Key takeaways
- Invitations can go out by WhatsApp, SMS or email, as well as by link or QR.
- Pick the channel each person actually reads: WhatsApp for crews, email for office staff and clients.
- Sign-up takes a phone or email code, with no password.
- Use your old WhatsApp group once more, to announce the move and post the invite.
- Check the member list after a wave of invitations and remove anyone unexpected.
People ignore messages that arrive in unfamiliar places. A new app asking for attention is easy to dismiss; a message from your supervisor in the WhatsApp chat you already check twenty times a day is not. C Chat lets you meet people where they are, then bring them into a workspace your company controls.
What invitations by WhatsApp, SMS and email does in C Chat
This feature lets you send a C Chat invitation through WhatsApp, SMS or email straight from the invitation flow. Each channel has its moment:
| Channel | Works well for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Crews and frontline staff who live in WhatsApp | Do not forward invites to large mixed groups | |
| SMS | People without WhatsApp or with limited data | Make sure the number is current |
| Office staff, clients, vendors and formal onboarding | It may sit unread in a busy inbox |
When you are standing in front of people, a QR code is faster; see invite people by link or QR code.
How to use invitations by WhatsApp, SMS and email step by step
- Set up the team and groups people will join.
- Open the invitation for the team or a specific group.
- Choose WhatsApp, SMS or email and pick the recipients.
- Add one line of context in your own words, such as “This is our new work chat, please join today.”
- Follow up the next day with anyone who has not joined, using the same channel.
People sign up with a phone number or email and a one-time code; there is no password to remember. See sign up with phone or email, no password.
Real scenarios from business teams
- Moving off WhatsApp. A landscaping company posts the C Chat invite in its old WhatsApp group with a date: “From Monday, job updates only in C Chat.” Read move work off personal WhatsApp groups and the step-by-step migration guide from WhatsApp.
- Hiring wave. HR emails the invitation together with the contract and first-day details. See onboarding new employees into team chat.
- Seasonal workers. A farm sends SMS invitations to pickers who rarely check email.
- External partners. A property manager emails a vendor an invitation to one maintenance group. Follow inviting guests and contractors safely.
Privacy, permissions and limits
- Inviting by WhatsApp does not connect C Chat to WhatsApp. The invitation is just a message; your work conversations happen inside C Chat with TLS in transit and AES-256 at rest.
- Invitations should be targeted. Send them to the people who should join and avoid public groups.
- Phone numbers and privacy. If staff later use contact matching, numbers are hashed with SHA-256 on the device and the server does not store the hashes.
- Team limits apply: up to 50 members per team on the free plan.
Tips for admins
- Send invitations in batches by group so people land in the right place.
- Set a switch-over date and announce it in every channel you used to invite.
- Use the onboarding checklist in how to onboard your team to C Chat.
- Review who joined at the end of the week and clean up any unexpected members.
Getting started
Create your team at getcchat.com/c, open the invitation options and send your first batch by WhatsApp, SMS or email today. Free for now, within the limits on the pricing page.
Frequently asked questions
Can I invite people who do not have C Chat yet?
Yes. That is the point of sending the invitation by WhatsApp, SMS or email. The person opens it, signs up with their phone number or email address and a one-time code, and joins your team or group.
Which invitation channel works best?
Use the channel each person checks most. Field and frontline staff usually respond fastest on WhatsApp or SMS; office staff, clients and vendors often prefer email because it keeps a record of the invitation.
Can I invite my existing WhatsApp group to C Chat?
You can post a C Chat invitation in your existing WhatsApp group so members join in one tap. After everyone has joined, agree on a cut-off date and stop using the WhatsApp group for work.
Is it safe to send invitations over WhatsApp or SMS?
The invitation itself is only a way in, so send it privately to the people who should join, not to large public groups. Review the member list afterwards and remove anyone who should not be there.