How to Use WhatsApp Business API for Referral Marketing

We have been searching for various options for using WhatsApp to keep the customers connected. Whatsapp is a communication tool par excellence when you must connect more organically with your audience.

 But what if we say we can do more? What if we tell you you can engage with and reach new customers through WhatsApp by helping your old ones? 

Well, you are at the right platform because today, we will discuss how to use WhatsApp business to get more referrals for your business. But before discussing the nitty-gritty of setting up referral marketing via WhatsApp business to reach new customers, we will discuss WhatsApp for referral marketing.

What is Referral Marketing Via WhatsApp Business?

Referral marketing via WhatsApp involves motivating your clients to refer your brand to new people. You are utilizing the trust you developed with your customers and clients psychologically and, in some scenarios, mild gamification to raise your brand. 

When a new user joins the referrals, the referrer gets a prize or reward, which can be anything from a small reward to a discount coupon. You offer value in exchange for helping you grow your consumer base. 

Clients obtained through referrals have a 16% lifetime value compared to traditional marketing methods. Referred users have also improved retention rates, showing a 37% growth, making referral marketing advantageous in the long run.

With WhatsApp Referrals, businesses can trace the source of client referrals through the WhatsApp channel. As a result, you may now learn more about the sources of your company’s most beneficial traffic. Businesses can effectively analyze and respond to referral data using the new parameters: referral.whatsappHeadline, referral.whatsappBody, referral.whatsappSourceType, referral.whatsappSourceId, and referral.whatsappSourceUrl. 

This will allow them to execute marketing strategies never seen before. Lastly, companies and groups may use this priceless information to boost their marketing plans, increase conversions, and convert devoted clients into brand ambassadors. You can take advantage of this capability and start using it right now with Getgabs by integrating it into your chatbot to assist clients via WhatsApp.

Top 7 Benefits of Referral Marketing via WhatsApp Business

Using WhatsApp business to get more referrals is an excellent way with great potential for customer investment. Now that we have established referral marketing as an effective strategy, let’s discuss its benefits. 

1. Enhance retention rates

Word-of-mouth and referral strategies display enhanced retention rates.

2. More value from new referrals

Referred customers provide value and give you a favorable opinion of your business. They are more interested in transforming into potential customers in the future. Referral marketing may result in a more excellent client lifetime value. Happy consumers referred by friends and family will likely stay and make more purchases. Finances Online reports that compared to non-referred consumers, recommended customers spend 13% more, have a better lifetime value rate, and are 18% more loyal. 

3. Utilize trust

Referral programs leverage social proof and trust to make themselves more honest, trustworthy, and appealing to clients. 

4. Increase awareness

Referral marketing is effective marketing to grow your business and target a large audience. 

5. Potential for viral marketing

Consumers referred to a brand are more interested in referring to other users, which can lead to exponential growth for the brand.

6. Cost-effective technique

Referral marketing is also one of the most cost-friendly approaches to it. Unlike traditional strategies, referral marketing does not require spending much money on campaigns or ads. All you need to do is have potential customers ready to spread the word. 

7. Brings more conversions

WhatsApp business for referral marketing brings more conversions to the company. When a friend or family member refers to a customer, they are interested in converting into a customer.

Strategies To Get Customers With Referral Marketing

Offering smooth customer service is essential for business growth today. The WhatsApp Business platform enables businesses to connect with clients throughout the marketing medium, from lead generation to post-sale follow-up. The platform can improve customer investment efforts and provide a versatile platform for companies looking to simplify the customer journey. 

To get more customer referrals via WhatsApp business, here are some strategies you can use:

1. click-to-WhatsApp ads

Organizations need help achieving clients even after clicking over a running marketing Ad because of insufficient details or unresolved queries. Offering users an opportunity to connect with Ads or attain the required details can grow customer confidence in the brand and enhance the return on ad spend. Click-to-WhatsApp Ads simplify deeper connections with Ads, resulting in increased conversion rates. 

2. Promotion

You are setting up a WhatsApp broadcast campaign to target your customers and prompting your referral rewards program. By sharing targeted messages with your current client base, you can reach and engage multiple users—customers who want to know what they will receive. When composing your message, involve essential details about the referral program, clearly mentioning the values and benefits of participating. It helps to enhance the understanding and interest of your buyers. 

3. QR codes

QR codes are a handy tool for businesses to instantly and directly communicate with their target audience on WhatsApp. By incorporating QR codes into various offline media, including product packaging, receipts, brochures, and newspapers, businesses can improve client engagement and expedite the shift from offline to online communication.

Customers may quickly initiate business communication by scanning QR codes instead of manually entering a lengthy WhatsApp number. Businesses should provide the WhatsApp number and the code to accommodate customers who might need to acquire QR codes.

After scanning the QR code, customers may instantly open a WhatsApp chat window with the business to ask questions, get help, and clear up misconceptions. This accessibility stage develops trust between the company and customers, as they have direct access and open source to communicate with the brand 24/7.

4. Create a Referral link

The most effective strategy to create a referral link is to disseminate it through a referral program. Each client who participates in the referral process gets a unique link with a social code that allows people to find your website. It also enables you to give credit to the one who shared the link if someone buys something. Referral links will allow you to monitor the success of the referrer. It provides insights into their performance, i.e., how many clients are getting referred and how many of their referrals convert into leads.

5. Automate 

With Getgabs, you can make your life easier. You can automate your tasks to have more time to concentrate on other essential tasks. This integration enables you to set up triggers that automatically start a message when some criteria are met. For instance, you can develop a trigger that shares a referral request with a client after they have completed a particular task, like buying something or signing up for the service. 

