WhatsApp broadcasts restricted? UAE real estate pros, try this strategy!
How do you reach new leads when your go-to marketing method is suddenly off-limits? Bulk messages and WhatsApp broadcasts have been a staple for UAE real estate professionals, but the newly issued RERA restrictions now prohibit these practices. Violations can lead to fines and suspension of the broker’s registration.
As the industry grapples with these restrictions, real estate professionals urgently seek other ways to reach new leads and convert them without risking hefty fines.
This article offers real estate professionals actionable strategies by exploring effective and compliant WhatsApp marketing alternatives that go beyond WhatsApp broadcast.
Understanding the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) restriction
The Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) has issued strict guidelines prohibiting real estate companies, including developers and brokers, from conducting marketing activities through direct calls, text messages, or WhatsApp.
These measures are designed to protect property owners’ privacy and prevent the unauthorized use of investor information.
RERA has emphasized the importance of compliance, with penalties for violations including a fine of AED 50,000 and a three-month suspension of the broker’s registration. Repeated offenses could lead to increased fines and permanent cancellation of the broker’s registration.
In light of this, real estate companies in the UAE must explore alternative marketing strategies on WhatsApp. The most effective approach is to encourage your leads to initiate contact, rather than you reaching out to them first.
4 Key ways for getting your leads to message you on WhatsApp first
UAE residents are increasingly overwhelmed by daily outreach from real estate and developer companies, prompting the Dubai Land Department (DLD) to impose fines on those who initiate contact with these leads.
With over 8 million users, WhatsApp is one of the most popular channels for customers to communicate with companies in the UAE. The recent restriction on sending messages to buyers or investors through WhatsApp is a significant blow for real estate companies, as it disrupts their usual practices.
However, there’s no need to worry—there are plenty of compliant alternatives can help you engage with your leads even more effectively.
1. Engage leads effectively with click to WhatsApp ads
Click to WhatsApp ads (CTWA) is a type of ad format that allows potential leads to connect with your business directly on WhatsApp with just one click. When someone clicks on the ad, it instantly opens a WhatsApp chat with your company.
Instead of cold messaging potential buyers, they’re the ones pinging you first, and you have their consent to continue chatting with them. CTWA can significantly improve your engagement rates because people who click on your ad are already interested in your offering. Each interaction helps you gather valuable information about your leads, enabling you to deliver more personalized communication.
For real estate companies in the UAE, this is gold. You can run CTWA campaigns on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, targeting users who have shown interest in your properties.
When users click on the ad, they are directly connected to a WhatsApp conversation with an agent, where they can inquire about property details, location, schedule viewings, or even start the negotiation process. This instant connection not only enhances the customer experience but also increases the likelihood of conversions by providing immediate responses to inquiries.
It’s a smooth and efficient way to move your leads closer to making a purchase decision.
Automate click to WhatsApp ads conversations
With SleekFlow's Click-to-WhatsApp ad triggers in Flow Builder, you can automate lead generation and qualification with guided chat flows that engage customers through quick replies and personalized messages.
Additionally, conversations initiated from CTWA trigger automatically save ad source information in your CRM, letting you track which ads are driving conversions and helping you prioritize high-intent leads.
And, with a unified inbox, your team can easily manage and respond to inquiries from these ads, ensuring a seamless transition from chatbot interactions to human support, all while keeping agents informed and ready to assist.
Learn more about what & how to set up & create click to whatsapp ads in our comprehensive guide.
How a Malaysian property developer uses CTWA for lead generation?
EcoWorld, a Malaysian property developer specializing in residential townships across key economic regions, leveraged click to WhatsApp ads to enhance its lead generation efforts.
By running these ads on Facebook and Instagram, EcoWorld encouraged potential homebuyers to initiate conversations with sales agents through WhatsApp. The ads targeted a broad audience, including those who had previously interacted with EcoWorld on social media or its website, allowing sales agents to engage with high-intent customers directly.
This approach resulted in 15,000 clicks to WhatsApp chats, with 21% being high-quality leads. The campaign delivered a return on ad spend as high as 6.5X, based on property bookings.
This example shows how you can effectively generate high-quality leads and foster direct, personal connections with potential buyers, even under marketing restrictions.
2. Using QR codes to turn offline touchpoints into WhatsApp leads
Real estate companies in the UAE can effectively use WhatsApp QR codes to bridge the gap between offline and online marketing.
