So let’s say you are business and decide to leverage social media to make the most out of your brand. You go on one of the most popular social media platforms by META - Instagram and create an account. People come and follow you and stay in touch with you, react to your posts and keep an eye on all the daily and important updates. We all are familiar with this right?
Now imagine if you could do the exact same thing on WhatsApp!
Sounds Weird? Well it is not!
WhatsApp Channels are the new WhatsApp update launched in September 2023. WhatsApp Channels are basically an account one can create like an Instagram profile and people who are interested and come and follow it to stay in touch and stay updated about that particular profile. Although the base is the same, WhatsApp channels are entirely different from Instagram in its features and use cases.
Let's dive deeper into this.
What is WhatsApp Channel?
WhatsApp Channels are a combination of WhatsApp Community and WhatsApp Broadcast. WhatsApp Channels are basically one way broadcasting systems where people can follow their favorite brands and businesses can keep their users updated via text, images and links about all the new updates directly in their WhatsApp.
Some of the key WhatsApp channel features are:
- Enhanced directory: Channels can be discovered on WhatsApp directory. The channels would be relevant to the particular users and they can choose to follow them directly from there.
- Reaction: Users can interact with the messages in WhatsApp Channels by reacting to it.
- Forwarding: Anymessage that is in the channel, users can forward it to others. The forwarded messages come with the link to the source WhatsApp channels if the reader wants to find out more.
- Channel history: WhatsApp Channels history will be stored for the last 30 days.
WhatsApp Channels keep in mind the privacy of users and admins.
Here are some important provisions WhatsApp Channels have for the same:
- Contact details of both the user and admin are not shown to anyone.
- Admin has the option to block the screenshots and forwarding.
- Admin can filter and choose who can follow their channels making it a safe space for everyone.
- Admins has the option to choose, whether or not they want the channel to be discovered in the directory.
Wondering is theWhatsApp Channel useful for you? Let’s find out.
Who can Create a WhatsApp Channel ?
WhatsApp Channels are not just limited to businesses. Celebrities, communities, gamers, anyone can use WhatsApp Channels to stay connected with their audience.
Here are some categories who can use WhatsApp channels for better communication with their audience.
- Businesses: Share updates, offers, and customer support directly with your audience to build stronger relationships.
- Celebrities: Engage with fans by sharing behind-the-scenes content, announcements, and live updates.
- Gamers: Stream content, share tips, or interact with your gaming community through live chats or updates.
- Influencers: Share exclusive content, updates, and engage directly with followers to build a closer connection.
- Communities: Organize events, share important announcements, and stay connected with your group members.
- Non-profits: Communicate with supporters about ongoing campaigns, donation drives, and events to build awareness.
- Educational Institutions: Share class updates, important notices, and study resources with students or faculty.
Now that this is cleared, let's create the WhatsApp Channel.
How to start WhatsApp Channel?
Here is a detailed blog and video on how to create a WhatsApp Channel.
Blog: How to create WhatsApp Channel
How to use WhatsApp Channel for Business?
For businesses and brands, WhatsApp Channels are like goldmines. Businesses can create channels in WhatsApp for many different purposes, making the conversation simpler and engaging with their audience on a more personal level. WhatsApp Channels for businesses can save time, money and efforts of businesses.
Here is how you can use WhatsApp Channels for business:
- Share Updates: Keep your customers in the loop with timely announcements about new products, services, or upcoming sales. This builds anticipation and keeps your audience engaged with your brand.
- Customer Engagement: Channels offer a great way to connect with your audience through polls, exclusive offers, or behind-the-scenes content, creating a sense of community and loyalty.
- Support and Feedback: Use WhatsApp Channels as a platform for providing customer support or gathering quick feedback, improving both product development and customer satisfaction.
- Exclusive Membership Clubs: Reward loyal customers by offering VIP deals or early access to products, helping boost engagement and brand exclusivity.
- Micro-Learning: Share short tutorials, tips, or "how-tos" related to your products or services, subtly marketing while adding value to your audience.
These are some basic strategies of how to use WhatsApp Channels for business. You can be more creative about seeing how it works out.
Here are some things to keep in mind while using WhatsApp Channels for business:
- Updates: Channel updates are one-way broadcasts, not conversations.
- Visibility: Users can only see your broadcast if they follow your channel or search for your business in the Updates tab.
- Notifications: Users can turn on and off notifications for each channel.
- Unfollowing: Users can unfollow a channel at any time.
- Profile photos: Channel admins may see users profile photos next to emoji reactions or poll votes.
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How to get a Verified badge for WhatsApp channel?
People are more likely to get confused with verification badges on WhatsApp business accounts and WhatsApp Channels. Let's clear this out first.
