Your next big sales channel might be sitting right in your customers' pockets. While businesses struggle with ignored emails and expensive ad campaigns, WhatsApp is quietly driving sales across emerging markets. And the numbers back this up — in Brazil alone, companies invested $46,844 in WhatsApp Business last year, with Mexico close behind at $30,787.
The reason? WhatsApp messages get read. With 90% open rates, your marketing actually reaches customers. That's why smart businesses in markets like India, where 535.8M users check WhatsApp multiple times daily, are developing targeted strategies to reach these engaged audiences.
This article will show you the exact marketing strategies that work in emerging markets — from leveraging the catalog feature for direct sales to building automated campaigns that feel personal. You'll learn how businesses are turning WhatsApp into their main revenue channel, and how you can do the same.
What makes WhatsApp stand out? It's simple:
It's about connection. When customers in Brazil, Indonesia, or Mexico want to talk to a business, they don't open their email — they open WhatsApp. The app has become so integrated into daily life that 139.3M Brazilians and 86.9M Indonesians use it as their primary communication tool.
This deep market penetration spans all demographics. From teenagers to grandparents, small shop owners to corporate executives, WhatsApp breaks down communication barriers. And that's good news for businesses targeting diverse customer segments.
The engagement speaks for itself. When you send a marketing message on WhatsApp, people actually read it. Users check their messages throughout the day, making the platform incredibly effective for time-sensitive offers and updates.
For businesses, this means one thing: your customers are already there. They're using WhatsApp every day, and they're ready to engage with brands that meet them on their preferred platform.
Setting up a strong WhatsApp Business profile can make a real difference in how customers see your brand. Your profile picture matters — when customers spot your logo, they know they're talking to the right business. Add a short, clear description of what you do and be upfront about your business hours. These small details build trust.
Want to catch your customers' attention? WhatsApp makes it easy. Share eye-catching product photos and quick demo videos that show what you're selling. And here's something that works really well — voice messages. They add that personal touch customers love, almost like you're right there talking to them.
The WhatsApp Catalog feature changes everything. Your customers can browse products without leaving the chat. And when you connect it with Shopify through Zoko, you've got a complete sales system running right in WhatsApp. Customers can find products, pay for them, and give you feedback — all in one place.
The best times for WhatsApp marketing depend on when your customers are most active. That's why understanding your audience's daily routines is so important. You might find that sending campaigns during lunch breaks gets better results than early morning messages.
Smarter marketing automation takes this even further. Instead of manually sending each message, you can set up workflows that respond to customer actions. When someone abandons their cart, the system automatically follows up. If a customer asks about shipping, they get an instant response. It's like having a sales team that works 24/7.
Let's talk about goals. You need them. Whether you want to sell more products or get people talking about your brand, having clear targets helps you stay focused. Keep track of what's working by watching your numbers — engagement rates, sales, customer responses. These tell you if you're on the right track.
Your strategy works better when you know exactly who you're talking to. Start by learning about your customers:
This information helps you create messages that feel personal and relevant. After all, a customer in Mumbai might need different things than someone in Dubai. When you understand these differences, you can adjust your approach to match what each group wants.
Getting people to join your WhatsApp marketing list takes more than asking nicely. Your customers need a good reason to say yes. Start with something they'll value — maybe early access to sales or exclusive discounts. A little incentive goes a long way.
Make signing up simple. Add a form to your website that takes seconds to fill out. Be clear about what they'll get. And if you're on social media (who isn't?), tell your followers why they should join. Show them what they're missing.
Got a physical store? Put up signs with QR codes. Customers can scan and join while they shop. And always be upfront about how you'll use their information — when people trust you with their number, they expect you to respect it.
Nobody likes boring messages. And with WhatsApp, you've got plenty of ways to keep things interesting. Here's what works:
The key? Mix it up. Sometimes a photo tells the story better than words. Other times, a short video shows exactly how something works. And those quick-reply buttons? They make buying so easy, customers won't think twice.
Keep your messages personal. If someone's been looking at jewelry, send them updates about new collections. If they bought running shoes, they might want to know about your workout gear. It's about sending the right message to the right person.
