Leveraging WhatsApp Integration with Your CRM WhatsApp, with its nearly 2 billion global users, stands out as a crucial tool for businesses looking to engage a vast audience. Integrating WhatsApp with your CRM offers numerous advantages: 1. Global Outreach: WhatsApp’s extensive user base provides an opportunity to connect with customers worldwide. 2. Regulatory Benefits: Unlike SMS, WhatsApp often navigates around some regulatory hurdles, easing communication in certain regions. 3. Cost Efficiency: WhatsApp messaging typically proves to be more economical compared to traditional SMS, presenting a cost-effective option for business communication. 4. CRM Automation: By integrating WhatsApp, you can utilize CRM automation for tasks such as setting auto-reminders and dispatching template messages, optimizing your communication workflows. Configuring WhatsApp for Your Agency To start integrating WhatsApp with your CRM, follow these steps: 1. Access Agency Settings: Log into your CRM and locate the agency settings. 2. Choose WhatsApp Reselling Options: Set your pricing model. For instance, you might charge $29.99 per account while the CRM cost is $10, allowing you to retain a profit margin of $19.99 per account. 3. Direct Deployment Option: If you prefer to include WhatsApp in your service package without passing additional costs to clients, you can deploy it directly to a sub-account, covering the $10 expense yourself. Setting Up WhatsApp in Sub-Accounts Once you’ve completed the agency setup, or if a sub-account owner opts to purchase the service, proceed with the following steps: 1. Begin Integration: Access the WhatsApp settings in the sub-account. 2. Connect a WhatsApp Business Account: Either link an existing WhatsApp Business account or establish a new one. 3. Complete Business Profile: Enter all necessary business details to complete your WhatsApp Business profile. 4. Understand Messaging Limits: Initially, you can send up to 250 business-initiated messages every 24 hours.This limit can be increased after verification. Managing WhatsApp Conversations Efficient management of WhatsApp conversations involves understanding the different types and their regulations: 1. Business-Initiated Conversations: These require pre-approved templates for the initial message. You can send up to 250 of these messages daily until verification is complete. 2. Customer-Initiated Conversations: These conversations are unlimited and allow for free-form communication once a customer has reached out. 3. Conversation Templates: Templates must be created and approved by Facebook. They are divided into categories such as marketing and utility, each with different associated costs. Understanding Pricing The CRM charges a base fee for WhatsApp integration, which you can adjust to include a markup for your profit. Additionally, WhatsApp applies per-message charges based on the recipient’s location and the type of template used. Be aware that pricing may vary and is subject to WhatsApp’s policy changes. Troubleshooting and Frequently Asked Questions Can I send WhatsApp and SMS messages to the same contact? Yes, within the CRM, you can switch between WhatsApp and SMS as needed. Is it possible to use an existing WhatsApp number? Generally, yes. You might need to disconnect the number from a personal account or connect it via a WhatsApp Business account.