WhatsApp marketing automation tools

As your marketing goals evolve, choose from a suite of specialized tools designed to complement the WhatsApp Business platform. 

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How to Measure the Success of Your WhatsApp Business Marketing Efforts

Like any other marketing campaign, you’ll also need to track the outcomes of your WhatsApp Business campaigns to assess the return on investment and, more importantly, know what resonates with your customers.

You can use a mix of quantitative and qualitative signals to do this. Here are some tips on what to measure.

Quantitative metrics

• Delivery rate: The percentage of messages that are successfully delivered. A consistently low rate can signal problems with your contact database
• Block and opt-out rate: The rate at which users block your number or unsubscribe. A spike in this metric is a critical indicator that your content or frequency needs immediate adjustment
• Open rate: The proportion of delivered messages that recipients open
• Click-through rate (CTR): For messages containing links, this measures the percentage of users who click them. It is a direct indicator of your message’s persuasiveness
• Response rate: The percentage of users who send a reply to your broadcast. This KPI is vital for gauging how well your message sparks a two-way conversation
• Conversion rate: The percentage of users who perform a desired action (e.g., complete a purchase, book a demo, use a coupon code) after receiving your message
• Leads generated: The total number of new prospects identified through conversations and inquiries on WhatsApp
• Cost per conversion/acquisition: A financial metric that divides the total campaign cost by the number of successful conversions, helping to measure economic efficiency

Qualitative indicators

Quantitative data tells you what happened, but qualitative analysis tells you why. For example:

• Mine conversations for insights: Systematically review chat logs to uncover recurring customer questions, common objections, and organic product feedback
• Assess customer sentiment: Categorize the tone of incoming messages (positive, negative, neutral) to get a pulse on your brand perception and the reception of your campaigns

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Using ClickUp to Coordinate Your WhatsApp Marketing

Every WhatsApp message you send has a backstory: Who wrote it? Who approved it? Which segment is it for? When should it go out?

ClickUp’s Marketing Project Management Tool keeps all your WhatsApp marketing efforts organized and in one place. We’ll take the example of a DTC skincare brand to show you how.

1. Plan and organize campaigns 

Let’s say you’re the marketing manager for the skincare brand. You’re launching a new product bundle for oily skin during the humid season. You need to send targeted WhatsApp messages to first-time buyers, existing users of your oil-control face wash, and inactive users from last quarter. 

In your ClickUp Workspace, create a List called Monsoon Skincare Bundle – WhatsApp Campaign. This is your central space to track all marketing efforts.

In the list, add a task for each key action step in your campaign. 

For each task, add:

• A brief description outlining the task goal, including any attached files for the image/video to be included, etc.
• A due date and assignee to track ownership and deadlines
• Custom Fields to organize and filter tasks efficiently. For example: 

Then, use subtasks to break each task into smaller, actionable steps. This makes it easier to assign granular responsibilities.

For example, the task “Draft personalized message copy” may involve writing a copy for first-time buyers and reviewing and finalizing it with the legal team. 

This way, your copywriter, CRM manager, and compliance team are all on the same page. 

You also need a central place to define the narrative, audience insights, and other information. ClickUp Docs serves as your single source of truth.

For example, lay out the campaign brief here (the why behind the campaign). Also, add brand and legal guidelines for the creative team to know what’s allowed and what’s not. 

2. Create a marketing content calendar

Next, use the ClickUp Calendar View to visualize the WhatsApp campaign timeline for your monsoon skincare bundle. You can: 

• Ensure the message for the first-time buyers is scheduled after the bundle goes live 
• Confirm that Day 3 and Day 7 follow-ups don’t clash with other promo sends 
• Track deadlines for creative approvals so you’re not rushing last minute 

If the Calendar View shows two promos falling on the same day, or a week with nothing scheduled, you can quickly drag and drop to adjust schedules before things go live.

To balance your calendar, you can also use different color-coding or tags for different types of messages (promo vs. content vs. follow-up). Share this with your team or higher-ups for transparency on “what’s going out when.” 

3. Collaborate and communicate

Instead of endless email threads or Slack messages, use ClickUp Chat to centralize campaign-related discussions. It lets you:

• Communicate in real time right inside your Workspace using group or individual chats, voice calls, or even video SyncUps
• Keep conversations tied to specific tasks, so everyone sees the history and knows exactly what it’s about
• Speed up approvals and edits, since you can discuss, revise, and update within the same window 

You can attach images or videos in the chat and tag the decision-maker to approve the final version. And when someone says “We need a Day 7 follow-up”, instantly create a new task from that chat message. 

What’s more, your team members don’t have to scroll through 60+ messages to understand the decisions and to-dos. ClickUp Brain can summarize chat threads into key points.

4. Track campaign status, approvals, and metrics

Once your tasks are in place, set up ClickUp Custom Statuses to reflect each stage of your campaign workflow.

