The complete guide to collecting WhatsApp opt-ins

Collecting an opt-in (your customer's consent) is the first and most important step of your WhatsApp marketing strategy. A quality subscriber list, made of people who explicitly agreed to receive your messages, guarantees better engagement and keeps you compliant.

Here are 9 strategies, to be combined, to grow your audience across all your touchpoints.

💡 The essential tool: the "Click-to-WhatsApp" link

Most of the following strategies use a special link that opens a WhatsApp conversation directly on the user's phone. The format is simple: https://wa.me/YOURNUMBER (replacing YOURNUMBER with your phone number in international format, without the + or the 00. E.g. 33612345678).

You can even add a pre-filled message to make signing up easier.

Strategies for your website

1. The pop-up with an incentive

This is the most effective way to capture new visitors' attention. Trigger a pop-up (via Klaviyo, for example) that offers an immediate reward in exchange for a WhatsApp opt-in.

• Offers that convert: 10% off the first order, free shipping, access to a private sale.

2. The chat widget

Add a floating widget to your site. It doubles as a support channel ("Any questions?") and a collection tool. By starting a conversation, the customer gives you an entry point to later invite them to subscribe to your updates.

3. The button on product pages

Add an "Ask a question on WhatsApp" button to your product pages. It is a great way to start a conversation and clear up doubts before the purchase. Once the customer is reassured, you can invite them to opt in to receive offers.

4. The Shopify checkout

This is the must-have method to capture your most qualified customers at the moment of purchase. Simply enable the option in your Shopify settings to add the consent checkbox.

5. The thank you page

Right after a purchase, customer trust is at its peak. On the order confirmation page, offer to send order tracking notifications directly on WhatsApp. It is a useful service that makes getting a marketing opt-in much easier later on.

Strategies for your external channels

6. Email campaigns

Turn your email subscribers into WhatsApp subscribers. Add a banner or a "Join us on WhatsApp" button to your newsletters. Highlight an exclusive benefit for WhatsApp subscribers (e.g. offers revealed early) to encourage the switch from one channel to the other.

7. Social media

Use your existing audience to feed your WhatsApp list.

• Link in bio: Add your "Click-to-WhatsApp" link to your Instagram and TikTok bio.

• Stories: Use the "Link" sticker in your stories to send people directly to WhatsApp.

• Ads: Create ads on Facebook and Instagram with the "Messages" objective and choose WhatsApp as the destination. It is a paid method that is remarkably effective at generating qualified conversations.

Offline and conversational strategies

8. The QR Code

The bridge between the physical and digital worlds. Print a QR Code pointing to your WhatsApp link on:

• Your packages and thank you cards.

• Flyers in your physical stores.

• Your product packaging.

9. Customer support

Every interaction with your support team is an opportunity. Offer to continue the conversation on WhatsApp for faster replies. Once the customer's issue is resolved and their satisfaction is secured, ask if they would also like to receive your exclusive offers on this channel.

The best strategy is to combine several of these collection points. Above all, remember the most important rule: give to receive. Always offer a clear reason and real value in exchange for your customer's phone number.