Aioby vs a Facebook Page + WhatsApp Business: Structured Local Discovery
aiobyA Facebook Page plus a WhatsApp Business Catalog is the default free online presence most small Indian businesses already have. Aioby adds what that combination doesn’t: real category-and-city-based discovery, so a stranger searching for what you sell can actually find you — not just people who already know your name.
Last updated: 23 September 2026.
At a Glance
| Facebook Page + WhatsApp Business | Aioby | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Reaching people who already know or follow you | Being found by new local customers searching by category or city |
| Free to use | Yes — both the Page and WhatsApp Business Catalog are free | Yes, including your store and listings |
| Searchable by category/city | No — relies on already knowing the business or seeing an ad | Core to the platform — browse by category and city |
| Product catalog | Yes — WhatsApp Business’s Catalog feature | Yes — 15 structured listing types, not just a flat catalog |
| Reviews stay attached permanently | Limited — scattered across posts/chat history | Yes — permanent, on the business’s own page |
| Audience size | Very large, existing followers/contacts | Newer, smaller, Kerala-first |
Where Each Is Stronger
Facebook Page + WhatsApp Business — free, huge existing reach, and WhatsApp Business’s Catalog lets you show products and prices directly inside the app people already use every day. Very low friction to set up and maintain.
Aioby — real category-and-city discovery, so someone searching "bakery in Kannur" who has never heard of your business before can still find you. Reviews and follows stay permanently attached to a real store page, not scattered across a chat or a feed. The honest trade-off: Facebook and WhatsApp have a vastly larger existing user base, and Aioby’s discovery only helps once someone is actually searching within Aioby.
Who Should Use What
| If you are… | Start with | Then add |
|---|---|---|
| Reaching existing customers and contacts with updates and photos | Facebook Page + WhatsApp Business | A free Aioby store to also be found by new local customers |
| Want to be found by people who don’t already know you | Aioby | Facebook Page + WhatsApp Business for existing contacts |
| Most local businesses | Use both — they solve different problems | — |
What Aioby Costs
A store and listings are free. Optional extras: Growth at ₹29 a month (₹249 a year), Growth Plus at ₹79 a month (₹599 a year), Featured Boosts from ₹5, and ad campaigns from ₹9 — all launch prices, and nothing is pre-ticked or required. See Aioby pricing for the current numbers.
A Facebook Page and the WhatsApp Business app (including its Catalog feature) are also free to use, with Meta’s separate paid ad system available if you want extra reach on either. This is a genuinely three-way free comparison — the difference is what each actually does for you, not what it costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Facebook Page or WhatsApp Business if I already have Aioby?
Not required, but most businesses use both — they serve different jobs.
Does WhatsApp Business have a catalog like Aioby’s listings?
Yes — WhatsApp Business’s Catalog feature shows products in-chat. Aioby’s listings are separately searchable by category and city, not just visible to someone already messaging you.
Can customers find my business without already knowing about it?
On Aioby, yes — through category and city search. On a Facebook Page or WhatsApp Business, mostly not, unless someone already knows your name or you’re running ads.
Does Aioby replace the need for a Facebook Page?
No — they work well together.
Is everything here actually free?
Yes — Aioby, a Facebook Page and WhatsApp Business are all free to use.
Do reviews stay attached permanently on Aioby?
Yes — unlike a WhatsApp chat or a Facebook post that scrolls out of view.
Explore more: why local businesses use Aioby, how Aioby works, or create your free business page now.