WhatsApp Business API Marketing Guide

WhatsApp Product Catalogs: How Do They Work?

WhatsApp Product Catalogs: How Do They Work?

WhatsApp Business API Marketing Guide

WhatsApp Product Catalogs allow businesses to turn a chat thread into a visual storefront, without needing a separate website. It helps users explore products, view details, and engage directly with the business, all inside WhatsApp.

In this article, we’ll review how WhatsApp Product Catalogs work, why they matter for customer engagement and sales, and how to set them up and use them effectively.

Why WhatsApp Product Catalogs Matter

WhatsApp Product Catalogs turn chats into shopping-ready conversations. Instead of sending photos or typing out prices manually, businesses can display products in a clean scrollable list with images, descriptions, pricing, and direct links—all inside WhatsApp.

This builds trust and saves time. Customers don’t need to visit a website to get product info or place an order. Everything they need is right there in the chat.

Catalogs work especially well in fast-paced, mobile-first businesses like:

  • Retail and fashion
  • Food, grocery, and local services
  • Events, wellness, and personal care

In these sectors, customers want quick product previews, real-time support, and a simple path to purchase. WhatsApp catalogs deliver exactly that.

Learn more about WhatsApp marketing benefits.

 

How WhatsApp Product Catalogs Work Inside the App

Each business catalog lives inside its WhatsApp profile. Customers can browse it just like they would scroll through a small shop.

The catalog shows product images, names, short descriptions, prices, and optional links. When customers tap an item, they can read the full product detail or even share it with someone else.

Businesses can add up to 500 products using the WhatsApp Business App or manage larger catalogs through the WhatsApp Business API. They can:

  • Add up to 10 images per product
  • Group products into categories
  • Include SKUs, website links, and availability status

All of this happens inside WhatsApp, so customers never have to leave the chat to explore, ask questions, or start the buying process.

For advanced usage, see our WhatsApp API marketing guide.

You can also share individual products or the full catalog in any WhatsApp conversation, use status updates to promote offers, or add catalog links to your social bios and website.

 

Creating and Managing Your WhatsApp Catalog

To start using product catalogs, you need a WhatsApp Business account. You can build your catalog inside the WhatsApp Business App or connect to the WhatsApp API for more advanced features.

In the app:

  • Go to Business Tools > Catalog
  • Tap Add New Item
  • Add product images, name, price, and description
  • Optionally add a product code, website link, or stock info

Save the item and repeat the process to build your full list. The interface allows up to 500 products, each with multiple images.

You can edit or remove items at any time. For seasonal products, just hide them instead of deleting.

If you use the WhatsApp Business API, you can automate catalog updates and connect it with your CRM or inventory systems. This is especially useful for businesses with large inventories or multi-channel sales.

The better your catalog is maintained, the easier it becomes for customers to browse and engage with your products right inside the chat.

For more automation ideas, see our bulk messaging and broadcast guide.

Sharing Your Catalog and Promoting Products on WhatsApp

Once your catalog is ready, make it easy to find and share. You can:

  • Share a product or an entire catalog inside a WhatsApp chat
  • Post it as a WhatsApp Status to highlight promotions or new arrivals
  • Send catalog links in bulk messages using the WhatsApp API
  • Add direct catalog links to your Instagram bio or Facebook page
  • Use catalog messages with buttons like "View Catalog" or "Shop Now"

You can also embed catalog links on your website or landing pages, so customers who click on your ad or CTA button can go straight to your WhatsApp storefront.

Want to turn ad clicks into real conversations? Our guide on Click-to-WhatsApp Ads breaks down how to use them effectively inside your catalog and messaging flows.

If you're using Sanoflow, you can create catalog-triggered flows that automatically send product suggestions or special offers when a customer asks about a category. This keeps your marketing personalized and scalable.

 

Catalog Limitations and Policy Requirements

Before you build your full store inside WhatsApp, there are a few limitations to keep in mind:

  • Most accounts support up to 500 products per catalog
  • You can add up to 10 images per product
  • Some items are restricted by Meta's commerce policies (e.g., tobacco, alcohol, financial services)
  • Catalog templates or product messages can’t be used for proactive outreach unless the customer has opted in
  • The shopping cart feature only works per individual conversation thread

See our full WhatsApp Business API collection for more technical use cases.

Tracking Catalog Performance with Analytics

Once your catalog is live, tracking how people interact with it is key to improving conversions.

