WhatsApp Catalog API (WhatsApp Business API Catalog For E-commerce)

WhatsApp Catalog API for E-commerce is built on the multiple touchpoints and customer purchasing journey from pre-sales to buying to customer care. Every step the customer makes the purchase presents the make-or-break opportunity to develop a customer relationship and brings the leads and the risk of losing the customer’s interest. 

The companies and businesses using the WhatsApp Catalog API can showcase and sell products and the list of services. Customers can have the list of choices they want to purchase, browse the items and add the items to the wishlist without ending the conversation, powered by the WhatsApp catalog API for e-commerce feature. 

The conversational way to reduce the abandonment of cart items grows the conversation and shopper engagement. 

• The customer queries the product's availability or details through messaging.
• The company forwards its product catalog
• The customer selects the product catalog and reviews the product information.
• The customer chooses the required products, and the company confirms the order.

WhatsApp Business API catalogs for E-commerce businesses now have two methods to show and share their products when conversing with customers.

• Multi-Product Messages: messages that feature up to 30 different products from a company's catalog.
• Messages with a single product item from the company's inventory are known as single product messages. A Product Detail Page (PDP) format is used to display the product.

WhatsApp Business API For E-commerce

WhatsApp Business API catalog is one of the ways to showcase your products and services to the customers at the time of conversation. Whenever a customer tries to send you a message and communicate over the WhatsApp platform, they can see your catalog list of products.

WhatsApp Business API catalog for E-commerce businesses is at the top of instant messaging applications which still requires to reach the top spot in countries such as the United States, Russia, Indonesia, the United Kingdom, Spain, and other countries where E-commerce businesses are very popular. In these countries, a messenger-based business is a top-notch choice for the people. 

Although if you are looking to create a large-scale international product, the WhatsApp Catalog API is the top choice for you. Nowadays WhatsApp for business comes up intending to enable small and big businesses to grow their business and scope to consumers and users everywhere. 

WhatsApp Catalog API for E-commerce was introduced and designed by the WhatsApp Business API to empower businesses to answer customer queries and render them with the extra required information as per their request. 

WhatsApp Business API is an application program interface to set up a frame where customers and other businesses can communicate with each other regarding their requirements. 

Integrating WhatsApp Business API catalog endpoints with various technologies makes it faster and easier for the E-commerce business to reach the audiences securely. WhatsApp Catalog API for E-commerce applications helps online stores to send programmatic notifications and messages to users. 

How To Get The WhatsApp Business API

WhatsApp Catalog API works with every online store WhatsApp account to showcase their service to the users. This feature is very beneficial for businesses if the customer does not wish to visit the website or store. Communicating over WhatsApp and viewing the products listed in the catalog section makes them interested to visit your online store. 

To get started with your work with all possible opportunities of the WhatsApp Catalog API and take the benefits of its services, the business owner first needs to set up their business account and verify it. This process can be done with any WhatsApp partner like GetItSMS can help you with it. 

Let’s move to see the compiled insight of all the necessary information that helps you to obtain the WhatsApp Catalog API in simple steps:

• The business first needs to register its account with the Facebook manager and if you don’t have that one you can create the account by linking the business account. 
• The next step is to verify the WhatsApp business account with the help of WhatsApp partner GetItSMS by submitting the documents.
• After successfully submitting the documents and verifying WhatsApp business API, deploy a verified WhatsApp chatbot template. 
• Once you have done these steps, you will be able to get the WhatsApp Business API for e-commerce.

Why Implement WhatsApp Business API For E-commerce

To implement the WhatsApp API for E-commerce and WhatsApp Catalog API for E-commerce, before we get to the several applications of WhatsApp Business and WhatsApp business API for the online stores, there are the reasons why we need to implement the WhatsApp Business API for e-commerce.

Why is the WhatsApp Catalog API for the E-commerce business a preferred choice?

Why is WhatsApp recommended over a Website chatbot?

How to integrate the WhatsApp Catalog API?

Being available every time with the desktop to view the products and communicate with the customer support and machine bot might be handy. Compared to that WhatsApp business API is more reliable than a website chatbot. This is quite an issue and mobile commerce is top of the e-commerce ladder which is unstoppable. 

This is the reason why messaging applications come into the picture. 

