WhatsApp Channels have recently been launched, generating excitement among companies for this innovative marketing feature. However, starting your own channel might seem daunting. Don’t worry! In this guide, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of creating a WhatsApp Channel.
WhatsApp Channels are currently trending in the messaging and social media marketing world. The new one-to-many broadcast feature was globally launched on September 13, 2023, offering businesses a fresh option to send out bulk messages and expand their reach.
So, how can you get started with a channel? In this guide, we’ll provide you with a detailed explanation of how to create a WhatsApp Channel.
How to create a WhatsApp Channel
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Before you start, make sure your WhatsApp App is up to date
To create a WhatsApp Channel, you’ll need a WhatsApp account. If you’re a private user, you can use the regular WhatsApp App to set up your channel. For businesses, the WhatsApp Business App is the way to go.
Since the feature has just been launched, the first thing you should do is ensure that your WhatsApp application is up to date. Simply go to your app store, search for WhatsApp, and manually update it.
If you don’t see the feature after updating, it’s possible that it hasn’t been made available to you yet. WhatsApp is rolling out the feature gradually to users. In that case, you can sign up for the waitlist and receive a notification when it becomes available to you.
How to Create a WhatsApp Channel on Android Devices
- Open your WhatsApp (Business) App on your Android device and navigate to the Updates tab.
- Tap the “plus” icon and choose “New channel.”
- Follow the prompts by clicking “Continue” to proceed.
- Provide a name for your channel to complete the setup. You can change the name later if needed.
- Customize your channel by adding a brief description and selecting an icon. The description should give followers an idea of your channel’s content. You can upload an image or select from emojis and stickers.
- Once customization is done, click “Create channel” to finalize. Your channel setup is now complete!
How to Create a WhatsApp Channel on iOS Devices
- Open WhatsApp on your phone and navigate to the Updates tab.
- Tap on the “+” icon and choose “Create Channel.”
- Tap “Get Started” and follow the prompts on the screen.
- Add a name for your channel to complete the setup. You can edit the name later if needed.
- Customize your channel by adding a brief description and selecting an icon. The description should briefly explain your channel’s content. You can upload an image or select an emoji or sticker for your icon.
How to Create a WhatsApp Channel in your Browser
- Open WhatsApp Web in your browser and access Channels by clicking on the Channels icon.
- Click the “+” symbol and then select “Create channel.”
- Click “Get Started” and follow the prompts displayed on the screen.
- Provide a name for your channel to complete the setup. You have the option to change the name later if necessary.
- Customize your channel by adding a brief description and selecting an icon. The description should succinctly convey the purpose and content of your channel. You can choose an emoji, sticker, or image as your icon, either by uploading an existing image or taking one during channel setup.
How to share updates on your WhatsApp Channel?
Please remember that your updates are visible to the public, including both your followers and those who don’t follow you:
- Your followers can see all updates from the beginning of your channel.
- People who don’t follow you can only view updates from the past 30 days.
You can share text content (with links) and media such as images or videos.
To share text content:
- Go to the channels page and open your channel.
- Compose your post and add formatting like bold text, strikethrough, or underline. You can also include emojis by selecting the smiley emoji in WhatsApp.
- When adding a link, it will be displayed as a preview of the content and image (if available).
- Once your update is ready, click on the arrow to share it.
For sharing images and videos:
- Select the “plus” icon in your channel.
- Capture a new picture or video with your camera or select existing ones from your device.
- You can make various edits to your media, such as rotating, cropping, adding text and emojis, blurring parts, or adjusting the image quality.
- If you want to add captions to your media, tap on the image and add your text.
- Remember, followers can save any media you share to their phone.
What can you do with your new WhatsApp Channel?
Depending on your personal or business objectives, WhatsApp Channels can be used in various ways. As an individual user or influencer, you might utilize them to share content with your followers or connect with friends and family.
For businesses, the primary function is to conduct one-to-many broadcasts. This could involve sharing updates such as new product launches, company announcements, promotions, or valuable content.
However, it’s important to note that outside of sending bulk messages, the features of WhatsApp Channels are still quite limited, especially when compared to the regular WhatsApp broadcast tool. You cannot personalize messages, set up target groups, include automations, or use templates, and the insights provided are very limited.
Nevertheless, when combined with your use of the WhatsApp Business API, WhatsApp Channels can serve as a useful complementary feature for your business to direct more users towards engaging with your WhatsApp chat.
For example, you can include a link in your updates that leads interested users directly to your WhatsApp Business chat, allowing for further conversation.
FAQ’s
What are WhatsApp Channels?
WhatsApp Channels are a new feature introduced by WhatsApp for businesses to conduct one-to-many broadcasts, enabling them to share updates, promotions, and valuable content with their audience.
How can I create a WhatsApp Channel?
To create a WhatsApp Channel, you need to have a WhatsApp account. For private users, the regular WhatsApp App suffices, while businesses can use the WhatsApp Business App. Simply follow the step-by-step instructions provided in this guide.
Can I personalize messages in WhatsApp Channels?
Currently, the features of WhatsApp Channels are limited. While you can customize the name, description, and icon of your channel, personalizing messages, setting up target groups, including automations, or using templates are not yet supported.
How can I share updates on my WhatsApp Channel?
You can share text content with links, as well as media such as images or videos. Simply compose your post on the channels page, add formatting if desired, and click on the arrow to share it. For images and videos, use the “plus” icon to upload or capture media from your device.
What can I do with my new WhatsApp Channel?
Depending on your goals, you can use WhatsApp Channels to share content with your followers, conduct one-to-many broadcasts for businesses, or connect with friends and family. While features are limited compared to the regular WhatsApp broadcast tool, combining WhatsApp Channels with the WhatsApp Business API can enhance your business’s communication strategy.
Can I get insights on my WhatsApp Channel’s performance?
Insights on WhatsApp Channel performance are currently limited. While you can see who views your updates, detailed analytics such as engagement metrics or audience demographics are not provided at this time.
Conclusion
WhatsApp Channels provide an exciting avenue for individuals and businesses to connect with their audience. While they offer a straightforward method for broadcasting messages, it’s essential to acknowledge their current limitations, such as the inability to personalize messages or access detailed insights. By integrating WhatsApp Channels with the WhatsApp Business API, businesses can enhance their communication strategy and guide more users towards meaningful interactions on WhatsApp. As this feature evolves, we anticipate further improvements and expanded capabilities, offering even more possibilities for effective communication and engagement.
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