The Complete Guide to WhatsApp Marketing for Fashion & Apparel Brands

The only WhatsApp marketing for fashion and apparel guide you need. 

The fashion and apparel industry is currently valued at $775 billion, making it the biggest eCommerce sector globally. And by the end of 2025, this valuation is expected to cross $1.2 trillion. 

One of the reasons behind this growth is the increasing number of fashion and apparel brands leveraging social media platforms. And the numbers are hardly surprising considering how a typical social media user spends 15% of their waking life scrolling online. 

With increasing competition on traditional channels, fashion and apparel brands now need to explore more options. And the only platform that people use as much as social media platforms is WhatsApp. 

WhatsApp is where customers spend most of their time talking, a place where they actually listen to what someone has to say. It's a channel where you can build a personal connection with your audience in a cost-effective way. 

If you're a fashion and apparel brand, this WhatsApp marketing guide is for you. Here we'll discuss how to use WhatsApp marketing for acquisition, retention, cart recovery, and much more. 

So, grab a pen and take some notes. It's time to whip up something special! 

Why do you need WhatsApp marketing for Fashion and Apparel?  

Here are some of the reasons why fashion and apparel brands must have WhatsApp in their marketing mix. 

1. Outrun Your Competitors 

As we already mentioned, the competition for fashion and apparel brands is increasing on traditional social media marketing channels. So, to stand out in a crowded space, fashion brands must also explore other channels. 

WhatsApp provides an untapped opportunity to reach customers where they spend most of their time (20 hours every month) and connect with them on a personal level. 

By leveraging the power of WhatsApp, fashion and apparel brands can differentiate themselves and gain a competitive advantage. 

2. Tackle the High Cost of Advertising 

Advertising costs are rising, especially on traditional channels. Meta's and Instagram's CPM (cost per thousand) has increased by 61% and 23% YOY respectively. This means that fashion and apparel brands will now have to spend more dollars to acquire the same number of customers. 

By utilising WhatsApp, these brands can acquire their customers at a fraction of the cost (almost 70% lower than traditional channels) and drive higher engagement. 

3. Build Personal Relationships With Customers 

Customers don't trust brands anymore because of the increasing number of frauds in the eCommerce space. Therefore, it's quite tricky for fashion brands to just show up and expect a sale. 

The solution to this problem is building trust and a personal relationship with customers. Because they now only prefer to buy from brands they can talk to. 

Using powerful features of WhatsApp Business API like broadcast lists, chatbots, and automation, fashion and apparel brands can communicate with their customers consistently. And this one-on-one conversation will lead to better relationships bringing more sales. 

4. Leverage the High Engagement Rate 

The engagement rates are falling on social media channels. This means people don't interact with the promotional content as much as they used to. 

And WhatsApp solves this too. It offers a higher open rate (98%) and click-through rate (45-60%) compared to other marketing channels. 

This high engagement rate means that fashion and apparel brands can expect higher conversions and ROI from their WhatsApp marketing campaigns. 

5. Solve the SKU Conundrum 

Fashion and apparel brands generally have many SKUs, making searching for a specific product a cumbersome task. With WhatsApp Business API's automation and LimeChat's Level-3 AI, you can make it seamless for customers to explore each product of yours without having to leave the WhatsApp chat. 

6. Offer a Better Post-purchase Experience 

Fashion and apparel brands receive a significantly higher number of post-purchase requests compared to other brands. 

WhatsApp Business API allows fashion brands to automate these requests, which is a great way to offer a better post-purchase experience to customers. Their queries will be solved in moments, leading to a higher satisfaction rate. 

7. Enhance Browsing Experience 

Fashion and apparel brands thrive on visual appeal. The better a product looks, the more likely your customers will buy it. 

But the first step is getting your customers to see the products. Using the Catalog feature of WhatsApp, you can give a fantastic visual experience to your customers, making it easy for them to browse products and buy them directly through WhatsApp. 

How to Use WhatsApp for Customer Acquisition in Fashion? 

