Are you a business looking to manage your WhatsApp chats directly from your desktop? With WhatsApp Web, you can access all your conversations on your computer, whether you’re using a browser, a Windows app, or a Mac app. 

While Meta hasn’t launched a standalone WhatsApp Business app for desktop or PC, all the features of WhatsApp Business are automatically available when you log in to WhatsApp Web or WhatsApp Desktop using your business account phone number. So to access WhatsApp Business on your laptop or computer simply log in to WhatsApp Web as usual with your business account credentials. Here’s a straightforward guide on how to set it up, plus some tips for a smooth experience.

Using WhatsApp Web on Your Browser

  1. Open your browser and go to WhatsApp Web.

  2. Open WhatsApp on your phone. Click the three dots at the top left corner for Android and Settings for iPhone. Go to Linked Devices and tap Link a Device.

  3. Scan the QR code shown on the website from your phone and you will get logged in.

You can keep WhatsApp Web open in your browser and easily message from your desktop.

Using the WhatsApp Desktop App on Windows

For a dedicated desktop experience, you can download the WhatsApp Desktop app:

  1. Go to the Microsoft Store, download WhatsApp Desktop, and open it.

  2. Open WhatsApp on your phone. Click the three dots at the top left corner for Android and Settings for iPhone. Go to Linked Devices and tap Link a Device.

  3. Scan the QR code on your Desktop screen from your phone. You’re now ready to chat from your computer.

Using the WhatsApp Desktop App on Mac

The process on Mac is similar to Windows:

  1. Go to the Mac App Store, download WhatsApp Desktop, and launch it.

  2. Open WhatsApp on your phone. Click the three dots at the top left corner for Android and Settings for iPhone. Go to Linked Devices and tap Link a Device.

  3. Scan the QR code on your Mac screen from your phone. Your chats will appear, and you’re all set.

How to Log Out of WhatsApp Business App?

  • From Your Phone: Open WhatsApp, go to Linked Devices, find the device you want to log out of, and select Log Out.

  • From the Desktop: If you’re using the desktop app, just click Menu > Log Out.

Features of WhatsApp Business App

  1. Set up automatic greeting messages to welcome new customers or away messages to let them know when you’re not available.

  2. Use labels to categorize chats, making it easier to track and manage customer conversations.

  3. You can login to upto 4 devices at once.

Differences Between WhatsApp Web and WhatsApp Desktop

How to Access

    • WhatsApp Web: Open a browser, go to web.whatsapp.com, and scan a QR code with your phone.

    • WhatsApp Desktop: Download and install an app on your computer and log in to your account by scanning the QR code with your phone.

Computer Integration

    • WhatsApp Web: Works like a website with basic features.

    • WhatsApp Desktop: Feels more like a built-in app, with extra features like shortcuts and drag-and-drop for files.

Notifications

    • WhatsApp Web: Shows notifications in your browser, which might be less reliable.

    • WhatsApp Desktop: Sends notifications directly on your computer, making them easier to see.

Convenience

    • WhatsApp Web: Great for quick access from any computer with a browser.

    • WhatsApp Desktop: Better for those who want a consistent app experience on one main computer.

Limitations of WhatsApp Business Web

While WhatsApp Business Web is a handy tool, it does come with some limits that may affect business use. Here’s a quick look at these limitations:

  1. WhatsApp Business Web allows broadcasts to only 256 recipients at a time, which can be restrictive for businesses aiming for large-scale promotions.

  2. WhatsApp Business Web allows login from just 4 devices, which may not be enough for teams managing high volumes of messages.

  3. You can only schedule basic away or greeting messages. Scheduling messages based on events or database entries isn’t possible.

  4. Automation is limited to basic canned replies. You can’t add an advanced chatbot to handle FAQs, sales, or support queries.

  5. WhatsApp Business Web doesn’t support integration with CRMs or other chat automation tools, limiting communication efficiency.

However all of the above limitations can be overcome by using WhatsApp Business API.

How to Use WhatsApp Business Web with WhatsApp API

With WhatsApp Business API access, you can transform how you communicate with customers, seamlessly linking WhatsApp to your CRM and databases. This lets your business scale up customer interactions as you grow, making the most of your WhatsApp Business Web.

Apply for WhatsApp Business API access through an official Meta WhatsApp Business API provider like Heltar to go beyond the basic features of the WhatsApp Business app. Heltar enables you to:

  • Integrate Across Platforms: Connect WhatsApp with platforms like Google, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and your website.

  • Build a No-Code AI Chatbot: Easily create and deploy a chatbot without any coding, optimizing customer interactions with AI.

  • WhatsApp Bulk Messaging and Campaigns: Run engaging marketing and broadcast campaigns on WhatsApp to reach more customers efficiently.

  • Boost Sales and Support with a Team Inbox: Centralize all customer inquiries in one inbox, improving response times and providing top-notch support.

For more insights on optimizing your business using WhatsApp Business API check out our other blogs at heltar.com/blogs.