The short answer: connect your business WhatsApp number to your CRM. Then reminders, statements and broadcasts go out on WhatsApp from the same place you quote and invoice, and every chat stays with the customer’s record instead of on one person’s phone.
Why WhatsApp works better than email for small businesses
In South Africa, customers open WhatsApp long before they open email. A reminder that sits unread in an inbox for a week is often read within minutes on WhatsApp. The problem is that most businesses run WhatsApp from one person’s phone: the chats are not on the customer’s record, nobody else can see them, and when that person is away, so is the history.
What you can do with WhatsApp in CRM Online
- Chat from inside the CRM. With WhatsApp Connect, your team chats with customers from the CRM, on your own WhatsApp business number.
- Send payment reminders and payment links. With Age Analysis + WhatsApp Connect, overdue reminders and payment links go out on WhatsApp, straight from the debtors list.
- Send monthly statements. The Statement Manager module sends statements by email, and by WhatsApp too.
- Broadcast to a list. Send a notice to all your customers, or to a marketing list, in one go.
- Keep customers updated on jobs. The Job Card module has email and WhatsApp message templates for job updates.
How it works
- Connect your business number. WhatsApp Connect links your own WhatsApp business number to your CRM.
- Set up your message templates. Business messages that start a conversation use WhatsApp-approved templates, such as a payment reminder with a link. You map each template to its job in the CRM.
- Send from where you work. Reminders from the debtors list, statements from the Statement Manager, broadcasts to a list, and chats with any customer.
- Everything is logged. Messages are kept in the CRM’s WhatsApp log, so the whole team can see what was sent.
WhatsApp’s own messaging charges from Meta may apply to business messages, separately from CRM Online’s module price.
Three WhatsApp messages that get you paid
| When | What to send |
|---|---|
| The day an invoice is due | A friendly reminder with the amount and a payment link |
| 7 days overdue | A firmer reminder, plus the statement |
| Month-end | The monthly statement, so customers see everything they owe |
More ideas in 7 ways to get paid faster.
Frequently asked questions
Do I use my own WhatsApp number?
Yes. WhatsApp Connect works on your own WhatsApp business number, so customers see your business, not ours.
Can I send a message to all my customers at once?
Yes, with broadcast messages to all your customers or to a marketing list.
What does WhatsApp Connect cost?
R1,000 a month, free for the first 30 days. Age Analysis + WhatsApp Connect is R50 a month and Statement Manager R20 a month, each also free for 30 days. WhatsApp’s own message charges from Meta may apply.
Read more: WhatsApp Connect and other modules · Pricing · Free video course
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