Florist owner standing outside store while replying to a customer message via WhatsApp

Customers

Making it Easier for Small Businesses to Connect with More Customers

June 27, 2023

Today we’re announcing the ability for the more than 200 million users of the WhatsApp Business app to create Facebook and Instagram ads that click to WhatsApp without needing a Facebook account, as well as new ways to connect with customers more efficiently.

Create Ads that Click to WhatsApp without a Facebook Account

Four smartphone screens displaying the steps to create an ad that clicks to WhatsApp. The first phone screen shows an option to get started on creating your first ad. The second phone screen shows a Facebook preview of a Jasper’s Market ad with an image of fruits and vegetables. The third phone screen shows the add payment information option and the fourth phone screen shows the cost breakdown for both Facebook and Instagram ads.

Starting soon we’ll make it possible for the many small businesses across the world that run their entire operation on WhatsApp to create, purchase and publish a Facebook or Instagram ad directly within the WhatsApp Business app. That means no Facebook account required – all businesses need to get started is an email address and form of payment. When people click on an ad, it opens a chat on WhatsApp so they can ask questions, browse products and make a purchase. These ads are one of the most powerful ways to drive potential customers to message them on WhatsApp and this will open new opportunities for WhatsApp-only small businesses that need a simpler way to get started with advertising.

Reach More Customers Quickly

Four smartphone screens displaying the steps for a business to create a personalized WhatsApp message to a customer. The first phone screen shows a makeup brand creating a personalized message for their new weightless, long-lasting blush. The second phone screen shows a list of contacts and customers to send the message to. The third phone screen shows an option of when to send the message, either immediately or scheduled for a later date. The fourth phone screen shows a WhatsApp conversation between the makeup brand and Ana Santos. Ana receives a message regarding the new blush and asks for a different color. The makeup brand confirms the color is in stock and Ana adds it to her cart.

Once small businesses find new customers, it’s crucial that they have tools to connect with them quickly and easily at scale. Starting soon we’ll begin testing a new feature within the WhatsApp Business app where small businesses will have the option to send personalized messages to their customers – like appointment reminders, birthday greetings or even updates on a holiday sale – in a faster and more efficient way. Rather than having to manually send the same message to multiple customers, this new feature will give businesses the ability to send personal messages with the customer’s name and customizable call-to-action buttons to specific customer lists such as those with a select label (like “VIP customers” or “new customers”), schedule the day and time the messages are sent and then see what’s working. We’ll offer this advanced, optional type of message for a fee in the WhatsApp Business app. We’ll have more details to share in the future.


Small businesses are the heartbeat of local communities and we’re excited to hear how these new tools help them deepen customer relationships and grow their operations.

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