A WhatsApp order link for distributors is a web address you send to your customers so they can pick items from your list and send you an order without a call, a voice note or an app. In Takkada the customer opens the link in his phone's browser, searches your items, enters quantities and taps Place order. The order then waits in your Customer orders inbox until you check it and press Create order or Create invoice, and only that Sales Order or invoice goes to Tally when the sync runs on the office computer. The buyer sends quantities and never a price. You decide whether the page shows your Tally rates, last billed rates, a price level, your own prices, or no prices at all. One company-wide link works for any customer you send it to, and with Personal party links switched on you can also send one party his own link, which already carries his name.
The order that arrives at 9 PM
A distributor with 100 to 300 retail parties already takes orders on WhatsApp, as voice notes, diary photos, or "same as last time". Someone in the office plays each one the next morning, guesses the item, and types a sales order into Tally. When the guess is wrong, the van carries the wrong carton.
An order link moves the typing to the person who knows what he wants. He picks from a list of your Tally stock items, so there is no name to guess.
What the customer sees
The page opens with your public business name and a search box: "Type a few letters of the name". If your items fall into two or more categories, chips across the top filter them, with an All chip to clear. Each item shows its name and "Sold in" its unit, so a retailer orders boxes when you sell boxes.
He checks Your order, then gives his name or business name, a 10-digit mobile number, an optional GST number and an optional note. He taps Place order. The page says Order sent with an order number, and a Tell the seller on WhatsApp button opens a chat with you carrying that number.
He never sees your stock quantities. If your Tally stock figures are accurate, you can switch off Show items that are out of stock and items at zero or less drop off the list.
Choosing what prices the page shows
Under Prices customers see you pick one of five options. Tally rates shows the selling rate on each item. Last billed rate shows the rate from your most recent bill for that item, falling back to your price list. Price level uses one of your Tally price levels. My own prices lets you type a rate per item for this link. Don't show prices lets customers choose items only, and you quote afterwards.
Whichever you choose, the rate is worked out on your side. The page sends item and quantity, so nobody can edit a price in his browser.
What lands with you and what reaches Tally
Members with full access get a New order received notification, unless they have switched it off. The order sits in Customer orders under New. Open it and confirm the customer: the app suggests a match from your books, and you tap Yes, that is them or pick another party. Each line has Quantity, Rate (excl. GST) and Disc % fields, so you can correct a quantity or price the rate on an order that came in without prices.
Then press Create order to make a Sales Order, or Create invoice to open the invoice screen filled with the party and lines. Reject sends nothing to Tally. The screens are on the order booking app for Tally page.
Public link and personal link
The company-wide link is one address for everyone, set up in Settings, Order link. A personal link belongs to one party and is sent from his page with Share order link. It opens with "Ordering for" and his name, skips the name and GST questions, and asks him only to confirm his mobile number. The order arrives already matched to him. Personal links are a separate module on top of the Order Link add-on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does my customer need to install an app?
A: No. The link opens in the browser already on his phone, with no login and no OTP. He types his mobile number when he places the order.
Q: Can a customer change the price?
A: No. The page sends only items and quantities. Rates come from the option you chose, and you can still change a rate on the order before you approve it.
Q: Does the order go into Tally by itself?
A: No. It waits in your inbox. Only the Sales Order or invoice you create from it goes to Tally, when the sync runs on the office computer.
Q: What if I do not want customers to see prices?
A: Choose Don't show prices. Customers pick items and quantities, and you enter the rates when you approve the order.
Set up your first link
Send us a message on WhatsApp at https://wa.me/919435977777 and we will walk you through the Order link settings on your own item list.