How to create a Viber Channel for your Business
Do you want to leverage the popularity of Viber to communicate directly with your audience on their favorite channel? Then, you are in the right place, because in this article you’ll learn what the Viber channels are, all the features and tools they provide and ways to grow your own Viber channel.
Table of Contents:
- What are Viber Channels?
- Tools for growing and managing a Viber Channel
- How can I create a Viber Channel for my Business?
- How do I manage my Viber channel?
- Viber channel tools for Businesses
- How can I add new users to a Viber Channel?
- 3 Benefits of Viber Channels for Business
- Use Cases from various industries
1. What are Viber Channels?
Viber Channels are a new service of Viber that enables brands and businesses to publish content and communicate with an unlimited number of users within the Viber app.
Unlike Viber communities where members can send messages and take part in the discussion, Viber channels allow one-way communication, meaning that only businesses can send messages to the subscribers of each channel. Subscribers can comment on the broadcast messages they receive if the administrators of the channel have allowed them to do so.
Viber Channels are a perfect tool for brands that wish to grow their audience and engage more their existing customers. In more detail using a Viber channel businesses can:
- Promote events
- Promote new offers
- Hold contests
- Organize polls and quizzes
- Schedule messages
2. Tools for growing and managing a Viber Channel
Invitation Link
A business can directly share an invitation link anywhere its potential customers may be. By publishing the link on its official website and social media accounts the business can attract to its channel a significant number of new subscribers.
Searchable Profile*
With the right use of keywords in the channel name and description businesses can show up on the search results within the app. This way Viber users can find and join a channel simply by searching for it in the main search bar of the app.
Messages Reporting
Channels provide detailed statistics for the performance of each message that a business broadcasts. The available metrics are: unique views, shares and clicks on messages that include links or videos.
Scheduled Messages
Businesses can schedule any type of message in advance and manage all scheduled messages from a single screen within the app.
Comments Moderation
The channel admins can decide which messages will be open to comments, thus driving discussions around certain topics and making the moderation easier.
3. How can I create a Viber Channel for my Business?
Step 1
Open the Viber app and press the button “New chat”, then choose “New channel”.
Step 2
On the next screen press the button “Create a channel”
Step 3
On the next screen you can Name your channel and add a short description along with an icon. At this point you can set an age restriction on your channel if you wish.
Step 4
After completing step 3, your channel is ready. A new screen appears where you can invite up to 50 of your Viber contacts.
4. How do I manage my Viber channel?
Superadmin
The owner/creator of the channel has full control and privileges
Admins
They are appointed by the superadmin and have specific privileges
Members
Are all the users that choose to join a channel
In more detail, Superadmin can:
- Add or remove members
- Pin messages at the top of the chat
- Schedule messages
- Delete one or more messages from any other member of the channel
- Create and share the channel invitation link
- Decide whether the members can share the channel invitation link
- Decide whether the admins can write in the channel
- Edit the name, description and icon of the channel
- Select which members can become admins
- Access the channel insights - analytics
An admin perform the following:
- Add or remove members
- Pin messages at the top of the chat
- Schedule messages
- Delete one or more messages written from members
- Moderate the comments
A member can perform the following:
- React to a message
- Mute channel notifications
- Chat with admins (only if the superadmin has allowed this option)
- Comment on messages (only if the superadmin has allowed this option)
- Share the channel invitation link (only if the superadmin has allowed this option)
5. Viber Channel Tools for Businesses
Viber Channels provide a set of tools and advanced features so businesses can create an attractive environment where they can interact with their subscribers.
Businesses can customize the look of the channel so it reflects their overall branding. In more detail they can set an icon for the channel and change its background.
A business can set a different alias and icon that will be displayed only when the business posts messages to the channel.
Businesses can engage the subscribers of the channel by asking their opinion with interactive polls and quizzes. This way brands receive valuable feedback and at the same time, subscribers feel that their opinion matters.
Businesses can access detailed statistics and useful insights for the overall performance of their channel. The available metrics are: active users, new users, total sent messages, reactions to messages, daily and monthly active users.
