Why shops send bills on WhatsApp
WhatsApp billing software sends the customer a digital bill on WhatsApp instead of, or as well as, a paper slip. Paper bills fade, get thrown away, and come back as "I bought it here last month" with no proof. Thermal rolls cost money every week.
Most customers already have WhatsApp open. A bill there is easy to find again, easy to forward to a family member, and easy for the shop to send a second time.
Four ways Cartix Prime sends on WhatsApp
There is more than one way to send a WhatsApp message from software, and they are not all the same. Here is each one plainly.
| Way | Plan | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| WhatsApp links | Every plan | One press opens WhatsApp with the message ready; you press send |
| Your own WhatsApp Business API | Gold | Sent from your shop's number through Meta's official API; Meta charges per message |
| Cartix Prime's number | Platinum (Gold on credits) | Sent from Cartix Prime's WhatsApp number on your behalf |
| From this computer | Silver and up, and Cartix Prime Offline | The Windows app links your shop's own WhatsApp and sends what is waiting, slowly |
WhatsApp links, on every plan
This is the simple way and the one most shops start with. After the bill, one press opens WhatsApp with the customer's number and the bill link ready, through wa.me, the WhatsApp app for Windows or WhatsApp Web. You press send. Nothing is sent without a person pressing the button.
The WhatsApp Business API
On Gold, a shop can connect its own WhatsApp Business API, Meta's official way for businesses to send messages from software. Messages go without anyone pressing send. Meta charges for each message, and that charge is between the shop and Meta.
Cartix Prime's number
On Platinum, or on Gold using credits, messages can go from Cartix Prime's own WhatsApp number, for a shop that does not want to set up its own API.
From this computer: at your own risk
On Silver and up, and in Cartix Prime Offline, the Windows app can link the shop's own WhatsApp and send waiting bills and reminders by itself, slowly. This is not WhatsApp's official way. The shop turns it on only after reading a warning, and at its own risk: WhatsApp can block the number. Campaigns and bulk offers never go this way, only bills and messages that are already waiting. If your shop's WhatsApp number matters to you, start with links or the API.
How it works at the counter
- Save the customer's mobile number on the bill, or pick an existing customer.
- Finish the bill and take the payment.
- Press the WhatsApp button. With links, WhatsApp opens with the message ready; press send.
- Print as well if the customer wants paper, or if the internet is down.
Every WhatsApp bill ends with "Billed with Cartix Prime". Item names can be in Malayalam and other local scripts, and the WhatsApp message carries them. Sending needs a connection; when the net is down, the counter keeps billing and you can print or send later.
More than bills
The same WhatsApp ways carry payment reminders for customers who owe money, covered on the credit and khata page. On Gold, the CRM sends automatic messages for birthdays, anniversaries, a welcome after the first bill, win-back and a feedback link. Offers and campaigns to many customers are on WhatsApp marketing for shops.
Who it suits
- Electronics, mobile and appliance shops where customers need the bill later for a warranty.
- Supermarkets and kirana stores that want to cut paper for regular customers.
- Pharmacies where repeat customers ask for an old bill.
- Any shop that bills from an Android phone without a printer. See billing app for Android.
Which plan has WhatsApp bills
Bills on WhatsApp as a link are on every Cartix Prime plan, from Starter at ₹2,499 a year (₹599 phone only), before 18% GST. Sending from this computer comes with Silver at ₹4,999, the WhatsApp Business API with Gold at ₹8,999, and Cartix Prime's number with Platinum at ₹12,999, or on Gold with credits. Every new shop gets 7 days of Silver free with no card. See the pricing page.
Questions people ask
How do I send a bill on WhatsApp from Cartix Prime?
Save the customer’s number on the bill, finish it, and press the WhatsApp button. WhatsApp opens with the bill link and message ready, through wa.me, the WhatsApp app for Windows or WhatsApp Web. You press send. This is on every plan.
Can bills go on WhatsApp automatically?
Yes, in three ways: your own WhatsApp Business API on Gold (Meta charges per message), Cartix Prime’s number on Platinum or on Gold with credits, or from this computer on Silver and up, which is not WhatsApp’s official way and is at the shop’s own risk.
Can WhatsApp block my number?
With links or the official API, you send the normal way. With "from this computer", the Windows app sends through your linked WhatsApp, which is not WhatsApp’s official way, so the number can be blocked. The shop turns it on after a warning, and campaigns never go that way.
Is a WhatsApp bill a valid GST bill?
The WhatsApp message carries the same bill that would be printed. Whether a digital copy alone meets every need of your business, for example for a business customer’s input tax credit, is a question to check with your CA.
Can I send bills on WhatsApp without internet?
No, sending needs a connection. Billing carries on without the internet, so print the bill when the net is down, and send it on WhatsApp later if the customer wants a copy.