10.1 Overview

The WhatsApp Store section connects one or more existing WhatsApp Stores to a digital VCard.

Once connected, the selected stores can appear on the public card, allowing visitors to move from the cardholder’s professional profile directly into a store’s products, services, or ordering experience.

This section does not create or edit the store itself. It determines which existing WhatsApp Stores are displayed on the selected VCard.

A single VCard can be connected to multiple stores, and the store-selection field supports choosing more than one store at a time.

10.2 Understanding VCards and WhatsApp Stores

A VCard and a WhatsApp Store serve different purposes.

VCard

The VCard presents the person, business, or organization through information such as:

  1. Contact details
  2. Professional profile
  3. Services
  4. Products
  5. Business hours
  6. Appointments
  7. Galleries
  8. Blogs
  9. Testimonials
  10. Social links
  11. Payment links

WhatsApp Store

The WhatsApp Store provides a commerce-oriented experience where visitors can:

  1. Browse store products
  2. View product categories
  3. Review product details
  4. Submit orders
  5. Communicate through WhatsApp
  6. Review store information
  7. Access store policies

Connecting the two allows the VCard to act as the main professional identity while directing interested visitors to the appropriate store.

10.3 Creating the Store Before Connecting It

A WhatsApp Store must already exist before it can be selected inside a VCard.

To confirm that a store is available:

  1. Return to the main dashboard.
  2. Select WhatsApp Stores.
  3. Confirm that the store appears in the store list.
  4. Confirm that its basic information has been completed.
  5. Confirm that the store is active.
  6. Return to the VCard editor.

Only stores available to the account and ready for public display appear in the VCard’s store-selection field.

The full process for creating and operating a WhatsApp Store will be covered in a separate part of this manual.

10.4 Opening the WhatsApp Store Section

From the dashboard:

  1. Select VCards.
  2. Locate the digital card you want to update.
  3. Select the card name or the Edit icon.
  4. Select WhatsApp Store from the VCard editor menu.

On a phone or smaller screen, select the menu icon within the editor to display the available sections.

The WhatsApp Store section contains:

WhatsApp Stores
Store-selection field
Save
Discard

The information icon beside the field explains that this section is used to select the WhatsApp Stores that should appear on the VCard.

Connecting a Store

10.5 Opening the Store-Selection Field

Select the WhatsApp Stores field.

A searchable selection list opens and displays the available stores by name.

The interface can also use each store’s saved logo to help identify the correct store.

When many stores exist, begin typing the store name to narrow the available choices.

10.6 Selecting One Store

To connect one store:

  1. Open the WhatsApp Stores selection field.
  2. Locate the desired store.
  3. Select its name.
  4. Confirm that it appears as a selected item in the field.
  5. Select Save.
  6. Wait for the update confirmation.

The store is now associated with that VCard.

10.7 Selecting Multiple Stores

The selection field supports multiple stores.

To connect more than one:

  1. Open the WhatsApp Stores field.
  2. Select the first store.
  3. Reopen or continue using the selection list.
  4. Select each additional store.
  5. Review all selected names.
  6. Select Save.

Example:

AIUNIFY Technology Store
AIUNIFY Training Store
AIUNIFY Business Resources

All selected stores can be displayed through the same public VCard.

10.8 Choosing Which Stores to Display

Only connect stores that are directly relevant to the card’s audience.

For example, a company VCard may link to several stores:

Technology Products
Training Resources
Business Services
Digital Downloads

A personal employee VCard may link only to the store associated with that employee’s department or sales responsibility.

Avoid connecting every store when doing so would make the visitor experience confusing.

10.9 Saving the Store Selection

After selecting the desired stores, select Save.

The system updates the relationship between the VCard and the selected WhatsApp Stores.

Wait for the success confirmation before leaving the page.

Saving does not change the store’s products, categories, contact number, template, policies, or order settings. It only controls which stores are connected to this VCard.

10.10 Using Discard

Select Discard to leave the WhatsApp Store section without saving the current changes.

Discard returns the user to the VCards area and keeps the previously saved store selections.

It does not:

  1. Delete a WhatsApp Store
  2. Deactivate a WhatsApp Store
  3. Delete the VCard
  4. Remove products
  5. Cancel store orders
  6. Change store settings

Removing a Store from a VCard

10.11 Disconnecting One Store

To remove a store from the card without deleting the store:

  1. Open the VCard editor.
  2. Select WhatsApp Store.
  3. Locate the selected store in the field.
  4. Select the removal symbol beside its name.
  5. Leave any other desired stores selected.
  6. Select Save.

The removed store will no longer be associated with that VCard.

The store itself remains available in the main WhatsApp Stores section.

10.12 Removing All Stores

To remove every WhatsApp Store from the VCard:

  1. Open the WhatsApp Store section.
  2. Remove each selected store.
  3. Confirm that the field is empty.
  4. Select Save.
  5. Preview the public card.