6. How can I add new users to a Viber Channel?
Invite Viber Contacts
The superadmin of a channel can send an invitation to up to 50 Viber contacts directly from within the app.
Share Channel Link
Every channel has its own unique invitation link. A business can share the channel invitation link in all its online properties such as: websites, emails, social media. Furthermore, it can convert the link to a QR code and place it in advertising leaflets or inside its stores.
Link Sharing by existing subscribers
The superadmin can allow existing channel subscribers to share the invitation link to their own Viber contacts.
7. 3 Benefits of Viber Channels for Business
Freemium Solution*
Creating a Viber channel is free and the messages you send through it are also free of charge. Viber channels are a freemium solution that can be an important tool for informing and engaging the audience.
Advanced Exposure
The Viber channel messages are displayed along with the private chats on the main screen of the app, this way the visibility of the brands increases as they are shown frequently to the subscribers.
Rich Content
Through a Viber channel, a business can share rich content messages with its audience like: images, videos, stickers, files and emojis making the campaigns more attractive.
IMPORTANT!
*Verified & Public Viber Channels 
A Viber channel can be officially verified from Viber itself and thus become public - searchable. The verification process is carried out through Viber's official partners such as Yuboto.
What are the benefits of Viber Public Channels
Α. They are searchable: Viber users can easily find a channel by searching its name in the search bar of the app.
B. They are verified: The verification of a channel comes with a blue tick next to the channel’s name that increases its credibility.
Γ. Sticker Pack: In cooperation with Viber we create custom sticker packs for businesses that wish to verify their channels. Those users who download the sticker pack automatically join the channel.
Keep in mind that only Public Channels are searchable within the Viber application.
8. Use Cases from various industries
Industry
Financial Services - Market Updates and Financial Insights
Banks and financial advisors can use Viber Channels to send out regular updates about market conditions, investment insights, and financial tips.
Example:
A financial advisory firm, creates a Viber Channel to share daily market summaries,
weekly investment tips, and in-depth monthly reports on economic trends.
Subscribers get timely updates that can help them make informed financial decisions.
Industry
Health & Wellness - Health Tips and Appointment Reminders
Healthcare providers and wellness companies can use Viber Channels to broadcast health tips, news, and reminders for vaccinations or regular check-ups.
Example:
A clinic sets up a Viber Channel to share daily health and wellness tips,
reminders for flu shots, and informational content about common health conditions.
They can send notifications about available appointment slots and public health alerts.
For instance, during flu season, subscribers receive notifications about flu symptoms,
prevention, and nearby vaccination services.
Industry
News & Media - Breaking News and Daily Digests
News outlets can utilize Viber Channels to deliver breaking news alerts, daily news digests, and exclusive content to subscribers.
Example:
A news agency uses their Viber Channel to send out breaking news alerts
to keep their audience informed in real-time. Every evening, subscribers
receive a summary of the day’s top stories. The channel also distributes
weekly feature stories or interviews with prominent figures.
Industry
E-commerce - Flash Sales and New Arrivals
Online retailers can leverage Viber Channels to announce flash sales, new product arrivals, and exclusive discounts to subscribers.
Example:
An e-commerce store broadcasts messages about limited-time
offers and new product launches on their Viber Channel.
Before major shopping holidays like Black Friday, subscribers
receive a sneak peek of deals. The store also sends out monthly
roundups of trending products and buying guides.
Industry
Event Management - Event Updates and Announcements
Event organizers can use Viber Channels to keep attendees updated with event schedules, speaker announcements, and logistical information.
Example:
An event management company, creates a Viber Channel dedicated to a major annual music festival.
They broadcast lineup announcements, ticket sale dates, and festival maps. During the event,
attendees receive real-time updates about schedule changes, emergency alerts, and post-event surveys.
Summary
Viber channels are an ideal tool for businesses that want to broadcast mass messages to their audience and directly communicate offers, updates and new content.
Two significant limitations of Viber channels are that they do not support two-way communication with subscribers, nor do they allow personalization of messages.
If you want to discover even more features and capabilities that Viber offers to businesses visit our page on Viber for Business