The fashion and apparel industry boasts a notoriously loyal customer base. Brands keep delivering new styles and trends, and customers keep making those styles a success. 

But the pandemic changed the whole scene. It forced brands to look for alternatives to brick-and-mortar stores, which led to a drastic increase in competition in the fashion eCommerce space. 

With the online market getting saturated, acquiring new customers has become a complex job. Here's how brands can use WhatsApp marketing to acquire new customers with ease. 

1. Run CTWA Ads to Capture Interest 

CTWA stands for "Click to WhatsApp" ads. These are advertisements that redirect users to a WhatsApp chat when clicked. The idea behind these ads is to provide a personalised and direct communication channel with potential customers. 

Fashion and apparel brands can put these ads on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram to redirect customers to a WhatsApp chat with them. And when customers get on a WhatsApp chat, they can contact you whenever they want and get an immediate response, increasing the chances of conversion. 

You can also use CTWA to gather more information about your customers' preferences, sizes, interests, and more. This data will help ensure that you only recommend the most relevant products to customers. 

‍Example Template: 

‍Hi [Name],

‍Thanks for showing interest in our brand. We're glad to have you here and would love to serve you. 

‍Can you tell us more about your style preferences? We'd love to help you find the perfect outfit. 

‍Cheers! 

2. Use WhatsApp Catalogs to Showcase Products 

With over 40 million users viewing WhatsApp Business Catalogs each month, fashion and apparel brands have the potential to reach a large audience and increase their sales. 

Why use WhatsApp catalogs? Well, they provide an interactive and visual platform to showcase your products to customers. And the whole fashion industry thrives on visual appeal. The better your products look, the more likely customers are to buy them. 

With a WhatsApp catalog, you can display images, prices, and descriptions of your products, making it easy for customers to browse and make informed purchasing decisions. 

Additionally, customers can easily place an order directly from the catalog, reducing the number of steps needed to complete the transaction. This makes the shopping experience more convenient for customers, making them more likely to return to your brand for future purchases. 

‍Example Template: 

‍Hi [Name],

‍Check out our latest fashion collection!

‍From chic outfits to must-have accessories, we have everything you need to elevate your style.

‍Let us know if you have any questions or want to place an order. 

‍Did you know? Large number of SKUs in your product collection can make click based searching on the bot for a product very cumbersome. To tackle this, LimeChat is working on an AI-powered Amazon like product search on the bot. Sign up to get early access.

3. Leverage WhatsApp Broadcasts to Build the Desire to Purchase  

WhatsApp's broadcast feature allows brands to send a single message to multiple recipients simultaneously. And the feature can be pretty helpful for fashion and apparel brands that want to send the same message to different segments of their customer base. 

As a fashion brand, you can use WhatsApp broadcasts to share the discounts that you're currently running on your products, promote the latest collection, share celebrity-inspired collections, and much more. 

Take AJIO, for example. A week before Valentine's day, they sent out a witty broadcast to their customers asking them to get the valentine's gift for their partner. They have clearly mentioned the brands and the top-selling brands to make the offer more lucrative. 

By sending this message, AJIO successfully builds the desire in customers to get the products and get them as soon as possible. 

‍

‍Example Template:

‍The Latest Trend Alert!

‍Hi [Name],

‍Get ready to turn heads with the latest trend in fashion! Our latest collection is inspired by [celebrity name] and is a must-have for any fashionista.

‍Check it out and order now! 

4. Using Broadcasts to Highlight Top-Selling Items 

Fashion and apparel brands can also use WhatsApp broadcasts to promote their top-selling products, creating excitement and urgency among customers to make a purchase.

This generates more sales and serves as a form of social proof, as customers are more likely to purchase products that others have found successful. 

‍Example Template:

‍Hi [Name],

‍Are you looking for the must-have item of the season? Our [product name] has been a hit among fashion lovers, and it's not hard to see why.

‍Don't miss out on this top-selling item. Grab yours today!

‍Thanks,

[Brand name]

How to Use WhatsApp for Abandoned Cart Recovery in Fashion? 

