Marketing basics
WhatsApp Business for Shop Owners: Setup and Daily Use
For most Indian shops, WhatsApp is already the main way customers ask “kitna hai?” and “khula hai?”. The free WhatsApp Business app turns that chat into a small shop front. Set it up once, about 30 minutes, and use it daily.
1. Set up the profile (10 minutes)
Install WhatsApp Business from Play Store and register your shop number. Then fill in:
- Business name, exactly as on your board.
- Category, e.g. “Shopping & retail”, “Beauty, cosmetic & personal care”.
- Address and map pin, customers use it to find you.
- Business hours, so people know when you’ll reply.
- Description, one line: what you sell + your area. “Sarees, suits & kids’ wear, Main Bazaar, near SBI.”
- Profile photo, your logo or a clear photo of the shopfront.
2. Add a catalogue
Add your best-selling products with photo, price and a short description. Customers can browse without asking, and you can send an item in chat with two taps. Start with 10–20 items; update prices before each festival.
3. Save time with quick replies and messages
- Greeting message, sent automatically to new customers: “Namaste! Welcome to Sharma Saree Centre. Tell us what you’re looking for.”
- Away message, outside your hours: “We’re closed now and will reply at 10 AM.”
- Quick replies, type “/timings” or “/address” to send a saved answer.
4. Use labels to remember customers
Tag chats with labels like “New customer”, “Paid”, “Pending delivery”, “Diwali enquiry”. Before a festival, message the people who asked last year.
5. Broadcast lists, not groups
Make broadcast lists by type of customer (regulars, bulk buyers, wedding enquiries). A broadcast looks like a personal message and only reaches people who saved your number. Rules of thumb:
- One broadcast a week at most outside festivals.
- Always attach something useful, an offer poster, new stock, timings change.
- Ask new customers to save your number (“Save our number to get offers”).
Ready-made messages in 13 languages: festival wishes for customers.
6. Status every day
Status is free reach: everyone who saved your number can see it for 24 hours. Post one thing a day, new stock, an offer, a happy customer (with permission). Ideas: 30 WhatsApp Status ideas for business. Make Status-size posters with the festival poster maker (choose “WhatsApp Status”).
7. Put your WhatsApp everywhere
On your board, bills, visiting card (add a QR, the visiting card maker does it), and your Google Business Profile.