Your guide to changing from WhatsApp personal to your WhatsApp Business account
Do you need to switch from WhatsApp Messenger to WhatsApp Business, but aren't sure where to get started? We've got you.
We'll walk you through the process, including the differences between the two apps, how to install two separate accounts onto one device, and why you need a second number if you want to separate out your personal messages from your work messages.
Read on to discover how easy it is to generate a second number from YourBusinessNumber, and how to get both apps up and running in no time at all.
What are the differences between WhatsApp Business and WhatsApp personal?
WhatsApp Business and WhatsApp Messenger have several key differences that make them ideal for work and personal use.
WhatsApp Messenger is a free, popular and secure chat app, currently used by two billion people around the world.
You can share messages, images, videos, voice notes and audio files, either in one-on-one messaging threads or in group chats.
The WhatsApp Business App is a free-to-download app that offers similar messaging functionality, but with extra tools and functionality specifically designed for business use. These include templates, contact labelling, and basic automation including quick replies, greetings, and away messages. WhatsApp Business also supports marketing and sales, business profiles, payment notifications and catalogs which can be used to showcase products and services.
The WhatsApp Business API also allows larger enterprises to manage secure business-to-customer communication at scale. Extra features include the green tick next to the name of your business in the profile and chat headers, which confirms that it is a verified, legitimate business.
Can you use the same number for WhatsApp business and personal?
If you already have WhatsApp Messenger set up on your device for personal use, you can't set up a WhatsApp Business account with the same number. Luckily, YourBusinessNumber is here to help. In just a few clicks, we set up a second business phone number which is delivered to your device and can be used to set up the WhatsApp Business app from a single device.
Steps to download WhatsApp Business and set up your new number using YourBusinessNumber
1 Download the WhatsApp Business App
Download the WhatsApp Business App from your phone's app store.
2 Generate a separate phone number using YourBusinessNumber
Visit our Generate page and create a brand new dedicated number. You will use this number to verify your WhatsApp Business app.
3 Open WhatsApp Business and Get Verified
Enter the brand new YourBusinessNumber into WhatsApp Business. You will receive an SMS code, use the code to verify your identity.
4 That's It!
Congratulations, you now have WhatsApp Business setup on your phone and connected to your YourBusinessNumber number!
Share that number with your customers/clients and start taking advantage of the unique tools that WhatsApp Business offers.
Who uses a virtual number for WhatsApp business?
Estate Agents
With more homeowners choosing to communicate through WhatsApp, now is the perfect time for estate agents to shift over to the WhatsApp Business app. Book in viewings, respond efficiently to buyers and sellers, and quickly relay relevant information in real time. Retain chat history as a written record, without the need for phone calls. With YourBusinessNumber you can assign numbers to multiple team members and re-assign them if staff leave.
Small Business Owners
Staying on top of work messages is crucial for small businesses. When you install WhatsApp Business, it's easy to see which messages are from family and friends, and which are from work clients. Set up a work profile including your business name and business category, use Quick Replies to answer frequently asked questions, and set up an away message so that clients are clear on your working hours.
Personal Trainers
Personal trainers often work with many different clients at the same time, so timely responses are a key part of the service. WhatsApp Business offers so many tools to allow you to answer client queries, book in training sessions and market yourself effectively to new customers. With so many people preferring to communicate over instant messaging rather than by phone, you might even find an uptick in the number of clients you're able to reach.
Beauty Therapists & Hairdressers
There are so many benefits for beauty therapists and hairdressers looking to install the WhatsApp Business App with a second mobile phone number. Keep your personal number private and separate your work contacts from your regular WhatsApp account. Book appointments, answer commonly asked queries using templated messages and promote special offers to your clients. You can also add your profile picture, business profile and a catalog including images, descriptions and prices to really let your business shine.
Restaurants
The hospitality industry is a perfect user case for using WhatsApp Business. Answer customer queries and requests, and create and manage bookings, from the initial contact through to the follow up message, easily and efficiently.
Consultants & Freelancers
It's a challenge for many self-employed consultants and freelancers to stay on top of multiple projects for many different clients – but a WhatsApp Business account makes it much easier. Download the WhatsApp Business app and discover features for business use, such as Labels and Quick Replies, allow freelancers to process, respond to and keep track of their work messages much more easily.
Builders, Plumbers & Electricians
With customer questions, quote requests and booking queries, it can be difficult for tradespeople including builders, plumbers, electricians and carpenters to stay on top of client communication while providing a great service. The WhatsApp Business app has a host of tools that make this much easier. Set up Quick Replies to respond to frequently asked questions and fill out your business profile with your working hours, so your clients know when they can expect you to get in touch. WhatsApp makes image sharing quick and easy, so you can receive and send image updates throughout the day.
Creatives
If you work in a creative industry such as copywriting, graphic design, media, art or content creation, you'll know how hard it is to stay on top of multiple projects at once. Separate out your work and personal contacts for a clear view of what you need to respond to, set up a business profile, and use Labels to categorise chat threads by project or client. WhatsApp is perfect for share media such as images and videos.
Employees who work from home (WFH)
Give your employees the benefit of proper down time with a separate number for their WhatsApp Business account. It can be really difficult to switch off at the end of the day or over weekends if work and personal messages are mixed up in the same account – but with YourBusinessNumber, they can have two accounts active on the same device.
