Introduction
WhatsApp has become the new way of carrying out business through customer interactions. Recently, the WhatsApp Business API has empowered businesses to initiate direct conversations with their target audience. Data indicate that companies that sell exclusively through WhatsApp have a repeat customer rate of 68%.
Therefore, knowing how to use this tool with the best practice in mind is essential. In this guide, you will learn the most important steps to making your WhatsApp direct messaging optimal for your business communication and marketing.
Understanding WhatsApp direct messaging
Traditionally, we must have saved one-time contacts on our phones only to interact on WhatsApp. Saving contacts may seem harmless but can be inconvenient, and also it can be unsafe to save contacts from random service individuals. However, some tried-and-tested steps legally allow you to WhatsApp directly.
Multiple methods can help you connect with people on WhatsApp without worrying about cluttering your phone with contacts with whom interactions may last only a short duration.
In our previous blog, we explored each of these methods in detail. If you are trying any of the methods, our blog will offer more insights.
Advantage of WhatsApp direct messaging
There are multiple benefits to WhatsApp direct messaging apart from avoiding the inconvenient step of adding contacts to your phone. Let’s look at some of the advantages of WhatsApp direct messaging;
1. Privacy: When you do not save the contact, you reduce the amount of people you have saved on your device, boosting security. The more data you receive, store, and transmit is inversely proportional to the amount of protected data on your phone.
2. Efficient communication: WhatsApp direct messaging allows one to start conversations without saving people’s numbers, which can be a tedious process in regular messaging applications. It saves time that would otherwise be spent in adding contacts to the phone’s memory.
3. Clutter-free contact list: Clutter can overwhelm and reduce productivity in one’s contact list. With minimal interference from various unrelated people, you can stay focused on interacting with contacts who are important.
4. Faster customer outreach for marketing and sales: You can reach out to a particular customer or lead without having to overcrowd your phone contact list. For businesses having thousands of customers, it is impractical to save every contact on their phones and send messages.
Best methods for WhatsApp direct messaging
Some methods for WhatsApp direct messaging allow you to communicate without saving a contact in your phone. These proven methods are;
1. WhatsApp click to chat
2. Third-party apps like Truecaller
3. Self-messaging on WhatsApp
4. Connect with WhatsApp group participants
5. Google Assistant on WhatsApp
6. Command Siri to WhatsApp
7. WhatsApp Business API
We described all the above methods in our previous blog, which you can access from the link below. Try WhatsApping a contact without saving their number on your phone. These tried and tested methods are convenient as they keep your phone address book clutter-free and allow you to use WhatsApp without limitations.
How to send WhatsApp direct messages using WhatsApp Business API?
Thanks to the WhatsApp Business API, companies may broadcast messages to a wide audience without delivering them to specific people. Typing and sending a message to every consumer takes time and is not realistically productive for an enterprise. For companies looking to use WhatsApp as part of their communication strategy, the WhatsApp Business API provides a solution to this major problem.
Unlimited messages can be sent to saved and unsaved phone numbers using a WhatsApp business API. By simply broadcasting their message to both saved and unsaved numbers, companies can shorten the time it takes for messages to be delivered by using a WhatsApp business API.
Why should you choose Kenyt for WhatsApp Business API?
Kenyt stands out as a leading WhatsApp cloud API provider from its competitors due to its unique offering to its users. Kenyt does not impose any platform fees. Meta charges you directly for using the WhatsApp Business API that Kenyt provides. In contrast to many other API providers, Kenyt also provides a post-paid billing option for the WhatsApp Cloud API.
With its cloud-based API interaction with your current workspace tools, Kenyt offers a practical option that requires little setup. Moreover, Kenyt simplifies the WhatsApp communication process with comprehensive features, including WhatsApp blasts, drip campaigns, reply flows, and team inboxes.
Kenyt provides individualized messaging, multilingual and multi-media support, message throttling, and other industry-leading AI solutions for various corporate activities. Its API allows users to send an unlimited number of messages with ease. Contact team Kenyt for further information.
Best practices for effective WhatsApp direct messaging
Follow some of the best practices mentioned here to continue with WhatsApp direct messaging. By taking care not to infringe upon user privacy and adhering to WhatsApp’s marketing guidelines, you can use direct WhatsApp messaging to its best potential.
