The most requested feature from Respacio users has been integration with WhatsApp messaging into the Respacio CRM.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the great advantages of Respacio is our integration with third party APIs and systems. From email, calendar and storage integrations with Google and Microsoft to incoming and outgoing feeds in XML and APIs to portals, translations with Deepl, integrations with social networks such as Facebook and Instagram to MLS system integrations, we understand that real estate marketing relies on such connectivity.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
WhatsApp for Business Vs Personal WhatsApp<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
WhatsApp offers two service types, Personal WhatsApp and WhatsApp for Business. Many Estate Agents have tried WhatsApp for Business and quickly abandoned it as it does not suit the needs of the industry and adds unnecessary costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
WhatsApp for Business<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Up until now the only APIs available connected WhatsApp Business accounts. This has not been a popular or practical option in the Real Estate Industry for a number of reasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Enquiries from 3rd party websites<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Real estate marketing is reliant on many third party websites such as property portals. Due to the requirement for users to opt in to receive a WhatsApp message, enquiries from such third party websites cannot be answered with WhatsApp for business. For example, if an enquiry is received from a portal such as Rightmove or Idealista and they give their phone number, under the rules that Meta sets for WhatsApp Business, we cannot reply through them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Time limits on replying to customers<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Real Estate is not the same as ordering a hamburger to be delivered and a key element of real estate marketing is property matching, where we send newly listed properties to clients that match their requirements. WhatsApp Business allows a time limit of 24 hours for a conversation and bills per conversation which effectively penalises real estate agents using WhatsApp for Business by charging for every property sent. Real Estate timescales are longer than a day and our conversations last for extended periods of time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Conversation billing<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are 4 types of conversation in Business WhatsApp and each is billed separately. So if a client initiates a conversation asking your opening hours, that is a Service conversation. If you send them a property they might be interested in, then that is a Marketing conversation and you will be billed for both even though they may have occurred in one 24 hour period. You can find out more about WhatsApp conversation billing here<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n