WhatsApp Messaging app has now dived into a business app but only for selected markets. WhatsApp has officially launched as a WhatsApp business app in India, Indonesia, Mexico, UK, Italy, US and other few countries. This WhatsApp for Business app will be free to download and easily available on Google Play. This app has been developed highly focusing on customers of a respective business. Business will be charged quite high for the advanced tools which will help them communicate with their customers more effectively.
WhatsApp business app has got various business profiles in it that can be an aid to the customers in getting useful information like contact details, business description, email details, store addresses, easy access to the website and so on. To ensure prompt revert to the customers, the app is also featured with quick reply option which enables fast replies to the questions or queries raised by a customers. This app is called to be the WhatsApp version of a Facebook page.
When the company announced its arrival, may businesses willingly approached to get registered. As a part of WhatsApp Business Pilot Program it started verifying the business accounts for registration. On the completion of the verification approved ones got a checkmark of verified business that acted as a means of demonstrating their authenticity.
This app is also proven to be beneficial for the business, as they get an access to the statistics that gives simple metrics stating number of messages read by the customer which then helps them to identify what works and what does not. On confirmation of the account number of the business, it will then be same just like the business phone number.
People can get all these facilities on the WhatsApp app available on their phones, they do not need to download new app. On the other hand, the business firms will be able to contact only those customers who have given them their numbers and also have agreed on receiving business messages from them. Customers can message to business the same way it is done now and they can get control over their experiences by blocking the number or reporting spam against some business they think are fake profiles.
Business WhatsApp is also expected to get associated with the enterprise solutions that are more focused on large business with global customer bases like e-commerce sites, banks or airlines. Even in India the collaboration has initiated with online ticketing platform named as BookMyShow in September 2017. This made BookMyShow the first Indian Online Ticketing brand to participate in the WhatsApp business Pilot programs.
As per a research conducted by WhatsApp business, it was stated that 80% of small businesses in India and Brazil needs WhatsApp as it makes the communication with the customers easy and quick. Various Indian start-ups were also a part of WhatsApp Business Pilot. The trial has also taken place with Dutch Airline KLM and Itau bank in Brazil.
All the current features will still remain free for a long period of time, charges will be taken for additional capabilities in near future. This app will also support other platforms in the future.