Example flow: Planning → Content Creation → Pending Approval → Scheduled → Sent → Follow-up Scheduled → Complete

This helps everyone know exactly what stage each message is in your marketing communication strategy. If something is stuck in “Pending Approval”, a manager or stakeholder can jump in, review the copy, and move it forward. 

Over time, you can use ClickUp Dashboards to aggregate this data. 

Let’s say you’re tracking three segments: First-time buyers, Oil-control users, and Inactive users. Create a dashboard with widgets like:

• Tasks by status: Visual progress for each segment—how many campaigns are scheduled, sent, or awaiting approval
• Custom field reporting: Show CTRs or discount code usage logged in tasks (use number fields like “CTR %” or “Redemption Count”)
• Approvals pending: A filtered task list showing all messages still stuck in the “Pending Review” stage

5. Save time with campaign templates 

Tired of creating the same WhatsApp marketing campaigns from scratch? Marketing campaign templates can help skip repeat setup and stay consistent. 

For example, ClickUp’s Marketing Campaign Management Template allows you to plan, execute, and monitor your campaign.

Get free template

Break the campaign down into individual tasks with the Marketing Phase View, and track deadlines using the Calendar View. Use custom attributes, such as Final Content, Draft, Reference, Approval, and Team Assigned, to save vital campaign details.

You can also use communication plan templates to target specific groups with tailored messages and prevent message fatigue or overlaps by scheduling WhatsApp messages at the right cadence.

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WhatsApp Business Marketing Best Practices

Now that you’re convinced about the effectiveness of WhatsApp business marketing, here are some best practices to follow. 

1. Treat WhatsApp like a relationship channel 

Hard sell doesn’t work here, unlike on social media. This means:

• Focus on value-first messaging: educate, assist, or guide
• Use a conversational tone that mirrors how customers talk, not brand-speak
• Deliver answers before they’re sought: proactive shipping updates, usage tips, or FAQs after purchase

2. Segment your audience 

Not all customers should receive the same message. Behavioural and lifecycle targeting help you nail personalization: 

• Tag users by product interest, recency of purchase, cart behavior, or lifetime value in your CRM
• Use WhatsApp Business Labels or sync with tools like ClickUp CRM to trigger different message flows

3. Design mini funnels for message flows 

Think in sequences. Micro-funnels can guide users from awareness to action. For example: 

• Message 1 (awareness): Highlight the problem (e.g., skin concerns in monsoon)
• Message 2 (consideration): Educate with a product tip
• Message 3 (conversion): Offer a deal 

4. Scale with automation

Combine WhatsApp auto-responses with fallback options, like directing users to a human or helpful FAQ.

What not to do: Don’t send back-to-back messages, large media without context, or suspicious short links. Avoid ALL CAPS and excessive emojis. And never send anything personal that users didn’t agree to receive. 

5. Have a clear call to action

Your message should have one clear goal, making it simple for the customer to take action.

• Use WhatsApp’s quick reply buttons or short links to landing pages or product catalogues
• Avoid sending a message that involves too much scrolling, reading, or decision-making

6. Make it easy to opt out

Always include a clear way for users to stop receiving messages. A simple line like “Reply STOP to unsubscribe” is enough. You can also occasionally remind them that they can opt out anytime. 

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Grow Your Business With WhatsApp Marketing & ClickUp

WhatsApp Business marketing is about meeting customers in a chat interface they love and trust. But if you’re managing messaging, content creation, and team collaboration over spreadsheets, you’re bound to lose sanity. 

ClickUp brings structure and speed to your WhatsApp marketing strategy. The Calendar View shows exactly what’s scheduled, while ClickUp Chat lets your team coordinate, share feedback, and approve content in one place.

ClickUp Brain accelerates content planning and creation for your campaigns, while ClickUp Dashboards help you track campaign progress, performance, and what needs action.

Ready to start organizing your next WhatsApp campaign with more clarity?

Sign up for ClickUp to get started. 

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is WhatsApp marketing effective?

Yes. WhatsApp marketing sees high open rates (often 80–90%) and fast replies because it reaches users where they already chat multiple times a day. 

2. How do I promote my business on WhatsApp?

Start by setting up a WhatsApp Business account and connecting it to Meta Business Manager. Get opt-ins through your website, ads, or QR codes. Then, segment your audience and send personalized messages like offers, updates, or tips.

3. Can you do bulk marketing on WhatsApp?

Yes, but only if users have opted in. Use WhatsApp Business API to manage large-scale, compliant messaging.

4. What’s the difference between WhatsApp and WhatsApp Business?

WhatsApp is for personal use. WhatsApp Business includes features like business profiles, quick replies, labels, and automation to support customer communication.

Everything you need to stay organized and get work done.

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