WhatsApp Catalogue Setup: Complete Guide for Malaysian Businesses (2026)

Your catalogue is your storefront.

In Malaysia, 73% of small business transactions start with a WhatsApp conversation. The customer asks "What do you sell?" or "How much?" — and the business owner scrambles to send product photos one by one, type out prices manually, and hope the customer doesn't lose interest halfway through.

WhatsApp's built-in catalogue feature eliminates this scramble. It turns your WhatsApp Business profile into a browsable product listing that customers can explore, share, and order from — all without leaving the chat.

Yet most Malaysian businesses either don't know the catalogue feature exists, or they've set it up poorly with blurry photos, missing prices, and descriptions that say nothing useful.

This guide walks you through the complete setup process, from first product to integrated ordering, with specific advice for F&B, retail, and service businesses in Malaysia.

What Is a WhatsApp Business Catalogue?

A WhatsApp Business catalogue is a mobile storefront built into the WhatsApp Business app or API that allows businesses to showcase up to 500 products or services with images, descriptions, prices, and links. According to Meta's business blog, businesses with active catalogues receive 40% more messages from potential customers than those without.

The catalogue appears in two places:

1. Your business profile — Anyone who views your WhatsApp profile can tap "Catalogue" to browse your products.
2. Within conversations — You can share individual products or the entire catalogue directly in a chat.

Each product listing can include:

• Up to 10 images
• Product or service name (max 120 characters)
• Price (optional, in your local currency)
• Description (max 5,000 characters)
• Product link (URL to your website or order page)
• Product code (for your internal tracking)

The catalogue is free to create and maintain. There is no cost from WhatsApp for listing products. The only costs come if you connect the catalogue to the WhatsApp Business API through a provider for automation features.

How Do You Set Up a WhatsApp Business Catalogue Step by Step?

Setting up a basic WhatsApp Business catalogue takes approximately 30 minutes for 10 products. Businesses that invest an additional 2 hours on professional photos and detailed descriptions see 3x higher engagement rates, based on data from WhatsApp Business Platform analytics.

Step 1: Open WhatsApp Business Settings

Open the WhatsApp Business app on your phone. Tap the three dots (menu) in the top right corner. Select "Business tools" then "Catalogue."

If you're using the catalogue for the first time, you'll see an "Add new item" button.

Step 2: Add Your First Product

Tap "Add new item" and you will see a form with these fields:

Images (required — at least one) Tap the camera icon to take a photo or select from your gallery. Use a minimum of 2 images per product. The first image is the thumbnail that appears in search results and chat shares.

Name (required) Enter the product or service name. Keep it clear and searchable. "Nasi Lemak Special" is better than "Our Signature Dish." "Men's Haircut" is better than "Classic Cut for Him."

Price (optional but recommended) Enter the price in MYR. WhatsApp will display it with the RM symbol. If you have variable pricing, enter the starting price and note "from RM__" in the description.

Description (optional but recommended) Write what the product includes, any variations, and ordering instructions. This is where you sell.

Link (optional) Add a URL to your website product page or ordering system.

Product code (optional) Your internal SKU or reference number.

Step 3: Organise Products into Collections

Collections are folders within your catalogue. Group products logically so customers can browse efficiently.

Good collection structures:

Step 4: Set Visibility

Each product can be set to "Show" or "Hide." Use this to temporarily remove out-of-stock items without deleting them. During Ramadan, a restaurant might hide regular items and show only iftar specials.

Step 5: Share Your Catalogue

Once your products are listed, share them:

• In conversations — Tap the attachment icon in any chat, select "Catalogue," and choose products to share.
• Via link — Your catalogue has a shareable URL (wa.me/c/[yournumber]) that you can post on social media or your website.
• On your profile — The catalogue automatically appears on your WhatsApp Business profile.

How Should You Photograph Products for WhatsApp Catalogues?

Products with high-quality images receive 2.5x more clicks than those with poor images, according to Meta's internal WhatsApp Business data. You don't need a professional camera — a modern smartphone with good lighting produces catalogue-quality images.

