Section 2.08 How to use WhatsApp on a PC

What is WhatsApp?

WhatsApp is a popular messaging App that many use on their smartphones or tablets. But did you know you can also use it on a PC? Here’s how.

With more than one billion users, WhatsApp Messenger is the most popular messaging application in the world. It lets you send messages over an internet connection rather than using your text allowance, saving you money on your phone bill. But you can also use it on your PC.

Android

1. Open whatsapp.com on your computer 
2. Open the WhatsApp app on your phone 
3. Open the Chats screen and select Menu (3 dots icon) at the top right-hand side (unless it is moved elsewhere!) and select the WhatsApp Web
4. There will be a QR code upload up or immediately on display (looks like a scrambled black and white square barcode) on the computer screen (. 

5. Using your mobile phone select a QR scanner app on your mobile screen and scan the QR code on the computer screen. (if you do not have a QR scanner app on your mobile phone, please download one) 

6. WhatsApp will then open on your computer screen, and you’ll be able to see it is similar to your mobile phone screen. Showing your messages from your mobile phone, those you sent messages to would also appear on your computer screen. 
7. When you’ve finished your session, remember to log out. Click on the three-dot menu above the chats list on the right-hand side of the screen
8. Click on Logout at the bottom of the list   

WhatsApp can be an excellent platform for businesses to communicate with their prospective customers and with existing customers. It allows you to send text messages to other users one-on-one or in groups. Notably, WhatsApp chats operate over the Internet for free to users. 

WhatsApp Business App

WhatsApp launched a Business App which was built with business owners in mind. With the help of the WhatsApp Business App, businesses can interact with customers to sort, automate, and quickly respond to messages. Using Business WhatsApp, you can create a profile, automate messages and promote offers. 

1. Organise And Label Your Contacts

You are able to organise and label your contacts such that it’s easy to segment your audience and communicate with them easily. For example, you can label and segment your audience as ‘prospects’, ‘existing customers’, ’pending subscription’, etc. to help distinguish your audience and send messages to each of the labels accordingly.

2. Create Automated Messages & Greetings

WhatsApp allows you to use automated messages or automated greetings to answer your audience when you are away or unable to answer. Automated messages can be something that says you are away right now and will be getting back to them by a specified time. Similarly, automated greetings can automatically greet your audience or introduce your business when they message you for the first time.

3. Use Quick Replies

You can set specific messages that you often use as ‘quick replies’ and quickly use them whenever you need to while communicating with your audience. You can set your brand messages, product/service offers, introductions, etc. as ‘quick messages’ and use them with your customers.

4. Create A Business Profile

WhatsApp allows you to create a verified business profile through which you can display important information regarding your business like the business description and category, website address, physical address, opening times, etc.

Ways To Utilise WhatsApp for Your Business Updates

You can use WhatsApp to send updates to your audience. If your business is product-based, you can send updates regarding new product releases or upgrades, or if you are a restaurant or a cake shop, you can update your audience on new items or if you are a blogger or vlogger or a YouTuber, you can update your audience regarding new content. You can use Broadcast lists to send messages to multiple contacts at once. However, a broadcast list is limited to 256 contacts.

Provide Customer Service

A great way to use WhatsApp for your business is by providing customer service. Businesses are already using messenger platforms like Facebook Messenger to provide customer service. While WhatsApp is not as advanced as the Facebook Messenger bot, it is still an excellent platform for your customers to place orders, make enquiries, etc.  

Create and Promote Offers

You can create and promote offers, freebies, discounts, etc. on WhatsApp. Make sure that they are relevant and valuable to your audience. Let your customers know when you seek the contacts you wish to send them seasonal offers and discounts. Of course, do it sparingly. You can use broadcast lists for this.

Make Use of Stories

WhatsApp stories are really an excellent way for businesses to communicate with their customers regarding almost anything. You can introduce new products, promote offers, promote your events, give sneak peeks, show inside pictures of your workplace or restaurant, and so on.

Create Groups & Form Communities

You can create groups on WhatsApp and build communities around your brand. By using groups, you can interact with your audience effectively, and they too can interact among themselves. Groups can be highly effective.

Using groups, businesses can discuss their events, seek feedback from their audience, make use of user-generated content and interact with the members on various things. 

Creating a Business account 

Initially, you may use your personal account for everything including when starting a business. Eventually, you would need to set up a separate business account on WhatsApp. 

If you already have a WhatsApp Messenger account, you can quickly switch to a WhatsApp Business account. This includes your chat history and media. If you discontinue using the WhatsApp Business app, your communication history cannot be transferred back to WhatsApp Messenger.

The WhatsApp Business app and WhatsApp Messenger can both be used at the same time as long as the accounts are connected to distinct phone numbers. One phone number cannot be simultaneously linked to two different apps.

To set up the WhatsApp Business app:

• Download the WhatsApp Business app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
• Verify your business phone number.
• Restore your account from a backup if you wish.
• Set up a business name.
• Build your profile. 
• Explore the business features.
• Start communicating. 

Other companies provide a similar service to WhatsApp, explore other text messaging services depending on where you are and your preference, 

• Vibre
• Telegram
• Skype
• Messenger 
• Line 
• WeChat

Apps for business services

Certain Apps are better suited for business. Here are some SMS apps for small businesses,

• Salesmsg for small, local businesses using SMS
• SimpleTexting for easy-to-run SMS marketing campaigns
• Sakari for outgoing SMS marketing
• SlickText for collecting phone numbers and advanced marketing
• EZ Texting for non-technical people who want some guidance on SMS marketing
• TextMagic for getting started quickly with an SMS service
• Twilio for customising your SMS marketing

Summary

• WhatsApp is one of the most famous social media text messaging services. 
• Organise your personal contact 
• Create a business account if you feel the need. 
• Use a separate account text app to promote your business. 

ACTIVITY 2.08

If you do have one, otherwise you may want to create a WhatsApp account on your phone and also explore the business function.

Do you need a business account? 

1. Now, if so, create it. 
2. Or for the future, put it in your to-do list in your diary 6-12 months from now to act upon.

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