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prateekshaweb

Posted on • Originally published at prateeksha.com

How I help Mumbai businesses move from WhatsApp brochures to a proper website

Hook / problem

Many small businesses in Mumbai run entirely off WhatsApp brochures — PDFs and image lists shared over chat. That works for one-to-one sales but fails to scale: poor discoverability, no automated lead capture, and inconsistent mobile experiences. I help teams turn those static assets into fast, mobile-first websites that actually generate bookings and leads.

Context: why a website matters for local businesses

WhatsApp is great for conversations, not discovery. A proper website does three things WhatsApp can't: it makes your business findable on Google, converts casual visitors into leads, and creates a single source of truth for pricing, photos, and FAQs. For Mumbai businesses where most users are on mobile and variable networks, performance and clear CTAs are critical.

If you want examples or case studies, see https://prateeksha.com and the blog series at https://prateeksha.com/blog — the specific migration case is here: https://prateeksha.com/blog/help-mumbai-businesses-move-from-whatsapp-brochures-to-website.

The solution: practical, staged migration

I avoid the “PDF-on-a-page” trap. The goal is a working site in weeks, not months, then iterate based on data. Typical stages:

  1. Audit: collect WhatsApp assets (images, price lists, common messages) and map pages.
  2. Strategy: define goals (calls, form leads, bookings) and KPIs.
  3. Design: mobile-first templates with clear trust signals — reviews, photos, service pages.
  4. Build: fast static or CMS-backed site, forms, WhatsApp click-to-chat, and analytics.
  5. Launch & train: hand off CMS access and a simple edit guide.

This lets businesses get online quickly (starter sites in 1–2 weeks), then add features like payments or booking widgets in monthly sprints.

Implementation tips for devs and technical founders

Practical things you can implement right away:

  • Use responsive images (srcset) and modern formats (WebP/AVIF) to cut payloads.
  • Serve the site via a CDN (Vercel, Netlify, Cloudflare) and enforce HTTPS with Let’s Encrypt.
  • Inline critical CSS and lazy-load non-critical JavaScript to improve First Contentful Paint.
  • Add JSON-LD LocalBusiness schema for the salon, shop, or bakery to improve local search.
  • Keep forms simple: name, phone, intent; forward submissions to email/CRM via webhook.
  • Add a WhatsApp click-to-chat link with prefilled text for quick contact on mobile.

Also run a Lighthouse budget (performance, accessibility, best practices) and keep improvements measurable.

Quick checklist before you launch

  • Content audit completed (images, prices, FAQs)
  • Mobile-first layout and CTA (call / WhatsApp / form)
  • Analytics and conversion tracking (events for calls and form submits)
  • Local SEO: consistent NAP and Google Business Profile claimed
  • HTTPS and CDN in place, basic security headers

Small optimisations that pay off

A few low-effort changes produce big wins:

  • Convert PDFs into structured HTML pages — Google can’t index static PDFs reliably for local queries.
  • Add reviews and photos on a portfolio or service page; social proof raises conversion quickly.
  • Pre-fill WhatsApp messages from CTAs so users don’t have to type details.
  • Use server-side redirects and canonical tags to prevent duplicate content issues.

Measurement and iteration

Define KPIs during the strategy phase: impressions, organic sessions, calls, form submissions, and conversion rate. After launch, monitor Google Search Console, Google Analytics (or a privacy-friendly alternative), and Lighthouse scores. Iterate weekly or monthly based on what converts most visitors.

Pricing & timeline guidance

A lean starter site (home, services, contact) can be launched in 1–2 weeks with a small budget; add features incrementally. This approach reduces upfront risk and delivers measurable outcomes faster than a large monolithic project.

Conclusion

Moving from WhatsApp brochures to a proper website is a practical, measurable step that increases discoverability and automates lead capture. If you want real examples or a migration blueprint, check https://prateeksha.com and the posts at https://prateeksha.com/blog — the specific walkthrough is at https://prateeksha.com/blog/help-mumbai-businesses-move-from-whatsapp-brochures-to-website. Build fast, measure what matters, and keep the site focused on mobile users and clear calls-to-action.

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