Boost E-commerce Sales Using WhatsApp Product Catalogues

Introduction

E-commerce is evolving rapidly and WhatsApp is at the heart of this transformation.

With over 2 billion users, WhatsApp is no longer just a messaging app. It’s becoming a dominant force in e-commerce, particularly in India where businesses are leaning into conversational commerce to meet buyers where they are.

According to recent reports, WhatsApp based e-commerce has grown by 200% in the past two years, and over 70% of users prefer messaging businesses over other forms of communication.

This behavioral shift opens up massive potential and that’s where WhatsApp Product Catalogues come in. They let you showcase your entire product lineup directly inside WhatsApp, creating a seamless browsing and buying experience that converts more customers, faster.

In this blog, you'll learn how WhatsApp Product Catalogues work, why they're effective for e-commerce, and how AI tools like Zithara.ai can help you automate and scale your sales.

What Are WhatsApp Product Catalogues?

WhatsApp Product Catalogues are like a digital storefront within the app. Businesses can display their products with pictures, descriptions, prices, and links, all visible to customers inside the chat.

When a customer visits your WhatsApp Business profile or receives a message, they can tap “Catalog” to see your entire product range, browse items, or click to inquire about a specific product

How It Appears to the Customer:

• A visual gallery of your products

• Each product card includes an image, title, price, and description

• Easy to tap, view, and share with friends

Key Benefits of WhatsApp Product Catalogues:

• Instant access to your offerings

• No redirections or third-party platforms

• Faster product discovery

• Personalized interactions

• Frictionless conversion path

Why WhatsApp Product Catalogues Work for E-commerce

1. Sky-High Open Rates

Email open rates are around 20%, SMS open rates are around 40% which works better than Email. But? WhatsApp messages? They boost open rates over 90%, making it the most effective channel to showcase your products.

2. Customer Trust

WhatsApp is encrypted, widely used, and feels as a personal, safe space. According to reports, customers are more likely to interact and trust brands they engage with via messaging apps like WhatsApp.

3. Real-Time Engagement

WhatsApp enables two-way chat and instant product sharing, simulating a real-world in-store experience.

Examples of Real-Time Engagement:

• Instant previews: “Looking for a necklace?” -> [Shares necklace catalogue]

• 1-on-1 guidance: “Need it under ₹10,000?” -> [Filters results instantly]

This builds trust and dramatically reduces bounce or drop-offs.

Step-by-Step: How to Set Up a WhatsApp Product Catalogue

Getting started with WhatsApp Product Catalogues is easier than you think and it can transform how customers shop with you

What You’ll Need:

• A WhatsApp Business account

• WhatsApp Business App (for small businesses) or WhatsApp Business API (for growing/large businesses)

• A list of your products with images, prices, and descriptions

• A Facebook Business Manager account (for catalogue hosting if using API)

Step-by-Step Setup:

1. Download WhatsApp Business App or Register via API

• For small businesses, use the free WhatsApp Business App from the Play Store/App Store.

• For medium to large-scale operations, register with WhatsApp Business API via a solution provider like Zithara.ai.

2. Create Your Product Catalogue

• Open the WhatsApp Business App

• Go to Settings → Business Tools → Catalogue

• Tap ‘Add Product or Service’

• Upload an image, enter product name, price, description, and a product link.

3. Organize & Tag Products

• Use clear product names and categories (e.g., Gold Rings, Bridal Sets, or Casual Wear)

• Add stock-keeping units (SKUs) or tags to help AI bots or agents filter items quickly

4. Share Your Catalogue in Chats

• You can share the whole catalogue or individual products directly with customers

• Use in broadcasts, status, or automated replies via WhatsApp AI Chatbot workflows.

5. Automate Discovery Using AI

• Integrate your catalogue with WhatsApp AI chatbots

• Train bots to respond to queries like:

Whatsapp AI chatbots instantly guide customers through the catalogue, making shopping seamless and conversational.

Optimization Tips:

• Use bright, clear product images

• Keep descriptions short but detailed

• Update frequently to reflect stock changes

• Group products into collections for easier browsing

Best Practices to Drive Sales with AI-Powered Catalogues

1. Keep Your Catalogue Fresh

Use AI-powered tools like Zithara.ai to keep product availability and pricing updated in real-time. This avoids miscommunication and builds customer trust.

2. Send Direct Product Links in Chat

Make shopping easy. Drop catalogue links right into the conversation so customers don’t have to ask twice.

3. Personalize Catalogue Sharing with Segmentation

Using AI-based segmentation tools, tailor catalogue links based on customer behavior, region, gender, or purchase history.

4. Broadcast Smart, Not Spam

Use WhatsApp Broadcasts (available for Business API users) for seasonal campaigns or new arrivals but only to engaged, opted-in users.

5. Perfect Your Timing

Reports say that WhatsApp engagement peaks in the evenings and weekends. Schedule catalogue sharing when your audience is most likely to respond.

Smart Conversations With Catalogues = More Conversions

Here’s the magic: combine catalogue links with chat to create a frictionless shopping experience.

Example

User: Do you have summer dresses in blue?

Chatbot: [Shares Blue Summer Dresses Catalogue]

User: Show me options under ₹2,000

Chatbot: [Filters results and shares options]

User: I like this one. What sizes are available?

Chatbot: Sizes S, M, and L are in stock. Would you like to place an order?

User: Yes, please.

Chatbot: Great! Please share your delivery address, and we’ll process your order.

This AI-powered chat experience helps customers find exactly what they want instantly, reducing wait times and boosting conversion rates.

Zithara Spotlight: Turn Catalogues Into Selling Machines

WhatsApp Product Catalogues are powerful, but with Zithara.ai, they become automated sales engines.

How Zithara Enhances WhatsApp Catalogues:

• AI-Powered Product Catalogue Sync

Real-time inventory sync keeps catalogues accurate without manual updates.

• Smart Customer Segmentation

Send relevant products to the right people using AI-based buyer analysis.

• WhatsApp Campaign Automation

Schedule catalogue drops, flash sales, and reminders via automated campaigns.

• WhatsApp AI Chat Assistant:

24/7 chatbot handles queries, orders, and follow-ups

• Real-Time Performance Analytics

Know what’s working with dashboards showing product clicks, conversions, and user behavior.

Case Study:

Meghavi Wellness, one of India’s top luxury spa chains, faced a common challenge: while memberships brought in footfalls, revenue per visit stayed flat, and discounts were hurting margins.

Partnering with Zithara.ai, they moved from flat discounts to a smart, AI-driven loyalty system. Customers earned points for each visit, personalized offers were sent via WhatsApp, and referrals were incentivized, creating a seamless and rewarding customer experience.

Key Results:

• 60% increase in total sales

• 25% growth in average ticket value

• 48% increased revenue in the sales.

By tapping into AI-driven personalization and automation, Meghavi created stronger customer relationships and higher-value transactions, without needing heavy marketing spends

Read the full Case study here: Meghavi Wellness.

Conclusion

WhatsApp Product Catalogues are more than just a feature, they're a powerful sales channel in the mobile-first era. By combining rich product displays, instant communication, and AI-powered automation, they bridge the gap between browsing and buying like no other platform can.

With tools like Zithara.ai, you can supercharge this experience by automating catalogue sharing, personalizing customer journeys, and converting conversations into revenue. Whether you're in wellness, fashion, electronics, or retail, now is the time to make WhatsApp your storefront.

Ready to Grow Your Sales?