WhatsApp Channels’ 2023 introduction presented a chance for companies looking to communicate directly with their current and potential clients. There are 3.14 billion WhatsApp users worldwide as of May 2025. It is one of the most active and engaging messaging applications ever, if not the most, due to its high open rate.

WhatsApp Channels allow small to mid-size companies (SMBs) to develop their own following naturally, without relying on third-party algorithms, while organic reach on social media sites like Facebook and Instagram diminishes.

The basics of growing a WhatsApp channel will be covered in this post, along with useful strategies for growing the channel’s following and how Messente’s messaging solutions may help.

The importance of expanding your WhatsApp channel

WhatsApp Channels are a useful business tool in a world where customers aren’t paying much attention. Given that WhatsApp channels provide a unique but complementary set of commercial advantages, it would be beneficial to learn how your company may increase its use and influence.

1. Have faith and reach

The astounding 98% open rate of WhatsApp chats is impressive. This implies that your message has a high chance of being read in addition to reaching the intended audience! The audience has a high level of confidence in the platform because of its extensive reach and end-to-end encryption.

2. Economical advertising

One of the most economical ways to communicate with your consumers directly is via WhatsApp Channels. For possible exposure, traditional paid advertising techniques need a large financial outlay. WhatsApp Channels expand their reach significantly at a fraction of the cost of advertising by using smart distribution and organic growth.

3. Easy access to potential clients

Finding someone in a packed email is annoying, isn’t it? By avoiding a sea of distractions, channels allow you to communicate directly and guarantee dependable delivery free from security concerns.

4. Retention of customers

You may build a long-term value loyalty group of customers, followers, and repeat buyers by sharing relevant material, timely updates, or personalized offers.

5. Ownership of data

These days, privacy and data ownership are major issues.

You can feel secure knowing that your customer data is handled properly, securely, and in accordance with laws like the GDPR, DORA, and ISO standards when you use WhatsApp Channels to expand your audience.

How to increase the number of followers on your WhatsApp channel

A comprehensive strategy for expanding your WhatsApp channel blends sponsored growth tactics to boost reach and member acquisition with organic tactics to create a devoted, active audience.

1. Expand upon your current online presence

The lowest-hanging fruit is your existing audience. Make it as simple as possible for your audience to find and interact with your channel.

Click-to-channel links: These links may be included in a pop-up window on your homepage, product pages, or website.

Dedicated landing pages: Create landing pages with a focus on conversion to encourage opt-ins during special campaigns or product launches.

Social media networks

• Link in the bio: Include the URL of your WhatsApp Channel in the biographies of your Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter (X) profiles.
• Content calendar: Ask all followers to join the WhatsApp Channel so they may receive exclusive offers and first access to deals by mentioning it often or continuously in reels, tales, and organic posts.
• WhatsApp status: Use your status to hint at upcoming special announcements.

Email advertising

• Intelligent signatures: Include a “Join our WhatsApp Channel” banner in each team member’s email signature.
• Newsletter CTAs: Incorporate opt-in invites and value-based CTAs into your newsletters.

2. To attract subscribers, provide incentives and value.

Just as important as your internet presence is your offline presence. Every opportunity you have to interact with someone face-to-face is an opportunity to develop. Create and share a special QR code for your WhatsApp channel.

When customers scan the code, a pre-filled message is instantly sent to your WhatsApp channel. With little assistance from a human, you can create personalized WhatsApp Flows that nurture your prospects and convert them into sales.

Your QR code may be entered on:

• In-store signage: To draw consumers’ attention at checkouts, counters, or tables, places should be set aside for scanning QR codes.
• package: The package design might include the QR code with an informative message such as “Scan for exclusive deals and product information.”
• Receipts: You may create a lasting relationship with your clients by using a QR code and the simple phrase “Join our WhatsApp Channel”.

3. Remain constant to promote community

What might entice someone to subscribe to your channel? mostly because of the value it provides!

Incentives to follow your channel and participate in your goals must be offered to both current and future clients. You may immediately publish your offers to the following people via your WhatsApp channel:

• To keep your audience engaged, post behind-the-scenes videos, announce the release of a new product, or offer insider advice.
• Make your WhatsApp users feel like members of your VIP team by offering them exclusive discounts and promotions.
• Conduct surveys, quizzes, and polls to maintain audience interest and collect insightful information.

