It would be difficult to find a place where WhatsApp is not popular. According to studies, WhatsApp has been gaining over a million members every day since 2020. Just two non-Google apps have achieved the five billion install milestone.
The average WhatsApp user checks their chats at least 20 times a day, if that wasn't enough for you. Businesses would benefit greatly from adding a WhatsApp app to their website that includes all of this data. A simple chat button has started several lead qualifying procedures.
Today, I'm going to show you why WhatsApp should be an important part of your sales process if it isn't already.
A sales funnel is just a way of describing the steps a customer takes from first hearing about your store to becoming a loyal buyer.
When you add WhatsApp into the mix, it simply means you’re guiding customers through those steps by chatting with them on the app they already use every day. Instead of cold emails or waiting for them to fill out a contact form, you can talk to them instantly, answer questions, share product links, and even send updates right inside WhatsApp.
For Shopify store owners, this is powerful because:
Think of it as turning WhatsApp into your online shop assistant — guiding people from curiosity to checkout and beyond, without making them leave the app.
Its name suggests that a WhatsApp sales funnel is a conversation-based journey that uses WhatsApp as the main communication medium to guide leads from the first point of contact all the way to conversion.
A sales funnel is a step-by-step process that turns possible customers into loyal customers. A WhatsApp sales funnel is like a regular sales funnel that a company might use to find out more about its customers and their problems at different times of the buying process.
It has the same stages as any other sales funnel, but each stage is designed to get people to interact with you more on WhatsApp. Here's how each step is broken down:
Your funnel starts with getting potential buyers into your WhatsApp list. From here, you invite them to connect with you on WhatsApp. This could be through a Chat with Us, whatsapp link button on your site, a link in your ad, or a QR code.
Then a lead hits on a "Start Chat" button, this removes any barriers to entry. Visitors can then be turned into chat contacts instead of cold leads in your CRM.
When you fill out a web form, it can feel impersonal. But WhatsApp lets you enter easily, so the process feels normal.
After clients join up, offer how-to manuals, special offers, or useful updates to keep them interested.
During the chat, determine if the lead fits your solution. Additionally, users must determine if your products help them achieve their goals.
Ask appropriate questions during onboarding to segment and qualify leads. The speed and natural engagement of WhatsApp are its most powerful features. It's not the same as a lead shape. Answers in chat feel more personal.
To help clients decide, answer their queries about your product or service in real time. At this point, you can use testimonials, reviews, and comparisons of different products to back up and reinforce their choice.
The last step is to let a buyer use direct payment links to make a purchase. The customer is ready to buy after thinking about the goods or service. To finish the loop easily, you should send them order confirmations and delivery status updates. Businesses that use WhatsApp as a marketing tool can use it successfully at different stages of this common sales funnel diagram.
Also read: 7 Tips for Using WhatsApp for Customer Support
These days, companies can't ignore WhatsApp when they're trying to sell something. Here are some strong reasons why:
WhatsApp has billions of active users, so it can reach people all over the world like never before. Your consumers are undoubtedly already on the platform, no matter where your business is located.
With 98% open rate, it’s certain that all of the WhatsApp messages you send using will be seen by your audience. About 80% of people open messages within the first five minutes of getting them.
Businesses can talk to buyers and sell their goods and services without spending a lot of money through WhatsApp. It's free to make a business account, and even the better tools, like the WhatsApp API, don't cost much more than regular ads.
WhatsApp lets you talk to your customers directly, which builds trust and makes them more loyal.
You now know what a normal WhatsApp funnel looks like and how it may help your business. Now it's time to think about the most likely actions to take to develop one.
Determine who you want to contact on WhatsApp. Learn their problems, wants, likes, and buying habits to shape your plan. Keep in mind that this funnel must serve them.
Your business's WhatsApp account should have its logo, profile image, contact information, and other information to prove that it's real. You want customers to find your business easily.
Choose the most interested group of viewers. Advertisements or campaigns on other marketing platforms can get people to sign up for WhatsApp communications.
Choose the kinds of communications you want to send to your target audience at every point of the sales funnel.
People in Stage 1 will require different communication methods than people in Stages 2-4, so think carefully about the language you use and how often you send messages. Keep in mind that conversational tone is more suitable for the platform.
When creating your messaging strategy, consider what to share at every marketing funnel stage. Anything to promote? What if you have questions or worries? Have a lot of interesting and useful content. Customers can get too much information.
Special offers, promotions, and deals keep WhatsApp subscribers interested in your business. Check codes and links for your website and channels.
Customers will have different questions and concerns at different stages. Clarify answers and remove questions. Thoroughness builds customer loyalty and trust by listening and meeting needs.
Communicate with customers frequently to show you value their business, regardless of purchase history. Make existing customers feel valued and nurtured, not spammed.
Track your sales funnel with WhatsApp Business API or other analytics. Choose metrics—sales, leads, or conversations. You recognize good and bad tactics. Testing and optimizing CTAs, content, offers, and messaging with interactions. Analytics data optimizes funnels strategically.
Track these key numbers:
Most WhatsApp-Shopify apps give you built-in analytics, or you can use Shopify's native reports to measure revenue from WhatsApp campaigns.
With Chatix, building a WhatsApp sales funnel is easy and super effective. Just add the chat widget to your Shopify store so visitors can reach you instantly. Welcome new leads with quick offers or FAQs, and use automation to guide first-time shoppers differently from repeat buyers. Share tips, updates, and deals to keep the conversation flowing, and don’t forget those gentle cart reminders. From order updates to loyalty rewards, Chatix makes every step feel personal — turning casual visitors into happy, repeat customers. Install Chatix Today
An end-to-end WhatsApp sales funnel on Shopify isn’t just about messaging — it’s about guiding customers from first click to repeat purchase in the most natural, human way possible.
Once your funnel is running, refine it with personalization, visuals, and well-timed offers. Soon, WhatsApp will become one of your highest-converting sales channels — not just a chat app.
Ans. A WhatsApp sales funnel for Shopify is a step-by-step customer journey where you use WhatsApp to capture leads, send offers, recover abandoned carts, and build long-term customer relationships.
Ans.Yes, WhatsApp usually gets higher open rates, faster replies, and a more personal feel.
Ans.It’s real-time, personal, and trusted — helping you connect faster and boost conversions.
Ans.Quick messages, product images, videos, GIFs, and special offers.
Ans.Yes, tools like Zoko, Interakt, and Wati make this possible.