Photography tips for each business type:

F&B Businesses

• Shoot from a 45-degree angle (how a diner sees the plate)
• Use natural daylight — avoid harsh overhead lighting
• Include a recognisable item for scale (chopsticks, a drink can)
• Show the food freshly prepared, not sitting for hours
• Include at least one image showing portion size

Retail and Products

• Use a clean, plain background (white or light grey)
• Show the product from multiple angles (front, side, detail)
• Include a "lifestyle" shot showing the product in use
• Maintain consistent style across all product photos
• Show actual colours accurately (avoid heavy filters)

Service Businesses

• Photograph the result of your service (before/after for salons)
• Show your workspace or facility (clean, well-lit)
• Include images of staff providing the service (with consent)
• Use infographics or text overlays to explain packages
• Feature actual customer results, not stock photos

Technical specifications:

How Should You Write Product Descriptions That Sell?

WhatsApp catalogue descriptions that include specific details (ingredients, duration, what's included) convert 45% better than vague descriptions, based on A/B testing data from SleekFlow's 2025 e-commerce report. The description is your silent salesperson.

The formula for effective descriptions:

Line 1: What it is (clear and direct) Line 2: What's included (specifics) Line 3: What makes it special (differentiator) Line 4: How to order (call to action)

Example for a restaurant:

Nasi Lemak Special Set
Nasi lemak with sambal, ikan bilis, telur, timun,
kacang, and your choice of ayam goreng or rendang.
Served with teh tarik.

Our sambal is made fresh daily using cili kering from
Kelantan — it's the reason customers come back.

Tap "Message Business" to order for pickup or delivery.
Available daily 7 AM – 2 PM.

Example for a salon:

Korean Perm — Women's
Full head Korean-style digital perm including
consultation, wash, treatment, and styling.
Duration: 2.5–3 hours.

Uses Goldwell premium perm solution suitable for
all hair types including colour-treated hair.

From RM280. Final price depends on hair length.
Tap "Message Business" to book your slot.

Example for a tuition centre:

SPM Mathematics — Form 5
Weekly 2-hour class covering the complete SPM
Add Maths syllabus. Includes printed notes,
homework, and monthly progress reports.

Small class size (max 8 students) ensures every
student gets individual attention.

RM200/month (4 sessions). Trial class available.
Message us to check available time slots.

Want your WhatsApp catalogue to do more — like take orders and process payments automatically? Take the AlwaysON quiz to see how integration works for your business type.

How Do You Connect Your Catalogue to Ordering and Payments?

Businesses that integrate their WhatsApp catalogue with an ordering or booking system see 60% higher conversion rates compared to those using catalogue as a standalone feature, according to data published by Meta for Business. Integration turns browsing into buying.

The WhatsApp Business app catalogue is essentially a digital brochure. Customers can view products, but to actually order, they need to message you — and you process the order manually.

For small volumes, this works fine. For businesses handling 20+ orders per day, you need integration.

Integration Option 1: Link to external order page Add your website's ordering page URL in the product's "Link" field. When a customer taps the link, they leave WhatsApp and complete the order on your website. Simple but creates friction.

Integration Option 2: WhatsApp Business API with cart feature The API supports a cart feature where customers can add products from your catalogue and send the cart as an order message. Your automation tool processes the order and sends a payment link.

Integration Option 3: Integrated platform Platforms like AlwaysON combine the catalogue with a booking engine and payment processing. When a customer selects a service from the catalogue, the chatbot guides them through booking and payment within WhatsApp itself.

What Are the Best Practices for F&B Catalogues?

Food businesses have unique catalogue needs. Here is what works:

Update frequently. Food menus change with availability. Set a weekly calendar to review and update your catalogue. Remove items that are unavailable. Add seasonal specials prominently.

Group by meal occasion. "Breakfast," "Lunch Sets," "Dinner Specials," "Snacks & Drinks" is more useful than a flat list of 50 items.

Show prices for everything. Malaysian food consumers expect to see prices. A catalogue without prices feels evasive. If prices vary (e.g., nasi campur), show a range: "RM6–12 depending on selection."

Include dietary information. Mark halal certification, vegetarian options, allergen information. This is increasingly important to Malaysian consumers and builds trust.

Add a "How to Order" item. Create a product listing that isn't a product — it's an ordering guide. Include delivery radius, minimum order, payment methods, and estimated delivery time.

For connecting your F&B catalogue with WhatsApp auto-reply templates that handle ordering conversations, see our template guide.

What Are the Best Practices for Retail Catalogues?

Maintain consistent photography. Every product should be photographed with the same background, lighting, and angle. Inconsistency looks unprofessional and makes browsing jarring.

