Hello! Have you ever wondered how good your business products or services are, but why don’t new customers come? You may be thinking that you need to build a website, which has both cost and is a hassle! But if I say, you can turn your business into a magic wand online using only two free tools, without the website?

Today we will talk about that magic formula: Google My Business (GMB) + WhatsApp (Whatsapp). . . The combination of these two can become a powerful marketing machine for your local business. Let’s find out how!

Why is this system so important?

The main argument of this system is that Discovery and Communication

🏪 GMB is the address of your digital store: When a customer searches ‘Good food courts to me‘ or ‘The best plumber in the area‘, GMB brings you in front of them. This makes you visible on the map and in the search results.

💬 Whatsapp is your digital counter: When the customer gets you in GMB, he can contact you on WhatsApp with one click. He can place orders, ask questions, and you can immediately turn him into a customer by answering.

By combining these two you get a system where the customer is finding you and talking to you immediately! It is much faster and personal than the website.

How to start? (How to Steps – The Core System)

To set up this system you need to follow just a few steps.

🏪 Make Google My Business (GMB) profile fully optimized

In the previous guide we talked about GMB setup, here we will make it for WhatsApp.

📍 Create or login to GMB profile: Go to google.com/business and login to your business profile.

🏷️ Select the Primary Category correctly: Make sure your business is in the right category (eg: ‘Restaurant’, ‘Beauty Salon’).

📞 Enter your Whatsapp Business Number as your phone number: This is the most important step. Enter the number you use in WhatsApp business in GMB.

🔘 Set the ‘Action’ button: You can add a button to the GMB profile. Going there ‘message’ Or ‘CALL’ Select the option. If you select ‘Message’, customers can start chatting directly by clicking on your WhatsApp number.

🖼️ Complete the Profile: Give your shop beautiful pictures, opening hours, service lists and an interesting description.

💼 Make WhatsApp Business Professional and Ready

Now it’s time to decorate your digital counter.

📲 Download WhatsApp Business App: Download the ‘WhatsApp Business’ app from Play Store or App Store. It is different from the usual WhatsApp and made for business

🏪 Create your business profile:

• Business Name: Name your store.
• Category: Select your business type.
• Profile picture: Enter your business logo or shop photo.
• Description: Briefly write what you do.
• Address and Opening Hour: Give the same information here as in GMB.

🛍️ Create product catalog: This is an amazing feature of WhatsApp business. Create a catalog with your main product or service picture, name, and price. Customers will see your product without asking you anything.

💬 Set the Welcome Message (Welcome Message): Set an automated message by going to the ‘Away Message’ or ‘Greeting Message’ option. For example: ‘Welcome! I[Your Name/Business Name]! How can I help for you?” This will reach the customers.

🔗 Bring subscribers by connecting GMB and WhatsApp

Now two tools are ready, now it’s time to bring customers.

📰 Use GMB post: In the GMB profile you will find an option called ‘Posts‘. Post regularly there.

• Offer post: ‘This week our special Panipuri is only 20 rupees! Whatsapp to order!’
• Update post: ‘Our new collection has arrived. Message us on whatsapp number to see and order.’

🎯 Encourage customers: Put a small sticker or banner in your shop that says ‘Whatsapp and get 10% off!‘. It will also add offline customers to your WhatsApp.

Growth & Improvement (Growth & Optimization)

Starting is not enough, you have to grow.

🧩 Content Strategy: What to Post?

GMB post:

• 📢 Offer: ‘Special dishes this week – 20% off!’
• 🎉 Event: ‘A special event for the second anniversary of our shop.’
• 🧥 Update: ‘Our new winter collection has arrived.’

📸 WhatsApp Status:

• Behind-the-scenes picture or video.
• Screenshot of customer reviews.
• Small announcements like ‘Today’s Offer‘ or ‘Stock Limited‘.

🤝 Enhance the quality of customer service

• ⚡ Fast Response: Reply to GMB and WhatsApp messages as soon as possible.
• 👋 Personalization: Talk to the customer’s name. Remember their previous orders.
• 🛠️ Troubleshooting: If you have any complaints, listen to it and try to solve it.

🌟 Strategy to get reviews

• 📨 Request directly: ‘If you are satisfied with our service, you can give a review on Google.’
• 🔗 Send review link on WhatsApp: Go to the ‘Review’ section of your GMB profile and click on ‘Share Review Form’ and send it to the customer.

📊 Measure Success (Measuring Success)

• 📍 GMB Insights: Check out your GMB dashboard regularly. How many people have called you, went to the website, or looked at the map – you will get these information.
• 🏷️ WhatsApp Labels: Use the label to see how many new customers, how many have ordered, how many are just asking.

Troubleshooting and FAQs (Troubleshooting & FAQs)

❓ My GMB verification code is not coming, what to do?

• Answer: Wait a few weeks. If it still does not come, click on the ‘Request another postcard‘ option from the GMB dashboard. In some cases verification options come through video calls or phone calls.

💬 Someone gave a bad review on my GMB, what should I do?

• Answer: Never answer angrily. Answer professionally: ‘We are sorry about your experience. We would like to contact you to solve your problem.’ In this, other customers will understand that you are customer-conscious.