Although a verified WhatsApp business account is helpful, you don't need to have a verified WhatsApp business account to get a verification badge on WhatsApp Channel. Both are two separate things and anyone with good engagement on their channel can have a verification badge on their WhatsApp channel.
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Steps for WhatsApp Channel Verification:
- Ensure your brand, business, or entity is well-known and recognizable.
- Gain followers and increase engagement on your channel.
- WhatsApp will automatically verify channels that meet their criteria—there’s no application process for channel verification.
Criteria for WhatsApp Channel Verification:
WhatsApp does not provide an official public checklist for channel verification, but the general criteria include:
- Notability: Your channel must represent a well-known public figure, business, or entity that people search for frequently.
- Authenticity: Your channel must be authentic, representing the real business or person.
- Engagement: High levels of user engagement and activity increase the chances of verification.
- Reputation: The entity should have a strong, established reputation.
What are the guidelines for WhatsApp Channels?
WhatsApp has laid down certain guidelines for WhatsApp Channel. Below is a gist of it.
- Channel admins should respect their followers and not spam too much or with low quality content.
- Channels should have a title relevant to the content, letting the users make an informed decision of which channel they want to follow.
- No illegal content, illegal activity or fraud should be done on WhatsApp Channels.
- Content that could harm people should not be shared on WhatsApp Channels.
- While putting out content on WhatsApp channel, one must keep in mind the age of all WhatsApp users.
WhatsApp Channel vs WhatsApp Broadcast
1. Audience Reach
- WhatsApp Channels: You can only send updates to people who follow your channel. This limits your reach to an existing, opt-in audience.
- WhatsApp Broadcast: Businesses can send messages to their entire customer list without followers or opt-ins, making it more flexible for wide-reaching updates.
2. Communication Control
- Channels: Designed for one-way broadcasting without any direct replies.
- Broadcast: Allows two-way communication, perfect for feedback and personalized responses.
3. Visibility
- Channels: Visible to users in the WhatsApp Directory, giving your channel public discoverability.
- Broadcast: Sends messages directly to saved contacts, maintaining privacy but less discoverability.
4. Message Forwarding
- Channels: Users can forward updates to others, helping boost visibility organically.
- Broadcast: Direct messages can be forwarded, but it’s more about personal delivery to your customer list.
5. Automation and Conversions
- Channels: With channels, a business is limited to one way broadcasting which makes it impossible to incorporate automation.
- Broadcast: This is a two way communication. Businesses often gain benefit from these like direct conversion with automated flow set-up beforehand. The automation allows users to engage and eventually convert the chat itself.
WhatsApp Channels and WhatsApp broadcast, both have their own merits and demerits. For personalized customer updates, WhatsApp Broadcast is ideal as it allows you to send messages to any customer without needing them to follow you and the engagement is more personal. Channels are better for larger public announcements or updates that don’t require replies, making them a good addition for broad, public engagement.
How can Engati help you grow your business?
With Engati, you can automate all your conversations once you send out broadcasts. This enables you to not only reduce response time but also increase your conversion.
Engati, enables businesses to to create their own, AI based smart chatbot which answers all the user queries and nudges them to take action. You can integrate all your softwares, CRMs and payments to make the entire user journey smooth as silk.
Conclusion
WhatsApp Channels are like the combination of WhatsApp broadcast and WhatsApp community. This new WhatsApp update can prove really valuable for the businesses and other communities or personalities who want to constantly stay in touch with their audience, without hampering their personal and others privacy. Ina very short span of time, WhatsApp Channel has been adopted drastically showcasing its usefulness. Businesses must take advantage of this wave as this is their chance to get the first mover advantage over their competitors.
FAQs
1. Are messages on WhatsApp Channels free?
Yes, sending and receiving messages on WhatsApp Channels is free! Users can follow channels and receive updates without any charges. However, data charges from your mobile provider may apply, depending on your plan.
2. How to remove channels from WhatsApp?
If you want to remove a channel, simply go to the channel’s profile and tap on “Unfollow.” You can also mute notifications if you want to stay updated without being notified. It’s that easy!
3. What types of content can I share on my WhatsApp Channel?
You can share a variety of content, such as announcements, updates, promotional offers, and even educational material. Just remember to keep it engaging and relevant to your audience!
4. How can I increase followers on my WhatsApp Channel?
To attract more followers, promote your channel on other social media platforms, share exclusive content, and encourage your existing audience to spread the word. Engaging content and consistency are key!
5. Can I see who follows my WhatsApp Channel?
No, WhatsApp Channels prioritize user privacy, so you cannot see who follows your channel. This allows your followers to stay anonymous while still receiving updates.
6. How often should I post on my WhatsApp Channel?
Finding the right posting frequency depends on your audience and content. Aim for consistency, whether it’s weekly or bi-weekly, to keep your audience engaged without overwhelming them.
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