For many small businesses in Ghana, WhatsApp is the shop counter. Customers ask prices, send photos of what they want, confirm MoMo payments and arrange delivery in chat. Yet many owners still use a personal WhatsApp account, reply late and repeat the same answers all day. Setting up and running WhatsApp Business properly is one of the most practical paid services a beginner marketer can offer, and the app itself is free.
The WhatsApp Business app
WhatsApp Business is a separate free app made for small businesses. A phone number can only be registered on one WhatsApp account at a time, so many owners move the shop's number over to the business app or use a second SIM. The main tools are:
- Business profile. Name, short description, category, address, opening hours and email or website. A complete profile looks trustworthy.
- Catalogue. A list of products or services with photos, prices and descriptions that customers can browse inside the chat.
- Quick replies. Saved answers to common questions, sent with a short shortcut. For example, a saved message with prices, delivery areas and how to pay.
- Greeting and away messages. Automatic replies when someone messages for the first time or outside opening hours, so nobody feels ignored.
- Labels. Tags for chats, such as "new order", "paid" and "delivered", so you can track orders without a notebook.