Use product codes. Assign SKUs to every product. When customers reference an item, the code eliminates ambiguity. "I want to order product BG-042" is clearer than "I want the blue bag, no not that one, the other one."

Show inventory status. If something is low stock, note it in the description: "Only 3 left." This creates urgency and prevents disappointment.

Create a "Best Sellers" collection. New customers don't want to browse 200 items. A curated collection of your top 10 products helps them discover your best offerings quickly.

Include size/variation information. If a product comes in multiple sizes, colours, or flavours, list all options in the description and include images of each variation.

What Are the Best Practices for Service Catalogues?

Services are harder to photograph than products, but the catalogue can still be highly effective:

List every service as a separate item. "Haircut — Men's," "Haircut — Women's Short," "Haircut — Women's Long" should each be their own listing with their own price, description, and image.

Include duration. Service customers need to plan their time. Always state how long the service takes: "Duration: 45 minutes."

Show the outcome. Before/after photos (with customer consent), images of the finished result, or photos of the facility during the service.

Create package listings. Bundles and packages should be listed as separate items with clear savings highlighted: "Facial + Massage Package — RM180 (save RM40)."

Add a booking CTA. Every service description should end with a clear call to action: "Tap Message to book" or include a direct booking link if you use a booking system.

What Mistakes Should You Avoid?

Common catalogue mistakes that Malaysian businesses make:

Mistake 1: No prices listed. Customers assume the worst when prices are hidden. They won't ask — they'll just move on. Always show prices, even if it's "from RM__."

Mistake 2: Using screenshots instead of photos. Screenshots of Instagram posts or other catalogues look terrible as WhatsApp catalogue images. Take proper product photos.

Mistake 3: Overcrowded descriptions. A 500-word product description is a wall of text on mobile. Keep descriptions to 3–4 short lines. Save detailed information for a linked webpage.

Mistake 4: Stale catalogue. A catalogue showing "Christmas Special 2025" in September 2026 signals that the business is inactive. Update monthly at minimum.

Mistake 5: No collections. Dumping 100 products into a single list is overwhelming. Use collections to organize products into 5–8 browsable categories.

Mistake 6: Inconsistent information. Your catalogue says RM25 but when the customer orders, you charge RM30. This destroys trust instantly. Keep catalogue prices synchronised with actual pricing.

How Do You Measure Catalogue Performance?

WhatsApp Business provides basic analytics for your catalogue:

• Views — How many times your catalogue was viewed
• Product taps — Which products customers clicked on
• Messages from catalogue — How many conversations started from product views

Track these metrics monthly and look for patterns:

• Which products get the most views but fewest orders? The description or price might need work.
• Which products get the most orders? Feature them prominently and create similar offerings.
• When do views spike? Align your promotions with natural browsing patterns.

For more advanced analytics, the WhatsApp Business API provides deeper data through platforms like AlwaysON — including conversion rates, average order value from catalogue interactions, and customer journey mapping.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many products can I list in my WhatsApp catalogue?

You can list up to 500 items in your WhatsApp Business catalogue. For most small businesses, 20–50 well-curated items perform better than hundreds of listings. Quality over quantity.

Can I create a catalogue on WhatsApp without WhatsApp Business?

No. The catalogue feature is only available on the WhatsApp Business app (free) or through the WhatsApp Business API. Regular WhatsApp does not support catalogues.

Are WhatsApp catalogues visible to everyone?

Your catalogue is visible to anyone who views your WhatsApp Business profile or anyone you share it with in a conversation. You cannot restrict visibility to specific contacts. If you have items you only want certain customers to see, keep them hidden and share them individually in conversations.

Can I accept payments through the WhatsApp catalogue?

WhatsApp does not process payments directly through the catalogue in Malaysia. You can include a payment link (to your website, FPX gateway, or payment platform) in the product listing. Some API-based platforms automate the payment link generation after a customer selects a product.

How often should I update my WhatsApp catalogue?

Review your catalogue weekly and update at minimum once a month. Prices, availability, and seasonal offerings change. An outdated catalogue is worse than no catalogue — it actively misinforms customers.

Keep Reading

• Cara Buat Katalog WhatsApp Business — Panduan lengkap dalam Bahasa Melayu.
• WhatsApp Auto Reply Message Samples for Every Business — Templates that work with catalogue-driven conversations.
• How to Automate WhatsApp Messages for Your Business — Connect your catalogue to automated workflows.