7. How easily was it to set up new numbers with YourBusinessNumber?
We found it very easy to implement for our team. There is no install required at head office – we just have an account at YourBusinessNumber.com to manage the numbers and billing.
YourBusinessNumber sent each employee their own number via SMS and they were up and running in minutes.
8. Did you face any difficulties in the transition process?
Some investment of time is needed to move groups and contacts over to the new compliant WhatsApp Business app – but we used WhatsApp short links for this process.
With short links, we can send a simple link or QR code to clients, which once tapped or clicked automatically initiates a WhatsApp Business private chat thread with our agents.
We have future plans to embed short links on our website too. So when someone wants to request details on a property - a single tap will instantly start a chat with the Agent who is responsible for that home.
9. Have you found using Whatsapp Business has saved you time?
In general, the speed with which we can respond to issues and pass on information is much quicker. The conveyancing process is traditionally quite slow as delays in relaying information and responding to queries can take time. However, we’ve found that over WhatsApp communication is much quicker and easier, leading to more efficient sales progression.
10. Have you found using Whatsapp Business has improved your customer relations?
Business tools such as Away Messages and Quick Replies are great for improving relationships with customers. For example, Away Messages provides an automatic response for out of office hours or while an agent is busy, such as on a viewing. This puts clients at ease as they know when they can expect a response, helping to manage expectations and improve the relationship overall.
For urgent queries, the Winkworth business profile offers a range of quick contact channels if we are not available, so clients can always get in touch when they need to.
11. How has using Whatsapp Business improved the process for home buyers?
WhatsApp Business has made it much quicker to arrange viewings at properties that home buyers are interested in purchasing. We’ve found that it has reduced missed calls between potential buyers and our estate agents, and when the market is as busy as it currently is, the quicker we can move in terms of arranging appointments, the happier our home buyers are.
Having a written trail rather than requiring our agents to take notes after calls has not only made our workflow easier, but it has reduced the number of queries from home buyers to clarify information that has already been shared. Being able to copy and paste property details over to potential buyers is another huge benefit of using WhatsApp Business.
12. How has using Whatsapp Business improved the process for home sellers?
WhatsApp Business allows us to communicate quickly and effectively with home sellers. It has sped up the process of booking in viewings for our clients, making it easier for them to share when the property will be available to view and any key information that they would like us to pass on to clients, without the need to set aside time in their day to chat on the phone.
We’re able to offer quicker feedback after viewings, which as anyone who has sold a house knows, is invaluable to improve the experience for future viewings. We’re also able to provide prompt updates as the sale progresses, putting our home sellers at ease as they are kept fully up to date with all the latest information.
13. Have you increased sales since using Whatsapp Business?
It is early days, but we are confident that our team is more efficient than they were before WhatsApp Business and YourBusinessNumber. Eventually, more time will mean more sales. Watch this space!
14. How has using Whatsapp Business improved the team’s productivity?
As mentioned, using WhatsApp Business has saved the team valuable time. Also, some of our staff are using the desktop version of WhatsApp Business so are able to stay focused on PCs and laptops instead of constantly needing to check their phone.
15. How has using Whatsapp Business improved work-life balance for the team?
Home time now means home time with two separate apps. Also, the requirement of keeping a second headset charged up is a thing of the past.