4. To ensure compliance, use automatic opt-in procedures.

Strong compliance measures in Messente help safeguard your WhatsApp Business account. We work with you to teach you how to handle opt-outs electronically, set up double opt-in procedures, utilize message templates with permission, monitor in real-time, and more—all while adhering to WhatsApp’s rules and international compliance.

You can grow your WhatsApp Business account rapidly with this compliance architecture without worrying about account damage, which is a major problem that many companies run across when expanding into WhatsApp channels.

5. Divide up subscribers to increase interaction

Sending the same messages to everyone on your WhatsApp list might rapidly result in opt-out. With Messente’s Phonebook, you can make sophisticated segmentations based on factors like demographics, engagement levels, past purchases, behavioral triggers, etc

Using a variety of criteria, you may create customized messages that will hold the interest and attention span of your WhatsApp channel’s followers and efficiently support the channel’s growth.

In order to ensure that the correct message reaches the right client at the right time, Messente’s dashboard also makes it simple to schedule targeted broadcasts and manage these segments.

6. Consistently track growth metrics

Businesses who use WhatsApp as a performance channel with a measurable return on investment are the ones that are expanding the quickest on the platform. You may get a broad overview of WhatsApp message data, such as response details, reach, growth, and other follower insights, by using Messente’s analytics dashboard.

In order to ascertain which version of the message works better, users may check important metrics such as delivery, read, and click-through rates. With that knowledge, you can enhance your calls to action, timeliness, and content. You can also expand your WhatsApp channel by regularly publishing useful material.

7. Make use of compensated growth strategies

Even while organic growth is crucial, well implemented sponsored ad growth techniques may sometimes hasten the growth of your WhatsApp channel’s following.

• Meta advertisements: Use UTM parameters to monitor performance and get more out of Facebook and Instagram ads with click-to-WhatsApp CTAs.
• Influencer partnerships: To increase your following, team up with micro-influencers in your field.
• Cross-promotions: Use Messente’s segmentation tools to find the perfect partner whose followers fit the demographic of your target market. Next, arrange a cross-promotional event, like a webinar or a live social media conversation, to increase targeted followers and traffic to each other’s channels.

An API provider will be useful in this situation. You may do the following by linking your WhatsApp Business Account to the Messente API:

• Automate welcome messages: As soon as a new follower joins your channel, send them a welcome message to increase interaction.
• Capture and qualify leads: In the Messente application, automatically add the new contact to a specific audience segment after asking qualifying questions.
• Nurture and convert prospects by putting them in a fresh, customized marketing sequence or encouraging them to join your channel.

This guarantees that no lead is overlooked and offers a smooth, expert experience.

The best methods for WhatsApp’s long-term development

You need a long-term strategy, even if the growth tactics mentioned above may help you get started with increasing both your channel’s organic and sponsored growth. To continuously produce high-impact content that engages your readers and motivates them to share it with their network, follow these best practices.

1. Prioritize quality above quantity

In the end, 100 really active subscribers are much superior than 1,000 inactive ones. Therefore, focus on drawing in people who are actively interested in your goods and content.

2. Provide a remarkable experience

Your WhatsApp channel should be handled like any other business correspondence. Respond to questions quickly and maintain a consistent brand voice across all of your channels.

3. Establish trust via social evidence

Share your subscribers’ inspiring endorsements, reviews, and success stories. Users are encouraged to subscribe and participate whenever they see proof that your channel is helping others.

4. Provide useful one-way updates

Although WhatsApp channels were initially intended for one-way updates, you can use interactive features like polls, quizzes, and surveys to turn them into a forum for two-way discussions.

5. Make use of mobile-friendly material

It’s likely that the majority of your receivers will be using a mobile device to see your messages and all of its contents. As a result, everything you publish has to be optimized for mobile devices. When updating your WhatsApp channel, for example, don’t utilize too many components since this may cause load times to increase, overload users, and detract from the experience of your audience.

In conclusion

Strategy, organic development tactics, and a trustworthy technology partner are necessary for starting a successful WhatsApp channel. You may build a channel that has a significant commercial effect by combining Messente’s WhatsApp commercial API with these seven tried-and-true strategies.

Providing genuine value to your subscribers and abiding by WhatsApp’s rules are essential for sustainable development. Messente offers you everything you need to confidently expand your channel without incurring extra costs or running the danger of account suspension thanks to its clear price structure, direct carrier connections, and trustworthy analytics.

Are you prepared to alter your strategy for WhatsApp marketing? To efficiently increase the number of followers on your WhatsApp channel, sign up for Messente’s WhatsApp Business solution.