📥 Too many messages are coming on my WhatsApp, I can’t handle it!

• Answer: This is a good problem! It means your business is growing. This is where the ‘quick reply‘ and the ‘message of absence‘ will work. You can also think of hiring an assistant who will only manage WhatsApp.

Some Strategy (Best Strategies)

In today’s digital age, customers prefer quick and personal communication. Whatsapp is not just a means of chatting, but it can be a powerful marketing tool for your business. Below are some effective WhatsApp/GMB marketing strategies:

⚡ Fast Response Time: Please reply as soon as possible if the subscriber messages on WhatsApp. GMB will show your response time, which attracts new customers.

👤 Personalized Service: Talk to the customer’s name. Try to remember their likes and dislikes. ‘Aryan Da, made your favorite butter vegetarian today, want to take it?’ – Such messages make the customer feel special.

🎥 Use visual content: Not just text, product photos, short videos of the creation process, or customer reviews send screenshots to Whatsapp.

📱 Use WhatsApp Status: Give your WhatsApp status a daily offer, new product or behind-the-scenes. It makes your business more transparent and attractive.

📢 Broadcast List (Watch carefully): You can send the same message to 256 people at once in WhatsApp business. But don’t use it to spam. Use it only for important updates or special offers and make sure you are only sending messages to customers who are interested.

Advanced Strategies & Tips

Now it’s time to take another step forward. The following advanced tips will help you become more visible locally, gain customer trust and build your business online and offline.

📍 Become a local SEO friend: Use your GMB descriptions and post names in your area (such as: ‘Kolkata Violin’) and service names (eg: ‘Home Delivery Tiffin Service in Rashbehari’) repeatedly.

🤝 Make Customer Brand Ambassador: If a customer gives a picture of your product on WhatsApp status, thank him and give a small discount.

📬 Use Whatsapp Broadcast Wisely: Do not send broadcast messages more than once or twice a week. Only send customers who have already shown interest.

🏷️ Bring it online from offline: Enter your WhatsApp number and GMB link (if any) on your shop bill, packaging or visiting card. Write: ‘WhatsApp us to order online.’

Some examples (examples)

No matter how good the strategy is, it is worthless if it is not implemented in reality. The following examples are some of the small businesses that have been successful using WhatsApp/GMB.

🍲 A small restaurant (“Momta’s Kitchen”)

• GMB: They post menu pictures, customers eating pictures and ‘Today’s Special‘. Clicking the ‘Message‘ button makes the customer go to WhatsApp.
• Whatsapp: Customer orders for home delivery. They choose food from their catalog and send them to the address. The restaurant owner confirms the payment by sending a hefty bill.

👗 A fashion designer (“Ananya Creations”)

• GMB: Post and write new design sketches or sari pictures and write, ‘Whatsapp for customized blouses.‘
• WhatsApp: Customers send their choice of sizes and designs to WhatsApp. The designer confirms by drawing pictures or sending pictures of fabric. This creates a completely personal shopping experience.

Advantages and Disadvantages (Pros and Cons)

Below are the main advantages and disadvantages of using these two platforms, from them you should consider where to place focus:

✅ Advantages (pros):

• Totally free: Both tools are free to use.
• Direct and personal contact: Get the opportunity to talk directly with the customer, which increases trust.
• Fast Conversion (Conversion): Customers can contact immediately after finding them, thereby more likely to increase sales.
• Easy management: No technical knowledge involved in managing a website.

❌ Difficulty (cons):

• Time consuming: Customers have to give regular time to reply to messages and keep their profile updated.
• Risks of spamming: Customers may block you if you use broadcast incorrectly.
• Personal Number Risks: Although whatsapp business is different, many may experience difficulty balancing between personal and business.
• Limited Automation: The facility of automation is limited in the free version. Many large businesses require WhatsApp Business API, which is not free.

Things to keep in mind

Some things need to be kept in mind at all times so that your communication is professional and the customer is satisfied –

🎓 Maintain professionalism: WhatsApp is a private app, but you are using it for business. Language, time and behavior should always be professional.

🙋 Get permission: Get their permission before adding someone to the broadcast list.

📷 Keep the picture quality good: Blurry or bad pictures can ruin your business image. Take clear pictures in good light.

💬 Save customer reviews: If a customer gives a good review on WhatsApp, take a screenshot with her permission and add it to the GMB profile.

---

Future – What’s next? (The Future – Whats Next?)

When you see that this system is not enough for you, what do you do?

🌐 A typical website or landing page: You can build a one-page website using CARRD, or any other simple website builder that will have your entire catalog.

🤖 Whatsapp Business API: If you have thousands of subscribers, you can think of WhatsApp Business API. It is paid and allows you to do more automation and broadcasting.

---

🔗 Links for Help (References)

➡️ To start Google My Business: https://www.google.com/business

➡️ To download WhatsApp Business: https://www.whatsapp.com/business

---

✨ Finally

Finally, this combination of GMB and WhatsApp is like a magic created for a small business. It is not only free, but also highly effective. All you need is a little time, patience and the right strategy. So why the delay? Take your business to new heights by linking your GMB profile to WhatsApp today. Best wishes!!