The fashion industry experiences one of the highest cart abandonment rates, roughly around 70 percent. The only industries with higher cart abandonment rates are finance, travel, and retail. 

Cart abandonment is one of the biggest issues for fashion brands, and let's see how WhatsApp marketing can help. 

1. Send a Reminder 

Almost 60% of customers who add products to their cart are just browsing the store. These customers don't come to your store with the intention of purchasing. 

But here's the catch — even though it was not their intention to purchase from you, they still liked your product and added it to the cart. This means that there's a subtle opportunity to convert them. 

You can send them reminders on WhatsApp with more information about the product and a discount coupon (if possible) to give them an extra push to buy the product. And because they were already interested in the product, they'll go for it more often than not. 

‍

Example Template: 

‍Hi [Name],

‍Did you forget some fashion essentials in your cart? Because we're pretty sure that your wardrobe is missing some love.

‍In case you need a little nudge, we're offering a special discount for the items you left behind. Use code [DISCOUNT CODE] at checkout to save on your purchase.

‍Don't let this opportunity slip through your fingers. Complete your purchase and make your wardrobe complete.

‍Cheers,

[Brand Name] 

2. Share a Lookbook With Customers 

Brands use WhatsApp broadcasts wonderfully, but only a few use all of its features. We're talking about the feature to send an attachment. 

More than 30% of the customer (in the fashion industry) abandon their cart because they're not satisfied with the product's appearance. They're not sure how the product will look on them. 

You can create a lookbook filled with great pictures of the product and testimonials from customers to give surety to these customers that your product is worth purchasing. 

Moreover, in the lookbook, you can use user-generated content as customers find them more trustworthy than the images brands share. 

‍Example Template: 

‍Hey [Customer Name],

‍We hope this message finds you well! We noticed that you left some items in your cart, and we understand the hesitation of purchasing without seeing how the product looks in real life. That's why we're reaching out to you with our brand-new lookbook!

‍Our lookbook is filled with stunning images of our products and testimonials from happy customers who have already taken the plunge and fallen in love with our style. And, to sweeten the deal, we're offering a [insert discount code] for all items in your cart.

‍So go ahead, take a peek, and get inspired to make a purchase you won't regret. And remember to use your discount code before checking out!

‍Best regards,

[Your Brand] 

3. Offer Shopping Assistance 

The biggest reason people abandon their carts is the uncertainty about products and the need for more knowledge about the brand. 

According to a report by Bolt, 35% of customers abandon their carts because they have concerns about quality and need clarification about the product's fit. 

You can use WhatsApp to offer shopping assistance to your customers, which includes clearing doubts about sizes, fit, the material of the products, etc. 

Apart from bringing sales, offering purchase assistance also ensures your customers feel you care about them. And when they feel valued, they stick with you for a long time. 

‍

Example Template: 

‍Hi [Name],

‍We noticed that you left some fantastic fashion finds in your cart. Did you forget something?

‍If you need a hand with anything, or if there's anything you'd like to ask about the items you left, just give us a shout. We're here to help and make your shopping experience as effortless as possible.

‍Don't let those fashion must-haves slip away. We'll be waiting for your reply.

‍Cheers,

[Brand Name] 

How to Use WhatsApp for Retention in Fashion? 

Retention is an essential requirement for fashion brands because it helps create loyalty and allows brands to build long-term relationships with their customers. 

Fashion brands that prioritise customer retention as much as the acquisition can build a loyal community — a community of customers who provide necessary feedback and help brands improve their products. 

Let's see how fashion brands can leverage WhatsApp marketing for customer retention. 

1. Send the Order Tracking Details 

Keeping customers informed of their order status is a great way to provide a better post-purchase experience. 

When you send tracking information through Whatsapp, it reaches them quickly. And more importantly, it provides customers with a single place to view the latest updates on their orders.

Fashion brands can also automate a tracking message template in Whatsapp Business API, saving a lot of time. Note that these templates must be customised so that the messages are relevant to your customers. 

