How to set up WhatsApp Business in 10 steps

WhatsApp: one of the most popular chat apps in the world. Not surprisingly, more and more companies are discovering it to maintain contact with their customers. Small or self-employed entrepreneurs who receive only a few WhatsApp messages a day, can make do with the WhatsApp Business App that I tell you more about in this roadmap.

But do you need a more professional solution for managing WhatsApp with multiple users and additional features? Then read on and find out all about the other options of the WhatsApp Business API.

Step 1: Get your hands on a phone and a (fixed or mobile) phone number

Before you can get started with WhatsApp Business, it is important that you have a phone at your disposal. WhatsApp Business allows you to receive and send WhatsApp messages from a mobile or landline number. If you are using a prepaid mobile number, make sure you call it regularly to ensure that the SIM card remains activated, allowing you to stay reachable through WhatsApp. Check with your telco provider for more details.

Step 2: Download the WhatsApp Business App

To use WhatsApp business, it’s necessary to first download the mobile app. The WhatsApp Business App is available for iOS, Android and you can download it in the App Store or Google Play Store.

Step 3: Create a Business WhatsApp account

After downloading the app, it’s time to create a WhatsApp account. Enter your phone number, wait for the verification code that WhatsApp will send you by text message, and enter it to activate your account.

Step 4: Enrich your business profile

Once you’ve created an account, you can add your company name, profile picture and status. Your customers can see your profile picture when they’ve added your number to their contacts. The status is a short description of yourself or your business.

Step 5: Configure your WhatsApp settings

To adjust various settings, such as notifications, privacy settings and language, go to ‘Settings’ in the main menu.

Step 6: Tell the world about your presence on WhatsApp

Now that you can be reached through WhatsApp, it is important that (potential) customers know about it: place your WhatsApp number on your website, for instance on your contact page or in the FAQ section. And don’t forget to add your number on business cards, flyers, stationery, packing slips, return forms and invoices.

Read more: 4 ways to offer WhatsApp chat on your website

Step 7: Send a WhatsApp mesage!

You can send and receive WhatsApp messages just like you do with your private account. Send text, pictures, videos and audio messages.

Step 8: Enjoy the WhatsApp business options

WhatsApp offers several business options, such as replying with an auto-reply as soon as someone sends you a message, or enriching your business profile with your address details, opening hours or a link to your website. These options can be useful if, for instance, you want to improve your customer contact.

Step 9: Use WhatsApp Web

WhatsApp Web is the online version of WhatsApp that lets you chat using your computer. That’s easy when typing longer texts or when you don't have access to your phone. You can use WhatsApp on multiple devices, such as on your phone, tablet and computer.

Step 10: Make a backup of your chat history

Backing up your chat history regularly is crucial. It empowers you to restore it at all times, for instance upon you losing your phone - or if you need to delete the app.

That’s all there is to it! I hope this roadmap helps you to set up WhatsApp business in 10 easy steps. Are you mainly interested in a more professional WhatsApp solution, because you want to be able to reply to emails with your entire team or company, for example, or to manage multiple WhatsApp numbers from one team inbox? Then check out which features the WhatsApp Business API.