WhatsApp for government and non-profits

Build connections with your community on WhatsApp.

WhatsApp can help make interactions meaningful for your community, while fostering dialogue and building trust.

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Get started on WhatsApp.

Choose the right WhatsApp tools to meet your organization’s needs.

This is a one-way broadcasting feature within the WhatsApp Consumer and Business apps designed to help users get timely information from people and organizations that are important to them, at scale. Creating a channel allows admins to share updates and information with followers. Channels are not end-to-end encrypted and WhatsApp maintains specific guidelines for the use of this feature.

Keep your followers engaged with a variety of media:

Communities on WhatsApp brings members together in topic-based groups.

Helpful things you can do in groups that are part of communities:
- Create events.
- Share polls.
- React to messages.
- Share files.
- Set controls for admins.
- Reply to community announcements.

The WhatsApp Business app is a free app for you to communicate with constituents and stakeholders in an easy, personalized way. We recommend leveraging the Business app to create a WhatsApp Channel.

Examples of how you might use the WhatsApp Business app:
- Let people know of opening hours and location of a particular local authority or government organization using away or greeting messages.
- Provide people with information on a local council’s range of community welfare services using a catalog.
Have a 1:1 or 1:many (up to 8 participants) voice or video call with constituents about a specific topic.

Setup time: Immediate

WhatsApp Business Platform is for National, metropolitan or large city government organizations as well as intergovernmental organizations who are responsible for economic empowerment, education or social welfare, and nonprofits who are looking to operate at a scale that requires some level of automation, and nonprofits.

The Business Platform is ideal for larger, more complex organizations where a significant volume of questions and conversations might be expected. On the Business Platform, integration with backend systems, such as a government CRM system or other databases, is more seamless.

To use the WhatsApp Business Platform, you will need to partner directly with a WhatsApp Solutions Partner which has a cost associated with it.

Setup time: Starting from 3 weeks depending on your Solutions Partner

Staying safe

To keep you safe, we’ve designed WhatsApp with world-class security, built innovative tools to put you in control, and we’re there to support you when you need it. Staying safe and secure is important so you can message and engage your community with confidence.

Default privacy

No one can search for your phone number or read your personal messages.

Automation spam detection

We catch and remove most spam and scam accounts before they can even reach you or before anyone reports them.

Proactive security alerts

We prompt you to verify your identity if we detect any suspicious or unauthorized attempts to take over your account.

Learn more about security and staying safe on WhatsApp here.

Channels best practices

Consistency in posting

Maintain a consistent posting schedule to keep followers engaged and accustomed to visiting your WhatsApp channel for updates.

Keep an eye on insights to find the right cadence of posting for your audience.

Exclusive content that provides value

Offer content that's unique to your channel, like behind-the-scenes insights, exclusive announcements, or first-look content that they can’t find elsewhere.

Short, personal and compelling messages

Keep your messages short and to the point while maintaining a friendly and conversational tone. This will help you connect with your audience on a more intimate level.

Visual and multimedia content

Use engaging visuals, videos, GIFs and stickers to grab attention; take advantage of voice notes and polls to increase audience interaction.

Real-time updates

Use channels to share live updates during events or breaking news. When applicable, create a sense of urgency with time-sensitive content.

Reach your audience

Remind your followers to turn on notificationsby clicking the bell icon on your channel.Open rate more than doubles if a follower has channel notifications turned on.

Key features

WhatsApp Business App

Earn trust

Make a great first impression with a business profile that provides helpful information for your audience in one place.

Respond with ease

Greet people the moment they start a conversation and respond to messages even when you’re away so your audience always feel seen and heard.

Business profile

Although this is referred to as a “business” profile, it can be leveraged by non-business entities, such as public sector organizations.

Away messages

Respond automatically to messages outside your normal hours to set expectations and let your community know when you’ll be back.

Quick replies

Create shortcuts for messages you frequently send to respond to common questions in just a few taps.

Labels

Organize and filter important conversations so you can quickly find and respond to messages that need your attention.

WhatsApp Business Platform

Built to scale

Reach your audience anywhere with conversations and create memorable experiences through WhatsApp Business Platform. To create these ads, you will need to have a Facebook Page, be set up on Ads Manager and have a solutions provider.

Feature-rich communications

Send files, images and locations with media messages.

Native entry points

Use a button on your website or QR code to make it easier for your community to start conversations with you.

Simpler, faster communications

Use interactive messages, such as List Messages or Reply Buttons to structure responses or provide clear call-to-action.

Amplify your WhatsApp presence to reach new audiences.

One way of generating awareness around your availability on WhatsApp is using ads that click to WhatsApp on your existing Facebook and Instagram channels. To create these ads, you will need to have a Facebook Page and be set up on Ads Manager.¹