The WhatsApp Business API catalog revolutionized the E-commerce industry by making conversing with their customers more convenient, easy to use, and inheriting user needs. 

WhatsApp Business API catalog is incredibly active, sending over 70 billion messages regularly to the users to grow sales and bring customers to their store. As per the research, the users spent their time on applications over 20 hours per month on. 

Integrating the WhatsApp business API catalog made the customers feel comfortable and won their trust which also reduced the significant costs of creating bespoke options. Apart from that WhatsApp business API catalog allows business users to focus on What matters in the terms of customer experience quality, and interactions handling customer inquiries. 

Having The Most Convenient Software: WhatsApp Business API Catalog

Every piece of software plays an important role in a game of chess. But the right combination of playing chess, with strategy and timing can help to dominate the mind to the chessboard. Apart from this WhatsApp business API catalog makes the grandmaster of all other ways to reach the audience and enhance sales. 

WhatsApp business API catalog for e-commerce is a whole package for the owner of the online store. This application comes with many facilities which let you make strategies and win over prospects timely. Here are the features of WhatsApp business API which can e-commerce businesses take advantage of:

• WhatsApp chatbot feature
• Third-party software integration
• Catalog feature
• Automated reports to track the key performance indicators
• Centralized dashboard with user-access

Although, WhatsApp marketing makes you a pro in the market which can lead to more clients and the business. 

Through the WhatsApp Catalog API, your annual sales significantly impact your brand's development, customers' awareness of your goods and services, and your bottom line. Consequently, accelerating sales is necessary if you want to overtake your rivals.

Effective marketing, strategic planning, timely prospecting, and data collection all work together to speed up sales. Therefore, purchasing software that will speed up the process and help internal teams is necessary to optimize the process.

In this article, the necessity for software to speed up sales is discussed, and how WhatsApp Business API Catalog might be the best option.

WhatsApp Business API Catalog Feature

The WhatsApp Business API catalog feature allows E-commerce businesses to showcase their products, provide recommendations and let the customers buy while communicating with the seller. 

Add your catalog to WhatsApp; it does not require WhatsApp approval, as other WhatsApp message templates require. 

The WhatsApp Catalog API provides users with these two options:

1. Single product messages
2. Multi-product messages

There are four different ways that your customer can respond to both messages. Users can select to examine products and product information, share the product with another user, add desired products to their basket, and send the cart to the company to move on to the following phase, such as order processing and invoicing.

If your consumer decides to utilize other devices, they can still access the discussion as long as they are using the same Whatsapp account. The carts, however, are not updated on every device.

What Is The Use Of Product Messages

If the messages are sent at the right instance using the WhatsApp Catalog API, product messages are very effective. Two types of product messages have different goals for the customers. So, as per the situation these two product messages can be used.

Imp: Only active conversations can send product messages. They cannot start conversations or serve as notifications.

• Single Product Message

  When a buyer wants to view the specifics of a certain product, single-product messages are successful. In other words, you can respond to a specific consumer request with a single product message.

  Also, you may utilize it to offer a suggestion or an answer to a client's request. Also, if a consumer so chooses, it allows for the purchase of a single item again.

  

• Multi-Product Messages

  Whenever a customer ever wishes to view the shopping list, you can use a multi-product message as a response. For conversational shopping Multi-product messages are the best choice. This message can also be used to mark a certain product’s category.

  For instance, a consumer shopping for fresh fruits could receive a message with multiple products. The product message may include any fresh fruit that is currently in stock.

  Multi-product messages can also be used to create customized product recommendation lists based on consumer information. Multi-product messages might also help you stimulate repeat purchases. Your client can quickly place their typical order again!

Benefits Of WhatsApp Catalog API Feature

If you are going to use the WhatsApp Catalog API feature for your brand you should be aware of the customer's expectations and requirements which will help you to achieve the goals. 

We are going to discuss the features and benefits which is accessible to you at the time of using WhatsApp Catalog API for e-commerce:

Quick and easy conversations

The WhatsApp Business API catalog feature enables you to rapidly present pertinent product information using the catalog feature. This helps your consumer have effective, quick, and simple conversations. They are no longer obligated to request the bare minimum. The catalog will include all pertinent and important details about various products.

