WhatsApp Business Catalogue Setup — Step-by-Step Guide to Show Products and Prices (India)

Quick answer: In WhatsApp Business, go to Settings → Business tools → Catalogue → Add new item. Add a clear photo, name, price, short description and item code for each product, then group items into Collections (e.g., "Festival boxes", "Bestsellers"). Share single items or the whole catalogue in chats, status and your Google posts. Keep prices updated — an accurate catalogue cuts "price?" questions and speeds up orders.

For many Indian customers, WhatsApp is the shop. They message "rate list bhejo" before visiting or ordering. A catalogue answers that instantly and professionally, and it works like a mini online store without a website.

Before you start

• WhatsApp Business app (not personal WhatsApp) on the number customers know.
• Clear photos of each product on a plain background.
• Price list and short descriptions.
• Business profile completed: address, hours, category, website link.

Step-by-step: create your catalogue

1. Open WhatsApp Business → Settings (⋮ on Android) → Business tools.
2. Tap Catalogue → Add new item (or "Create catalogue").
3. Add images (up to several per item).
4. Enter item name, price (optional but recommended), description, website link (optional) and item code (your internal SKU).
5. Save. Repeat for each product or service.
6. Create Collections to group items: Bestsellers, New arrivals, Festival offers, Services.

Exact menu names can vary slightly by app version.

What makes a catalogue sell

• Photos: bright, sharp, one product per photo; show size/scale where relevant.
• Names customers search: "Kaju Katli 500 g box", not "Item 23".
• Prices: show at least a starting price.
• Short descriptions: ingredients, sizes, colours, delivery time.
• Services too: salons, repair shops and clinics can list services with prices and duration.

Sharing your catalogue

• In chats: tap the attachment icon → Catalogue → pick an item or share the full catalogue link.
• Status: post new items as status updates.
• Quick replies: create /menu or /rates replies that send the catalogue link. See WhatsApp message templates.
• QR code: put your WhatsApp link QR on the counter and bills. Create one with the WhatsApp link generator.

Taking orders

Customers can add items to a cart and send it to you as a message. Confirm with:

"Thank you! Your order: [items], total ₹[amount]. Ready by [time]. Pay by UPI to [id] or cash on delivery."

Use labels (New order → Paid → Delivered) to track.

Connect with Google

• Mention "Order on WhatsApp" in your Google posts with your catalogue link.
• Add the same products with prices to your Google Business Profile — see products and services.
• Use a WhatsApp link as an appointment or order link where Google allows (booking links).

Maintenance routine

• Weekly: mark out-of-stock items hidden; add new arrivals.
• Monthly: update prices; refresh photos.
• Before festivals: create a festival collection two weeks early.

Writing product listings that sell

A catalogue item has four parts — get each one right:

• Photo: square, bright, product filling most of the frame, plain background. Take it in daylight near a window.
• Name: what customers search for, not internal codes. "Cotton Kurti — Indigo Block Print" beats "KRT-112".
• Price: show it. Items without prices get "price?" messages that waste your time and lose impatient buyers.
• Description: size/weight, material, variants, delivery area and time. Two to four short lines.

Organise with collections

Group items into collections like "New arrivals", "Under ₹499", "Diwali gifts", "Best sellers". Customers browse collections faster than a long list, and you can share a single collection link in a broadcast.

Sharing your catalogue

• Pin the catalogue link in your WhatsApp status weekly.
• Add it to your Instagram bio and Facebook page.
• Put a QR code to your WhatsApp chat on the counter and packaging.
• Add your WhatsApp link to your Google Business Profile so searchers can chat directly — build it with the WhatsApp link generator.

Keep it fresh

Remove sold-out items the same day. Nothing frustrates a buyer more than choosing a product and hearing "that's finished". Add new stock every week — returning customers check what's new.

Catalogue vs Google products

Your Google Business Profile also has a Products section. Add your top 10–20 items there too with the same photos and prices — it shows directly on Google Search and Maps. See products and services on Google.

Example: a home bakery

A home baker in Pune listed 18 cakes in four collections with photos taken on the same wooden board. Each listing had weight options, eggless/with egg and "order 24 hours ahead". Order questions dropped by half because buyers had all the answers before messaging.

Quick-reply messages to pair with your catalogue

• /price: "Here's our full catalogue with prices: [link]. Tap any item to ask about it."
• /delivery: "We deliver within [area] in [time]. Delivery is free above ₹___."
• /pay: "You can pay by UPI, cash on delivery or card at the shop."

Set these in WhatsApp Business → Business tools → Quick replies. They save hours every week.

Frequently asked questions

Is the WhatsApp catalogue free?

Yes, the catalogue feature in WhatsApp Business is free.

How many items can I add?

WhatsApp allows a large number of items; check the current limit in the app if you have a very large range.

Can service businesses use catalogues?

Yes — list services with prices, duration and what's included.

Should prices match my Google profile?

Yes. Inconsistent prices confuse customers and cause complaints.