Email vs WhatsApp marketing: which channel is best?

WhatsApp is the powerful new marketing channel taking European consumer brands and CRM teams by storm. The big question is: will it replace your email marketing?

It's hard to believe now maybe, but email was once a very big deal. Hailed as a "killer application," it transformed businesses and lives.

Everything you need to know about "How to send an email" (in 1984)

With the arrival of email, marketers suddenly had an incredible tool at their fingertips. They could message thousands of people for free. No stamps, no printers, no time delay. They didn't need to spend much on design. 

As email software tools like Klaviyo and Mailchimp appeared, email marketing became even more sophisticated, efficient and revenue generating.

Marketers could choose audiences, analyze shopping behavior send more targeted emails, automate processes and more.

Then came the "email is dead" articles

In 2015, an article by Inc. declared the email era was over and predicted "a new communication channel will replace email by 2020." 

Many people lost their love for email and started messaging each other on apps like WhatsApp instead. No need for subject lines or formalities. Less spam. As life became more informal, people wanted easier, quicker communication channels.

Email started to gain a reputation as old-fashioned and brands started to wonder if it was worth investing in email at all.

Especially as social media apps like Facebook, Instagram and TikTok took a growing share of people's attention.

Then came WhatsApp Business

In 2018, WhatsApp Business arrived. WhatsApp (through its parent company, Meta) opened up its hugely popular consumer app to businesses so they could connect with the 2 billion people already engaged in this messaging app (now close to 3 billion).

Many businesses (including us) predicted this new "killer app" for marketers, together with SMS, to be the death of email.

The demise of email marketing – fact or fiction?

So now 2020 has come and gone, and new channels have appeared, did email die?

Clearly, no.

Email is a hardy channel. Even with some wobbly moments, and the birth of many exciting communication methods, it has always bounced back.

Why?

Junk folders have improved and functionality has been added. As the world's content gets ever shorter and hard-hitting, many are beginning to appreciate the "slowness" of email.

Email is still used by marketers successfully for long-form content, product launches, regular news updates, customer relationship marketing (CRM) and more.

And the stats remain impressive:

• 81% of SMBs still call email as their primary customer acquisition channel
• 87% of B2B marketers say email is one of their top free organic distribution channels

Granted, email may not get the engagement and reach it used to, but it's still a steady source of income for brands.

Email vs. WhatsApp: the battle is on...?

In one corner, the tried-and-true veteran, email marketing.

In the other, the agile newcomer, WhatsApp marketing.

Marketing departments today are faced with a choice: to invest in the classic power of email or be tempted by the allure of WhatsApp.

Let’s dive into this epic marketing showdown and uncover the strategies that set brands apart.

Email and WhatsApp marketing compared

First, let's look at how the two marketing channels compare with each other:

It's clear that both email and WhatsApp marketing have their advantages and disadvantages. 

So who wins: email or WhatsApp?

In our experience, the channel that works best is: both.

Email and WhatsApp marketing work better together, not alone, for the best results

charles founder, Artjem Weissbeck, explains: "Alone, email and WhatsApp are great. Together, they're even better. In fact, by combining WhatsApp and email, customers like SNOCKS have seen a CLV [customer lifetime value] uplift of 20% compared to a single-channel approach."

The power of unity: how email and WhatsApp marketing work together

Imagine combining the extensive reach of email with the immediacy of WhatsApp – a power duo that reignites your marketing strategies.

Working hand in hand, these channels amplify each other’s strengths, nurturing deeper connections with customers.

That's why in September 2023, we announced our partnership with leading marketing automation platform, Klaviyo. 

At DMEXCO 2023, we announced our partnership with leading marketing automation platform, Klaviyo – supercharging CRM teams with the combined power of both marketing channels

Crafting the perfect message: email vs. WhatsApp

Writing compelling content is an art, whether it's an email or a WhatsApp message.

Email’s larger canvas allows for detailed storytelling, while WhatsApp’s concise nature demands messages that pack a punch.

For emails, nail that subject line, keep paragraphs concise, and conclude with a clear CTA.

WhatsApp lives on authenticity – personalized messages with a friendly tone work best. Use personalization details like name and favorite color.

In emails, an emoji in the subject line can grab attention. Add 1 or 2 in the body for emphasis or to lift the tone (if it's on brand). In WhatsApp you can get away with more emojis, but don't overdo it. In both cases, use them smartly and naturally but sparingly.

How email and WhatsApp complement each other

In fact, email doesn't fight WhatsApp, it works together with it in many ways:

So it's more email and WhatsApp than email vs WhatsApp

Turns out, the epic battle between email and WhatsApp, isn't actually a battle: it's a love story.

WhatsApp and email marketing are partners, not rivals.

The learning you should take away is to keep investing in your email campaigns, but make sure you don't miss out on the WhatsApp Business wave by integrating WhatsApp with your CRM.

This will take a little investment, but WhatsApp Business Solution Partners like charles can help you understand how WhatsApp can work with email. 

Talk to us about how to combine WhatsApp with email marketing.