This disconnects the VCard from all stores without deleting any store records.

10.13 Hiding a Store Temporarily

When a store should be unavailable temporarily, there are two possible methods.

Disconnect It from the VCard

Remove the store from this VCard and save the change.

Use this method when the store should remain active elsewhere but should no longer appear on this particular card.

Deactivate the Store

Change the store’s status in the main WhatsApp Stores section.

Use this method when the store itself should no longer be publicly available.

Disconnecting affects the VCard relationship. Deactivating affects the store’s general public availability.

Using One Store with Multiple VCards

10.14 Connecting the Same Store to Several Cards

The same WhatsApp Store can be connected to more than one VCard.

For example, a company store may be linked to:

Company VCard
Chief Executive VCard
Sales Representative VCard
Customer Support VCard
Event VCard

To do this, open each VCard separately and select the same store from its WhatsApp Store section.

This allows several representatives to direct visitors to the same catalog or ordering destination.

10.15 Using Different Stores for Different Staff Members

Different VCards may be connected to different stores.

Example:

Sales Representative A → Detroit Store
Sales Representative B → Chicago Store
Training Director → Education Store
Technology Consultant → Software Store

This is useful when each person represents a different location, department, product group, or service division.

10.16 Organization Cards

An organization may use one general VCard connected to several stores.

Example:

Main Organization VCard
→ Retail Store
→ Training Store
→ Digital Resource Store
→ Service Booking Store

This gives visitors one central business identity with access to multiple commerce destinations.

Public Visitor Experience

10.17 How Stores Appear on the VCard

The selected VCard template determines the exact appearance of connected WhatsApp Stores.

The public presentation may include:

  1. Store logo
  2. Store name
  3. Store card or panel
  4. Store image
  5. A Visit Store action
  6. A link to the public store page

The system includes the public label Visit Store for connected store actions. The arrangement and styling can differ between VCard templates.

10.18 Opening a Store from the Public Card

A visitor generally follows this process:

  1. Opens the public VCard.
  2. Locates the WhatsApp Store area.
  3. Reviews the available store names or logos.
  4. Selects the desired store or Visit Store.
  5. Enters the connected public WhatsApp Store.
  6. Browses products or categories.
  7. Submits an order or contacts the business through the available store tools.

Test this complete workflow after connecting a store.

10.19 Store Logos

Each selectable store includes its saved store name and logo information.

For the best public presentation:

  1. Upload a clear store logo.
  2. Use a square or well-centered image.
  3. Avoid excessive small text.
  4. Use consistent branding.
  5. Confirm that the logo is not blurry.
  6. Confirm that it represents the correct store.

Store logos are managed inside the WhatsApp Store editor, not inside the VCard connection section.

10.20 Store Names

Use clear store names so both account users and visitors can distinguish them.

Strong examples include:

AIUNIFY Business Software Store
Moneyality Training Resources
Detroit EV Charging Products
Esquire Consulting Services
FinCredit Educator Resources

Less useful examples include:

Store 1
New Store
Main
Test
Other

The name should explain what the visitor will find after opening the store.

Reviewing the Connection

10.21 Previewing the VCard

After saving the store selection:

  1. Return to VCards.
  2. Open the card’s preview or public URL.
  3. Locate the connected-store area.
  4. Confirm that every selected store appears.
  5. Confirm that removed stores no longer appear.
  6. Select each store.
  7. Confirm that the correct store opens.
  8. Review the card on desktop and mobile devices.

The live preview is important because the editor only shows the selection field, not the complete public store presentation.

10.22 Testing the Store

After opening a connected store, test:

  1. Store logo and name
  2. WhatsApp number
  3. Product categories
  4. Product listings
  5. Product images
  6. Prices
  7. Product details
  8. Store hours
  9. Store policies
  10. Order submission
  11. WhatsApp communication
  12. Mobile display

Connecting a store does not guarantee that the store itself has been fully configured. Review both systems.

10.23 Testing Multiple Stores

When several stores are connected:

  1. Open the VCard.
  2. Confirm that every selected store is listed.
  3. Select the first store.
  4. Confirm that the correct destination opens.
  5. Return to the VCard.
  6. Repeat the test for every remaining store.
  7. Confirm that store names and logos are not mismatched.

This prevents visitors from selecting one store name and being directed to a different store.

Managing Store Changes

10.24 Renaming a Connected Store

When a store is renamed inside the main WhatsApp Stores section, the VCard connection remains tied to that store record.

After renaming:

  1. Open the public VCard.
  2. Confirm that the updated store name appears.
  3. Refresh the page when the previous name remains cached.
  4. Confirm that the link still opens the correct store.

You do not normally need to reconnect the store solely because its name was changed.

10.25 Replacing the Store Logo

Replace the logo through the WhatsApp Store editor.

After saving the new logo:

  1. Open the connected VCard.
  2. Refresh the public page.
  3. Confirm that the new logo appears.
  4. Review its size and clarity on mobile devices.

