In the Gulf, customers would often rather send a WhatsApp message than fill in a long form or call. If your website makes that one tap away, you capture orders and enquiries that would otherwise be lost.
You do not need complicated software to start. These are the methods in order of effort.
The simplest reliable way is a click-to-chat link or button on your site that opens WhatsApp with a prefilled message, plus a form that sends the customer's details to you. Ask for consent before any marketing messages.
Start with WhatsApp Business
Install the free WhatsApp Business app on a dedicated number. Set up the business profile (name, hours, address, website), a greeting message, an away message and quick replies for common questions such as prices and delivery.
Use a number that belongs to the business, not one employee's personal phone, so enquiries do not disappear when staff change.
Add a click-to-chat button or link
WhatsApp supports a link in the form wa.me/ followed by your number in international format without plus or zeros, for example wa.me/9665XXXXXXXX. You can add ?text= and a URL-encoded message so the chat opens already written.
- Floating button on every page, in the corner where thumbs reach.
- Product-specific buttons whose prefilled text includes the product name or page.
- A link in your Google Business Profile and social bios.
- A QR code on printed menus and flyers pointing to the same link.
Use a form that ends in WhatsApp
For orders, a short form (name, items, area, phone) works better than an open chat, because you get structured details. On submit, the page can open WhatsApp with the answers filled into the message, or send the details to your email or a spreadsheet as well, so nothing is lost if the customer does not press send.
With Uttra you can ask: "Add an order form with name, product, quantity and city, and after submitting open WhatsApp to my number with the details prefilled. Add a floating WhatsApp button too." Check it in the preview on your phone.
Consent and etiquette
A customer who messages you first has opened a conversation, but sending promotions to a list is different. Under Saudi data protection rules (PDPL) and similar laws in the region, get clear opt-in before marketing messages, keep a record, and honor stop requests. Check the current rules of WhatsApp and your country before bulk messaging.
Reply fast during business hours, say clearly when you are away, and move payment details into a secure checkout rather than chat.