A unique platform for all requirements

WhatsApp Business API catalog feature gives access to the online store to list their products on the WhatsApp platform and customers can view the products. Even customers can add the items to the cart, share the product details with other WhatsApp users, and finish the purchase of an item on WhatsApp. 

Customization

WhatsApp Business API catalog for E-commerce businesses can customize the list of their products on catalogs as it gives space for personalization. The list of recommended products is listed on the customer preference and requirements.

Integrate with live agent conversations

Both live customer service employees and AI bots can use your catalog to help consumers. Catalogs make it easier to provide information in a legible, concise, and organized way.

Automatic updates

When data is injected into the system, the WhatsApp business API catalog feature instantly updates. It will always display real-time data on stock availability, product price, new product information, and so on.

Benefits Of WhatsApp Business API Catalog Messages

• Customers no longer need to provide a Link when asking a straightforward question like, "Do you sell product X?" WhatsApp Catalog API product Messages help businesses to showcase their items.
• The only way to manage the customer’s interest is in one channel. The less likely it is to convert, the more dispersed the buyer journey is across numerous channels.
• The material is dynamically filled so that it can be tailored to the user or circumstance. You could, for instance, display a Multi-Product Message of a customer's most popular items.
• There is no need for message templates for product catalog messages.
• Interactive messages don't need pre-approvals or templates. They are created in real-time and constantly reflect the most recent item information, pricing, and stock levels in your inventory.
• To automate customer guidance, combine the Product Catalog with NLP, text search, list messages, and reply buttons.

Steps To Use The WhatsApp Business API Catalog For E-commerce

To interact with the customers effortlessly without making them visit the website, through WhatsApp business API they can add products to their cart and make purchases. To use the WhatsApp Business API catalog for E-commerce use cases, go through the following steps:

• Step 1: first you need to upload the product category to Facebook, and to do the same, use the Facebook commerce manager.
• Step 2: After that, you can go to connect the catalog to a WhatsApp business account.
• Step 3: send the messages to customers using single and multi products messages.
• Step 4: By doing this you will be able to receive the orders and questions from customers.

Step #1 - Upload inventory to Facebook

Facebook requires catalog-style uploads of a company's merchandise.

The information about the products you wish to market or sell on Facebook, Instagram, and now WhatsApp Business is contained in a catalog. You can create catalogs for various types of inventory, including goods (for e-commerce), lodgings, travel itineraries, holiday spots, real estate listings, and vehicles.

Remember that per WhatsApp business profile, there is only one catalog allowed. And E-commerce businesses can send their customers the related messages of the items using single and multi-product messages. For the different prices depending on the region, businesses need to upload separate items with separate prices. 

If your company hasn't yet created a catalog:

First, use the Commerce Manager to construct your catalog.

One catalog can be uploaded per WhatsApp Business Account (WABA), although it can be associated with several phone lines.

Uses for a catalog include:

• Upload things one by one or in bulk to add and manage information about your items, such as names, photos, descriptions, prices, variants, and more.
• Build sets or collections, which are smaller groups of the items in your catalog that you want to highlight for customers in adverts or stores.
• Assign permissions so that collaborators or outside companies can edit your catalog.
• So that clients automatically see the correct item information and prices for their country or region, and upload country and language information.

Step #2 - Link the product catalog with the WhatsApp Business API profile

It's time to link your Product Catalog to your WhatsApp Business Profile now that you have one set up.

You can allow the BSP (also known as GetItSMS) to handle your catalog if your company currently has one and administers it on Facebook.

First, use your Facebook Business Manager to access the catalog. then select Catalogs under Data Sources. For the next step, choose your catalog.

In the next step, you have to select the assign partners option and assign them by business id.

In the following form enter the partner business ID and choose the option to manage the WhatsApp Catalog API for e-commerce and that’s all, you are all done.

If you signed up for WhatsApp using an embedded signup, you can use the WhatsApp Manager to connect your WhatsApp Business Profile and Catalog.

As follows:

Once you connect the catalog to the WhatsApp profile, it will show like this.

Step #3 - Share products with customers

The WhatsApp Catalog API for E-commerce businesses has two ways to send product messages to customers when they communicate with the users. Through multi-product and single-product messages online stores communicate with the customers.

• Send single product messages

  To send the single product message, it contains a single item from the business’s inventory. Where the product is shown to the client in pdf format.