The VCard connection field reads the store’s saved logo information.

10.26 Deactivating a Connected Store

When a connected store is deactivated, it should no longer be treated as an active public store.

After changing a store’s status:

  1. Open the connected VCard.
  2. Confirm that the inactive store is no longer available to visitors.
  3. Review the VCard’s WhatsApp Store selection.
  4. Remove or replace the store selection when appropriate.
  5. Save the VCard again when changes are made.

The VCard editor’s store list is designed to use active stores associated with the account.

10.27 Reactivating a Store

After reactivating a store:

  1. Return to the VCard editor.
  2. Open WhatsApp Store.
  3. Confirm that the store appears in the selection list.
  4. Select it when it is not already selected.
  5. Select Save.
  6. Test it from the public card.

10.28 Deleting a Store

Deleting a WhatsApp Store is different from disconnecting it.

Disconnecting

Removes the store from one VCard but preserves the store.

Deleting

Removes the store itself and may also affect its products, categories, orders, subscribers, media, and public address.

Disconnect stores from relevant VCards before permanently deleting them whenever practical.

Troubleshooting

10.29 No Stores Appear in the Selection Field

Confirm that:

  1. A WhatsApp Store has been created.
  2. The store belongs to the current account.
  3. The store is active.
  4. The correct user account is signed in.
  5. The page has been refreshed.
  6. The store was not deleted.
  7. The store setup was saved successfully.

10.30 The Store Was Selected but Does Not Appear Publicly

Confirm that:

  1. The VCard selection was saved.
  2. The VCard is active.
  3. The WhatsApp Store is active.
  4. The correct VCard was edited.
  5. The public page has been refreshed.
  6. The browser is not displaying an older cached page.
  7. The selected template is presenting the connected store area.

10.31 The Wrong Store Opens

Return to the VCard editor and review the selected store names.

Also confirm that:

  1. The intended store has the correct public alias.
  2. The store was not renamed incorrectly.
  3. Store logos are assigned to the correct records.
  4. The visitor is not opening an old cached link.

10.32 A Deactivated Store Still Appears

Refresh the VCard and test it in a private browser window.

Then:

  1. Open the VCard’s WhatsApp Store section.
  2. Remove the store from the selected list when it remains selected.
  3. Select Save.
  4. Review the public card again.

10.33 A Store Cannot Be Found by Name

Check the exact saved store name in the main WhatsApp Stores section.

Use part of the name in the selection field’s search.

Also confirm that the store is active and belongs to the current account.

10.34 Store Changes Are Not Visible

After editing the store:

  1. Save the store changes.
  2. Refresh the public VCard.
  3. Refresh the public store.
  4. Open both in a private browser window.
  5. Clear cached page data when necessary.
  6. Confirm that the correct store and VCard were edited.

10.35 Save Does Not Keep the Selection

Confirm that the store name remains selected before pressing Save.

Do not press Discard after saving. Wait for the success message before navigating away.

When the issue continues, reopen the section and confirm whether the store remains selected.

Recommended Store-Connection Strategy

10.36 Connect Relevant Stores Only

Each connected store should support the purpose of the VCard.

A financial educator’s VCard might connect to:

Student Learning Resources
Educator Training Materials
Financial Assessment Store

A technology company’s VCard might connect to:

Software Solutions
Business Service Packages
Digital Downloads

Keep the selection focused enough that visitors can quickly choose the correct destination.

10.37 Use One Primary Store When Possible

When one store contains the complete catalog, connecting a single store often creates the simplest experience.

Use multiple stores when there is a meaningful separation, such as:

  1. Different brands
  2. Different locations
  3. Different industries
  4. Wholesale and retail
  5. Products and services
  6. Consumer and business customers
  7. Separate organizational departments

10.38 Keep Branding Consistent

The connected VCard and store should use consistent:

  1. Business name
  2. Logo
  3. Colors
  4. Contact information
  5. WhatsApp number
  6. Product language
  7. Policies
  8. Professional tone

Visitors should feel that they are moving through one connected business experience.

10.39 WhatsApp Store Connection Checklist

Before completing this section, confirm that:

  1. The WhatsApp Store has been created.
  2. The store is active.
  3. The store has the correct name and logo.
  4. The correct VCard is being edited.
  5. All desired stores are selected.
  6. Unwanted stores are deselected.
  7. The selection has been saved.
  8. The connected stores appear on the public card.
  9. Each Visit Store action opens the correct destination.
  10. Store products and categories display correctly.
  11. The ordering and WhatsApp processes have been tested.
  12. The VCard and stores have been reviewed on mobile devices.

Chapter Completion

At the end of this chapter, the user should understand how to connect one or more WhatsApp Stores to a digital card, remove stores without deleting them, use the same store with several VCards, test the public store links, and troubleshoot store-connection problems.


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