What is WhatsApp selling?
WhatsApp selling means using WhatsApp as a sales channel — sharing products, answering questions, and completing orders through direct messages. In many Caribbean and Latin American markets, customers expect to inquire and buy through chat rather than only through a website.
Cartva connects your product catalog and order system to WhatsApp Business so conversations are not separate from your store operations. Messages, orders, and customer records stay in one dashboard.
Why merchants use WhatsApp
- Customers already use WhatsApp daily
- Conversations build trust before purchase
- Product catalogs can be shared as rich messages
- Payment links close sales without a full website visit
How it works on Cartva
WhatsApp integration is configured from Integrations in your dashboard.
Setup overview
- Connect WhatsApp Business — Follow the integration wizard to link your verified WhatsApp Business account.
- Catalog sync — Products from your Cartva store become available to share in WhatsApp conversations as catalog items with images and prices.
- Inbox — Incoming messages appear in the Cartva Chat section. Reply from your computer without switching to your phone for every message.
- Checkout links — Send customers a checkout or product link when they are ready to buy. Completed orders sync to Orders.
Chatbot automation
For high-volume stores, configure automated responses for greetings, FAQs, shipping questions, and business hours. The chatbot can hand off to a human agent when needed.
Broadcasts
Send promotional messages to contacts who have opted in. Broadcasts follow WhatsApp's messaging policies and template requirements.
Who it's for
WhatsApp selling on Cartva fits merchants whose customers prefer messaging over browsing a full website.
Good fit:
- Retailers in Haiti, the Caribbean, and Latin America where WhatsApp dominates
- Sellers who close deals through personal consultation (custom orders, sizing help)
- Businesses combining a web storefront with chat-based support
- Merchants who want one inbox instead of managing WhatsApp on multiple devices
Less critical if:
- Your audience exclusively shops via desktop web and never uses messaging apps
- You operate a fully automated self-serve store with minimal pre-sale questions
What you control vs what Cartva handles
| You control | Cartva handles |
|---|---|
| WhatsApp Business account and phone number | API connection infrastructure |
| Reply content and response times | Inbox interface and message threading |
| Chatbot scripts and automation rules | Catalog message formatting |
| Which products are shared in conversations | Order capture when customers use shared links |
| Broadcast content and recipient lists | Integration with WhatsApp's platform policies |
You manage customer relationships and conversation quality. Cartva bridges WhatsApp to your store data and order pipeline.
Pricing model
WhatsApp integration costs come from multiple sources:
- Cartva plan — WhatsApp inbox and chatbot features are included on eligible plans. Verify feature access in your account.
- WhatsApp Business API — Meta may charge per conversation depending on your account type and message category. Review Meta's current pricing for your region.
- No per-message fee from Cartva — Cartva does not charge per WhatsApp message on standard plans.
Message template approval and conversation window rules are set by WhatsApp, not Cartva. Budget for potential Meta fees if you run high-volume automated messaging.