WhatsApp Business Catalog: How to Set Up and Share Products on WhatsApp (2026 Guide)

Your customers don't want to leave WhatsApp to browse your products. They're already there — chatting, asking questions, and making decisions in real time. A WhatsApp Business catalog lets you display your products or services directly inside the app, so customers can browse without switching tabs or downloading anything extra.

This guide covers everything you need to know about the WhatsApp Business catalog feature: what it is, how to set it up, how to share it, and how to use it to increase sales — all from the free WhatsApp Business app.

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What Is a WhatsApp Business Catalog?

A WhatsApp Business catalog is a mobile storefront inside your WhatsApp Business profile. You add photos, prices, descriptions, and links for each item — and customers can browse them directly from your business info page or from inside a chat.

| Feature | Capability |

|---------|-----------|

| Number of items | Up to 500 products or services per catalog |

| Media per item | Up to 30 images per product |

| Fields | Image, name, description, price, link, SKU, website URL |

| Visibility | Anyone who finds your business on WhatsApp |

| Cost | Free — included with the WhatsApp Business app |

It's similar to an Instagram Shop or Facebook Shop, but it lives entirely inside WhatsApp. Customers don't need to install anything, and you don't need a separate ecommerce platform.

Note: The catalog feature is available on the free WhatsApp Business app (not the regular WhatsApp). If you haven't already, download WhatsApp Business from Google Play or the App Store.

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How to Set Up Your WhatsApp Business Catalog

The setup process takes about 10 minutes. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Open Business Tools

• Open WhatsApp Business on your phone.
• Tap the three dots (⋮) in the top-right corner → Business tools.
• Tap Catalog → Add item or Get started.

Step 2: Add Your First Product

You'll see a form with the following fields:

| Field | Required | Tips |

|-------|----------|------|

| Images | Yes | Upload up to 30 photos. Use bright, well-lit photos on a plain background. |

| Name | Yes | Keep it short and descriptive — e.g., "Handmade Leather Tote — Brown" |

| Description | No | 2–3 sentences. Include key specs (size, material, colour options). |

| Price | Recommended | Be transparent. Add currency and amount: "$29.99" or "€15.00". |

| Website link | No | Link to the product page on your store if you have one. |

| Product code / SKU | No | Only needed if you manage inventory across multiple channels. |

Step 3: Organise Into Collections (Optional)

Once you have a few products, group them into collections:

• Tap Collections → Create collection.
• Name it (e.g., "Summer Sale", "New Arrivals", "Best Sellers").
• Select the products to include.

Collections appear as tabs in your catalog view, making it easy for customers to browse by category.

Step 4: Preview & Publish

Before sharing, preview how your catalog looks:

• Go to your business profile (tap your profile picture) → scroll down to Catalog.
• Tap a product to see the customer-facing view — photo, price, description, and the "Send" or "View" button.

Your catalog is live immediately after you add items. There's no publish button — it's visible to anyone who finds your WhatsApp Business account.

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How to Share Your Catalog With Customers

Once your catalog is set up, there are several ways to share it:

1. Share Individual Products in Chat

While chatting with a customer:

• Tap the attachment clip (📎) → Catalog.
• Select the product you want to share.
• Tap Send — the product card appears in the chat with an image, price, and a View button.

The customer taps View to see the full product details and can message you to order.

2. Share the Whole Catalog Link

Every WhatsApp Business profile with a catalog has a unique catalog link. You can find it in Business tools → Catalog → Share link. Copy this link and use it anywhere:

• In your WhatsApp link as a pre-filled message ("Browse our catalog: [link]")
• On your website button that leads customers to chat
• In your email signature, newsletter, or SMS campaigns

3. Link From Social Media Bios

Add your catalog link to your Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok bio. Since the link opens WhatsApp directly, it's one tap from social → catalog → purchase. Read our guide on adding WhatsApp links to social media bios for platform-specific steps.

4. Share via QR Code

Generate a WhatsApp QR code that opens your catalog. This works great for:

• In-store signage ("Scan to browse our collection")
• Business cards
• Flyers and brochures
• Product packaging
• Restaurant tables ("Scan to see our menu")

5. Automatic Sharing in Away Messages

When your away message is active, you can include a catalog link so customers can browse while you're offline:

Hi {{customer_name}}, thanks for reaching out! We're currently away but will reply within 2 hours. In the meantime, browse our full catalog here: [catalog link]

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Best Practices for a High-Converting Catalog

1. Use High-Quality Images

Your product photo is the first thing customers see. Use well-lit, high-resolution images. If you sell multiple variations (colours, sizes), upload multiple photos per item — WhatsApp allows up to 30.

2. Write Clear Descriptions

Include what the customer needs to know at a glance:

• Physical products: dimensions, material, colour options, care instructions
• Digital products: delivery method, file format, usage rights
• Services: duration, what's included, deliverables

3. Set the Right Price

Price is optional, but businesses that include pricing get 35% more inquiries that lead to a sale, according to WhatsApp's own data. If your pricing varies, use a range ("$50–$80") or omit price and use the description to invite inquiries.

4. Keep Your Catalog Updated

Out-of-stock items frustrate customers. Review your catalog monthly:

• Remove discontinued products
• Update prices if they change
• Add seasonal collections
• Archive items older than 6 months

5. Combine With Quick Replies

Create a Quick Reply shortcut like /catalog that sends your catalog link instantly. This saves time when multiple customers ask the same question.

6. Track Which Products Get the Most Views

While WhatsApp doesn't offer built-in catalog analytics, you can:

• Use unique WhatsApp links with different pre-filled messages for different products and compare engagement
• Ask customers how they found you
• Monitor which products generate the most chat replies

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WhatsApp Catalog vs. Other Selling Channels

| Channel | Best For | Drawbacks |

|---------|----------|-----------|

| WhatsApp Catalog | Personal, conversational sales | No checkout, manual order management |

| Instagram Shop | Visual discovery, brand awareness | Less direct conversation |

| Facebook Shop | Paid traffic, retargeting | Higher competition |

| Ecommerce store (Shopify, WooCommerce) | Full-funnel automation | Setup cost, maintenance |

The WhatsApp catalog works best as a complement to an existing store. Use it for the "last mile" of the sale — when a customer has questions, wants a personalised recommendation, or is ready to buy.

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Common Questions

Is the WhatsApp catalog free?

Yes. The catalog feature is included with the free WhatsApp Business app. There are no listing fees or transaction fees.

Can I add services to my catalog?

Absolutely. A "catalog" works for services too — consulting packages, class bookings, subscription plans, or service tiers. Just set the price as your starting rate.

Does the catalog work internationally?

Yes. WhatsApp Business works in 180+ countries. Your catalog is visible to any customer who can find your business on WhatsApp.

Can customers buy directly from the catalog?

WhatsApp doesn't have a native checkout. Customers view products, then message you to inquire or purchase. You can send payment links, invoices, or use a third-party checkout integration.

How do I remove a product from my catalog?

Open Business tools → Catalog → tap the product → scroll down → Delete item. Removing an item hides it immediately from all customers.

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Ready to Set Up Your WhatsApp Catalog?

Your WhatsApp Business catalog turns every chat into a shopping opportunity. It takes 10 minutes to set up and requires no technical skills.

To drive traffic to your catalog:

• Create a WhatsApp link with a pre-filled message that invites customers to browse
• Add a WhatsApp button to your website that opens your catalog
• Generate a QR code for your physical location
• Share your catalog link in your email footer and social media bios

No signup, no cost, no coding. Your catalog is ready right now — open WhatsApp Business and add your first product.