Online Business Card and WhatsApp Business: A Guide
By Online Business Cards Editorial Team | Published | Updated | Online business cards for local businesses
How to use your online business card with the WhatsApp Business app: the link in your business profile, away messages and quick replies that include it, sharing in chats and the WhatsApp button on your card.
For many local businesses, WhatsApp is where customers actually talk to you. They message to ask a price, check a time or send a photo of the job. The WhatsApp Business app adds tools that make this easier: a business profile, away messages, quick replies, labels and more. An online business card fits neatly alongside it, holding the prices, photos, booking button and documents that do not belong in a chat.
This guide shows how to use the two together: the card link in your business profile, away messages and quick replies that include the link, sharing the card in chats, and the WhatsApp button on your card.
Why the two work together
WhatsApp is good at conversation. Your card is good at information. When a customer asks "how much is a full groom?", you can type the answer each time, or send one link that shows every price, your photos, your reviews and a booking button. The customer gets more, and you type less.
The card also works the other way. People who find your card through your van, your Google Business Profile or a friend can press the WhatsApp button on it and start a chat with you straight away.
Step 1: put the card link in your business profile
The WhatsApp Business app gives you a business profile, which customers see when they open your chat. WhatsApp describes it as a place for your logo, business description, hours and website, on its business app features page.
- Website: if you do not have a website, add your card link. If you do, add your website and mention the card in your description.
- Description: a short line, such as "Mobile dog grooming in Otley and Ilkley. Prices and booking: see our card link."
- Hours: use exactly the same hours as your card and Google Business Profile.
Step 2: add the link to your away message
Away messages send an automatic reply when you are busy or closed. WhatsApp's help page on how to use away messages explains how to set one, including sending it only outside business hours, which needs your hours set in your business profile.
A good away message does three things: says when you will reply, gives the most useful link, and sets expectations.
> "Thanks for your message. I'm on a job right now and will reply by 7pm. Prices, photos and online booking are on our card: [your card link]"
Step 3: save quick replies with the link
Quick replies are saved messages you can send with a shortcut. WhatsApp's help page on how to use quick replies shows how to create them, and notes that you can store up to 50.
Useful quick replies for a local business:
- /prices: "Here are all our prices, with photos of our work: [card link]"
- /book: "You can choose a time that suits you here: [card link]. If nothing fits, reply and I'll try to squeeze you in."
- /quote: "To quote, I need your postcode, the job and a photo if you can. You can also use the form on our card: [card link]"
- /review: "Thanks again for choosing us. If you have a minute, we'd value an honest review: [card link]"
- /save: "Here's our card, so you have our number and prices for next time: [card link]"
Step 4: share the card in chats
Beyond quick replies, a few moments are worth building into habit.
- After a first enquiry. Send the card with your reply, so the customer has your details and prices saved.
- After a job. A thank-you message with the card link makes it easy to rebook, recommend you or leave a review.
- When someone asks for a friend. "My neighbour wants your number" is the perfect moment to send the card instead.
- In group chats you belong to, such as a local business network, when it is welcome. Do not post it where it is not.
Step 5: add the WhatsApp button to your card
On your card, add a WhatsApp button near the top, next to Call. WhatsApp's click to chat feature lets a link open a chat with your number, so customers can message you without saving your number first.
Put the button where people see it without scrolling, and label it clearly, such as "Message us on WhatsApp".
How each WhatsApp Business feature fits with your card
WhatsApp Business feature | What it does | How your card fits
Business profile | Shows your description, hours and website in chat | Card link as your website, or mentioned in your description
Away message | Replies automatically when you are busy or closed | Include the card link, so customers can see prices or book while they wait
Greeting message | Welcomes new customers who message you | Point new customers to the card for prices and booking
Quick replies | Saved messages sent with a shortcut | Save replies that include the card link for prices, booking, quotes and reviews
Labels | Sorts chats, such as "New enquiry" or "Booked" | Use the same stages as your card's CRM on the Business Plan, so nothing is missed
Catalogue | Shows products inside WhatsApp | Keep prices the same in both, or point to the card's products section
Click to chat | A link that opens a chat with you | Behind the WhatsApp button on your card
Keep chats and leads tidy
WhatsApp chats and card leads can end up in two places. A simple routine stops anything slipping.
- Label every new WhatsApp enquiry the same day.
- On the Business Plan, check your card's contact leads at the same time, so enquiries from both arrive in one review.
- Once a week, follow up any quote you have not heard back about, whichever route it came by.
Respect people's choices
Messaging someone about the job they asked about is normal service. Sending promotions is marketing, which needs their agreement. Do not add customers to broadcast lists for offers unless they have asked to hear from you, and stop if they ask. The ICO explains the difference in its marketing guidance for small organisations.
Example: a mobile mechanic's set-up
This is an Example for a made-up business, not a real customer.
- Business profile: "Mobile mechanic, servicing and repairs at your home or work, Bath and Frome." Card link in the website field.
- Away message, outside hours: "Thanks. I'm under a car right now. I'll reply by 6pm. For prices and the quote form: [card link]"
- Quick replies: /prices, /quote, /review.
- Labels: New enquiry, Quoted, Booked, Done.
- Card: WhatsApp button at the top, services with "from" prices, an enquiry form asking for car make, model and the fault, a gallery with registration plates hidden, and a reviews button.
For more on running a business from the van, read our guide to an online business card for mobile businesses. If you are deciding between a card and a social link page, see our comparison of an online business card vs link in bio.
Which plan?
Both plans include a WhatsApp button and links. Brand Presence is £45 and the Business Plan is £90, each paid once. The Business Plan adds bookings, enquiry forms, leads, a CRM and a reviews button. Our online business card with a QR code page shows both. More guides are in the journal.
Frequently asked questions
Can I put my online business card link in my WhatsApp Business profile?
Yes. If you do not have a website, add the card link in the website field. If you do, add your website and mention the card in your business description.
What should my WhatsApp away message say?
When you will reply, a link to your card for prices and booking, and nothing more. Keep it short, friendly and honest about your reply time.
How do quick replies help?
They save messages you send often, so you can reply with a shortcut. Save ones that include your card link for prices, booking, quotes and reviews. WhatsApp lets you store up to 50.
How do I add a WhatsApp button to my card?
Add your WhatsApp number as a button on your card, near the top and labelled clearly. It uses WhatsApp's click to chat, so customers can message you without saving your number first.
Can I send offers to customers on WhatsApp?
Only to people who have agreed to receive them, and stop if they ask. Messages about a job they asked about are service messages. Promotions are marketing and need their agreement.
Do I need the Business Plan to use the card with WhatsApp?
No. Brand Presence (£45 one-off) includes your WhatsApp button and links. The Business Plan (£90 one-off) adds bookings, enquiry forms, leads and a CRM, which help you keep WhatsApp enquiries organised.