What are the benefits of WhatsApp business accounts?
In order to make communication with customers comfortable, WhatsApp business accounts offer the following functions:
- reduced risk of blocking;
- write first option;
- quick messaging. A user will receive a message in 3 seconds, unlike an ordinary account where a message can be delivered in 10 minutes;
- a name instead of a number, and a green tick. It will increase your recognition and customer trust.
What types of business accounts are there?
Companies verified by WhatsApp obtain the confirmed business account status. Such accounts have green ticks near their names. All companies registered with WhatsApp Business obtain the ordinary business account status by default. The ticks of such accounts are gray.
WhatsApp Business API is another type of connection. Unlike a free business account intended for small companies, Business API is a paid service for large and medium companies. WhatsApp Business API allows you to distribute notices, documents, and other important information that users need to have at hand. For example, boarding passes, receipts, and notifications on transactions.
See the table for a detailed comparison between an ordinary account, WhatsApp Business, and WhatsApp Business API.
| WhatsApp Business | WhatsApp Business API | ||
| Price | Free | Paid | Paid |
| Target audience | Common users | Small business | Medium and large business |
| Ability to send and receive texts, links, documents, audio, pictures |  | | |
| Literal name |  | Not guaranteed | |
| Profile with description, contacts and office hours | | | |
| Auto replies and templates | | | |
| Statistics | | | |
| Ability to start conversation | | | Via paid templates |
| API | | | |
| Service messages | | | |
Can a business account be blocked?
WhatsApp has a rigid policy on spam and any bulk messaging. You should note the following:
- you will be blocked by WhatsApp for five and more identical messages to new customers;
- if you send more than 20–30 messages to existing customers, you will also be at risk of blocking;
- if your account is very active, the number of allowable outgoing messages can be increased.
- Taking into account messenger specifics, we recommend to always encourage customers to write first.
Can I use WhatsApp Messenger and WhatsApp Business at the same time?
Yes, since WhatsApp Business cannot be linked to the same number as an ordinary WhatsApp account. The official telephone number of your company will be the best for business account connection. Both mobile and landline numbers can be used.
If you previously used WhatsApp Messenger for communication with customers, you can transfer the message history to the new account in the WhatsApp Business application and continue chatting from there. We advise you to back up chats in advance.
If you stop using WhatsApp Business, you will not be able to return messages to WhatsApp Messenger.
How can I switch to a WhatsApp business account?
- Download WhatsApp Business from Google Play or App Store.
- Verify the phone number you are going to use for communication with customers.
- You can restore the message history, if you wish.
- Enter the company name.
- Create a business account profile. Tap More options > Settings > Your business name.
How to connect WhatsApp Business API?
Leave a request at OmniOmni.io and contact us via the widget in the screen corner.