1. Obtain user consent
WhatsApp requires that businesses obtain user consent to send them promotional marketing material. You can email users about your marketing campaigns and request permission to send them promotional content. You can mention your intention to send marketing messages on your website. Users visiting your website can opt in or out as per their preference.
2. Strategically plan message timing
It is best to avoid sending messages at late night and early morning. Be mindful of the users’ daily activity and schedule your WhatsApp direct messaging to send them a message at an appropriate time when they are most active.
It is also best to consider the user’s time zone. Strategically plan to segregate your users as per their time zone and schedule to send them without missing the golden hour when they are most active.
3. Tone of the content
Maintain a professional tone while sending WhatsApp directly. Overtly use of casual tone and slang is not recommended. Though WhatsApp gives a casual conversation vibe, businesses should maintain the decorum of their profession and showcase a professional approach.
4. Personalize messages
In the age of the AI revolution, which is transforming how we interact and consume information, it is advised to personalize messages when messaging users. You can use their first name to address them and mention specific details of their past interaction with your product or service to keep the content more engaging.
5. Follow WhatsApp privacy policy
Follow WhatsApp user privacy conditions and avoid sending spam messages. You can check WhatsApp guidelines on how to create spam-free messages.
6. Engaging CTA
Make sure your call to action (what you want the recipient to do; reply, click a link, buy something) is absolutely unambiguous. Add high-contrast CTA that will signal visitors that it is time to take action.
Conclusion
In conclusion, WhatsApp direct messaging gives businesses a chance to connect with and interact with customers, which can result in sales. As a result, companies should make sure they use this channel effectively by adhering to certain rules, such as getting the receivers’ consent, providing pertinent messages at the right time, and protecting the recipients’ privacy.
Remember that WhatsApp direct messages can be completely automated, but you must strike a balance to maintain audience engagement. Despite the existence of automated technologies, personalized and empathic connection is still crucial. Many businesses can use WhatsApp direct messaging to accomplish and enhance the lives of their clients thanks to the introduction of technology through human discoveries.
Frequently Asked Questions
To set up WhatsApp Business API to send direct messages, you’ll need to follow these steps:
1. Register for a WhatsApp Business API Account: Go to Facebook and start a New Facebook Business Manager Account; next, apply to use/require WhatsApp Business API connection.
2. Choose a WhatsApp Business Solution Provider (BSP): Choose a BSP from the official list of WhatsApp business partners.
3. Integrate the API: Make sure to consult with your BSP to include the WhatsApp Business API into your business applications.
4. Create Message Templates: Utilize design thinking and develop MS Word templates for pre-approved messages based on their usage.
5. Send Direct Messages: You can use the API to message the customers privately.
It is worth noting the need to follow WhatsApp’s terms of service as well as the policies on its privacy to abstain from penalties.
To measure the performance of your WhatsApp direct messaging campaigns, track key metrics like:
1. Message Delivery and Open Rates: Track the number of messages that were sent and the number of opened messages.
2. Click-Through Rates (CTR): Track direct response rates as the number of times the recipient clicks a link or a button in the message.
3. Conversion Rates: Monitor the conversion rate (sales, subscriptions, etc) as influenced by the WhatsApp promotional initiatives.
4. Customer Engagement: Analyze response rate, average conversation length, and polarity analysis.
5. Customer Satisfaction: Regarding the channels, there must be surveys or feedback takers to determine customers’ satisfaction about their WhatsApp interactions with the company.
Ultimately, positive periods to use WhatsApp direct messages will depend on the customers or users. However, generally, the most effective times are:
- • Morning (9 AM – 12 PM): Some people wake up to their phones as the first thing that they touch every morning.
- • Afternoon (1 PM – 3 PM): While taking a lunch break or short afternoon break.
- • Evening (7 PM – 9 PM): To some extent, after working hours, when people are not much stressed.
- The time at which the messages will be sent also needs to be thought about as the recipient’s time zone and, more importantly, their preferences.
Nisha Sneha
Nisha Sneha is a passionate content writer with 5 years of experience creating impactful content for SAAS products, new-age technologies, and software applications. Currently, she is contributing to Kenyt.AI by crafting engaging content for its readers. Creating captivating content that provides accurate information about the latest advancements in science and technology has been at the core of her creativity.
In addition to writing, she enjoys gardening, reading, and swimming as hobbies.
