Uploading a product catalog to WhatsApp in 2026 offers two options: the WhatsApp Business app (up to 500 manual products, no smart search) or the WhatsApp Business API with a platform like Aurora Inbox (up to 9,000 products, navigable by an AI agent using GPT-5 that makes recommendations based on customer descriptions). For stores with more than 200 products or those seeking automated cross-selling, the app alone isn't sufficient—the API plus an AI agent is the right approach.
Why have a catalog on WhatsApp?
Three key findings from the Conversational Commerce 2025 report:
- 64% of the customers They prefer to view the catalog within the chat rather than open a website.
- 3-5× Conversion greater when the catalog is on WhatsApp vs link to an external store.
- Average ticket price increases 18-30% when an AI agent suggests complementary products in the conversation.
Selling via chat without a catalog is like selling in a physical store without shelves — you lose most of the value.
Options for uploading a catalog
1. WhatsApp Business App (limited)
Up to 500 handmade products. Each product:
- Image 1:1 minimum 500×500 px.
- Name, description, price.
- Optional link to the product on your website.
Configuration: Settings → Business Tools → CatalogYou can share individual products or the link to the complete catalog in any conversation.
Limitations:
- 500 products maximum.
- Without smart search — the customer has to scroll.
- No automatic recommendation.
- No synchronization with your store.
- No filtering by size/color/availability.
2. API + platform with navigable catalog (recommended)
Aurora Inbox supports up to 3 catalogs × 3,000 products = 9,000 itemsEach product has:
- Image, name, description, price.
- Variants (size, color, weight, etc.).
- Real-time stock.
- Categories and tags for filtering.
- Custom attributes.
The AI agent with GPT-5 navigates the catalog and responds with contextualized recommendations:
- "I'm looking for black size 39 boots" → the AI filters and returns 3-5 options.
- "I have a budget of $800, what do you recommend?" → sort by price within the range.
- "I need something as a gift, my mom is 60 years old" → recommends popular categories in that segment.
How to upload a catalog to Aurora Inbox step by step
Step 1: Connect your number and plan
Start your free trial and connect your WhatsApp Business number via OAuth with Meta. It takes 10 minutes.
Step 2: Create the catalog
In Aurora Inbox, Catalogues → New catalogueDefine:
- Catalog name (e.g., "Online Store", "Spa Services", "B2B Products").
- Primary language.
- Currency.
Step 3: Upload products
Three ways to charge:
- Manual — one by one via web form. Good for 1-50 products.
- CSV / Excel — Upload a file with all columns. Good for 50-3,000 products.
- Native connector — Shopify, WooCommerce, HubSpot, API integrations. Automatic and bidirectional synchronization.
Step 4: Map variants and categories
If your products have variations (sizes, colors), configure them so that AI can filter them:
- Main category (e.g., Footwear, Clothing, Accessories).
- Attribute (e.g., Color, Size, Material).
- Stock by variant.
Step 5: Activate the catalog tool in the AI agent
Configure your AI agent and activate the tool Search in catalogDefine how results should be presented:
- "Always return 3 to 5 options, no more."
- "If there is no stock, recommend similar alternatives."
- "If the customer provides a price range, sort by price within that range."
Step 6: Connect purchase actions
To close the sale within the chat, activate:
- Generation of paid league — Stripe, Mercado Pago, Conekta.
- Create order in Shopify / WooCommerce automatically.
- Reserve stock while the client decides.
Step 7: Test with real queries
Simulate 30-50 real customer inquiries: "Do you have X?", "How much does Y cost?", "I need something in the Z range", "Is there availability for tomorrow?". Adjust personality and tools based on results.
Comparative table
| Appearance | WhatsApp Business App | Aurora Inbox |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum products | 500 | 9,000 (3 × 3,000) |
| Variants (size/color) | Limited | Complete |
| Smart search | No | Yes (with AI) |
| Automatic recommendations | No | Yes (GPT-5) |
| Synchronization with Shopify | Manual | Automatic (real-time) |
| Real-time stock | No | Yeah |
| Generate order from chat | No | Yeah |
| Cost | Free | From $99 USD/month |
Key use cases
- Ecommerce with +500 products — the app simply isn't enough.
- Recovery of abandoned carts — AI agent reactive with products in the shopping cart.
- Automatic cross-selling — AI proposes complementary products.
- Services with catalog — treatments, tour packages, subscription plans.
- B2B with extensive catalog — manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers.
Common mistakes
- Upload only names and prices without descriptions. AI needs text to make good recommendations.
- Do not map variants. If you ask for "size 39" and there is no variant configured, the AI does not filter.
- Do not synchronize stock. Recommending out-of-stock products loses the sale and angers the customer.
- Low quality images. Small or pixelated photos drastically lower conversion rates.
- Don't try vague queries. Customers don't type SKUs — they type "something nice for my girlfriend".
Why Aurora Inbox
Aurora Inbox combines a catalog of up to 9,000 products, navigable by a real LLM agent (GPT-5), with native synchronization with Shopify/WooCommerce/HubSpot, order creation and payment link tools, and multichannel integration (WhatsApp, Messenger, Instagram, and TikTok). For stores with large catalogs, it's the fastest way to turn WhatsApp into a direct sales channel.
Start your free trial and upload your catalog in less than an hour.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many products can I upload to the WhatsApp catalog?
App: 500. Aurora Inbox: 9,000 (3 catalogs × 3,000).
Can AI recommend products from the catalog?
Yes, with GPT-5 and the catalog tool enabled. Aurora Inbox supports it natively.
Does the catalog sync with my Shopify?
Yes, in Aurora Inbox via native connector, bidirectional real-time synchronization.
Can I create orders from the WhatsApp chat?
Yes, with OAuth permissions granted. Aurora Inbox creates orders in Shopify/WooCommerce from the chat.
How much does it cost to have a catalog on WhatsApp?
App: Free but limited. Aurora Inbox from $99 USD/month with catalog, AI agent and multichannel included.
Can I have catalogs in multiple languages?
Yes. Aurora Inbox's AI agent supports over 40 languages and automatically translates responses.
