Today social media apps like WhatsApp and Instagram, among others, have become an important part of our lifestyle. But in this digital era it has also become an important part of advertising and marketing. Gone are the days of email marketing and advertising through TV ads or billboards.In conversation with Gautam Rajesh Shelley, founder AiSensy, on how and why WhatsApp has become the new king of high-volume marketing.How does automated WhatsApp workflow compare to your current email automation system in terms of ease of use?While email systems are powerful for long-form content and detailed campaigns, they lack the immediacy and conversational nature that WhatsApp offers. Automated campaigns for order confirmations, payment reminders, and many more updates are best sent through WhatsApp, where users get immediately updated on their purchase & the next steps they need to take! This instant communication ensures customers feel informed and supported in real time, reducing uncertainty and increasing overall satisfaction. Unlike emails, which may be overlooked or buried in an inbox, WhatsApp notifications pop up directly on a customer’s phone, making it nearly impossible to miss important updates. Additionally, WhatsApp's conversational tone allows for quicker resolution of queries, fostering a more responsive customer experience. Customers can easily reply with questions or clarifications, and businesses can address them promptly without delays. The real-time interaction is more personal, making customers feel valued and heard. With the added benefit of multimedia support, businesses can provide rich content like images, videos, and quick links, making the update even more engaging. Whether it's a video showing how to track an order or an infographic about a new product, these visual elements make communication clearer and more compelling.What security concerns have your customers raised about switching from email to WhatsApp communications?Since WhatsApp is perceived as a personal communication platform, users often ask how their data is managed and whether their information could be misused. We address these concerns by highlighting WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption, which ensures that messages can only be read by the sender and the recipient. This encryption is a fundamental feature that protects the privacy of our customers' interactions. AiSensy ensures all communications are conducted within a secure, controlled environment, giving customers the peace of mind they need. We also regularly update our security protocols to stay aligned with industry standards, providing additional layers of protection. We always recommend an opt-in process to maintain transparency and trust between the brand and its customers. How do you plan to integrate AiSensy's WhatsApp automation with your existing CRM and email marketing tools?AiSensy ensures that all customer data—whether it’s collected via email campaigns or WhatsApp interactions—flows into a single system for a holistic view. From their CRM, they can easily automate notifications to users on WhatsApp. This integration streamlines communication, allowing businesses to provide a more personalized experience for their customers. By having all customer interactions in one place, brands can quickly segment their audience and send targeted, relevant updates based on behaviour or preferences. This not only saves time but also improves engagement by delivering more tailored content. With real-time updates and automated workflows, businesses stay connected with their customers more effectively and efficiently.Have you experienced any resistance from customers when switching from email to WhatsApp as their primary communication channel?A major reason is that nobody checks their emails in 2025 if it’s not for work or OTP verifications. Our WhatsApp notifications are not sales-orientated; we focus on generating value with these updates. Whether it’s a useful WhatsApp strategy or an update about an upcoming webinar, we generally see 5x higher engagement on our WhatsApp broadcasts than email campaigns. Moreover, WhatsApp offers richer media options like videos, images, and voice messages, making the content more engaging and interactive. As a result, our customers feel more involved and valued, leading to increased loyalty and more meaningful interactions with our brand.