WhatsApp has officially launched its business app WhatsApp Business for small businesses across the world however starting with select markets such as Indonesia, Italy, Mexico, the UK, and the US. WhatsApp Business is an Android app that is free to download and was built with the small business owner in mind. With the app, businesses can interact with customers easily by using tools to automate, sort, and quickly respond to messages. WhatsApp further confirmed it will be rolling out the platform to the rest of the world in the coming few weeks, so don’t be surprised if the app is still missing in your play store.
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Is this a move for Whatsapp to monetize its platform?
Perhaps this is the question many techies are still asking themselves, However, WhatsApp was quick to respond that this WhatsApp business android application is free to use. Also, WhatsApp has indicated in the past that it could look at monetizing services by charging larger enterprises. Remember WhatsApp is also partnering with bigger firms and enterprises to bring more services straight to the app. Players like Netflix, BookMyShow, MakeMyTrip, etc are all partnering with WhatsApp. The latter two are already sending messages, alerts, etc to customers on WhatsApp itself, rather than relying on SMS. Whatsapp is perhaps the fastest-growing platform with over 1.3 billion users across the globe and this might be a move toward monetizing this big platform. Also, WhatsApp says, in countries like India and Brazil, over 80 percent of small businesses are using their app to connect with customers.
Is WhatsApp Business meant for all of us? Who should download this app?
WhatsApp Business is meant for small businesses like if you have a local grocery or perhaps you sell clothes and you wish to stay in contact with your customers on a daily basis you can download it. However, if you always use WhatsApp to send good morning messages and perhaps chat with your family and friends then this is not meant for you. Nevertheless, a WhatsApp user will have full control over his mobile application and is free to block businesses that are spamming or is not interested in interacting.
Also even if you are still a small business in Uganda you will have to wait until the application is launched to your country soon. WhatsApp’s blog says “The app is rolling out around the world in the coming weeks”.
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What are some of the features of the WhatsApp Business Android app?
WhatsApp plans to include some of the following features in their recently launched platform:
First is Business Profiles, which can help customers with useful information such as a business description, email or store addresses, and website. So a Small business owners will be able to create their profile, which will be highlighted to regular users on WhatsApp.
Second is messaging tools, where WhatsApp will offer smart messaging tools like quick replies, etc. to help provide fast answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs). There will also be greeting messages for customers and away messages as well.
Business owners will also get to see messaging statistics and review what messages have been read and see what is working on the platform. There will also be the option of WhatsApp Web to send and receive messages with WhatsApp Business on the desktop.
Finally, the account type will let users know if they are talking to a business as it will be listed as a Business Account. WhatsApp will also have some Confirmed Accounts over time for a few businesses. WhatsApp says this will be done once it has been confirmed that the account phone number matches the business phone number.
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