How to switch to a WhatsApp Business account: 8-step guide

This comprehensive guide is for CRM and marketing managers, CMOs and founders wanting to convert a personal WhatsApp account to a WhatsApp Business account. We tell you what you need, how to do it and how we can help.

If you're a European business, it's likely you're seeing the power of WhatsApp marketing for boosting revenue, reach and customer loyalty. 

WhatsApp Business, launched in 2018, makes it easy for brands to talk with customers, automate WhatsApp flows, see analytics and much, much more – in the world's most popular chat app (now with nearly 3 billion users).

If you have a WhatsApp private account already, you may now want to upgrade to WhatsApp Business for more functionality:

Small business with less than 256 contacts? Read on to find out how to switch to WhatsApp Business with the free app.

Medium to large business? Your phone and the app will not be enough. You'll need to use the WhatsApp Business Platform (API) through a software interface and Meta partner like charles. The functionality is far richer, with more capabilities for interactivity, automation, media, analytics and more. Plus you get support from your software partner (this is key to our offering, as is an ROI focus and helping you stay GDPR compliant). And it's highly scalable, with unlimited users and recipients. Find out about our WhatsApp marketing platform.

 How to switch from a private WhatsApp account to a WhatsApp Business account

First, some requirements. Before you create a WhatsApp Business Account, to maintain the quality of WhatsApp, you need to meet some eligibility criteria and technical requirements:

Eligibility criteria for a WhatsApp Business account

To qualify for a WhatsApp Business account, you need to meet the following criteria:

Your business should be a legal entity

You should have the authority to represent your business

Your business should have an active phone number

Technical requirements for a WhatsApp Business account

To set up a WhatsApp Business account, you need the following technical requirements:

A smartphone (Android or iPhone) with an active SIM card

An internet connection (preferably high-speed)

Sufficient storage space on your phone

The latest version of WhatsApp installed

8-step guide to switching to a WhatsApp Business account

Follow these steps to successfully switch from a personal WhatsApp account to a WhatsApp Business account:

2. Download and install the WhatsApp Business app

Visit the Google Play Store or Apple App Store and download the WhatsApp Business app. Once downloaded, open the app to begin the setup process.

3. Verify your phone number

During setup, WhatsApp Business will ask you to verify your phone number. Enter the phone number used for your personal WhatsApp account, and WhatsApp will send a verification code via SMS or call. Enter the code to proceed.

4. Restore your personal chat backup

After verifying your phone number, WhatsApp Business will prompt you to restore your chat history from the backup created in Step 1. Select the backup file and follow the instructions to restore your personal chats and data.

5. Set up your business profile

Once the chat backup is restored, you'll be prompted to set up your business profile. Enter your business name, upload a profile picture, and provide a brief description of your business. This information will be visible to your customers in your WhatsApp Business Account.

6. Customize your business account

In the "Settings" tab of WhatsApp Business, customize your business account settings. Add your business hours, location, email address, and other relevant details that showcase your brand identity and make it easier for customers to reach you.

7. Enable business features

Explore the business features available in WhatsApp Business, such as automated messages, quick replies, labels, and statistics. Enable these features to enhance customer interactions, automated responses, and efficiently manage your chats.

8. Inform your contacts about the switch

Once your WhatsApp Business Account is set up, inform your personal contacts about the switch to your new business account. Send a broadcast message to your personal contacts, notifying them of the change and providing your new business account details.

Congratulations! You've successfully switched from a personal WhatsApp account to a WhatsApp Business Account. Begin using the powerful features of WhatsApp Business to engage with customers, provide support, and grow your business.

Remember to comply with WhatsApp's terms of service and guidelines for using WhatsApp Business for commercial purposes.

Switching to the WhatsApp Business API with charles

For larger businesses seeking advanced capabilities beyond the WhatsApp Business app, the WhatsApp Business API is an essential solution – offering far more possibilities and revenue opportunities than the app.

By partnering with charles, a trusted WhatsApp Business Solution Provider, businesses can leverage a wide range of features such as campaigns, eCommerce, support tools, integrations, opt-in generation, and automation. This collaboration empowers businesses to streamline marketing efforts, drive sales, enhance customer support, and automated processes, resulting in an improved customer experience.

Choosing to use the WhatsApp Business API and teaming up with charles provides businesses with a comprehensive suite of tools and expertise. Charles simplifies the creation and management of WhatsApp campaigns, facilitates seamless integration with other systems, and automates customer journeys.

With charles, businesses can reduce customer acquisition costs, increase customer lifetime value, and build strong customer relationships through effective multichannel marketing strategies.

In summary, the combination of the WhatsApp Business API and charles as a solution provider equips businesses with the necessary resources to optimize their WhatsApp marketing efforts. With advanced features and support from charles, businesses can excel in their digital marketing strategies, driving growth and success in the ever-evolving world of customer engagement.

Tips and tricks

To optimize the use of your WhatsApp Business account and enhance customer engagement, consider implementing the following tips:

Maintain brand consistency by customizing your WhatsApp Business account with your logo, brand colors, and consistent tone of voice.

Use WhatsApp Business tools such as campaigns, eCommerce features, support options, integrations, opt-in generations (chat-ins), and automation (journeys) to maximize your marketing efforts and customer interactions.

Provide timely and personalized responses to customer inquiries. Use quick replies to address common queries efficiently. See WhatsApp service integrations.

Leverage WhatsApp for order updates to keep customers informed about their order status and enhance the post-purchase experience.

Offer exclusive deals and promotions via WhatsApp to engage customers. Use WhatsApp campaigns to target specific customer segments and drive conversions.

To sum up: large businesses need the WhatsApp API

Switching to a WhatsApp Business account enables consumer brands to improve customer engagement and service. By following the step-by-step guide provided in this article, you can create a WhatsApp Business account with the free app, optimize its use, and enjoy the benefits it offers.

However if you're a medium to large brand with over 256 contacts, you'll need to use the WhatsApp Business Platform (API) through partnering with a software company and Meta Partner like charles. You can talk to us about how this works any time.

Customize your account, integrate relevant tools, and leverage WhatsApp's powerful features to build stronger relationships with your customers and drive business growth.