WhatsApp Catalog for Business in Malaysia: How to Set Up, Share, and Optimize for More Sales

With WhatsApp’s catalog feature, you can showcase products directly in chat, making it easier for customers to browse and buy without switching apps. This tool is perfect for small and medium-sized businesses in Malaysia looking to reach more customers and streamline the shopping experience.

With over 3 billion monthly active users, WhatsApp is a powerful tool for businesses to connect with customers and drive sales. However, many businesses are not fully utilizing the WhatsApp Catalog feature, which can significantly enhance customer engagement and sales.

The WhatsApp Business Catalog allows businesses to display products with key details like name, price, description, product code, and website links. It also supports multiple languages, including Malay, Mandarin, and English, making it accessible to Malaysia’s diverse market.

In this article, you will learn all of you need to know about WhatsApp Business Catalog.

What is a WhatsApp Business Catalog?

A WhatsApp Business Catalog allows businesses to showcase and share their products or services directly within the WhatsApp application. This feature is designed to offer a seamless shopping journey, enabling customers to browse items, inquire, and even complete purchases in real time, all from the convenience of the chat interface.

Key Benefits of Using a WhatsApp Catalog:

• Streamlined Organization: Grouping products into categories or collections provides a more organized and efficient browsing experience, helping customers quickly locate items.

• Simple Sharing: Businesses can easily share individual products or their entire catalog with customers via a simple link or directly in the chat.

• Enhanced Interactivity: Customers can engage with the catalog by inquiring about products, adding items to a cart, and making purchases using secure payment links.

Ultimately, the WhatsApp Catalog simplifies the sales process for businesses, facilitating direct sales on the platform while delivering a smooth and convenient customer experience.

Details about WhatsApp Business catalog limits and requirements

It's essential to understand the key limitations and requirements that guide its setup. Businesses can list up to 500 products or services, allowing customers to browse, inquire, and purchase directly. Customers can also share product links with others for collaborative purchases.

Additional features, such as product grouping, make it easier to organize products, and businesses can share a direct link to the catalog on social media to reach more customers beyond WhatsApp. From product listings to media limits, here's a quick overview of what you need to know to effectively showcase your products and streamline your business operations.

• Item Limit: You can list up to 500 products in your catalog, offering ample space for a wide variety of items

• Media Limit: For each item, you can upload up to 10 photos and/or videos, allowing you to showcase your products in detail.

• Out-of-Stock Items: Easily manage your inventory by hiding out-of-stock items from customers until they become available again.

• Categories/Collections: Organize your products into categories or collections to make browsing easier for your customers.

By adhering to these limits and requirements, you can build a catalog that is both manageable and customer-friendly, enhancing the shopping experience on WhatsApp.

How to make a catalog in WhatsApp for your business

Whether you’re managing your WhatsApp Business account on an Android device, iPhone, or even web and desktop, we’ve got your back. Just check out our guide below!

Create a WhatsApp catalog from Android

• On your WhatsApp Business App, tap on ⋮ (the three vertical dots) at the top right corner for more options, then go to “Settings” > “Business Tools” > “Catalog”.

• Select “Add new item” to add a new catalog.

• Tap on + (the plus icon), then select “Add images”.

• Select “Gallery” to upload images from your Photos or “Camera” to take new photos of your products. You may upload up to 10 images.

• Insert the name of the product or service and add in other optional details such as price, description, link, and code.

• Tap on “Save”.

Create a WhatsApp catalog from iPhone

• On your WhatsApp Business App, tap on “Settings” in the bottom right corner and go to “Business Tools” > “Catalog”.

• Select “Add new item” to add a new catalog.

• Tap on + (the blue plus icon) or “Add new item”, then select “Add images”.

• Select “Choose Photo” to upload images from your phone or “Take Photo” to take new photos of your products. You may upload up to 10 images.

• Insert the name of the product or service and add in other optional details such as price, description, link, and code.

• Tap on “Save”.

Create a WhatsApp catalog from Web and Desktop

• Open WhatsApp Web or the WhatsApp Business App on your desktop, tap on ⋮ (the three vertical dots) above your chat list, and select “Catalog”.

• Select “Add new item”.

• Click on “Add new images” and select up to 10 images to upload.

• Type in the name of the product or service and add in other optional details such as price, description, link, and code.

• Click on “ADD TO CATALOG” to add the product uploaded to your WhatsApp catalog.

Creating and managing collections in WhatsApp Catalog

Collections help you group specific products, making it easier for your customers to browse. As an example, you can sort your products as:

• New Arrivals

• Top products or best sellers

• Seasonal campaign (Chinese New Year, Ramadan)

• Big discount

This helps your catalog feel more inviting and gently guides customers to the most important parts first.

Create a Collection:

1. Open WhatsApp Business.

2. Go to Tools and select Catalog.

3. Select Collections and Add Collection (or Add new collection).

4. Provide a name for your collection.

5. Select Next and choose the products you want to include.

6. Select Done to save.

Please note that it can take up to 24 hours for your new collection to be reviewed before it becomes visible to customers.

And how to update an existing collection:

1. Open Catalog → Collections

2. Select the collection you want to edit

3. Add or remove items based on your available inventory

4. Rename or reorder collections to highlight new priorities (e.g., seasonal campaigns, end of year sales, etc)

How to create a WhatsApp catalog link

After completing the steps above, you’re halfway through reaching more potential customers. With a complete WhatsApp catalog created, it’d be a waste not to share it with your target audience; the next step is to learn how to create a link for easy sharing!

Share a WhatsApp catalog link from Android

1. On the WhatsApp Business App, tap on ⋮ (the three vertical dots) at the top right corner for more options, then select “Settings” > “Business Tools” > “Catalog” to go to the Catalog Manager.

