Ever wondered why more small businesses are turning WhatsApp into their storefront?
It’s simple, your customers are already there.
With over 3 billion active users worldwide, WhatsApp isn’t just a messaging app anymore. In places like India, Brazil, and across Europe, it’s becoming the go-to platform not just for chatting, but also for shopping.
For anyone who wants to start a WhatsApp e-commerce Store, this is a golden opportunity. It’s like a giant playground where your customers are hanging out! Instead of building a big, fancy website, you can turn WhatsApp into your very own WhatsApp store.
It’s easy, fast, and your customers will love shopping right where they chat. You don’t need to spend months building a website or learning complicated tools.
Here’s why WhatsApp is awesome for selling and how you can set up your own WhatsApp online store in just a few minutes using a free WhatsApp store builder like Store.link. Plus, we’ll compare three ways to sell on WhatsApp to show why a WhatsApp e-commerce store is the best choice.
Why WhatsApp Is Great for Selling
Selling online doesn’t have to start with a big website. It can start right where your customers already spend their time, WhatsApp. More people are using it not just to chat with friends but also to connect with businesses and shop.
Here’s why WhatsApp is such a powerful place to sell:
- So many people use it: More than 3 billion people use WhatsApp every month. That’s like the biggest market in the world.
- People open messages: WhatsApp messages are opened 98 out of 100 times. Emails are opened only about 20 out of 100 times.
- People buy from it: Every day, about 175 million people message a business on WhatsApp. Most of them are ready to shop.
- More clicks: Links on WhatsApp get 45–60 clicks out of 100, while emails get only 2–5 clicks. That means more people visit your WhatsApp store.
- People trust it: About 65 out of 100 shoppers prefer talking to businesses on WhatsApp. It feels easy and personal.
With numbers like these, it’s clear why small sellers and big brands are choosing WhatsApp. Starting a WhatsApp online store is the fastest way to reach people, build trust, and grow your WhatsApp e-commerce business all inside an app your customers already love using.
Three Ways to Sell on WhatsApp: Which Is Best?
Now that you know why WhatsApp is great for selling, let’s look at the three main ways people use it to sell.
Method 1: WhatsApp Catalog
The WhatsApp Catalog is built into the WhatsApp Business app. It works like a basic list of products that customers can scroll through.
Note: The WhatsApp Business app is different from the regular WhatsApp app. You’ll need the Business version to use Catalog features.
It’s free, but very limited. Updating items takes time, and it doesn’t look like a real online store. If you run a bakery and want to add today’s fresh muffins or cakes, updating them one by one in the Catalog can feel slow and painful.
The Catalog is good for very small sellers with just a few products, but it quickly becomes difficult if you have many items or want a professional look.
Method 2: WhatsApp Chatbot
A WhatsApp Chatbot sounds modern, it chats with customers, shows products, and can even answer questions automatically.
But the problem is, it feels robotic. Customers don’t really enjoy talking to a bot to buy clothes or gifts. On top of that, chatbots are expensive to set up and need technical skills to maintain.
They can work well for big companies with lots of customer queries, but for small shops, they often feel too complex and less personal.
Method 3: WhatsApp Store with Store.link
This is the best option for most small businesses. A WhatsApp Store created with Store.link looks and feels like a real shop.
- A bakery can upload fresh items in a Google Sheet every morning, and they go live instantly.
- A clothing seller can show product photos with clear prices, so customers can add to cart like a real shop.
- A digital creator can sell e-books, courses, or files with simple checkout and direct WhatsApp orders.
Note: A WhatsApp online store built with Store.link works on both the regular WhatsApp app and the WhatsApp Business app.
It works for almost any kind of small business, looks professional, and makes shopping easy for customers right inside WhatsApp.
| Feature | WhatsApp Catalog | WhatsApp Chatbot | WhatsApp Store with Store.link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ease of Use | Medium – add products one by one. | Hard – needs coding or paid tools. | Easy – update with Google Sheets, no coding. |
| Cost | Free, but very limited. | Expensive – setup + monthly fees. | Free to start with Store.link. |
| Customer Experience | Basic – looks plain, not like a real shop. | Feels robotic, less personal. | Great – looks like a real store, smooth checkout. |
| Best For | Very small sellers. | Big brands with tech budgets. | Any business wanting a real WhatsApp e-commerce store. |
That’s why a WhatsApp store with Store.link is the best choice for small businesses—it’s simple, professional, and built to grow with you.
Step-by-Step: Create Your WhatsApp Store with Store.link
Ready to start your WhatsApp store? With Store.link, you can have a shop running in minutes, no coding, no tech skills needed. Just follow these steps:
Step 1: Create Your Store
- Go to Store.link and click “Create a Store”.
