If you sell anything online in India, a WhatsApp Business catalogue might be the most underused tool you have not set up yet.
India has over 500 million WhatsApp users. Many buyers prefer to browse products and place orders directly on WhatsApp rather than visiting a website. A catalogue gives them a mini storefront inside the app, where they can see your products, prices, and descriptions without leaving the conversation.
Why a WhatsApp Catalogue Makes a Difference
Most small sellers in India already use WhatsApp to take orders. But without a catalogue, customers have to scroll through old messages and photo dumps to find what they want. That friction loses orders.
With a catalogue, customers can browse all your products in one place, see photos and prices, and send you a ready-made order message with item names and codes. For home-based sellers, boutique owners, and resellers, this removes the need for a full website while still looking professional.
What You Need Before You Start
You need the WhatsApp Business app installed on your phone. This is separate from the regular WhatsApp app and is free on both Android and iOS.
Have these ready before you begin:
- Product photos (minimum 500×500 pixels)
- Product names and descriptions
- Prices in Indian Rupees
- Optional: product codes and links to payment pages
Step-by-Step: How to Set Up Your WhatsApp Business Catalogue
Step 1: Open Business Tools
In the WhatsApp Business app, tap the three dots in the top right corner, then select “Business Tools”. You will see “Catalogue” listed there.
Step 2: Tap “Add New Item”
This opens the product listing form. You need to fill in at least the product name and add one photo to save a listing.
Step 3: Upload Your Product Photo
Tap the image icon to upload from your gallery or take a photo directly. WhatsApp accepts JPG and PNG images. A clean white background or a well-lit lifestyle shot both work well. You can add up to 10 photos per product.
Step 4: Fill in the Product Details
Keep the name short and descriptive. For example: “Cotton Kurti, Floral Print, Sizes S to XL”. For price, enter the amount in INR, like Rs. 350. In the description field, add key details such as material, size range, and care instructions. Add a product code if you have one. When customers order, they can say “I want item 101 and 104” instead of describing each product, which reduces confusion.
Step 5: Save and Repeat for All Products
There is no limit on the number of products you can add. Build your catalogue fully before sharing it. A catalogue with 3 items does not create the same impression as one with 20 to 30 items.
How to Share Your Catalogue with Customers
WhatsApp generates a unique link for your catalogue. You can share this in your Instagram bio, Facebook posts, or any other platform.
You can also share individual products mid-conversation. Open any product in the catalogue section and tap “Share” to send it to any contact or group. When chatting with a customer, tap the attachment icon and select “Catalogue” to browse and share items directly.
Taking Payments via WhatsApp
WhatsApp Pay is available in India and works on UPI. Customers can pay you directly inside the app without switching to another platform.
For sellers who want more flexibility, Razorpay payment links work very well alongside WhatsApp catalogues. You create a payment link on the Razorpay dashboard for a specific order amount, share it in the WhatsApp chat, and the customer pays via UPI, card, or net banking. Razorpay settles payments to your bank account within 2 to 3 working days.
WhatsApp Business App vs WhatsApp Business API
| Feature | WhatsApp Business App | WhatsApp Business API |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | Paid (via providers like Interakt) |
| Devices | One phone only | Multiple users, web and desktop |
| Automation | Basic auto-reply only | Full chatbot, broadcast, CRM |
| Catalogue | Yes, built-in | Yes, with more control |
| Best for | Solo sellers, small teams | Growing businesses, 30+ orders per week |
If you are just getting started, the free WhatsApp Business app is all you need. Once you are handling more than 30 to 40 orders a week and want to automate follow-ups and broadcast messages to customer lists, tools like Interakt connect to the WhatsApp Business API and handle this for you.
Tips for Getting More Orders from Your Catalogue
Keep your photos consistent. A catalogue mixing professional shots with dark blurry photos looks unprofessional. Pick one style and stick to it across all listings.
Update prices regularly. Nothing frustrates a customer more than being told the price changed after they showed interest based on your catalogue listing.
Pin your best sellers at the top. WhatsApp lets you reorder items in your catalogue. Put your 3 to 5 most popular products first, since most customers will not scroll through everything.
Add a product code to every item. This makes ordering faster and less prone to errors when customers message you.
Setting Up Takes Less Than an Hour
Download WhatsApp Business, collect your product photos and prices, and start adding items one by one. Most sellers complete a basic catalogue of 15 to 20 products within an hour. Once it is live, share the link with your existing customers and in your social media bio. You will likely get your first catalogue-driven inquiry within the first few days.