What is WhatsApp Marketing?
WhatsApp marketing is the use of WhatsApp to promote products, engage customers, and provide support using personalized, real-time messaging.
- It combines instant communication with high engagement rates.
- Businesses use it for promotions, updates, reminders, surveys, and customer support.
- It works on both WhatsApp Messenger and WhatsApp Business API.
Why WhatsApp is a Goldmine for Businesses in 2025
- 2.7 billion active users worldwide.
- 98% open rate vs. 20–25% for emails.
- Malaysia’s mobile-first audience makes WhatsApp a primary marketing channel.
3. Benefits of WhatsApp Marketing
| Benefit | Why It Matters | Example |
| High Open Rates | Messages are seen almost instantly | Festive sale alert gets 500 responses in 1 hour |
| Personalization | Customers feel valued with direct name use | “Hi Aisha, your order is ready for pickup.” |
| Cost-Effective | Cheaper than Facebook Ads for customer reach | RM 0.05 per message with bulk sending tools |
| Multimedia Messaging | Send images, videos, PDFs | Restaurant sends menu images for promotions |
| Fast Support | Resolve issues in minutes | Travel agency confirms bookings instantly |
4. How WhatsApp Marketing Works
Step-by-step:
- Create a WhatsApp Business account.
- Add product/service catalog.
- Segment contacts (VIP customers, new leads, inactive users).
- Create and send personalized messages.
- Track open rates, clicks, and replies.
Example:
- Saravanan ran a campaign for a clothing store → Sent a festival sale message to 1,200 contacts → 450 customers visited the store in 3 days.
5. Setting Up WhatsApp Business
Direct steps:
- Download WhatsApp Business App.
- Register with your business number.
- Add profile picture, business description, and hours.
- Set up greeting messages and quick replies.
Mini Table: Basic Features in WhatsApp Business App
| Feature | Benefit | Example |
| Greeting Message | Welcomes new customers automatically | “Hi! Thanks for contacting DigitalPlus.” |
| Away Message | Responds outside working hours | “We’ll get back to you tomorrow at 9 AM.” |
| Catalog | Showcase products/services | List of WhatsApp marketing tool packages |
6. WhatsApp Marketing vs Email Marketing
| Feature | WhatsApp Marketing | Email Marketing |
| Open Rate | 90–98% | 20–25% |
| Response Time | Minutes | Hours or days |
| Media Support | Images, videos, docs | Images, docs |
| Personalization | High | Medium |
| Cost | Low | Medium |
Conclusion: Use WhatsApp for speed & engagement, and email for long-form & official communication.
7. Free WhatsApp Marketing Tips
- Use broadcast lists for sending to many without creating a group.
- Keep messages short, clear, and friendly.
- Send during peak hours (8–10 AM or 6–8 PM).
- Use rich media (images, videos, voice notes).
- Avoid spam—respect customer consent.
8. WhatsApp Business API Overview
Why use it?
- For large-scale campaigns (10,000+ messages/day).
- Integration with CRM tools.
- Automated chatbot replies.
Example:
DigitalPlus connected a travel agency’s CRM with the API → sent flight reminders automatically → 40% fewer missed flights.
9. Types of WhatsApp Marketing Campaigns
- Promotional Campaigns – Discounts, offers.
- Transactional Campaigns – Order confirmations, receipts.
- Customer Support – Answering FAQs.
- Reactivation Campaigns – Win-back inactive customers.
10. Common Myths About WhatsApp Marketing
- ❌ It’s spammy → ✅ It’s permission-based.
- ❌ Only for small businesses → ✅ Used by major brands.
- ❌ Not measurable → ✅ Can track open & click rates.
11. History of WhatsApp Marketing
- 2009: WhatsApp launched.
- 2016: WhatsApp Business tools began testing.
- 2018: WhatsApp Business App officially released.
- 2020–2025: API adoption skyrocketed for enterprise use.
12. My 30-Day Experience Using WhatsApp Marketing
- Day 1–5: Setup and learning curve.
- Day 6–15: First campaigns – 35% click rate.
- Day 16–30: Integrated automation → saved 12 hours/week in manual follow-ups.
Result: Increased conversions by 52% compared to Facebook ads.
13. Final Takeaways
- Start small, test, and scale with API.
- WhatsApp marketing is highly effective for both small and large businesses.
- DigitalPlus tools make campaigns faster, cheaper, and more personalized.