2. On the top right corner, tap on the 🔗 link icon. 

3. Choose one of the sharing options to send the WhatsApp catalog link to others:

Send link via WhatsApp Business

This is for you to send the catalogue link to someone else within the WhatsApp Business App

Copy Link

This is for you to copy the link to share anywhere, including posting on social media

Share Link

This is for you to share the catalogue via another platform such as email, social media or messaging app

*Links are auto-generated and cannot be customised.

Share a WhatsApp catalog link from iPhone

1. On your WhatsApp Business App, tap on “Settings” in the bottom right corner and go to “Business Tools” > “Catalog”.

2. Tap on ⋯ (the three horizontal dots) for more options > “Share”.

3. Copy the link to share the catalog within WhatsApp Business or via other apps.

Share a WhatsApp catalog link from Web and Desktop

1. Open WhatsApp Web or the WhatsApp Business App on your desktop, tap on ⋮ (the three vertical dots) above your chat list, and select “Catalog”.

2. Tap on the 🔗 link icon to copy the link and share your WhatsApp catalog.

Why WhatsApp catalog matters for Malaysian businesses

Social commerce in Malaysia is expected to grow by 45.2% annually, reaching over USD 10 billion by 2028. As more businesses invest in selling on social media, it's crucial to focus on the consumer experience to drive sales.

When shopping, consumers want convenience, detailed product information, and quick support. Obstacles like missing details or slow responses can discourage purchases. WhatsApp Catalog addresses these issues by providing up-to-date product information and allowing businesses to hide out-of-stock items, ensuring a smooth shopping experience.

Through the WhatsApp Business profile’s "Shop" button, customers can easily browse the catalog and add items to their cart. Once their order is confirmed, they can send it directly to the business. Key benefits include:

• Quick and easy order placement

• Instant purchases after inquiries

• Bulk purchases in a single transaction

WhatsApp’s user-friendly features make it easier for both younger and older generations to shop. Many older adults are already familiar with chat apps, making WhatsApp a simple shopping platform for them. Millennials and Gen Z, who are comfortable with online shopping, can also connect with businesses through WhatsApp, building stronger customer relationships.

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Real-world examples of how WhatsApp Business catalog is transforming business

Awfully Chocolate is successfully increasing its enquiries by over 2000.

Awfully Chocolate, a beloved chocolatier with stores in Singapore and China, was facing an overwhelming volume of customer inquiries as their reputation for high-quality chocolate cakes and products grew. With customers frequently asking about product details, availability, and delivery status, Awfully Chocolate recognized the need for a more streamlined solution. That's when they turned to WhatsApp Business Catalog, which helped them manage these inquiries efficiently while showcasing their products seamlessly.

Key Features Awfully Chocolate Uses with WhatsApp Business Catalog:

• Seamless Product Display: Showcase up to 500 products, including images and descriptions, for easy browsing.

• Product Sharing: Effortlessly share product links with customers for instant browsing and inquiries.

• Blue Tick Verification: Build credibility with customers by ensuring they know they’re communicating with the authentic business.

• Omnichannel Engagement: Integrate with platforms such as Instagram and Shopify to deliver a cohesive customer service experience.

Get started with SleekFlow to fully utilise your WhatsApp Business

Hybrid shopping the future. Businesses need a seamless way to connect with customers across both digital and physical touchpoints. WhatsApp is one of the leading platforms for customer communication in Malaysia, and integrating it with your WhatsApp Business catalog can help streamline your sales process.

Here’s how you can take customer orders directly from your WhatsApp catalog using SleekFlow:

1. Customer Browses Your Catalog:
   Customers explore your WhatsApp catalog and select products of interest. With SleekFlow, they can view your full product range, including images, descriptions, and prices, offering a complete shopping experience within WhatsApp itself.

2. Customer Adds to Cart:
   Once a customer selects their desired product(s), they can easily add items to their cart without leaving the chat. This simplifies the buying process and keeps them engaged with your brand.

3. Customer Sends the Cart to Your Business:
   After adding items, customers can send the cart directly to your business for confirmation. SleekFlow’s integrated system lets you confirm details, stock availability, and pricing.

4. Business Confirms and Sends Payment Link:
   After confirming the order, you can quickly generate a payment link using SleekFlow’s Stripe integration and send it via WhatsApp, allowing customers to pay securely directly in the chat.

5. Track Payment and Order Status:
   Once the payment is made, you can use SleekFlow’s dashboard to track payments and manage order statuses. This helps you maintain smooth operations and keeps customers informed throughout the purchase journey.

This seamless order-to-payment ecosystem allows businesses to offer a smooth, integrated shopping experience directly on WhatsApp, optimizing sales and improving customer satisfaction.

Another Sleekflow feature that offers additional powerful capabilities for businesses, surpassing what the free WhatsApp Business app provides.

• Shared Inbox for simultaneous team collaboration.

• WhatsApp broadcasting for targeted, opt-in communications (compliant with WhatsApp’s guidelines).

• Blue check verification for business profile authenticity.

• AI Agent to enhance customer engagement and communication.

By integrating SleekFlow with your WhatsApp Business catalog, you can efficiently manage customer inquiries, orders, and payments in a single central platform, delivering an unparalleled customer service experience that supports growth and sales in Malaysia.

Discover the limitless potential of WhatsApp Business API by reading our ultimate guide.

See how ZENXIN Organic achieved optimal success with WhatsApp Business API on SleekFlow.

As a premium solution, the WhatsApp Business API answers all the extra functions listed above. It enables brands to customise and personalise more effectively, maximising profits and scaling business operations. Therefore, we urge you to go beyond the WhatsApp catalog in the WhatsApp Business App to unlock more benefits and achieve breakthrough growth for your business!

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