If you want to create a WhatsApp store for free, first decide what you need: a catalogue customers browse in WhatsApp, or a separate online shop where they can choose products and pay. Those are different buying journeys, and understanding the difference helps you avoid unexpected costs.
The WhatsApp Business app is free to download. Its catalogue lets you show products and share them with customers. A hosted store such as Waabot provides a shop link, product management and online checkout; check its current plan and payment costs before choosing it. Updated 21 September 2026.
Option 1: Start with the WhatsApp Business app
Use the official WhatsApp Business setup guide to download the app, register your business number and create your business profile. Use a business name and contact information that customers will recognise.
Prepare a small selection of products before building your catalogue. For each product, collect a clear photograph, a useful name, the current price and a short description. Explain sizes, colours or other choices in language a customer can understand without asking several follow-up questions.
WhatsApp’s official feature guide describes catalogues, catalogue links and carts. Customers can choose catalogue items and send them together in a message. That message should not be treated as proof that payment has been received.
Make a simple order process
For a conversation-led order, confirm these details before agreeing to fulfil it:
- The exact product and variant the customer wants.
- The quantity and whether it is still available.
- The total price and any delivery charge.
- The payment method and how you will confirm receipt.
- The delivery address or collection arrangement.
Keep a record of agreed orders and payments. A customer may send several messages about the same purchase; having one order record reduces the chance that you overlook a change or prepare an item twice.
Option 2: Add a Waabot online shop link
If you want customers to browse an online storefront and pay through Paystack, Waabot’s online store builder offers another route. Add products, photos, prices and stock, connect your payment account, then share the shop link through WhatsApp.
The shop opens as an online storefront. You can also share the same link on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok. Product choices and paid orders can then be managed in your Waabot dashboard, including paid, packed and sent stages.
Read our step-by-step Waabot store setup guide for this route. It is useful when you want a consistent place for customers to see products and complete checkout.
What does “free” include?
A free app download does not mean every part of running a shop is free. Budget separately for mobile data, payment processing, delivery, optional promotions and any paid software plan you choose. Check the provider’s current terms instead of relying on an old review or a screenshot of a past offer.
For Waabot, review the plan offered during signup and the applicable Paystack charges. This guide does not promise a free Waabot plan, unlimited products or a zero-cost payment service.
Which route should you choose?
A small catalogue and a clearly managed conversation may be enough to test demand. An online shop is worth considering when you want customers to select products and pay through a repeatable checkout journey. You can still answer questions on WhatsApp while sharing that shop link.
Before sharing your store
Check every product price, open your links on a phone and ask someone to follow the buying steps. Make delivery and payment expectations clear. Start with accurate listings and a dependable process, then expand as you learn what customers need.
Explore setting up your Waabot shop, or read our WhatsApp selling guide for messages and automation ideas.