Summary
Wati is a powerful tool that helps businesses communicate effectively on WhatsApp. To maximize its potential, it's essential to follow best practices that ensure compliance, optimize engagement, and build trust with your customers. This guide covers key strategies, from using templates efficiently to leveraging analytics for continuous improvement.
Instructions
Use Templates Thoughtfully
WhatsApp requires preapproval for message templates used in notifications, reminders, and promotional messages. To ensure your templates are effective:
Keep them concise and focused on key information.
Personalize messages with placeholders for customer names, order details, etc.
Follow WhatsApp’s Guidelines to ensure promotional messages meet approval requirements.
Respect Message Frequency & Limits
WhatsApp enforces Messaging Tiers that determine how many unique users you can message within 24 hours. To stay within limits and maintain high-quality interactions:
Higher tiers unlock over time as you build a trusted reputation.
Prioritize relevance and timing over frequent messaging.
Schedule reminders and alerts for important updates like order status or event notifications.
Follow WhatsApp’s messaging windows:
You can respond freely within 24 hours of a customer’s last message.
After 24 hours, you can only send messages using preapproved templates.
Always Offer Opt-Out Options
Respecting user preferences is crucial for maintaining trust and compliance with WhatsApp policies. Ensure a smooth opt-out process by:
Including an opt-out message, such as "Reply 'STOP' to unsubscribe", in non-transactional messages.
Making the opt-out process seamless to enhance customer satisfaction.
Optimize for Conversations, Not Just Notifications
While WhatsApp APIs are useful for sending alerts and updates, their true power lies in enabling two-way conversations. To foster engagement:
Encourage customers to reply to notifications by asking for feedback or clarifications.
Use WhatsApp for real-time customer support, reducing query resolution times and improving customer experience.
Use Rich Media to Enhance Communication
WhatsApp’s API supports rich media formats, allowing you to create more engaging interactions. Leverage this by:
Sending product catalogs or brochures directly to customers.
Sharing order receipts, tickets, or promotional materials.
Using WhatsApp Carousels to showcase multiple products or services in a single interactive message.
Measure and Optimize Your Campaigns
Tracking performance helps refine your messaging strategy for better engagement. To optimize your campaigns:
Use Wati’s analytics to monitor delivery rates, read rates, and response times.
Test different message formats and templates to see what resonates best with your audience. By following these best practices, you’ll ensure compliance with WhatsApp’s policies while building meaningful, trust-based relationships with your customers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
General Questions
1. What is Wati, and how does it help businesses?
→ Wati is a WhatsApp API-based platform that enables businesses to communicate efficiently with customers through automated messages, notifications, and real-time conversations.
2. Do I need approval to send messages on WhatsApp using Wati?
→ Yes, WhatsApp requires preapproval for message templates used in notifications, reminders, and promotional messages.
Message Templates
3. How can I create an effective WhatsApp message template?
→ Keep templates concise, personalize them with placeholders, and ensure they follow WhatsApp’s approval guidelines.
4. What happens if my message template gets rejected?
→ If a template is rejected, review WhatsApp’s guidelines, make necessary adjustments, and resubmit for approval.
Messaging Limits & Frequency
5. What are WhatsApp’s messaging tiers?
→ WhatsApp enforces tiered messaging limits that dictate how many unique users you can message within 24 hours. Your tier increases over time as you maintain high-quality interactions.
6. How can I increase my messaging tier?
→ By maintaining a good reputation, following WhatsApp policies, and ensuring high engagement rates, your tier will increase over time.
Opt-Out & User Preferences
7. How can customers opt out of receiving messages?
→ Include an opt-out message such as "Reply 'STOP' to unsubscribe" in non-transactional messages.
8. What should I do if a customer unsubscribed?
→ Ensure that their request is processed immediately and that they no longer receive messages to stay compliant with WhatsApp policies.
Enhancing Engagement
9. How can I encourage two-way conversations with customers?
→ Ask for feedback, provide interactive content, and use WhatsApp for real-time support to increase engagement.
10. What types of rich media can I send through Wati?
→ You can send images, videos, documents, location shares, product catalogs, and WhatsApp Carousels.
Measuring Success
11. How can I track the performance of my WhatsApp campaigns?
→ Use Wati’s analytics tools to monitor delivery rates, read rates, and response times to optimize your strategy.
12. What should I do if my messages are not being delivered?
→ Check if your templates are approved, ensure recipients have not opted out, and verify your account status with WhatsApp.