  

  Single-product communications, which provide quick answers from a constrained list of possibilities and highlight one particular product or service to a consumer, work best when they:

  • In response to the question “are there pink jackets available in stock? "
  • offering a product recommendation ("My baby niece was born, and I'm not sure what present would be acceptable")
  • Putting in a new order for something ("I'd like to have the chili burger I had last week").

• Send multi-product messages

  Sending multi-product messages which contain the 30 items selected from the E-commerce business’s inventory.

  When your clients desire to browse a variety of goods or services, you can use multi-product messages:

  • directing a consumer ("Hello, can you email me the pizza menu?") to a particular category
  • talking while shopping (When a customer tells you what they want to order, and you send them back a tailored multi-product message).
  • going to a specific category, like athletic wear.
  • Offers or suggestions that are specific to you.
  • arranging already placed objects again. An individual can, for instance, reorder their typical takeaway order of up to 30 items.

• Missing items

  An error message is sent if none of the products listed in the aforementioned API requests corresponds to a product from the company's Facebook catalog. The user has not received the Multi or Single Product Message.

  For Multi-Product Messages, at least one product in the list must correspond to a product in the company's Facebook Catalog. In this instance

  Successful messages are sent, unmatched items are dropped, and a request for a catalog update is received by the business.

• Step #4 - Get replies from the customers

  The users who use the WhatsApp Business API catalog service get the product messages which can perform four different actions when clicking on “start shopping”. 

• View products

  Consumers don't need to leave WhatsApp to examine products. When consumers click on an item, a Product Detail Page with the most recent information about the item is presented (PDP). Videos and GIFs are not supported on these sites as they only accept product pictures (yet).

• Add items to the shopping cart

  Your customer can add a product or service to their trolley after they like what they see. Since the cart has no expiration date, they are free to keep adding items to it whenever they want, up until the time they are ready to make a purchase.

• Send shopping cart items to the business

  When a consumer has finished shopping, it's time to deliver the cart to your establishment. They are no longer able to modify after this. It's now up to you to choose what to do next, such as asking for further details or telling them of their payment alternatives.

• Share the product with other users

  By posting the product message on WhatsApp, customers can refer their friends to your goods or services.

Ask For The Details

Customers can enquire further about a certain product whenever they receive a Multi or Single Product Message. There are two methods for customers to request information:

Text message: After obtaining a product, the consumer in this instance texts for more details.

After selecting "Message Business," In this instance, the consumer selects the "Message Business" button on the Product Detail Page (PDP) of a product.

The company receives a webhook notification for an inbound message once the customer submits an inquiry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q, Can WhatsApp business be used for e-commerce business?

A. WhatsApp Business API for E-commerce is built on the multiple touchpoints and customer purchasing journey from pre-sales to buying to customer care. Every step the customer makes the purchase presents the make-or-break opportunity to develop a customer relationship and brings the leads and the risk of losing the customer’s interest.

Q. What is WhatsApp Business API for e-commerce?

A. WhatsApp Business API catalog is one of the ways to showcase your products and services to the customers at the time of conversation.

Q. How can we send product messages to customers?

A. Two types of product messages have different goals for the customers. So, as per the situation these two product messages can be used. The product messages are single and multi-product messages.

Q. How do single product messages work in an E-commerce business?

A. When a buyer wants to view the specifics of a certain product, single-product messages are successful. In other words, you can respond to a specific consumer request with a single product message.

Q. How can we get the WhatsApp Business API for e-commerce?

A. To get started with your work with all possible opportunities of WhatsApp business API and take the benefits of its services, the business owner first needs to set up their business account and verify it. This process can be done with any WhatsApp partner like GetItSMS can help you with it.

Sum Up

These are the WhatsApp business API catalog for eCommerce use cases that can completely alter and customize how you interact with your customer base.

There are undoubtedly a lot more uses for the API integrations we haven't yet covered. That speaks volumes about the numerous opportunities WhatsApp has created, particularly in the area of eCommerce.

Customer experience must be your first concern if market differentiation is important to you. A fantastic framework for conversational commerce is offered by the WhatsApp Catalog API, which will impress your customers.

Starting with the creation and management of message templates, technical installation, and access signup, GetItSMS assists you in getting started and takes care of the entire process for you. We offer a straightforward and reliable REST API that makes it as simple as possible to access the WhatsApp Business API.