Customers respond fast today – but only where they actually spend their time. And in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, that's mainly WhatsApp. That's why Shore has integrated WhatsApp directly into our booking system since October. This is made possible through our partnership with Superchat, a German provider for secure business messaging.
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Why WhatsApp Works So Well in Daily Life
Many small businesses know the problem: emails are often overlooked or read too late. Our product manager Nicola has been studying communication patterns for years and says:
- Emails reach an average 20-22% open rate, trending downward.
- WhatsApp messages are at over 95% in 2025, usually within 10 minutes.
- An email gets answered after an average of 90 minutes, while WhatsApp is around 15 minutes.
Even older customer groups now use WhatsApp daily. And they find it significantly more personal. Many write to us that scheduling appointments via WhatsApp "feels like talking to a familiar salon."
What WhatsApp with Shore Makes Possible for You
✨ Fewer No-Shows
Around 50% of Germans say they forget an appointment at least once a year.
WhatsApp reminds much more reliably than SMS or email – and feels more natural. This helps reduce cancellations.
📣 Marketing with Real Results
WhatsApp marketing sometimes achieves ten times higher click rates than emails.
But: The channel only works when it stays personal.
Send too many mass messages and you'll quickly end up archived or blocked. That's why many successful salons work with short, honest messages:
"Hey Lisa, your appointment on Friday at 2 PM is confirmed. Looking forward to seeing you!"
It feels approachable – and that makes all the difference.
⚙️ Automated Responses and Booking Links
Even when you're cutting hair, giving massages, or with clients, WhatsApp keeps working in the background:
- automatic booking links
- answers to frequent questions
- opening hours information
So you stay reachable without constantly being on your phone.
Important Data Privacy Information
For Germany, Austria, and Switzerland:
- The free WhatsApp Business App is not GDPR-compliant, as it reads contacts and shares metadata.
- Through Superchat, you automatically use the WhatsApp Business API – this version meets data privacy requirements.
- For WhatsApp messages, you need opt-in consent.
This can ideally be collected during online booking.
This keeps you on the safe side.
What Does WhatsApp Cost?
- Messages started by the customer are free.
- Messages you send from your business run through a 24-hour window. This costs a few cents and is much cheaper than SMS.
Many providers – including us – have already integrated these windows, even in free packages.
With fewer no-shows and strong click rates, WhatsApp almost always pays off.
Big Brands Already Use It – Now Small Businesses Can Too
Telekom, Condor, and Samsung already use WhatsApp as their most important support channel. With Shore + Superchat, this modern communication is finally possible for hair salons, beauty studios, massage therapists, bridal shops, and many other small businesses.
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