- Choose the Quick Order template—it’s the easiest for WhatsApp. If you sell in bulk, digital items, or need more options, you can try the other templates too.
- Type your store name and choose your money type (dollars, rupees, etc.).
- Turn on “Receive orders via WhatsApp” and add your phone number.
- Now click Create Store and your store link will be ready to share.
Step 2: Design Your Store
- Click Start Designing.
- You can add a banner image that matches your e-commerce business.
- You can add a logo or edit your store name.
- You can pick your preferred theme color.
- You can add a short message header (example: “Free delivery on orders above $50”).
- You can add header and footer links (like Instagram, Facebook, or your website).
- You can customize the checkout and order summary pages.
- Click Save once you are done.
Step 3: Add Products with Google Sheets
- Go to Products → Open Product Sheet.
- In the sheet, one row is one product. Each column is a detail (like name, category, price, stock, or picture link).
- You can also add extra columns if you want more product features.
- To add a picture: upload images in the Gallery → copy the link → paste it in the sheet.
- Your store will be updated automatically. Refresh your WhatsApp online store link to see the changes.
Step 4: Test the Checkout
- Open your store and add a product to the cart.
- Click Proceed to Checkout and fill in details (name, phone, address).
- When you place the order, it opens WhatsApp:
- On computer → WhatsApp Web.
- On phone → WhatsApp app.
- The order shows all details: customer info, product list, price, and tracking link.
Step 5: Share Your Store
- Open the WhatsApp app or the WhatsApp Business app.
- Add the link to your Greeting Message so new customers see it instantly.
- If you’re using WhatsApp Business: go to Business Tools → Business Profile → Website and paste your Store.link URL.
- Share your link in WhatsApp Status, groups, Instagram, or even on flyers.
For example, a bakery can post their WhatsApp store link in today’s Status along with a photo of fresh muffins. Customers tap, browse, and order right away.
That’s it you now have a live WhatsApp online store built with Store.link, ready for your customers!
Why This Works for Small Businesses
Starting a shop doesn’t have to be hard or expensive. With a WhatsApp store, you can:
- Sell fast: Your store is ready in minutes, not months.
- Look professional: A real WhatsApp online store looks better than a basic catalog.
- Make customers happy: They can shop easily right inside WhatsApp.
- Save money: Store.link is free, you don’t need a big website.
Imagine you’re selling cookies. With Store.link, you add new flavors to your Google Sheet, and they show up in your store instantly. Customers browse, pick their favorites, and send you the order on WhatsApp. It’s as easy as chatting with a friend!
Or maybe you sell T-shirts. Instead of sending photos one by one, you add all your designs into your WhatsApp e-commerce store. Now customers can scroll, choose sizes, and place their orders in a few taps.
That’s the power of a WhatsApp e-commerce business simple, fast, and made for small sellers.
Also read: How to Create an Online Store: Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners
Final Thoughts and Conclusion
WhatsApp is where your customers are 3 billion of them! Starting an e-commerce business doesn’t have to be complicated. You don’t need a big website, expensive tools, or a team of developers.
With a WhatsApp store, you can launch fast, look professional, and sell right where your customers already spend their time. Tools like Store.link make it possible for anyone, even beginners, to set up a free WhatsApp store builder in minutes. Just add your products, share your link, and start taking orders.
The best part? Every order comes straight to your WhatsApp, so managing sales feels as easy as chatting with friends.
So here’s your next step: go to Store.link, create your store, add a few products, and share the link with your first customers. When that first order pops up in WhatsApp, you’ll see how simple and exciting selling online can be. 🚀
FAQs About WhatsApp Stores
1. What is a WhatsApp store?
A WhatsApp store is a simple online shop that connects directly with WhatsApp. Customers can browse products, add them to cart, and send their orders to you through WhatsApp chat.
2. Is a WhatsApp store free to create?
Yes! With a free WhatsApp store builder like Store.link, you can set up your shop in minutes without paying for a big website or software.
3. How do customers place an order in a WhatsApp store?
Customers open your WhatsApp online store, select products, and checkout. The order details are automatically sent to your WhatsApp chat so you can confirm and process it.
4. Can I update products in my WhatsApp store easily?
Yes. With Store.link, your WhatsApp e-commerce store is powered by Google Sheets. Just add or edit products in the sheet, and your store updates instantly.
5. How do people find my WhatsApp store?
Store.link provides SEO-friendly stores, so your WhatsApp store can rank on Google search. You can also share your store link in your WhatsApp bio, status, and greeting messages. Plus, you can post it on social media, and share it with friends, family, or customer groups.