Want to know if it's working? Watch how people respond. When they start messaging back, asking questions, and clicking those buttons, you'll know you've got their attention. And that's when WhatsApp becomes more than just another marketing channel — it becomes a way to really connect with your customers.
Enhancing Customer Service Excellence Through WhatsApp
In emerging markets, customers expect quick answers to their questions. And they're turning to WhatsApp to get them. Take one of Zoko’s clients — Dr. Ortho, a leading joint care brand in Asia. By adding a simple WhatsApp chat button to their website, they started 30,784 customer conversations in just a few weeks. Their customers loved how easy it was — one click, and they were talking to the brand.
AI chatbots can handle the first wave of customer questions, and they do it well. Here's what makes them so valuable:
The best part? Your customers get instant answers, and your team gets to focus on conversations that really need their attention. When someone asks about shipping times or return policies at 3 AM, the chatbot handles it. When they need detailed advice about a product, your team steps in.
Dr. Ortho figured this out. Their website visitors could start a WhatsApp chat with one click, and they always got a quick response. For a brand selling health products, being there when customers have questions makes a big difference in building trust.
And that's what good customer service through WhatsApp does — it shows customers you care about making things easy for them. In markets where WhatsApp is part of daily life, that kind of accessibility matters.
Marketing without measurement is like driving with your eyes closed. The WhatsApp Business API gives you a clear view of what's working. Start by tracking the basics: how many people open and respond to your messages, and how your subscriber list grows over time.
But numbers mean nothing without action. Look at your data regularly. When you notice that product demo videos get more responses than text messages, make more videos. When you see customers engaging with polls, create more interactive content. Small changes, tested one at a time, can make a big difference.
Your customers will tell you what they want — through their actions. Watch how they interact with your messages. Do they share certain types of content more? Do they respond better at specific times of day? These insights help you send the right message at the right time.
And always check your data before making big changes. A slight drop in engagement might mean you need to adjust your message timing. A surge in responses might show you've found content that really connects with your audience.
WhatsApp works best when it fits naturally with your other marketing efforts. Here's how to make that happen:
When WhatsApp becomes part of your daily marketing routine, it stops feeling like another task and starts feeling like a natural way to talk to customers. You'll start seeing patterns in how people interact across different platforms, and you can use those insights to make all your marketing work harder.
Your customers use multiple platforms throughout their day. They might discover you on Instagram, research you on your website, and then reach out on WhatsApp to make a purchase. Making these transitions smooth and consistent helps build trust and keeps customers coming back.
Real businesses are transforming their WhatsApp channels into serious revenue streams. Their stories show what's possible when you combine smart strategy with the right tools.
Petsy had a problem many businesses face — their emails were going unread. Working with Zoko, Petsy transformed their customer outreach. When they switched to WhatsApp, everything changed. Instead of boring promotional messages, they created a mix of content their customers actually wanted to see: new product launches, customer stories, and fun quizzes about pets. The result? They generated $79,648 in revenue through WhatsApp broadcasts alone. Their conversion rates went up by 32% — all because they made their messages personal and interesting.
FarmOrg Foods started small — really small. With just ₹5,000 and a dream of bringing organic Andhra-style food to health-conscious customers. They needed WhatsApp to work for them without requiring constant attention. Using Zoko's AI sales assistant to handle customer questions, they added ₹105,000 in revenue while saving 33 hours of work time. The AI handled 305 sales conversations — that's 305 times someone got an immediate answer about products or pricing.
Another Zoko success story, Fabus Frames turned their passion for supporting Indian artists into a business that works. In just 60 days, they made ₹487,706 from WhatsApp sales. How? They automated their lead qualification and connected their WhatsApp to their ads. This simple but smart approach brought them a 2,330% return on investment.
What made these businesses successful? Here's what they did right:
These aren't huge corporations with massive budgets. They're regular businesses that found success by using Zoko's tools to give their customers what they wanted — quick responses, helpful information, and an easy way to buy.
Want to see similar results for your business? Our team can show you how to:
Reach out to our team and see how Zoko can work for your business and boost the results of your Whatsapp marketing.
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