WhatsApp, email or Instagram? The channel guide for regular customers 2025

Criteria Set (how to decide)

• Reach & Open Rate: How reliably do you reach the person?

• Law & Consent: GDPR, Double Opt-In, unsubscribe option.

• Effort & Costs: Production, tools, time.

• Measurability: Clicks, return within 7–14 days.

E-Mail (the reliable foundation)

Advantages: inexpensive, predictable, segmentable (e.g., close to reward, latte fans, morning guests).
Disadvantages: can get lost in the inbox; good subject lines needed.
Best Practice: 2×/month, < 120 words, 1 visual element, 1 CTA.
Subject Line Examples:

• “New: September Blend – 2 minutes for a test?”

• “You're so close: only 2 stamps left”
  Legality: Consent by checkbox, DOI recommended; unsubscribe in every email.

WhatsApp (Reminder King)

Advantages: very high open rates, perfect short reminders (“New today”, “Only 2 stamps left”).
Disadvantages: strict opt-in, no spam tolerated; better to be infrequent & relevant.
Usage: 1–4 messages/month, ultra short (one line + link/QR).
Example Texts:

• “Today freshly roasted: Peru. 8–12 am, quick test?”

• “You're 2 stamps away from free – come by by Friday.”
  Practice: Use WhatsApp broadcast lists only with active consent.

Instagram (Showcase & Social Proof)

Advantages: reach, stories for “fresh today”, reels for atmosphere & team.
Disadvantages: weak depth in communication with regular customers, clicks not guaranteed.
Best Practice:

• Daily Stories (product, team, quick surveys),

• Feed 2×/week (hero shots, new varieties, community moments)

• Bio Link → Stamping Card/Waitlist.

Combination (recommended)

• E-Mail = foundation (2×/month).

• WhatsApp = reminder when close to a reward or event notice.

• Instagram = showcase & proof (shows life & quality).

Templates (Copy-Paste)

E-Mail (under 120 words):
Subject: New this week + You are so close
Text:
“Hey [Name],
this week we are testing [new item]. You're only 2 stamps away from [reward] – if you stop by by Friday, your next stamp is guaranteed.
See you soon,
[Your Café]”

WhatsApp (one line):
“Today [new item] – you are close. 8–12 & 14–18 hours. QR at the counter. ❤️”

Instagram Story (3 slides):

• Slide 1: New item photo + “Test today”

• Slide 2: “Are you already collecting? QR = stamp, no app needed.”

• Slide 3: “Only 2 stamps left to [reward] – we are here!”

Measurement

• E-Mail: open rate, CTR, return within 7–14 days.

• WhatsApp: response rate or clicks, return within 7 days.

• Instagram: story views, link clicks, but above all return to the store (measurable with QR).
  With a digital stamp card (e.g., Bonuzo) you connect these channels directly with measurable repeat purchases.

Law & Consent

• Clear checkbox texts, not pre-checked, unsubscribe at any time.

• Banner/consent for analytics/marketing.

• Privacy policy with tools & purposes.

Conclusion

Choose E-Mail as the foundation, add WhatsApp for precise reminders, and use Instagram for visibility. What matters are relevance, brevity, timing – not the platform. A QR-based stamp flow makes the effect measurable.