For businesses and organizations to engage with their target audience, effective communication is now critical. WhatsApp developed Channels to allow companies and communities to reach out to more people at once in order to diversify the means of communicating with users. You may now easily offer captivating information to a large audience, such as text, photographs, videos, stickers, and polls.
What is a WhatsApp Channel?
WhatsApp Channel, also known as WhatsApp Broadcast Channel, is a new tool that was introduced in June 2023 and allows admins to distribute texts, photographs, videos, stickers, and polls. It is a one-way broadcast medium that functions similarly to an announcement board for your intended demographic.
It is accessible via WhatsApp’s dedicated “Updates” tab, alongside the “Status” feature. WhatsApp is also developing a searchable directory to help users identify channels connected to their hobbies, sports teams, and local government updates.
Why use a WhatsApp Channel for your business?
A WhatsApp Channel allows businesses to communicate with a large number of clients at once. If you have a WhatsApp account, you should be able to enjoy the following benefits by using WhatsApp Channels:
Broadcast critical information to a broad audience at the same time.
Reach a large number of people and urge them to interact with your brand.
Allow for one-way communication for effective information sharing.
Share many forms of content such as text, photographs, videos, stickers, and polls.
Choose between public and private channel access.
Manage channel membership to deliver tailored content.
Through searchability, you may increase your visibility and attract relevant subscribers.
Utilise analytics and insights to track channel performance.
How to create a WhatsApp Channel on Android devices?
On your Android device, open your WhatsApp (Business) App, and go to the Updates tab.
Tap the “plus” icon, and select New channel.
Click Continue to continue through the onscreen prompts.
Add a channel name to finish setting up your channel. You can change the name at any time.
Customize your channel: You can start to customize your channel right away by adding a description and icon to it.
The description should be a few words to help your followers understand what your channel is about, and what type of content they can expect.
Your icon can be an emoji, a sticker, or an image. You can either upload an image or take one as you’re setting up your channel.
Once you’re finished, click Create channel, and you’re done!
You can also read the guide from WhatsApp’s official website on how to create a WhatsApp channel for Android devices
How to create a WhatsApp Channel on iOS devices?
Open WhatsApp on your phone, and go to the Updates tab.
Tap on the “plus” icon, and select Create Channel.
Tap Get Started, and continue through the onscreen prompts.
Add a channel name to finish setting up your channel. You can change the name at any time.
Customize your channel: You can start to customize your channel right away by adding a description and icon to it.
The description should be a few words to help your followers understand what your channel is about, and what type of content they can expect.
Your icon can be an emoji, a sticker, or an image. You can either upload an image or take one as you’re setting up your channel.
You can also read the guide from WhatsApp’s official website on how to create a WhatsApp channel for iOS devices
Important things to note before using a WhatsApp Channel?
At the time, WhatsApp Channel was only available in Singapore and Columbia.
Administrators’ and followers’ WhatsApp Channel profiles and phone numbers will not be displayed. That is, no phone numbers will be displayed on the WhatsApp Channel. This invites subscribers to join the channel while protecting their personal information. If you are afraid that people will find it difficult to contact your brand, you can share a WhatsApp click-to-chat link that allows users to open a chat with you.
WhatsApp Channel history will be kept on the server for only 30 days. Businesses can use this tool for timely updates and limited-time promotions, or they can use WhatsApp Channels instead.
What will you be able to accomplish with your new WhatsApp Channel?
You can utilize WhatsApp Channels in a variety of ways, depending on your personal or professional objectives. You might use it as a private user or influencer to share stuff with your followers or friends and family.
The key use case for businesses is to share one-to-many broadcasts. As an example, you may share new product launches, company news, deals, or useful content. You can’t personalize messages, create target groups, use automation, or use templates, and you only get a few insights.
However, when combined with your use of the WhatsApp Business API, it can be a truly intriguing complementary tool for your business to guide more users to your WhatsApp conversation.
