Back to BlogBuilding a WhatsApp List from Scratch with Meta Ads (and Why it Surpasses Email in the US, Canada, and UK)
Service businesses in the US, Canada, and UK are constantly looking for ways to improve their marketing efforts and reach their target audience more effectively. One strategy that has gained popularity in recent years is building a WhatsApp list from scratch with Meta Ads. This approach has proven to be more effective than traditional email marketing, especially in regions where WhatsApp has a high penetration rate. According to Meta, WhatsApp has over 2 billion monthly active users worldwide, and over 175 million people message a WhatsApp Business account every day.
Key Points for Building a WhatsApp List
Building a WhatsApp list from scratch with Meta Ads requires a strategic approach. First, it's essential to understand the benefits of using WhatsApp for marketing. WhatsApp messages reach a 98% open rate, compared to roughly 20% for email, per HubSpot. This means that businesses can expect a higher engagement rate with their target audience. Additionally, WhatsApp allows for more personalized and interactive communication, which can lead to stronger customer relationships. To start building a WhatsApp list, businesses can use Meta Ads to drive traffic to a WhatsApp opt-in page. This can be done by creating a Meta Ad campaign that targets specific demographics and interests. Once the ad is live, users can click on it and opt-in to receive WhatsApp messages from the business.
|
Meta Ad Campaign |
WhatsApp Opt-in Page |
WhatsApp List Growth |
|---|---|---|
|
Targeted demographics and interests |
Clear and concise opt-in message |
Increased engagement and conversion rates |
|
Compelling ad copy and visuals |
Easy opt-in process |
Improved customer relationships |
|
Budget allocation and bidding strategy |
WhatsApp business account setup |
Enhanced marketing automation |
According to Meta, 3.27 billion people use at least one Meta app every day, making it an ideal platform for reaching a large audience. By using Meta Ads to drive traffic to a WhatsApp opt-in page, businesses can quickly build a list of subscribers and start sending targeted messages. As reported by DataReportal, WhatsApp reaches 99% of internet users in some regions, making it an essential channel for businesses to focus on.
WhatsApp in the US, Canada, and UK
WhatsApp is widely used in the US, Canada, and UK, making it an excellent platform for service businesses to reach their target audience. According to Meta, 56% of consumers globally prefer to message a business rather than call customer service. This preference for messaging is even higher in regions where WhatsApp has a high penetration rate. By building a WhatsApp list and using it to communicate with customers, businesses can improve customer satisfaction and increase loyalty. Click-to-WhatsApp ads can reduce cost per lead (CPL) by up to 40% compared to funnels that require a landing page, per Meta. This makes WhatsApp a cost-effective channel for businesses to acquire new customers and retain existing ones.
To maximize the potential of WhatsApp marketing, businesses can use Meta's Advantage+ AI campaigns, which deliver 22% lower cost per acquisition on average versus manually-configured campaigns, according to Meta internal data. By leveraging these features and strategies, businesses can build a strong WhatsApp list and use it to drive growth and revenue. Reels now account for more than 50% of time spent on Instagram and over 30% on Facebook, making video content an essential part of any marketing strategy. By incorporating video content into their WhatsApp marketing efforts, businesses can increase engagement and conversion rates.
Ready to Get More Clients?
At Asio, we teach you to implement these strategies step by step through the Mastery program — combining Meta Ads, ManyChat, and conversational automation so you get more appointments and close more sales, without relying on manual messages.
