WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps in the world, with over 2 billion users. It is also a powerful tool for bloggers who want to reach their audience and grow their online presence. In this article, we will explain what WhatsApp Channels are, how they work, and how you can use them to promote your blog. Before diving into the strategies for boosting traffic with WhatsApp Channels, it's essential to have a solid understanding of what WhatsApp Channels are, how to create WhatsApp Channels, and how they function.
How Bloggers Can Boost Traffic with WhatsApp Channels
In the ever-evolving world of digital communication, WhatsApp has introduced a new feature called "WhatsApp Channels." This feature allows users to create a channel to share updates and connect with their followers directly through WhatsApp. WhatsApp Channels represent a private and secure way for people and organizations to disseminate information, updates, and content within the WhatsApp ecosystem. These channels offer a one-way broadcast tool, enabling admins to share text, photos, videos, stickers, and polls with their followers. Here's everything you need to know about WhatsApp Channels.
What are WhatsApp Channels?
WhatsApp Channels are a private way for people to receive updates that matter to them, right within WhatsApp. Cricket teams, Football Teams, Hollywood actors/ actresses, Bollywood actors/actresses like Katrina Kaif, Diljit Dosanjh, Akshay Kumar, Vijay Deverakonda, and many more have launched their own WhatsApp Channels. Channels are a one-way broadcast tool for admins to send text, photos, videos, stickers, and polls.
Channels are designed to protect the personal information of both admins and followers. As a channel admin, your phone number and profile photo won’t be shown to followers. Likewise, following a channel won’t reveal your phone number to the admin or other followers. Who you decide to follow is your choice and it’s private.
Channels are not end-to-end encrypted by default, but WhatsApp is exploring this as a future option for some cases where end-to-end encrypted channels to a limited audience might make sense, such as a non-profit or health organization.
How to Create a WhatsApp Channel
Creating a WhatsApp Channel involves the following steps:
- Open WhatsApp Web, and go to Channels by clicking the Channels icon.
- Click the + icon and then click > Create channel.
- You can follow the above 1,2 steps on mobile devices as well.
- Click Continue to accept the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
- Add a channel name to finish creating your channel. You can choose to change the name again at any time.
- Customize your channel: You can choose to customize your channel now by adding a description and icon or wait until later.
- Add a channel description: Write a few words to help potential followers understand what your channel is about.
- Add a channel icon: Add an image from your phone or the web to stand out.
- Click Create channel, and you’re done!
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| Click the channel icon and then the + icon to create a WhatsApp Channel |
Please note that WhatsApp Channels is available in limited countries and to limited admins for now, and may not be available to you yet. You can join the waitlist to be notified when it’s ready for you.
How to share updates on your WhatsApp Channel?
To share updates on your WhatsApp Channel, you need to go to the Channels tab on WhatsApp Web and click on your channel. You can then compose your update using text, photos, videos, stickers, or polls. You can also add captions or emojis to your media updates.
To send your update, click Send. Your update will be delivered to all your followers instantly. You can also see how many people have seen your update by clicking on the eye icon next to it.
You can find and share a link to your channel from the channel info page. To get to your channel info page:
- - Open Channels by clicking the Channels icon.
- - Click your channel, and then your channel name.
- - Click the Copy link.
How to Find and Follow WhatsApp Channels
You can find and follow people and organizations you care about on WhatsApp Channels to stay informed or learn something new. When you follow a channel, you’ll see updates like written notes, links to information, photos, or videos from them in the Channels section of the Updates tab. To know when there’s a new update, you can also choose to turn on notifications for a channel.
How to Remove a Channel
If you wish to remove a channel from your list of followed channels, follow these steps:
- From the Updates tab on mobile or the Channels page on the web, find and tap or click your channel to open it.
- Locate the channel you want to remove in your Updates tab (on mobile) or Channels page (on the web).
- Tap or click your channel name, and then Delete channel > Delete.
- Access the channel's settings by tapping or clicking on its name. Then, select "Delete channel" followed by "Delete."
- Enter your phone number to confirm and tap or click Delete.
- Confirm your decision by providing your phone number, then tap or click "Delete."
How to Promote Your Content/ Blog Using WhatsApp Channels?
WhatsApp Channels can be a great way to promote your blog and drive more traffic to your website. Let's explore how bloggers can harness the power of WhatsApp Channels to drive traffic and increase online reach/ their online presence. It can help get more views/ clicks on Blog, YouTube, or maybe some other platform but getting a lot of traffic means getting a lot of opportunities. Here are some tips on how to use them effectively:
- Choose a catchy name and icon for your channel that reflects your blog’s niche and brand.
- Write a clear and concise description for your channel that tells potential followers what they can expect from your updates.
- Share valuable and relevant content that engages your followers and encourages them to visit your blog. For example, you can share tips, insights, news, stories, behind-the-scenes, previews, teasers, or exclusive offers related to your blog topics.
- Use media updates such as photos or videos to make your content more appealing and eyecatching.
- Use polls to get feedback from your followers or ask them questions related to your blog topics.
- Include links to your blog posts or landing pages in your updates. Make sure the links are short and easy to remember or use a URL shortener service like bit.ly or TinyURL
- Use calltoactions (CTAs) in your updates that invite your followers to take action. For example, you can ask them to read more on your blog, sign up for your newsletter, download your ebook, or share their opinions in the comments section.
- Track the performance of your updates using the eye icon or analytics tools like Google Analytics or Facebook Pixel. See how many people have seen, clicked, or converted from your updates and optimize accordingly.
- Be consistent and post regularly on your channel. Aim for at least one update per week, but don’t spam your followers with too many updates.
- Grow your channel by inviting your existing audience to follow you on WhatsApp. You can share your channel link on your blog, social media, email, or other platforms. You can also ask your followers to share your channel link with their friends or contacts who might be interested in your blog.
- Explore the possibility of monetizing your channel by using WhatsApp’s payment services or promoting certain channels in the directory to increase awareness.
Availability of WhatsApp Channels
As of September 2023, WhatsApp Channels are available in over 150 countries. The feature was initially launched in June 2023 in Singapore and Colombia and has since been expanded globally.
Latest Updates on WhatsApp Channels
WhatsApp has been continuously updating the Channels feature with new functionalities. Some of the latest updates include an enhanced directory where you can find channels that are automatically filtered based on your country, emoji reactions, editing capabilities for admins, and forwarding features where whenever you forward an Update to chats or groups it will include a link back to the channel so people can find out more.
Conclusion
In conclusion, WhatsApp Channels is an exciting and innovative feature that has transformed the way users connect with their favorite organizations, individuals, and bloggers in a private and secure manner. Whether you seek updates from beloved celebrities or stay informed about the latest news from organizations, WhatsApp Channels provide an effortless and convenient means of staying informed.
For bloggers, WhatsApp Channels represent a fresh and promising avenue to engage with their audience and drive traffic to their blogs. Offering a straightforward, dependable, and private way to share updates and content, WhatsApp Channels empower bloggers to create and manage successful channels that boost traffic and conversions. In essence, WhatsApp Channels has opened up exciting possibilities for both users and bloggers, bridging the gap between content creators and their audience in a seamless and personalized manner.
It's essential to note that this feature is still in its early stages and continues to evolve. So, it's wise to keep an eye out for future updates from WhatsApp. For those eager to receive direct product updates from WhatsApp, they have also introduced the official WhatsApp Channel, ensuring users stay informed about their ongoing developments.
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