6. Sharing follow up

You can only want some customers to be included. However, you could grow interaction by following up with customers. We recommend sharing follow-up messages. Frequent quick alerts are enough to speed up their memory and prompt them to do an activity. Offering a time-sensitive discount can build a sense of urgency and motivate them to buy immediately. 

One fantastic technique for using follow-up messages is FOMO. This could be effective for them to take action, as it builds a sense of urgency and pushes them to act quickly to avoid missing out on the best deal. 

Look at the follow-up message examples which involve the fear of missing out on concept – 

Hey John! Refer three friends in the next two days, and you’ll be entered to win a chance to get 90% off your next order. Take advantage of this fantastic opportunity!

Hello, Remember to take advantage of our referral program prizes! Refer a friend immediately, and you’ll receive a special voucher for the membership. 

7. Scale up

Rather than utilizing the WhatsApp Business app, you can send automated messages to customers who have been referred, as well as updates and reminders to customers who have referred others, emphasizing the advantages of sharing their referral link. This can be done through an API connection to a customer communication platform like Getgabs.

When using the WhatsApp Business Platform/API, you must utilize pre-written and pre-approved WhatsApp message templates. Before the message is sent in a broadcast, Getgabs dynamically fills in the placeholders for variables in templates to match the details for each contact. Curly brackets and a number between them define variables and parameters.

Hi {{1}}! We appreciate you entrusting us with your purchases. You can receive a 5% discount on your next shopping trip by referring a friend. 

Hello Smith! Interested in our products? Distribute the word and get a discount coupon with each referral worth $60.

How to Use WhatsApp Business to Get More Referrals

Here are the ways to use WhatsApp Business to get more referrals:

1. Split the existing customers and subscribers

To ensure that your targeted customers are satisfied with your Whatsapp referral campaign, the first method you must use is splitting the existing audience and segmenting the audience and subscribers to target those who have purchased from you quickly. Clients who have bought from you and have a favorable opinion are the ones who require the referral marketing campaign to bring better results. 

2. Set up a broadcast to promote a referral program

Please set up a WhatsApp broadcast campaign to target your customers and promote your referral program to them. It involves precise details about the referral program, explicitly laying out its value and advantages. 

There are a few examples of WhatsApp broadcast message templates used to promote referral programs: 

“Hey! Thank you for purchasing with us and trusting us. Did you apply the 5% discount code you received on your last purchase by referring us to a friend?”

“Hey, Smith! We are glad to help you always. Win a chance to get free shipping on your electronic order. Just send a referral link to your friend, and get a 30% discount on your next shopping trip!”

“Hello! Liked our products? Share the word and get a discount coupon worth Rs.200 with every referral.”

To set up WhatsApp broadcasting without problems, you can use a WhatsApp business API service provider like Getgabs, which will help you extensively. 

3. Send a Reminder

Give a brief reminder or a limited-time discount if any customers are not acting or responding to the broadcast messaging. FOMO is a valuable tool that can often impact behavior when used appropriately. Here’s an illustration:

Greetings, {NAME}! In the next 48 hours, refer a friend to receive a 35% discount code instantly!

Employing a WhatsApp Business API solution provider like Getgabs is also best for building customized follow-up broadcasts. Thanks to the automated process, the follow-up is sent out on time.

4. Continue to update them

Any changes to the referral program that affect the client should be promptly communicated to them. Remember to leave clients in the loop when they successfully refer others. Notify them by message and let them know what they have received in return.

Gifts, store credits, discounts, or anything else of value to the customer could be used as an incentive. Reminding clients gently of the rewards they have received motivates them to take part in the program more. Check out these instances:

“Hi {NAME}! Your Referral Reward Coupon, valued at Rs. 200, has been won! Redeem at the register!

Salutations, {NAME}. With your most recent referral, you have accumulated 50 reward points! Use them toward your subsequent purchases!

5. Request feedback

Sometimes, I request feedback from clients who refer others and connect with a referral program. This will offer more profound and crucial insights for enhancing the referral campaign. 

“Hey Raman! I hope you are having a good day. We are always available to help you. Please let me know what you are looking for so we can guide you correctly. We would be glad if you share your perspective on our referral program.”

“Hello {NAME}! Refer a friend and acquire a 50% discount on the makeup products. What do you want to say about our referral program? Give your thoughts.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Is WhatsApp used for sending promotional messages?

A. Since September 2021, WhatsApp has enabled businesses to share promotional messages. Organizations can share discount vouchers, product launch updates, alerts, and promotional offers on WhatsApp with multiple customers with the WhatsApp business API. 

Q2. What do you mean by referral marketing?

A. Referral marketing via WhatsApp is where you motivate your clients to refer your brand to new people. 

Q3. How does referral marketing create trust for customers?

A. Referral programs leverage social proof and trust, making them more honest, trustworthy, and appealing to clients. 

Q4. How can we use referral marketing through WhatsApp Business?

A. The first method you need to use for the Whatsapp referral campaign is splitting the existing audience. Segmenting the audience and subscribers lets you quickly identify those who purchased from you. 

Q5. Can we send WhatsApp broadcast messages in referral marketing?

A. You can set up a WhatsApp broadcast campaign to target your customers and prompt your referral rewards program. 

Conclusion

Using referral marketing via WhatsApp business with people knowing about it will put little effort into your business. Customers need the motive to start the action. It would help if you actively promote your referral marketing campaign to rapidly grow your business and target a wider audience. And a simple or effective solution to do this, where Getgabs can help you with it. Referral marketing is the solution that leads to more conversions and higher lifetime value for clients. So go ahead and start referring to your business!