As property developer, you can place WhatsApp-linked QR codes on promotional materials like brochures and flyers during a project launch event or even at showhouse entrances. When potential buyers scan the QR code, they are instantly directed to a WhatsApp conversation without needing to save a contact number.
Imagine a buyer visiting your showhouse who scans the WhatsApp-linked QR code on a brochure. Instantly, they can inquire about available units, receive floor plans, or book a follow-up appointment. If you’ve set up automation, the chatbot can quickly assess their needs and connect them with the right agent, ensuring a smooth and personalized interaction.
Create your customized QR code in just 3 easy steps with SleekFlow
1. Go to: https://sleekflow.io/whatsapp-link-generator.
2. Enter your WhatsApp phone number and a customized message.
3. Enter your email address.
4. Download your QR Code to be displayed anywhere you want.
Channelling leads through WhatsApp has greatly improved our distribution efficiency and increased lead volume.
Lina Khudairi
Head of Corporate Department, RAALC Law Firm
3. Embed WhatsApp click-to-chat buttons on your website
Adding WhatsApp click to chat or live chat buttons to key areas of your website, such as the home page, product pages, and Contact Us page, can greatly improve your customer engagement and lead generation.
Here’s why this strategy works so well:
Live chat is fast: WhatsApp live chat provides real-time 24/7 support, ensuring potential buyers get immediate answers to their property inquiries, regardless of time zones.
Customer-friendly interface: UAE customers are already comfortable with WhatsApp’s chat interface, making it easy and convenient for them to engage with your real estate listings without any learning curve.
Customizable responses: You can tailor the chat experience with personalized greeting messages based on the specific property or page your visitors view, guiding them toward the most relevant listings or services.
Quick replies: Save time with pre-set FAQs that allow your agents to respond quickly to common property-related queries. If multiple buyers inquire about financing options for a particular development, you can provide quick, consistent answers, streamlining the communication process.
Chatbot integration: A chatbot can assist buyers in finding properties that match specific criteria, such as location, price range, and size, even outside business hours, ensuring that potential leads are nurtured at all times and increasing the likelihood of successful transactions.
Additionally, by configuring WhatsApp chat to offer multi-language support, you can cater to the diverse clientele in the UAE.
For instance, if your website attracts both English-speaking expatriates and Arabic-speaking locals, having a multi-language chat option ensures that every potential buyer feels comfortable and understood.
This feature allows you to seamlessly communicate with a diverse audience, making it easier to guide clients through property inquiries, schedule viewings, and provide personalized support in their preferred language, ultimately enhancing their overall experience and increasing the likelihood of conversion.
Adding the live chat feature to your website is a breeze; learn the steps involved with our detailed guide.
4. Use WhatsApp chat links in your social media profiles
Make the most of your social media presence, especially during times of restriction, by adding WhatsApp chat links to your profiles. Social media can boost your leads by up to 72%, so once you’ve caught someone’s interest on Instagram or Facebook, guide them straight to WhatsApp for a more personal conversation.
As a UAE real estate broker, including your WhatsApp link in your bio and post captions enables clients to quickly ask questions, schedule viewings, or request recommendations—all with a single tap. This approach transforms casual interest into serious inquiries, increasing your chances of closing deals.
Why SleekFlow is the best platform for UAE real estate companies
SleekFlow is the AI-powered Omnichannel Conversation Suite that helps real estate companies in the UAE implement effective WhatsApp marketing strategies, even with the recent restrictions. As an all-in-one platform, SleekFlow enables seamless and personalized customer journeys across popular messaging channels like WhatsApp, making connecting with leads and clients easier.
Here’s how SleekFlow can help:
Easily set up and manage CTWA campaigns, automate lead qualification, and track ad performance, all within one platform.
Create and manage WhatsApp-linked QR codes that drive offline prospects into WhatsApp conversations, simplifying lead generation.
Embed WhatsApp click-to-chat buttons on your website, offering multi-language support and integrating chatbots for 24/7 customer service.
Add WhatsApp chat links to your social media profiles, converting followers into leads and ensuring a smooth transition to personalized conversations.
With SleekFlow, you can streamline your WhatsApp marketing efforts and stay compliant with UAE regulations, all while improving customer engagement.
SleekFlow: Your partner in compliant real estate marketing
RERA restrictions? No problem. SleekFlow offers powerful tools to keep your UAE real estate outreach compliant and effective, ensuring you never miss a lead.
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