Types of WhatsApp: Which One Should You Use?

Every day, WhatsApp users send a staggering 100 billion messages. And it’s not just about personal chats anymore. A growing number of businesses – over 50 million at last count – are using WhatsApp to connect with their customers.

So, while you might think of WhatsApp as just another messaging app, it’s actually a versatile platform with various applications for both businesses and individuals. In this blog, we’ll understand different types of WhatsApp and help you figure out which one is the perfect fit for your needs. Whether you’re a small business owner or someone who likes to stay on the cutting edge of tech, there’s a WhatsApp platform tailored just for you.

Quick Intro: Types of WhatsApp

Before jumping into types of Whatsapp here’s a quick intro of each:-

There are primarily four main types of WhatsApp:

• WhatsApp Messenger: The original version, designed for personal use, allowing individuals to connect with friends and family.
• WhatsApp Business App: Tailored for small and medium-sized businesses, offering features like business profiles, product catalogs, and messaging tools.
• WhatsApp Business API: A powerful solution for large enterprises, providing advanced automation, analytics, and integration capabilities.
• WhatsApp Web: Allows users to access their WhatsApp account on a web browser, offering flexibility for both personal and business use.

Now let’s understand deeper into each type of WhatsApp

1. WhatsApp Messenger

WhatsApp Messenger is the basic version of WhatsApp that most people use. It’s perfect for chatting with friends and family. To use it, you just need a phone number. Once you sign up, you can send messages, make calls, and share photos with anyone else who has WhatsApp.

What’s great about WhatsApp Messenger is how simple it is. Your phone contacts who use WhatsApp show up automatically, so you don’t need to add them manually. You can chat one-on-one with people or create group chats for things like family events or planning trips with friends.

The best part? It’s completely free. You don’t have to pay to send messages or make calls, as long as you have an internet connection.

This regular WhatsApp messenger is meant for personal use, so it doesn’t have special tools for businesses. If you’re looking to use WhatsApp for your company, you’ll want to check out WhatsApp Business or WhatsApp Business API instead. The Business or API version has extra features like setting up a business profile, sending bulk messages, green tick, and showcasing your products.

But for everyday chatting and staying in touch with people you know, the regular WhatsApp Messenger is all you need. It’s straightforward, easy to use, and gets the job done without any fuss.

2. WhatsApp Business App

WhatsApp Business is a special version of WhatsApp made for small and medium-sized companies. It’s great for talking to customers and doing some basic marketing.

What’s special about it?

• Show off your business: You can make a special page for your shop with all your info like address, phone number, and website.
• Showcase your stuff: You can make a list of all the things you sell, with pictures and prices. Customers can easily see what you offer.
• Quick replies: You can save common answers to questions, so you don’t have to type them out every time.
• Talk to lots of people: You can send one message to many customers at once, but there is a limit on sending messages.
• Free to use: The best part? It doesn’t cost anything to use!

Important to know:

• Only one person can use WhatsApp Business on one phone number.
• You can’t get the blue tick (verified badge) with WhatsApp Business. You need a WhatsApp Business API for that.
• You can only send broadcast messages to a maximum of 256 recipients per list.

WhatsApp Business is a good tool to help small businesses talk to customers and sell things.

3. WhatsApp Business API

WhatsApp Business API is the big-league version of WhatsApp for medium or larger companies. It’s packed with powerful features that let businesses talk to lots of customers at once and run marketing campaigns.

Unlike the regular WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business app, this version lets multiple people in your company use it at the same time. It’s got all the basic stuff from the Business app, plus some extra cool features:

• You can use it on many devices at once.
• Broadcast to Unlimited Users (opted-in users)
• Run targeted marketing campaigns.
• Set up automatic responses and chatbots.
• Send custom messages to different groups.
• Keep track of how many messages you’re sending.
• Get Verified Green Tick on WhatsApp

One big difference is that you can send way more messages at once compared to the other WhatsApp Business versions. The exact number depends on which plan you choose. The chatbots can handle customer questions automatically, which is super helpful. But keep in mind, these automated chats aren’t free – they cost a bit for each conversation.

