WhatsApp Business catalog for trades: set up services, prices and a booking flow

Category: Marketing & Sales • Niche: WhatsApp, lead generation, booking flow

Contents

• Quick answer
• What a WhatsApp catalog does for trades
• UK-friendly setup: app or API
• Step-by-step setup
  • Prepare items and photos
  • Create your catalog and collections
  • Add services and pricing
  • Message templates that convert
  • Share your catalog link or QR
• Image specs, limits and policies
• Turn catalog enquiries into booked jobs
  • Simple manual flow
  • Light automations and booking links
  • Tips for ServiceM8, Jobber and Tradify
• Troubleshooting
• What are people saying on Reddit?
• FAQ

Quick answer

A WhatsApp Business catalog lets customers browse your services inside WhatsApp, tap an item like Boiler service or EICR, and message you pre-filled with the details. Set up takes 15 to 30 minutes. Start in the WhatsApp Business app under Tools then Catalog. Add clear service titles, one strong square photo per item, a short description, and price from. Share your catalog link on your website, Google Business Profile and van QR. Pair it with WhatsApp appointment reminders to cut no-shows.

What a WhatsApp catalog does for trades

• Shows your services where customers already are
• Reduces back-and-forth on basic jobs with pre-defined descriptions and prices
• Creates consistent intake messages you can triage quickly
• Works well for fixed-price jobs like boiler service, EICR, landlord gas check, tap replacement, EV charger survey

Helpful official guidance: About catalog and How to create and maintain a catalog.

UK-friendly setup: app or API

• WhatsApp Business app: free, fast to set up. Best for sole traders and small teams. You manage the catalog on your phone.
• WhatsApp Business Platform API via a provider: for higher volume and automations at scale. Useful if you want auto booking confirmations, broadcast updates, or integrations. If you go this route, you can connect a Meta Commerce catalog. See About connected catalogs and Meta’s guide to connect a catalog to your WhatsApp account.

If you are new to this, start with the app. You can upgrade later.

Step-by-step setup

Prepare items and photos

List 5 to 10 services you want more of this month. Examples:

• Boiler service with certificate
• EICR for 1 to 3 bed flat
• Landlord gas safety check
• Tap replacement labour
• EV charger survey visit

Write 1 to 2 sentence descriptions and a simple price point (or a from price). Take or create one clear, square photo per service.

Create your catalog and collections

In the WhatsApp Business app:

• Open Tools then Catalog
• Tap Add new item
• Add your first photo and a clear title
• Optional: create Collections to group items, for example Heating, Electrical, Plumbing

You can watch WhatsApp’s 90 second walkthrough: How to use catalog on WhatsApp Business (YouTube) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klhvLk1-UDA

Add services and pricing

For each item, fill in:

• Title: simple and searchable, e.g. Boiler service fixed price
• Description: what is included and any limits
• Price: use GBP and round numbers, e.g. £90 or From £90
• Link: to your booking page if you have one
• Item code: optional internal code if you track SKUs

Keep titles consistent so customers understand the difference between options.

Message templates that convert

Set a standard reply you can paste or use as a quick reply. Example:

• Thanks for your enquiry. Boiler service is £90 fixed, includes certificate. Please reply with postcode and 2 preferred dates. We will confirm a slot today.

Use labels in WhatsApp (New, Booked, Awaiting parts) to keep track, or feed enquiries into your CRM using the ideas in WhatsApp enquiry QR to job.

Share your catalog link or QR

• In Tools then Catalog, tap Share to copy your catalog link
• Add the link to your Google Business Profile services and booking button
• Put a QR code on vans and invoices that opens your catalog (see the QR approach in WhatsApp enquiry QR to job)

Image specs, limits and policies

• Use square images with good light, no clutter, and readable text if you include it
• One strong photo is enough per item; add more if it truly helps the customer choose
• Keep file sizes sensible so pages load fast on mobile
• Avoid restricted items and claims. If Meta flags your item, check wording and their commerce policies linked from the WhatsApp Help Center pages above

Turn catalog enquiries into booked jobs

Simple manual flow

• Customer taps an item and sends the order message
• You reply with price, earliest date and a short checklist (postcode, access, photos if needed)
• You confirm, add the job to your calendar, and send directions
• After the job, send the invoice on WhatsApp using the steps in Send invoices on WhatsApp

Light automations and booking links

• Add your booking link to each catalog item so customers can self-book
• Use quick replies for common answers
• Pair with WhatsApp appointment reminders to reduce no-shows
• If you use an API provider, you can auto-confirm, send directions and follow ups. See our integrations walkthroughs for Jobber to WhatsApp and ServiceM8 to WhatsApp

Tips for ServiceM8, Jobber and Tradify

• Add the catalog link to your template texts and emails
• Create a saved job description for each catalog service so your engineers know exactly what is included
• If your CRM supports products, match item titles and codes with your catalog so pricing stays consistent

Troubleshooting

• Catalog not showing at all: Update the WhatsApp Business app and check you are on the Business profile, not personal. Ensure you have at least one item with a title and image. See How to create and maintain a catalog
• No price field: Some users report the price field missing. Add the price into the description if needed
• Cannot create or edit Collections: Update the app to the latest version. Try reordering via Catalog then Collections. See WhatsApp’s help links above
• Want to send the catalog to lots of contacts: Use broadcast lists to opted-in contacts. Avoid mass unsolicited messages to prevent account restrictions

What are people saying on Reddit?

• Users report issues creating a catalog on new or outdated app versions. Example: Can’t create catalog in WhatsApp business
• Some regions or app versions hide the price field. Workaround is to put the price in the description: WhatsApp Business Catalog / No Price Field
• Editing or deleting Collections can be buggy until you update: Can’t edit or delete collections
• On sending catalogs at scale, small businesses ask about safe ways to reach existing contacts. Use labels and broadcasts to opted-in lists: How do I send my new product catalog to existing contacts

FAQ

Can I use a WhatsApp catalog for services, not products?

Yes. The Business app lets you add services with a title, image, description and price or from price.

How do customers book from a catalog item?

Add a booking link to the item or reply with a short message asking for postcode and preferred dates. You can automate confirmations if you use a provider with the WhatsApp Business Platform.

Does a catalog replace my website?

No. It is a fast mobile storefront inside WhatsApp. Keep your website for full details and FAQs. Link between both.

Where should I share the catalog link?

On your Google Business Profile, job cards, invoices, email footer and a QR on your van.

Can I take payment over WhatsApp?

You can send invoices and payment links by WhatsApp. Follow our guide to [Send invo…