JUST JAKEY

Get your business on WhatsApp this arvo

Chat with customers from a free business app that feels just like texting.

  • Beginner
  • Stop 2
  • 5 lessons
  1. 1Get the app and go live
  2. 2Fill in your business profile
  3. 3Chat with customers
  4. 4Never leave them hanging
  5. 5Stay safe and on the right side of the rules

Your quick win

A friend messages your business number and sees your name and logo.

Lesson 1: Get the app and go live

  1. Step 1: Open the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play (Android).

    Search WhatsApp Business.

  2. Step 2: Check it’s made by WhatsApp.

    Tap Install (or Get).

  3. Step 3: Open it.

    Agree to the terms. Type your business phone number.

  4. Step 4: Type in the code WhatsApp sends you.

    Using a landline? Pick the option to get a phone call instead, and type the code it reads out.

  5. Step 5: Add your business name, type of business and logo.

It’s a separate app from normal WhatsApp, made for businesses.

Lesson 2: Fill in your business profile

Open the Tools tab and tap your profile. Tap each box to fill it in: description, address or the area you cover, hours, email and website. Tap Save after each one.

Lesson 3: Chat with customers

Open a chat. Send a message, a photo, a voice message or your location. Star a message to find it later. Block and report spam. Example: a plumber replying to a photo of a leaking tap.

Lesson 4: Never leave them hanging

In Tools, tap Greeting message and turn it on. Then tap Away message, turn it on, and under Schedule choose Outside of business hours (you need your hours in your profile first). Say when you’ll reply: “Thanks! We’ll get back to you by 8am tomorrow.”

Lesson 5: Stay safe and on the right side of the rules

Turn on two-step verification: go to Settings, then Account, then Two-step verification. If the screen looks a bit different, follow the steps shown. WhatsApp is moving from a 6-digit PIN to a password, so you may be asked for either.

Try this now

Set your away message, then ask a friend to message you after hours to see it work. Next up on the trail: Meta Business Suite (coming soon).

Done, back to the trail