You can also use Whatsapp to provide customers with personalised updates, such as when their order is out for delivery or when it has been delivered. This will give them peace of mind and set your brand apart from the competition. 

‍Example Template:

‍Dear [Customer Name],

‍Yuhoo! Your order with ID[Order #] is now [Order Status].

‍[Order Status Details]: 

‍[If Out for Delivery] - Your order is on its way and should arrive today. Our delivery agent will contact you shortly to confirm the delivery. 

‍[If Delivered] - Your order has been successfully delivered. We hope you are enjoying your purchase.

‍You can track the latest updates on your order through the following link: [Insert Tracking Link].

‍If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. 

‍Thank you for choosing [Brand Name].

‍Best regards,

[Brand Name] 

Customer Service Team 

2. Seek Customer Feedback on WhatsApp 

WhatsApp makes it easy for brands to get customer feedback through surveys, polls, and even comments. This feedback can help improve the products and customer experience you offer. 

Moreover, your customers will also appreciate the gesture as you're taking their opinion to improve their experience with your brand. This helps build trust and customer loyalty, ensuring they return to you again. 

You shouldn't be afraid of asking customers to share feedback/reviews as a brand because they are invaluable in helping potential customers decide if they should purchase from your business. 

‍Example Template: 

‍Dear [Customer Name],

‍Thank you for choosing [Brand Name] for your recent purchase. We value your feedback and would like to hear about your experience with our products and services.

‍Your feedback will help us improve our offerings and provide a better shopping experience for you and other customers. Please take a few moments to share your thoughts with us.

‍Submit your feedback here: [Insert link]

‍Best regards,

[Brand Name] 

3. Send Personalised Product Recommendations 

Sending personalised product recommendations is a great way for fashion brands to increase their customer retention and loyalty. 

Customers who receive personalised recommendations that match their preferences and needs are more likely to make repeat purchases. This is because they feel valued and understood, which helps build trust and a strong relationship with the brand. 

By leveraging data and AI, fashion brands can analyse customer purchase history, browsing behaviour, and preferences to provide relevant and targeted recommendations. This helps to increase customer engagement and improve the shopping experience. 

‍

Example Template: 

‍Dear [Customer Name],

‍Based on your recent purchases and interest, we thought you might be interested in [Product Name].

‍[Product Name] is a [insert product details and features]. This product would be an excellent match for you and your style.

‍Explore this and more recommended products here: [Insert Product Link].

‍Let us know if you have any questions or if there's anything else we can help with. 

‍Best regards,

[Brand Name] 

4. Send Broadcasts That Match Their Purchase Preferences 

Creating and sending Whatsapp campaigns that meet your customers' needs can help you increase the frequency of their visits to your store. Not only will this make them feel special, but it will also help you keep them as loyal customers. 

You can also create Whatsapp campaigns tailored to your customer's location, age, and gender. 

For example, you can create a campaign specifically for women in a particular region or for younger customers who may be more interested in the latest trends. Doing this will help you target the right customers and improve your chances of getting a positive response.

By understanding your customers' needs, you can create effective Whatsapp campaigns to help you build relationships and retain customers. This will result in increased sales and a better customer experience. 

‍Example Template: 

‍Hello [Customer Name],

‍We wanted to share some exciting news with you. We have new arrivals and an upcoming sale you might be interested in.

‍You can check out our new arrivals and upcoming sale by clicking on the following link: [Insert Product Link or Sale Information].

‍We hope to see you soon and help you with any shopping needs you may have.

‍See ya! 

[Brand Name] 

‍

5. Make returns, exchanges and refunds easy 

‍

The fashion and apparel industry sees the highest number of post-purchase requests. From order cancellations, returns and refunds, consumers want to have an easy way out of the purchases they make from a brand. 

The typical process requires them to get in touch with the brand through their website, request a return, exchange or refund and then wait for the next steps from the brand over email or text messages. The more complex and longer the process, the more likely a consumer becomes to not choose the same brand again. 

With solutions like LimeChat, fashion and apparel brands can automate the whole process right from the time someone requests it. 

