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Creating a WhatsApp Broadcast List: A Quick Guide

Thawnee Soares    7/12/22

If you’re a business looking to engage customers through WhatsApp Broadcast Messages, you’ve come to the right place. Many free and paid tools promise to simplify creating a WhatsApp Broadcast list, but they often disappoint.

This article will guide you through every aspect of WhatsApp Broadcast and show you how to use it effectively for your business. We’ll explore various methods for starting a WhatsApp Broadcast and dive deeper into its specifics for a more comprehensive understanding.

What is a WhatsApp Broadcast?

If you are using WhatsApp for daily communications, you might have received a few messages like “Send This Message To 10 More People, and You’ll get good news by the evening”. These are WhatsApp broadcast messages sent to you.

A broadcast is a message sent from a single source to multiple destinations simultaneously. When a user sends a message to several recipients in one click, it’s called a WhatsApp broadcast message. No recipient can see the other recipients of the broadcast.

Initiating a WhatsApp broadcast is easy. On the main ‘CHATS’ window, simply click on the three dots on the upper right menu. Whether you use the WhatsApp messaging app or the WhatsApp Business app, you can build a broadcast list to send messages to your audience.

However, there are some limitations to this type of broadcast on WhatsApp. As they say, “Great power comes with some sacrifices.” To maximize the benefits of WhatsApp broadcast, it’s important to understand these limitations and use the feature wisely.

Limitations Of WhatsApp Broadcast using the WhatsApp Business App?

When it comes to using the WhatsApp Business app for broadcasts, there are a few limitations to keep in mind. First, unlike regular WhatsApp accounts, businesses cannot send promotional messages to users who have not saved their number as a contact. This helps prevent spam and ensures that broadcasts are only sent to those who have willingly added the business to their contacts.

Additionally, the WhatsApp Business app only allows you to select up to 256 contacts to create a broadcast list. This means that medium and large businesses may find broadcast lists on WhatsApp to be inadequate for their needs.

Another limitation of WhatsApp broadcasts is the lack of APIs or integrations for businesses to automate themselves using their APIs and CRM. While WhatsApp can be a powerful tool for communication, it’s important to be aware of its limitations and use it wisely to get the most out of it.

Features Of WhatsApp Broadcast using WhatsApp Business App:

If you broadcast message on WhatsApp using WhatsApp App:

  • The message is sent individually to each contact.
  • You can add up to 256 contacts to your WhatsApp broadcast list.
  • Communication is private. Each recipient will receive the message as a regular chat.
  • Recipients are not aware that the message they received is from a broadcast. There will be no such label on the message.
  • The recipient must have your number saved as a contact to receive the message.

Does your business solely rely on using the WhatsApp Broadcast app?

It all depends upon the use case. Let me explain.

If you are a local/small business operating using the WhatsApp Business App, you’ll probably have 100-200 customers you know personally. There is also a possibility they might have saved your WhatsApp Business number on their phone.

In this scenario, you can take advantage of WhatsApp Broadcast lists using your WhatsApp business App, as most of them will likely receive the message you are willing to send.

If you are a well-established medium or large business that has more than 200 clients, you may have concluded that WhatsApp Broadcast using the regular WhatsApp Business App is not your cup of tea.

So, What’s the solution?

Well, in 2018, WhatsApp launched WhatsApp Business API. The purpose is to help SMBs to communicate with their customers on WhatsApp.

To use the WhatsApp APIs, businesses need to verify themselves to activate their Business number for WhatsApp APIs. But WhatsApp alone can’t verify every business around the globe.

To resolve this, WhatsApp provided its WhatsApp APIs to third-party service providers known as WhatsApp Business Solution Partners(BSP).

These BSPs built their systems over WhatsApp Business API to provide the businesses features like WhatsApp CRM, Contact Management, and much more.

With WhatsApp API-enabled business numbers, Wati will broadcast your WhatsApp message to thousands of your customers at the same time.

How To Broadcast Message On WhatsApp?

An alternative method for broadcasting WhatsApp messages is by using Excel and Google Sheets. With MS Excel, you can also send bulk WhatsApp messages. For a better understanding of these techniques, watch this video.

WhatsApp Broadcast With WhatsApp Business API On Wati

Advantages

  • You do not have to worry about your WhatsApp number getting banned.
  • Reliable solution – can be used for automation and scheduling messages.
  • Build auto-reply chatbots.
  • Multiple Agents can log in and reply to customers.
  • APIs can be integrated with external systems – to send transactional updates.
  • Possibility of getting Green Tick Verification.

Disadvantages

  • Requires Business API approval.
  • Templates must be pre-approved by WhatsApp – Promotional messages are not allowed.
  • Not for personal use.

With WhatsApp APIs, you can also enable a WhatsApp Chatbot on your business number that’ll help you automate your sales and customer support.

Streamlining Business Communication: How to Apply for the WhatsApp Official API with Wati

If you’re a business looking to use WhatsApp for customer communication, applying for the WhatsApp Official API is essential. With the API, you can unlock advanced features like automation, custom messaging, and analytics that can help you engage with customers more effectively.

To apply for the WhatsApp Official API, you’ll need the following details:

  • WhatsApp Phone Number: This number is non-transferable and should be used exclusively for your business communication on WhatsApp.
  • Business Display Name: This name should clearly indicate your business and be consistent with your branding. Click here
  • Verified Facebook Business Manager ID: You’ll need to create a Facebook Business Manager account and verify it by uploading your business documents.

After gathering these details, you can send them to a WhatsApp Business Solution Provider (BSP) such as WATI. BSPs serve as intermediaries between businesses and WhatsApp, ensuring that all communication aligns with WhatsApp’s policies.

To apply for the WhatsApp Official API through Wati, simply follow this link. The Wati team will assist you throughout the process, enabling you to swiftly and effectively establish your API.

By applying for the WhatsApp Official API, you can take advantage of powerful tools and features that can help you improve your customer communication and grow your business.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to enhance your WhatsApp presence and provide a better experience for your customers.

Unlocking the Power of WhatsApp Broadcasts with Wati: A Game-Changer for Business Communication

To surpass the restrictions of WhatsApp broadcasts, businesses can opt for Wati, a WhatsApp Business API provider that offers a range of features for enhanced customer communication. Wati enables businesses to automate their processes and scale their communication efforts by providing access to APIs and integrations.

With Wati, businesses can easily send messages to large groups of customers, customize their message templates, and track their message delivery status. Additionally, Wati offers advanced reporting and analytics features to help businesses measure the effectiveness of their communication efforts.

Creating a WhatsApp Broadcast List: A Quick Guide

By partnering with Wati, businesses can unlock the full potential of WhatsApp as a communication tool and enhance their customer engagement and retention efforts. With Wati’s powerful features and capabilities, businesses can take their WhatsApp broadcasts to the next level and achieve better results.