Most UAE businesses run their sales on WhatsApp, and most of those replies are typed with one thumb. Using WhatsApp Business on a computer means faster typing, easy copy and paste of prices and addresses, and sending files and catalogues straight from your desktop. It uses the same number and the same chats as your phone.
How to log in to WhatsApp Business Web
- On your computer, open web.whatsapp.com in Chrome, Edge, Safari or Firefox.
- On your phone, open the WhatsApp Business app and go to Settings, then Linked devices, then Link a device.
- Point your phone at the QR code on the computer screen. Your chats appear within seconds.
- No camera, or the QR code will not scan? Choose Link with phone number instead on the computer, and enter the code it shows on your phone.
WhatsApp Business Web and personal WhatsApp Web use the same address. Which account opens depends on which app you scan the code with, so make sure you scan from the WhatsApp Business app, not personal WhatsApp.
WhatsApp Business desktop app for Windows and Mac
Instead of a browser tab, you can install the WhatsApp desktop app from the Microsoft Store or the Mac App Store and link it the same way. The app keeps running in the background, shows notifications even when the browser is closed, and is easier for staff who keep WhatsApp open all day.
What works on WhatsApp Business Web
- Reading and replying to all chats, including groups, voice notes, photos, documents and location pins.
- Labels, to sort chats into new leads, follow ups, paid and so on.
- Quick replies, by typing a forward slash to insert a saved answer.
- Sharing products or services from your catalogue.
- Keeping working for a while even if your phone goes offline, since linked devices no longer need the phone to stay connected.
Some settings, such as your business profile and your away and greeting messages, are easiest to manage from the phone app. Set those up there once.
The limits when a team shares WhatsApp Business Web
- Only a small number of devices can be linked to one account: the phone plus four other devices at the time of writing.
- Everyone sees every chat, and you cannot assign a customer to a specific person.
- Messages all appear as the business, so it is hard to see who replied, or how quickly.
- Nothing replies outside working hours unless someone is at the computer.
If that sounds familiar, read WhatsApp Business with multiple users for the options. Teams with steady enquiry volume usually move to the WhatsApp Business Platform with a shared inbox, and many add a WhatsApp AI agent that answers routine questions in seconds, in Arabic and English, and hands the rest to the right person.
Keep WhatsApp Business Web secure
- Log out of web sessions on shared or public computers. You can see and remove every linked device from Settings, then Linked devices on your phone.
- Turn on two step verification in the app, so nobody can register your business number on another phone.
- Remove access for staff who leave by logging out their linked devices the same day.
Sources
Razal Mohammed is the founder of Ads n' Codes and leads its AI automation and WhatsApp agent work.