‍

How to Use WhatsApp for Customer Engagement in Fashion? 

Engaging customers is essential for the success of fashion and apparel brands. It creates relationships that foster loyalty, trust, and brand recognition. 

Customer engagement also helps fashion brands understand their customers' needs and preferences to improve product offerings, marketing campaigns, and other aspects of the business. 

Let's explore how fashion and apparel brands can use WhatsApp marketing to engage customers and improve their business. 

1. Send Newsletters Updates as WhatsApp Broadcast 

Sending out newsletter updates is a great way to keep your customers informed about your latest fashion and apparel. 

WhatsApp makes it easier than ever to share images and updates about new collections, discounts, and other news with your customers. 

Just create a WhatsApp Broadcast list and add your customers to it. Then, you have to send a message to the list to let them know what is new in the store. This could include images, descriptions, and any other relevant information. This will make it easy for your customers to stay up-to-date with the latest fashion and apparel.

By regularly sending out newsletter updates on WhatsApp, you will be able to keep your customers engaged and interested in your store. 

‍Example Template: 

Hello [Name],

Check out our latest fashion collection [insert collection name]! You're going to love it. 

[Insert Link]

Enjoy [insert discount percentage/offer details] on new arrivals. Visit our website [insert website link] to shop now.

Best regards,

[Brand Name] 

2. Share Lookbooks to Keep Them Engaged 

As we've mentioned earlier too, WhatsApp offers a great way to share lookbooks of your latest collection with potential customers. You can easily attach a PDF or video file to the broadcast message and send it to your contacts. 

Make sure to keep your lookbooks visually appealing and exciting. Try to include high-quality images and videos that will showcase your fashion line in the best way possible, and remember to add relevant links to your website or social media channels. 

Brownie points for including user-generated content and asking customers to share images on social media to get featured. It'll be a fantastic engagement activity. 

‍Example Template: 

‍Hello [Customer Name],

‍Check out our latest collection lookbook! Get a glimpse of our latest fashion and apparel [insert collection name]. Discover new styles, colours, and designs.

‍Attached is a [PDF/Video] lookbook for your convenience. You can also visit our website [insert website link] to explore more.

‍Share your favourite looks with us on social media and get a chance to be featured! Use the hashtag [insert brand hashtag].

‍Best regards,

[Brand Name]

3. Run Contests and Conduct Polls 

Running contests and conducting polls is an excellent way to engage followers and bring them closer to your brand. 

Fashion and apparel businesses can create a photo contest where followers post their best outfit of the day with your brand mentioned. You can also use Whatsapp's poll feature to create and send polls to followers for voting on styles and trends. 

Announce the results through the broadcast list or in the newsletter and thank participants for participating. 

This will help build a strong relationship with followers, generate engagement, and understand their preferences for crafting better strategies.  

‍Example Template: 

‍Dear [Customer Name],

‍[Brand Name] values your feedback and would like to engage with you in a fun and interactive way. That's why we're excited to announce our latest fashion contest, where you can show off your style and share your fashion preferences.

‍Here's how to participate:

1. Take a picture of your best outfit of the day, including [Brand Name] clothing.
2. Post it on your social media and tag us @[Brand Handle].
3. The best dressed wins a special prize from us!

‍Thank you for your continued support. Can't wait to see your entries!

‍Best regards,

[Brand Name] 

Bringing it All Together: WhatsApp Marketing for Fashion and Apparel Brands 

Ah, now you know all about how you, as a fashion brand, can use WhatsApp marketing to make your business successful. And as you've seen, there are numerous ways to use WhatsApp for the fashion industry. All you have to do is start. 

So start your campaign with WhatsApp Business API by using the above-mentioned workflows as an initial point. And keep experimenting and optimising the campaigns to find what works best for you. 

We're shifting to a world run by AI-powered tools, and you won't be able to do all this manually.

With LimeChat's industry-best features and Level-3 AI, you can automate the workflow and replies to make your campaign more effective. 

What are you waiting for? 

‍Book a demo today!