WhatsApp Business for small businesses: 9 features to set up

For many Indian businesses, WhatsApp is where enquiries arrive, quotes are sent and orders are confirmed. The free WhatsApp Business app has features made for exactly this, but most businesses only use it like personal WhatsApp. Set up these nine and you will reply faster and lose fewer leads.

1. A complete business profile

Add your business name, category, description, address, opening hours, email and website. Customers see this when they tap your name, and it makes you look established.

2. Catalogue

Add your products or services with photos, a short description and a price if you share prices openly. Customers can browse without asking "send details", and you can send any item into a chat in two taps.

3. Greeting message

An automatic first reply for new customers or people who have not messaged in a while: say thank you, tell them what to send (for example, their requirement and location) and when you will reply.

4. Away message

Set it for outside your working hours and holidays, so people know when to expect an answer instead of thinking you ignored them.

5. Quick replies

Save answers you type every day, like prices, location, timings, payment details and the booking process. Type "/" in a chat to insert one. This alone saves hours a week.

6. Labels

Tag chats with labels such as New lead, Quote sent, Payment pending, Booked and Follow up. You can filter by label to see who needs a reply, so no enquiry gets forgotten.

7. Short link and QR code

WhatsApp Business gives you a short link and a QR code that open a chat with you. Put them on your website, Instagram bio, visiting cards, menus and shop counter.

8. Broadcast lists

Send one message to many customers at once, such as a new offer or a holiday notice. Messages reach only people who have saved your number, so ask customers to save it. Do not overuse it; too many promotions get you blocked.

9. Use it on your computer

Link WhatsApp Business to WhatsApp Web or the desktop app, so you can reply with a full keyboard and copy details into your records easily.

Good habits

• Reply within minutes during working hours
• Send prices and details as clear messages or catalogue items, not long voice notes
• Turn on chat backup so you do not lose customer history
• Never ask customers to share passwords or OTPs

Want more chats to start with? Click-to-WhatsApp ads send interested people straight into your inbox, and our performance marketing service can set them up for you.

Questions people ask