Build a professional product and service catalogue on WhatsApp that helps customers browse your offerings and enquire directly.
What the WhatsApp Business Catalogue Actually Does
The WhatsApp Business catalogue works like a mini-storefront inside WhatsApp. Your contacts can browse all your products and services, see prices, read descriptions, and send you a direct message about any item — all without leaving the chat app. For customers who never visit websites, this is how they discover your full range.
Catalogues are available on both the WhatsApp Business App (free, mobile-managed) and the WhatsApp Business Platform (API, with additional features like cart functionality). This guide covers the free App version, which works for most small businesses.
Step 1 — Prepare Your Product Photos and Descriptions Before You Start
WhatsApp requires a minimum image size of 640x640 pixels per product. The images display in a square crop, so photograph products on a clean white or light grey background for the cleanest look. For service businesses, use an icon, a relevant process photo, or a mockup image.
Write your descriptions before opening the app. Each item allows: name (up to 100 characters), description (up to 500 characters), price (optional), link (to your website product page), and item code (for your internal reference). A well-written description answers the three questions every buyer asks: what exactly is it, what does it include, and what do they get when they buy it.
Resist listing 'contact for price' for every item. Customers who see actual prices are more qualified when they enquire. If prices vary, list a starting price: 'From ₹1,200 — price depends on customisation options.' This filters serious buyers from casual browsers.
Step 2 — Create and Populate Your WhatsApp Catalogue
Open WhatsApp Business → three dots menu → Business Tools → Catalogue → Add New Item. Add your photo first (tap the camera icon), then fill in the name, description, and price. Save. Repeat for each item.
Organise your items logically. If you have more than 10 items, group them by creating clear naming conventions: 'Bridal - Gold Bangles Set', 'Bridal - Diamond Earrings', 'Daily Wear - Silver Rings'. This naming pattern helps customers navigate without a dedicated category system.
WhatsApp allows up to 500 catalogue items. Most businesses need far fewer. Aim for 10–30 high-quality, well-described items rather than 100 poorly described ones. Quality of catalogue listings directly affects enquiry conversion.
Step 3 — Share Your Catalogue to Drive Enquiries
Once live, share your catalogue in three ways: in individual chats (attach icon → Catalogue), in your WhatsApp Status (screenshot of your catalogue with a message 'Browse our full collection'), and as a link on your website and Instagram bio.
When someone asks about your products, send them to the catalogue immediately: 'Here's our full catalogue — let me know which item interests you and I'll send more details.' This is faster than describing each item manually and makes you look more professional.
Pin a WhatsApp message at the top of high-traffic chats linking to specific catalogue items. If someone frequently asks about one product, pin a catalogue share in that conversation as a quick reference.
Keeping Your Catalogue Current and Effective
Review and update your catalogue monthly. Remove discontinued items immediately — nothing damages trust faster than a customer enquiring about something you no longer offer. Update prices as they change. Add seasonal items when relevant (Onam gift sets, Diwali hampers, New Year packages).
Track which catalogue items generate the most enquiries by noting which item customers mention first. The items getting the most attention should feature in your WhatsApp Status content and broadcast messages more frequently.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the WhatsApp Business catalogue allow customers to place orders directly?
On the basic WhatsApp Business App, customers can browse and add items to a cart, then send you the cart as a message — but actual payment happens separately (UPI, bank transfer, cash on delivery). The WhatsApp Business Platform (API) supports more advanced cart and checkout flows where you can redirect customers to a payment page. For direct in-WhatsApp payment processing, you would need the Platform version with payment gateway integration.
Can I have multiple catalogues on WhatsApp Business for different product categories?
WhatsApp Business allows only one catalogue per account, with up to 500 items total. To organise multiple categories, use a consistent naming convention for your items (e.g., 'Category — Product Name') and use item descriptions to distinguish between types. If you truly need separate catalogues for very different product lines, you would need a separate WhatsApp Business number for each catalogue.
How do WhatsApp Business catalogue links work and where can I share them?
Each WhatsApp Business account has a shareable catalogue link: wa.me/c/91XXXXXXXXXX (replace with your country code and number). Tapping this link opens your business WhatsApp with the catalogue visible. Share this link in your Instagram bio, website, Google Business Profile, and email signature. Customers who tap it see your full catalogue without needing to save your number first — they only need to send a message if they want to enquire.