WhatsApp Business or personal: which is better for bookings

Many solo businesses take bookings on WhatsApp. The question is whether to use your normal account or the separate WhatsApp Business app.

WhatsApp Business: the main benefits

• A business profile with your name, description, opening hours and address or area.
• Quick replies: saved messages for questions you answer every day, such as prices.
• Labels: tag chats as "new client", "booked" or "needs a reply".
• A greeting and away message for when you are busy or closed.
• A separate chat history from your friends and family.

When your personal account is fine

If you only have a handful of clients and you like the personal feel, your normal number works. Many barbers and dog walkers start this way.

Things to think about

• A business account keeps work and personal messages apart, which helps when you want a day off.
• Customers see your business name, which looks more professional.
• A business account needs its own number, so decide whether to use a second SIM or move your existing number across.

What WhatsApp does not do

It does not show your free times, so you still spend time going back and forth. It does not stop double bookings, and old messages get buried.

A simple combination

Use WhatsApp for the friendly bit, such as confirmations and "running five minutes late", and a booking link for the actual booking.

The takeaway

WhatsApp Business is the better choice once you have regular clients. Either way, pair it with a booking link. Bookable's reminders open WhatsApp with the message ready to send from your own number.

Keep reading

• What to post on Instagram as a one-person business
• Put a QR code in your window so passers-by can book
• Set up a Google Business Profile that brings in bookings