When it comes to marketing, choosing the right channel can make or break your campaign. Did you know that WhatsApp boasts an impressive 98% open rate, far outpacing email at just 20% and even surpassing text messages at 30%? This means that your message is far more likely to be seen when sent through WhatsApp.
Even more compelling is the Click-Through Rate (CTR) for WhatsApp, which ranges between 45-60%, leaving email marketing’s CTR of around 2-5% in the dust.
If you're looking to boost engagement and drive better results, understanding how these two channels measure up is crucial. In this article, we’ll dive into the differences between WhatsApp and email marketing, helping you determine which one can best serve your business goals.
WhatsApp marketing refers to the use of WhatsApp, a popular messaging app, to promote products, services, or communicate with customers. The app is used by over 2 billion monthly active users, giving businesses access to international markets.
The number of users is expected to reach over 3.14 billion by the end of 2025. It’s increasingly becoming a go-to strategy for businesses looking to connect with their customers in a more instant, personal, and engaging way.
Voice messages have quickly become a game-changer for businesses using WhatsApp as a marketing tool. With over 7 billion voice messages being sent daily on the platform, it’s clear that people love this quick, personal way of communicating. In fact, users spend an average of 16.5 hours on WhatsApp each month, offering companies an amazing opportunity to connect with their targeted group on a deeper level.
Now that we've explored WhatsApp marketing, let's move on to email marketing—another powerful marketing channel.
Simplify Your Operations! Use WhatsApp as a complete sales and support platform with Zoko's automation and CRM integration—start now with a 7 day free-trial.
Email marketing is a tactic where businesses send personalized messages to a selected group of potential or existing customers via email. It’s a direct way to communicate with your audience, whether you’re sending newsletters, product updates, promotions, or personalized offers.
Even with the growth of social media and messaging apps, email continues to be amongst the essential and effective ways for businesses to connect with their audience.
Email marketing remains one of the most powerful tools for connecting with your audience directly. It offers a personalized, cost-effective way to build relationships, drive conversions, and measure campaign success. Understanding its key features can help you maximize its potential and achieve your business goals.
With these features in mind, it’s important to consider how email marketing impacts your overall business efforts and performance. Let’s explore the impact of email marketing on business success.
Despite these challenges, email marketing can still be highly effective when done right.
Let’s now compare it with WhatsApp marketing to see how both channels measure up.
When comparing marketing channels, it’s important to understand how email and WhatsApp stack up in terms of key performance metrics and features.
Below is a comparison of email and WhatsApp marketing based on factors like open rates, click-through rates, user engagement, and more.
Aspect |
WhatsApp Marketing |
Email Marketing |
Open Rate |
98% |
20% |
Click-Through Rate (CTR) |
25-40% |
2-5% |
User Engagement |
Higher engagement due to direct and personal messaging |
Generally lower, often ignored or filtered |
End-to-End Encryption |
Yes, providing a secure communication channel |
Limited encryption, vulnerable to hacks |
Personalization |
High - Enables personalized and direct communication |
Moderate - Can be personalized but often lacks the immediacy |
Message Format |
Text, multimedia (images, videos, voice messages) |
Primarily text-based, though multimedia supported |
Cost-Effectiveness |
Low cost, no third-party fees |
Low cost but may incur fees for large lists |
Response Time |
Instant - users typically reply quickly |
Slower response times due to inbox overload |
Targeting & Segmentation |
Advanced targeting with rich media and instant interaction |
Segmentation possible, but harder to track in real-time |
Junk/Spam |
Lower risk of junk, but messages may be marked as spam if unsolicited |
Higher risk of emails being marked as spam by filters |
PLatform |
Primarily mobile-based, with app-centric communication |
Primarily email clients (Gmail, Outlook, etc.) |
Delivery Status |
Instant delivery with high visibility, but depends on the user's notification settings |
Can have delays; delivery depends on email clients and spam filters |
Integration with Business |
Seamlessly integrates with CRM systems for customer support and personalized marketing |
Integrates easily with CRM, email marketing platforms, and automation tools |
User Responsiveness |
High engagement due to instant messaging and personal nature |
Varies; open rates are lower, but can be high with proper targeting |
Verified Account |
WhatsApp Business accounts are verified with a green check mark for authenticity |
Email marketing tools can authenticate senders but verification can be less visible to recipients |
Both WhatsApp and email marketing are powerful tools, but choosing the right one for your business depends on your audience, communication style, and marketing objectives.
To learn more about boosting customer engagement through WhatsApp, check out 7 WhatsApp Strategies for E-commerce.
Both email marketing and WhatsApp marketing offer unique benefits and opportunities for businesses, but understanding the scale, reach, and engagement of each platform is key to making an informed decision.
Let's take a closer look at some important facts:
While email marketing still has its place in digital marketing, WhatsApp marketing’s higher engagement, broader reach, and instant communication capabilities make it the more effective platform for businesses looking to maximize impact.
With its massive user base and the ability to reach customers directly on their mobile devices, WhatsApp proves to be a powerful tool for marketing success.
Having explored the strengths and differences between email and WhatsApp marketing, let's now wrap up with final thoughts.
Maximize Your Marketing Reach! Automate your WhatsApp campaigns and recover abandoned carts with Zoko's powerful features. Try it now!
In comparing WhatsApp and email marketing, it’s clear both channels have their unique strengths. Email marketing remains a cornerstone for businesses looking to reach a wide audience, offering an affordable, scalable way to engage with customers. However, WhatsApp stands out with its superior open rates, high engagement, and ability to provide real-time communication.
For businesses seeking a more direct, personal connection with customers, WhatsApp offers an undeniable edge, especially in terms of immediacy and personalization.
Integrate Zoko’s WhatsApp Business API and broadcasting for seamless automation and personalized messaging. From order management to marketing campaigns, Zoko makes it easy to engage and convert.
Take advantage of WhatsApp's real-time reach and convert leads faster with personalized interactions. Connect with Zoko today