If you're using the WhatsApp Business API, you’ll get access to advanced analytics, including:

  • Catalog Views – How many people viewed your product listings
  • Product Clicks – Which items got the most taps or shares
  • Message Interaction – Whether customers replied after viewing an item
  • Conversion Tracking – Track purchases using custom events or Meta’s Conversions API

 

For API users, platforms like Sanoflow integrate with Meta Pixel or server-side tracking to help you connect catalog engagement to revenue outcomes. This helps you:

  • Optimize product placement
  • Adjust pricing or offers based on performance
  • Identify which items are driving real conversations and sales

Check out our WhatsApp Conversions API guide to learn how to track catalog performance at a deeper level.

The more you measure, the smarter your catalog strategy becomes. Even simple observations, like what gets the most clicks, can help you improve layout, offers, and follow-up conversations.

Optimizing Product Catalogs for Results

Now that your catalog is running, it’s time to make sure it sells. Here’s how to get more value out of your WhatsApp product listings:

  • Use high-quality product images that load fast and look great on mobile
  • Keep product names short and descriptive
  • Write clear, benefit-driven descriptions
  • Add prices and mention offers when relevant
  • Organize products into clear categories
  • Use your catalog in your Click-to-WhatsApp ads
  • Share items in chat with quick replies or triggered flows

Catalogs aren’t just for browsing—they’re part of your conversion path. With small tweaks, you can make them do more of the selling for you.

 

Integration Possibilities

WhatsApp Product Catalogs can sync with your larger systems:

  • Connect to Shopify or WooCommerce for live inventory updates
  • Link with your CRM for personalized messages
  • Use Meta’s Conversions API to report catalog-related sales
  • Trigger marketing automations based on what users click

Sanoflow supports API-based catalog syncs and automation so you can run sales, updates, and promotions without manual effort.

 

Real Results from Businesses Using Catalogs

Tata CLiQ boosted sales by integrating WhatsApp catalogs into their promotional strategy, offering exclusive deals that drove traffic to their site.

Maggi used catalog messages to combine product promotions with interactive recipe demos, increasing both engagement and brand awareness.

Gyanberry leveraged product catalogs alongside quick-response automation to cut customer acquisition costs and support students more efficiently.

JioMart and The Design Cart linked their Click-to-WhatsApp ads directly to catalogs, which led to higher product discovery and increased conversions.

 

Measure, Adjust, Repeat

A good catalog evolves with your business. Track what works. Refresh your listings. Promote top sellers.

When customers can browse, ask, and buy, all in one place, you reduce friction and boost conversions.

And with platforms like Sanoflow, you get insights, automation, and support for scaling your WhatsApp catalog strategy.

WhatsApp Product Catalogs allow businesses to turn a chat thread into a visual storefront, without needing a separate website. It helps users explore products, view details, and engage directly with the business, all inside WhatsApp.

In this article, we’ll review how WhatsApp Product Catalogs work, why they matter for customer engagement and sales, and how to set them up and use them effectively.

Why WhatsApp Product Catalogs Matter

WhatsApp Product Catalogs turn chats into shopping-ready conversations. Instead of sending photos or typing out prices manually, businesses can display products in a clean scrollable list with images, descriptions, pricing, and direct links—all inside WhatsApp.

This builds trust and saves time. Customers don’t need to visit a website to get product info or place an order. Everything they need is right there in the chat.

Catalogs work especially well in fast-paced, mobile-first businesses like:

  • Retail and fashion
  • Food, grocery, and local services
  • Events, wellness, and personal care

In these sectors, customers want quick product previews, real-time support, and a simple path to purchase. WhatsApp catalogs deliver exactly that.

Learn more about WhatsApp marketing benefits.

 

How WhatsApp Product Catalogs Work Inside the App

Each business catalog lives inside its WhatsApp profile. Customers can browse it just like they would scroll through a small shop.

The catalog shows product images, names, short descriptions, prices, and optional links. When customers tap an item, they can read the full product detail or even share it with someone else.

Businesses can add up to 500 products using the WhatsApp Business App or manage larger catalogs through the WhatsApp Business API. They can:

  • Add up to 10 images per product
  • Group products into categories
  • Include SKUs, website links, and availability status

All of this happens inside WhatsApp, so customers never have to leave the chat to explore, ask questions, or start the buying process.

For advanced usage, see our WhatsApp API marketing guide.

You can also share individual products or the full catalog in any WhatsApp conversation, use status updates to promote offers, or add catalog links to your social bios and website.

 

Creating and Managing Your WhatsApp Catalog

To start using product catalogs, you need a WhatsApp Business account. You can build your catalog inside the WhatsApp Business App or connect to the WhatsApp API for more advanced features.

In the app:

  • Go to Business Tools > Catalog
  • Tap Add New Item
  • Add product images, name, price, and description
  • Optionally add a product code, website link, or stock info

Save the item and repeat the process to build your full list. The interface allows up to 500 products, each with multiple images.

