How to Use WhatsApp as a Lead Magnet
WhatsApp is no longer just a personal messaging app for friends and family to catch up with new stickers. Thanks to new updates such as WhatsApp for business, it is now possible to capture leads, and even use WhatsApp for sales. More and more businesses worldwide are tapping into the many advantages of using WhatsApp as a marketing tool, that have long been ignored.
How to Use WhatsApp for Business?
WhatsApp has the advantage of already being known to website visitors worldwide, so they know exactly how to use it. It also operates internationally, at no additional fee. WhatsApp for business leverages these advantages and adds to them.
WhatsApp for Business is a free app available on any and all devices including desktop, android and iOS. Unlike the WhatsApp we use every day, it was built with business owners in mind. WhatApp business is available for calls and messages, and is supposed to remind users of your regular WhatsApp messenger. It's a multimedia app, capable of sending voice messages, photos, stickers, and messages.
Some of the advantages of WhatsApp for Business include:
Human Contact and Appropriate Timing
If you want to display the WhatsApp icon on your website, you can always make sure to only show it during work hours. This way, you will not disappoint the person waiting in the other line with a soulless chatbot. Messaging and calling an actual person is always an advantage, and people can tell the difference between a human and an automated message.
Personalization
Whenever a user clicks a WhatsApp icon, you can make sure to show them a personalized message. The content of the said message the user would see can match their previous on-site behavior (or even off-site behavior). For instance, if an educational institution such as a college has noticed that the user messaging them has shown interest in law studies, they might receive a targeted message. This could be anything, including “Hello, I would like to get more information on Law Studies, please get back to me. [link to page user sent the message from]”. By acknowledging the user's unique interests relevant to your business, they are more likely to actually send the message via WhatsApp and become a good, qualified lead.
Additionnally, including the link to the page, also gives the representative more information about the lead. There would therefore be no need to ask superfluous questions about the lead's interests, as the link will probably provide this vital information about their interest in Law Studies.
What is WhatsApp Used for in the Business World?
- A business profile with lists of relevant data, including the company's contact information: the address, phone number, website link, and email.
- Labels to segment audiences based on specific interests relevant to your business, much like in the abovementioned example with Law Studies. This makes it easier to attract quality leads with personalized messages.
- Messaging tools to respond to website visitors quickly and using human interaction.
What is WhatsApp Marketing?
WhatsApp marketing refers to using gentle persuasion techniques to get website visitors to take a certain action towards your business. This could be anything from making a purchase to calling or messaging your business for information. You can also use it to collect testimonials, or share social media links, as well as asking customers to recommend your brand to friends and family via WhatsApp messages.
WhatsApp in eCommerce allows for hyper-personalization. In eCommerce website, the WhatsApp icon can pop up only to visitors who have more than a specific amount of money or items in their shopping cart. Alternatively, the same can happen for users who already started the purchase process twice but did not complete checkout. An eCommerce manager can easily distinguish between these users and others, and pop up the WhatsApp logo icon when needed.
There are many uses for WhatsApp marketing for an eCommerce brand. WhatsApp marketing is most effective with B2C businesses, since channels such as emails have become oversaturated, and SMS is underutilized, and does not operate internationally.
The Advantages of WhatsApp vs. Email and SMS
All Messages Get Through
Why not take the advantage of the fact that pretty much anything goes via WhatsApp, and you cannot hit a brick wall the way you would by using email? There is no blacklisting with WhatsApp, and your messages can't get dumped into the spam folder.
Operates Internationally
Similarly, SMS is brutally underutilized today, with people opting for free messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger, Snapchat, etc. Additionally, WhatsApp has the added advantage of operating internationally at no fee, supporting your business as it increases its client base.
Take Advantage of WhatsApp's Multimedia Capabilities for Free (Text, Pics, Voice Messages, Video, and more!)
The one thing WhatsApp is proficient at, other than personalized messages, showing up only when it's needed, and offering multimedia content, is dependability. You can be sure that all messages a website visitor sends will reach you, and vice versa.
And the messages in question can include HQ pics, videos, voice messages, PDFs, your normal text messages, and more!
Here are some ways you can use this versatility to bring in more leads.
- You want to send a brochure of the language studies at your college? Use PDF.
- You want to update your customers about package delivery? A text message will do.
- You plan on launching a new product? Announce it to interested parties with a short video or gif.
- You want to keep a complaint clear and evidence-based? Send screenshots and images.
- You are considering adding a human touch to your messages? Use stickers and emojis to get your point across to users in different age groups!
Along with these fancy functionalities, the ones you can expect to use the most are click-to-call and click-to-chat. This option is especially valuable for mobile traffic, as people will find it easier to ask for help or assistance with just one click on the WhatsApp icon.