What is a WhatsApp catalog and how do wholesale buyers use it?

WhatsApp Business has a built-in Catalog feature that lets suppliers and boutique owners display products — with photos, prices, and descriptions — directly within WhatsApp, without sending individual images. Buyers browse and share products without leaving the app.

How suppliers use it:

• List current catalog sets with per-piece price, set price, and available quantity
• Buyers browse the catalog, select items, and send an order via WhatsApp message
• Supplier confirms availability and shares payment details

Limitations:

• WhatsApp Business catalog is limited to 500 products — adequate for small suppliers
• No real-time inventory tracking — availability must be manually maintained
• Payment processing is external (UPI link, bank transfer)

Best practice for buyers: Save supplier contacts in WhatsApp Business to access their catalogs. If a supplier doesn't have a WhatsApp catalog, ask them to set one up — it reduces photo-flooding in chat and makes ordering cleaner.