WhatsApp Catalog Setup: 2026 Checklist & Fixes

The WhatsApp Business catalog turns your profile into a mini storefront. Customers can browse products or services, ask questions, and place orders - all without leaving WhatsApp. Here is the full setup and what to do when you outgrow the basics.

How to make a catalog convert

A catalog does not sell by itself. Treat each item like a short landing page: clear product name, one clean photo, price or price range, and a description that answers the question customers ask before buying. For services, use catalog items for packages, not vague categories. A clinic might list "teeth whitening consultation", a salon might list "bridal hair package", and a retailer might list best sellers with size and delivery notes.

The next step is reply speed. When someone taps an item and asks a question, answer while the intent is hot. Save quick replies for stock, delivery, payment, and booking questions. If product questions arrive all day, connect the catalog to a shared inbox or API tool so AI can answer common questions and route ready-to-buy chats to a teammate.

Review the catalog monthly. Remove dead items, refresh photos, and move best sellers to the top. A smaller catalog with accurate prices and fast replies beats a huge catalog that feels stale.

What the WhatsApp catalog is (and is not)

The catalog is a product and service showcase built into the WhatsApp Business app. Think of it as a digital menu or lookbook that lives on your business profile.

What it does:

• Shows your products or services with photos, prices, and descriptions
• Lets customers browse from your profile or from a shared link
• Lets you send individual items in a chat conversation
• Gives each item a shareable direct link

What it does not do:

• Process payments (except WhatsApp Pay in Brazil and India)
• Track inventory or sync with your e-commerce store
• Automatically answer product questions

How to set up your WhatsApp Business catalog

1. Open the WhatsApp Business app
2. Tap More (⋮) → Business Tools → Catalog
3. Tap Add New Item
4. Add at least one photo (up to 10 per item)
5. Enter the item name (required)
6. Add price, description, item code, and website link (all optional)
7. Tap Save

Your catalog goes live immediately. Customers see the "View Catalog" button on your business profile.

Tip: Use consistent photo dimensions (1:1 square works best). Add your website link to every item so customers can check out directly if they want to skip the chat.

Catalog limits

How to share your catalog

Share individual items in a chat: Tap the paperclip/attachment icon in any conversation → Catalog → pick the item. The customer sees a product card with photo and price.

Share your full catalog link: Go to your catalog → tap Share → copy the link. Share it in your Instagram bio, email signature, or website. Customers can view it in a browser without needing WhatsApp Business.

Show your catalog in your WhatsApp link: If you have a wa.me link set up, customers arrive at a chat with your business and can tap to view the catalog from there. See our WhatsApp link generator guide for the exact URL format.

Taking catalog further: automated product replies

The WhatsApp Business app shows your catalog but cannot answer questions about it automatically. When a customer asks "Do you have this in size M?" or "Can I get a bulk discount?", someone has to reply manually.

With the WhatsApp Business API connected to an AI inbox like Instant Reply, you can:

• Train the AI on your product catalog so it answers product questions automatically
• Route product inquiries to the right team member
• Book consultations or schedule product demos inside the chat
• Sync customer interest to HubSpot or Pipedrive as leads

Setup takes under 15 minutes. 10-day Pro trial, no credit card required.

Related: What is WhatsApp Business? · WhatsApp greeting message examples · WhatsApp Business API pricing

Use customer questions as your content roadmap. If three people ask whether an item is available in another size, add that detail to the item description. If customers keep asking about delivery time, put the delivery note near the top. The best catalog gets clearer every week because it listens to real chats.

Run a customer-view catalog check

Open every item from a second phone. Confirm the image crop, product name, current price, description, destination link, availability, and reply context. Remove duplicates and expired offers, and schedule a monthly owner review. A smaller accurate catalog is more useful than a large stale one.

Official sources to verify changing details

Platform rules, prices, eligibility, and interface labels can change. We use these primary sources to check the parts of this guide that may move:

• Meta: WhatsApp Business Platform
• Meta: WhatsApp pricing
• WhatsApp Help Center