Selling on WhatsApp works best when customers can move from a conversation to a clear product page and checkout. For a Nigerian small business, that means showing prices and stock, sharing a shop link, accepting online payment and keeping orders organised.
This guide explains how to combine a Waabot online store with the WhatsApp automation tools available in the dashboard. Updated 21 September 2026.
1. Prepare your online shop before promoting it
Add your products, useful photographs, prices and available variants such as size or colour. Check stock and explain your delivery arrangements. Connect your payment account before inviting customers to pay. Waabot supports Paystack payments for Nigerian businesses.
Open your shop link on a phone and check the buying journey. A customer should be able to understand what is included, choose the right item and know what happens after payment. Follow our online store setup guide if you are starting from scratch.
2. Share a useful WhatsApp message with your shop link
Give people a reason to open the link. Mention the product, the relevant price and any important delivery detail. Avoid sending an unexplained link or promising availability you have not checked.
Our new collection is available. Browse the sizes, check prices and place your order here: [your shop link]. Reply if you need help choosing.
Replace the placeholder with your actual shop address. Share it in relevant customer conversations and your WhatsApp Status. Ask before adding someone to promotional messaging lists, and respect requests to stop receiving promotions.
3. Choose a WhatsApp automation for a specific job
In the Waabot dashboard, open Automations and select WhatsApp. The interface includes a flow list, a Create flow option and an Explore templates option. Start with one common customer need so you can check that the conversation is useful.
The template chooser currently includes these starting points:
- Browse products: help customers find something to buy.
- Answer common questions: make your answers available when customers ask.
- Collect lead details: turn a conversation into an enquiry.
- Handle complaints: help customers reach your team.
- Check order status: collect an order reference for your team.
These are starting points to customise. In particular, the order-status template is described as collecting a reference for your team; do not assume that selecting it automatically supplies live courier tracking. Check your connected account and test your own flow before relying on it with customers.
4. Keep the conversation clear and offer human help
Write short replies that answer the question and explain the next action. Product enquiries can point to your shop. Delivery questions should use your real delivery policy. For complaints or unusual requests, tell the customer how to reach a person.
Test a normal enquiry, an unexpected message and a request for help. Check that product links open correctly on mobile and that your team can handle conversations the flow cannot resolve. Do not publish a flow containing sample prices, unconfirmed delivery promises or placeholder links.
5. Manage the paid order separately from the chat
A conversation is not proof of payment. Check the order and payment status in your dashboard, then manage preparation and fulfilment. Waabot provides paid, packed and sent order stages. Read our guide to managing WhatsApp orders for the practical workflow.
What should you measure?
Track enquiries, completed orders and the questions customers still ask. If people open the shop but do not buy, check product details, availability, payment setup and delivery clarity. Automation can reduce repeated typing, but it does not guarantee sales or replace a reliable fulfilment process.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need coding skills to create a Waabot shop?
Waabot provides a store builder for adding products and sharing a shop link without coding. The automation dashboard also provides editable flow templates.
Is a shop link the same as a WhatsApp catalogue?
A Waabot shop link opens your online storefront. Keep the destination clear when sharing it so customers know where they will browse and pay.
Can I use the same product shop for other social channels?
Yes. You can share your Waabot shop link on WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok. Adapt the message to each audience while keeping product and delivery information consistent.
Create your Waabot shop, then build one helpful customer conversation at a time.