As we all know the new feature that WhatsApp has rolled out for businesses: WhatsApp Channel has been getting so famous.
This feature can help you reach more customers and grow your audience on WhatsApp.
And in this article, I will be telling you what WhatsApp Channel is, how to find it on the WhatsApp Business app, how to create and manage your own channel, and why you should use it for your business. So let’s proceed.
What is WhatsApp Channel?
WhatsApp Channel is a one-way broadcasting tool that allows businesses to share updates and connect with their followers directly through WhatsApp.
Businesses can create a channel on WhatsApp and post updates, links, photos, or important information that their followers can see on the Updates tab (formerly known as the Status tab) on WhatsApp.
Followers can only react or show their interest by interacting with the updates in the form of emojis, reactions, or voting in a poll. They cannot reply or share media on any WhatsApp Channel.
WhatsApp Channel is different from WhatsApp Business API, which is a two-way communication tool that allows businesses to send and receive messages from their customers.
It is also different from WhatsApp Groups, which are multi-user chat rooms that allow up to 256 participants to communicate with each other.
How to find WhatsApp Channel on the WhatsApp Business app?
If you are using the WhatsApp Business app, you can find WhatsApp Channel in two ways: by tapping the Channels icon or by scanning a QR code.
1. Tapping the Channels icon: You can tap the Channels icon on the bottom right corner of the app to access the Channels page.
Here, you can see a list of channels that are automatically curated for you based on your country code and language preference. You can change the country code, category, and filter to explore more channels.
You can also see a list of recommended channels at the bottom of the Updates tab on WhatsApp. These recommended channels are based on being active and popular.
2. Scanning a QR code: You can also scan a QR code that contains a link to a channel. You just need to open the QR scanner from the app menu and point your camera at the QR code. You will then see a preview of the channel and you can choose to follow it or not.
How to create and manage your own WhatsApp Channel?
To create your own WhatsApp Channel for your business, you need a WhatsApp account and the latest version of WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business app.
You also need to turn on two-step verification for the WhatsApp account creating your channel and on the accounts of any admins. Here are the steps to create a channel on Android:
- Open WhatsApp on your phone.
- Navigate to the Updates tab in the app.
- Tap on the + icon and then on the New channel.
- Next, tap on Get started and follow the onscreen prompts.
- Add a Channel Name. You can choose to change the name again at any time.
- To customize your channel, you can add a description to help your followers understand your channel’s potential. You can also add an icon from your phone or the web to stand out.
- Tap on Create channel, and you’re done!
You can find and share a link to your channel from the channel info page. To get to your channel info page:
- Open Channels by tapping the Channels icon.
- Tap your channel, and then your channel name.
- Tap Copy link.
You can also access Channels through the WhatsApp Web by clicking the Channels icon and following similar steps.
To manage your channel, you can post updates, edit or delete them, add or remove admins, and view analytics.
To post an update, you just need to tap on the + icon on the Updates tab and select your channel.
You can then type your message, add media or links, and tap Send. You can also use polls to get feedback from your followers.
To edit or delete an update, you just need to tap and hold on it and select the option you want. To add or remove admins, you need to go to your channel info page and tap on Manage admins.
Also you can then search for contacts or scan QR codes to add or remove admins. To view analytics, you need to go to your channel info page and tap on View analytics. You can then see metrics such as views, reactions, clicks, and polls.
Why use WhatsApp Channel for your business?
WhatsApp Channel is a new way to connect with your customers and grow your audience on WhatsApp.
Here are some benefits of using WhatsApp Channel for your business:
- You can reach more customers who use WhatsApp regularly and prefer receiving updates from businesses on this platform.
- You can share relevant and timely information with your customers, such as new products, offers, events, tips, or news.
- You can increase customer engagement and loyalty by allowing them to react to your updates and show their interest.
- You can measure your channel performance by tracking metrics such as views, reactions, clicks, and polls.
Conclusion
WhatsApp Channel is a feature that is still in its early stages and not available to everyone yet.
However, it has great potential for businesses to leverage WhatsApp as a marketing and communication tool.
If you want to try out this feature, you can join the waitlist to be notified when WhatsApp Channel is available to you.