If you are a retailer, whether online or offline, you likely often need to receive customer pre-orders. Traditionally, this has been managed using paper forms or Google Forms to collect customer information and orders. However, these methods have many disadvantages. For instance, paper forms are prone to loss or damage, and Google Forms require a Google account to fill out, which can inconvenience some customers and deter them from completing their orders. Furthermore, these methods do not facilitate quick and accurate order processing and analysis, which can affect your business efficiency and performance.
Is there a better way to allow customers to place orders via WhatsApp, enabling you to collect and manage orders and optimize your product and marketing strategies through data analysis? WhatsApp short form are a tool that can help you achieve these goals. They allow for seamless communication and transactions with customers via forms sent and received on WhatsApp, offering numerous powerful features and advantages.
In this article, we will explore the benefits and functionalities of WhatsApp pre-order forms, as well as how to design and utilize them effectively. Continue reading if you want to enhance your retail business!
Five-Step Process for Using WhatsApp Product Order Forms
We will guide you through how customers can complete the entire order and payment process within WhatsApp without any intervention from sales staff. Here’s an example of the process:
- Customer Inquiry & Automatic WhatsApp Response:
Customers can contact you in various ways, such as scanning your WhatsApp QR code, clicking your WhatsApp link, or directly entering your number in WhatsApp. When a customer contacts you, WhatsApp automatically replies with a message welcoming them and introducing your products and services. The message includes three CTA buttons: “Fill Out Form Now,” “Learn About Pre-order Products,” and “View All Products.”
- Interactive Choices via WhatsApp:
If a customer opts to “Learn About Pre-order Products,” WhatsApp automatically sends a message containing product images and descriptions to help the customer understand the features and benefits. This message also includes a CTA button that leads directly to the form link.
- Immediate Form Filling in WhatsApp:
If the customer clicks on “Fill Out Form Now,” WhatsApp will navigate to and open the form directly within the app, where the customer can fill in and submit their details such as name, phone number, address, product name, quantity, and price.
- Direct Transition to Payment After Form Submission:
After filling out the pre-order form, the customer simply clicks the submit button, which leads directly to the payment page. This page displays the order details and total amount, along with various payment options like credit card, Alipay, WeChat Pay, etc. The customer can choose their preferred payment method and complete the payment securely within WhatsApp.
Extended reading: VIMOS supports multiple WhatsApp payment methods: UnionPay, Alipay, WeChat Pay, Visa, and Mastercard.
- Order Confirmation via WhatsApp:
Once the payment is made, WhatsApp automatically sends a message to the customer confirming that the payment has been received and verifying the customer’s information and order. The message includes a CTA button allowing the customer to click to confirm, indicating agreement and acceptance of the order.
Automatic Order Completion with No Sales Staff Needed:
When the customer confirms, WhatsApp automatically sends you an order notification, letting you know a new order has been placed. You can then manage the order within WhatsApp, arranging for product manufacturing and delivery, and offering additional services and promotions to the customer. This allows you to complete the entire order process within WhatsApp without any sales staff involvement.
Seven Major Benefits of WhatsApp Pre-order Forms for the Retail Industry
- Convenience for Customers: Customers can simply click a link or scan a QR code within WhatsApp to fill out and submit the form, without needing other apps or accounts.
- Increased Order Efficiency: WhatsApp automatically sends and receives forms, eliminating the need for manual handling while allowing instant responses and reminders to customers.
- Reduced Errors and Omissions: WhatsApp forms validate and confirm customer input. You can set field requirements and limits, and include product images and descriptions.
- Time and Cost Savings: WhatsApp forms eliminate the time and cost associated with paper forms. You only need a mobile phone or computer to view and manage orders.
- Enhanced Customer Loyalty and Satisfaction: Maintaining contact with customers on WhatsApp and providing personalized, professional services increases loyalty and satisfaction. You can also send coupons, gifts, thank-you notes, and collect feedback and suggestions.
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM): Utilize a WhatsApp CRM system to categorize and tag customers, track and record their behaviors and preferences, send customized messages and advertisements, and create and analyze reports and statistics.
- Streamlined Payment Process: WhatsApp enhances payment efficiency, allowing customers to pay directly within the app, eliminating the need for other platforms or tools.
Further Reading:
- WhatsApp in Hong Kong Education: Chatbots, APIs, and Forms
- Comprehensive Guide to Using WhatsApp with VIMOS Form Features for Online Appointment Systems.
VIMOS offers a powerful and flexible one-stop sales and marketing platform that enables you to establish a closer and more effective relationship with your customers, boosting your online business performance and competitive edge. If you want to learn more about the WhatsApp API, feel free to contact VIMOS anytime!