This version also gives you the green tick next to your business name, which shows customers that you’re a verified business. That’s something you can’t get with the free versions. Unlike the other WhatsApp versions, you have to pay to use the WhatsApp API. It’s meant for businesses that need more advanced tools and want to reach lots of customers through WhatsApp.

You get the API through certain providers like SalesTown CRM.

Overall, WhatsApp Business API is for companies that are serious about using WhatsApp as a major way to talk to customers and run marketing campaigns.

Read more about: WhatsApp Business API

4. WhatsApp Web

WhatsApp Web allows users to access their WhatsApp accounts via a web browser. Whether you’re using WhatsApp Messenger or WhatsApp Business, you can link your account to a desktop or laptop and use WhatsApp on a larger screen.

Key features of WhatsApp Web:

• Sync with your phone: WhatsApp Web mirrors your conversations from your phone, so any message sent or received on one device is visible on the other.
• Easy file sharing: You can send and receive documents, images, and other files from your computer.
• Flexibility for business use: Small business owners often use WhatsApp Web to manage customer conversations and send media files from their desktop.

WhatsApp Web is particularly useful if you spend a lot of time at your computer and want the convenience of handling personal or business conversations without switching devices constantly.

Comparison of WhatsApp Platforms for better understanding 

Note: The pricing for WhatsApp Business API can vary depending on the solution provider and the specific features used.

Questions to Ask Yourself Before Choosing a WhatsApp Solution

Q1. What is the size of your business?

• Small to Medium Business: If you have a team of up to 100 employees and a customer base of a few thousand, the WhatsApp Business App might suffice. It offers basic features like automated messages, labels, and shopping carts.
• Medium to Large Enterprise: With a medium to larger team and a vast customer base, the WhatsApp Business API is more suitable. It provides advanced automation, integration capabilities, and scalability to handle high message volumes.

Q2. What is the size of your team?

• Small Team: A small team can efficiently manage customer interactions using the WhatsApp Business App.
• Large Team: For larger teams, the WhatsApp Business API allows for better organization and collaboration through features like team inbox and agent assignment.

Q3. What is the main purpose of using WhatsApp for your business?

• Customer Support: Both the WhatsApp Business App and API can handle customer inquiries, but the API offers more advanced features like chatbots and automated responses for efficient support.
• Marketing and Sales: The WhatsApp Business App is suitable for basic marketing activities like sending promotions and updates. The API allows for more sophisticated marketing campaigns with segmentation and analytics.
• Transactions: If your business involves processing payments or orders, the WhatsApp Business API is recommended due to its integration capabilities with payment gateways and inventory management systems.

Q4. What level of automation do you require?

• Basic Automation: The WhatsApp Business App offers features like automated messages and quick replies.
• Advanced Automation: The WhatsApp Business API enables complex automation workflows, including chatbots, AI-powered responses, and integration with CRM systems.

Q5. What is your budget?

• Limited Budget: The WhatsApp Business App is free to use.
• Flexible Budget: The WhatsApp Business API involves costs based on message volume and features used.

By carefully considering these questions, you can determine the most suitable WhatsApp solution for your business.

Wrap Up:-

We’ve looked at the different types of WhatsApp and how they can help you or your business. Here’s a quick reminder:

• WhatsApp Messenger is great for personal use and chatting with friends and family.
• WhatsApp Business App is perfect for small businesses that want to connect with customers and show off their products.
• WhatsApp Business API is the top choice for bigger companies that need to handle lots of customer messages and want advanced features.

When deciding which WhatsApp to use, think about how many customers you talk to, how big your team is, and what you want to use WhatsApp for.

If you’re interested in using WhatsApp Business API, consider SalesTown WhatsApp CRM as your Business Solution Provider (BSP). We can help you set up and use all the powerful features of WhatsApp Business API like automated messages, customer support, and WhatsApp marketing campaigns, all integrated into your CRM. This means better customer management, increased efficiency, and valuable insights..