How WhatsApp can help you stay connected during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic

Nonprofits and Local Governments

During this time of heightened uncertainty and isolation, connect with your community on WhatsApp—the same tool they’re using to stay close to friends and family.

Please use WhatsApp responsibly while connecting with your customers. Only communicate with users you know and those who wish to receive messages from you, ask customers to save your phone number in their address book, and avoid sending automated or promotional messages to groups. Not following these simple best practices could result in complaints from other users and possibly an account ban.

To best manage multiple questions, feature helpful information in a business profile and share details about your services in a catalog, we recommend using the WhatsApp Business app, which is free to download. Click here for a step-by-step guide on how to use the WhatsApp Business app. If you need to move your account from WhatsApp Messenger to the WhatsApp Business app, click here.

Download for your phone

Android

iPhone

Stay connected with your community

Create a short link that community members can use to initiate a private WhatsApp chat with you. Share the link through email, your website, Facebook page, or any other frequently used channels.

Introduce your organization

Complete your business profile and set up custom greeting messages so people know where to find resources and more information about your services.

Set expectations for response times

During this particularly busy time, let your community know when they can plan on hearing back from you by using an automatic away message.

Showcase your services

Educate your community about the services available to them. Include service descriptions in your catalog, accessible through your business profile.

Quickly respond to common questions

Save and reuse messages you frequently send to quickly respond to community members’ questions.

Share accurate and timely information

Proactively inform and educate your community on how they can help slow the spread of the virus. Use photos, video and text to feature tips in a status update.