Messengers as Conversion Tools: Case Studies from Asia and Hong Kong

In today’s fast-evolving digital landscape, messaging apps have become pivotal channels for brands aiming to connect directly with their customers. Across Asia, platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, and LINE are no longer just communication tools—they have transformed into powerful marketing channels with a focus on conversion. This article explores 3 to 5 case studies showcasing how businesses in Asia, particularly in Hong Kong, leverage messaging apps for conversion-focused marketing. Special attention is given to Telegram, highlighting ad formats and performance metrics through real-world examples.


Case Study 1: WhatsApp for Customer Engagement and Conversion – A Hong Kong Retailer

A mid-sized fashion retailer based in Hong Kong harnessed WhatsApp Business to streamline customer support and increase online sales. By integrating click-to-chat buttons on their website and social media, they encouraged potential buyers to ask questions about products, sizing, and promotions directly via WhatsApp.

The brand then used personalised messages and exclusive discount codes through WhatsApp broadcasts to nurture leads. This direct communication fostered trust and increased conversion rates by 20% over three months. The key to success was prompt responses and using rich media—images and short videos—to showcase products effectively.

This case demonstrates WhatsApp’s strength in building conversational commerce and reducing friction in the buyer journey, particularly for markets like Hong Kong, where mobile usage and instant messaging are ubiquitous..

Beyond personalised messaging, the retailer also implemented WhatsApp’s catalogue feature, allowing customers to browse products directly within the chat. This streamlined the shopping experience by reducing friction and encouraging impulse purchases. Furthermore, they used broadcast lists to segment customers by preferences and purchase history, enhancing message relevance and improving open rates substantially.


Case Study 2: LINE’s Chatbots Boost Conversion for a Southeast Asian Food Delivery Startup

In Southeast Asia, a fast-growing food delivery startup implemented LINE chatbots to automate order-taking and delivery tracking. Users could place orders by interacting with the chatbot, which recommended popular meals based on previous behaviour and local trends.

This approach led to a 30% increase in order completion rates within the first quarter, thanks to the convenience of ordering through a familiar messaging app. The chatbot also delivered personalised promotions based on user preferences, driving repeat purchases and higher customer lifetime value.

LINE’s extensive user base in countries like Thailand and Taiwan makes it an attractive platform for startups seeking to engage customers through conversational interfaces, turning casual users into paying customers seamlessly.

To deepen customer engagement, the startup integrated gamification elements into its LINE chatbot, offering loyalty points and discounts for frequent orders. This not only incentivised repeated use but also generated valuable behavioural data that informed future promotions. Additionally, the chatbot’s multilingual capabilities helped expand its reach in diverse Southeast Asian markets, addressing language barriers effectively.


Case Study 3: Telegram Ads Example – A Hong Kong Fintech Startup’s Sponsored Messages Campaign

Telegram has rapidly emerged as an innovative advertising platform, especially appealing to startups with limited budgets but high growth ambitions. One fintech startup in Hong Kong utilised sponsored messages within popular cryptocurrency and investment-related channels to promote its new digital wallet app.

This telegram ad campaign targeted highly relevant audiences by leveraging Telegram’s niche communities and interest-based channels. The startup achieved over 15,000 app sign-ups in just six weeks, a testament to the effectiveness of targeted messaging and channel-specific ads.

This example highlights how ads in Telegram can offer precision targeting and cost-efficiency. Using the telegram ads platform, businesses can experiment with various formats, such as sponsored messages and tg ads, to engage directly with engaged audiences in trusted environments.

The fintech company further leveraged Telegram’s open API to create custom tg ads targeting specific interest groups within the investment community. By closely monitoring campaign analytics, they optimised ad delivery times and messaging tone, resulting in a 25% higher click-through rate compared to other platforms. This data-driven approach underlines how startups can maximise ROI on the telegram ads platform.


Case Study 4: Telegram Mini Apps Ads Drive Engagement for an E-Commerce Brand

An e-commerce company specialising in lifestyle products ran a campaign using telegram mini apps to launch an interactive catalogue within Telegram. The mini app allowed users to browse products, read reviews, and make purchases without leaving the messenger.

This innovative approach boosted user engagement by 40% and increased conversion rates by 25% compared to traditional link-based promotions. The seamless experience of shopping inside Telegram reduced drop-off rates and simplified the purchase journey.

This case exemplifies how telegram mini apps ads offer a unique blend of interactivity and convenience, making them ideal for startups seeking new ways to convert users while leveraging the growing Telegram ecosystem in Asia.

To maximise the mini app’s impact, the e-commerce brand incorporated social sharing features, enabling users to invite friends and receive rewards for referrals. This viral element helped expand their Telegram community organically and lowered customer acquisition costs. The brand also used in-app analytics to track user behaviour, refining their product recommendations and personalising marketing offers dynamically.


Case Study 5: WhatsApp and LINE for B2B Lead Generation in Hong Kong

A B2B SaaS provider in Hong Kong combined WhatsApp and LINE to nurture leads acquired via webinars and email marketing. By using these messaging apps for personalised follow-ups, quick demos scheduling, and sending customised offers, they shortened their sales cycle by 30%.

The instant nature of messaging apps enabled real-time responses, which proved crucial for decision-makers in fast-paced industries. This multi-channel approach strengthened relationships and increased close rates.

The B2B SaaS provider also utilised WhatsApp’s ‘labels’ and ‘quick replies’ features to organise leads efficiently and respond rapidly to common queries. This automation saved valuable time for sales reps and ensured timely follow-ups, which are critical in closing complex deals. They complemented messaging with video calls scheduled directly within the chat to provide personalised demos, further enhancing customer experience.


Practical Insights and Recommendations

The above case studies reveal several strategic takeaways for startups aiming to leverage messaging apps as conversion tools:

  • Personalisation is key: Whether through chatbots, direct messages, or interactive mini apps, tailoring content and offers to the user significantly boosts conversion rates.
  • Choose the right platform for your audience: WhatsApp dominates Hong Kong’s mobile landscape, LINE holds sway in Southeast Asia, and Telegram is quickly growing as an alternative for niche targeting and innovation.
  • Experiment with ad formats: Sponsored messages, channel ads, and mini app ads on Telegram, for example, offer flexible options to suit different campaign objectives and budgets.
  • Integrate messaging apps into your broader marketing stack: Combining messaging with email, social media,  ads in Telegram and content marketing creates a cohesive and effective growth funnel.

In conclusion, messaging apps have evolved beyond simple communication tools to become vital conversion channels in Asia’s digital marketing ecosystem. Startups in Hong Kong and across the region stand to benefit immensely from experimenting with these platforms, especially Telegram, which presents exciting new advertising opportunities through tg ad and telegram mini apps ads. By adopting creative, personalised, and platform-tailored approaches, businesses can significantly improve their user engagement and conversion metrics in 2025 and beyond.