You can edit or remove items at any time. For seasonal products, just hide them instead of deleting.

If you use the WhatsApp Business API, you can automate catalog updates and connect it with your CRM or inventory systems. This is especially useful for businesses with large inventories or multi-channel sales.

The better your catalog is maintained, the easier it becomes for customers to browse and engage with your products right inside the chat.

For more automation ideas, see our bulk messaging and broadcast guide.

Sharing Your Catalog and Promoting Products on WhatsApp

Once your catalog is ready, make it easy to find and share. You can:

  • Share a product or an entire catalog inside a WhatsApp chat
  • Post it as a WhatsApp Status to highlight promotions or new arrivals
  • Send catalog links in bulk messages using the WhatsApp API
  • Add direct catalog links to your Instagram bio or Facebook page
  • Use catalog messages with buttons like "View Catalog" or "Shop Now"

You can also embed catalog links on your website or landing pages, so customers who click on your ad or CTA button can go straight to your WhatsApp storefront.

Want to turn ad clicks into real conversations? Our guide on Click-to-WhatsApp Ads breaks down how to use them effectively inside your catalog and messaging flows.

If you're using Sanoflow, you can create catalog-triggered flows that automatically send product suggestions or special offers when a customer asks about a category. This keeps your marketing personalized and scalable.

 

Catalog Limitations and Policy Requirements

Before you build your full store inside WhatsApp, there are a few limitations to keep in mind:

  • Most accounts support up to 500 products per catalog
  • You can add up to 10 images per product
  • Some items are restricted by Meta's commerce policies (e.g., tobacco, alcohol, financial services)
  • Catalog templates or product messages can’t be used for proactive outreach unless the customer has opted in
  • The shopping cart feature only works per individual conversation thread

See our full WhatsApp Business API collection for more technical use cases.

Tracking Catalog Performance with Analytics

Once your catalog is live, tracking how people interact with it is key to improving conversions.

If you're using the WhatsApp Business API, you’ll get access to advanced analytics, including:

  • Catalog Views – How many people viewed your product listings
  • Product Clicks – Which items got the most taps or shares
  • Message Interaction – Whether customers replied after viewing an item
  • Conversion Tracking – Track purchases using custom events or Meta’s Conversions API

 

For API users, platforms like Sanoflow integrate with Meta Pixel or server-side tracking to help you connect catalog engagement to revenue outcomes. This helps you:

  • Optimize product placement
  • Adjust pricing or offers based on performance
  • Identify which items are driving real conversations and sales

Check out our WhatsApp Conversions API guide to learn how to track catalog performance at a deeper level.

The more you measure, the smarter your catalog strategy becomes. Even simple observations, like what gets the most clicks, can help you improve layout, offers, and follow-up conversations.

Optimizing Product Catalogs for Results

Now that your catalog is running, it’s time to make sure it sells. Here’s how to get more value out of your WhatsApp product listings:

  • Use high-quality product images that load fast and look great on mobile
  • Keep product names short and descriptive
  • Write clear, benefit-driven descriptions
  • Add prices and mention offers when relevant
  • Organize products into clear categories
  • Use your catalog in your Click-to-WhatsApp ads
  • Share items in chat with quick replies or triggered flows

Catalogs aren’t just for browsing—they’re part of your conversion path. With small tweaks, you can make them do more of the selling for you.

 

Integration Possibilities

WhatsApp Product Catalogs can sync with your larger systems:

  • Connect to Shopify or WooCommerce for live inventory updates
  • Link with your CRM for personalized messages
  • Use Meta’s Conversions API to report catalog-related sales
  • Trigger marketing automations based on what users click

Sanoflow supports API-based catalog syncs and automation so you can run sales, updates, and promotions without manual effort.

 

Real Results from Businesses Using Catalogs

Tata CLiQ boosted sales by integrating WhatsApp catalogs into their promotional strategy, offering exclusive deals that drove traffic to their site.

Maggi used catalog messages to combine product promotions with interactive recipe demos, increasing both engagement and brand awareness.

Gyanberry leveraged product catalogs alongside quick-response automation to cut customer acquisition costs and support students more efficiently.

JioMart and The Design Cart linked their Click-to-WhatsApp ads directly to catalogs, which led to higher product discovery and increased conversions.

 

Measure, Adjust, Repeat

A good catalog evolves with your business. Track what works. Refresh your listings. Promote top sellers.

When customers can browse, ask, and buy, all in one place, you reduce friction and boost conversions.

And with platforms like Sanoflow, you get insights, automation, and support for scaling your WhatsApp catalog strategy.

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