After so much wait and limited trials, WhatsApp has finally rolled out the WhatsApp Business app for Android. Now, businesses can take advantage of WhatsApp’s huge user base and connect with their customers directly. The app is named WhatsApp Business, which is now available on the Google Play Store and can be installed for free.
WhatsApp Business provides functionalities that are required for any small business. It lets users create a Business profile with additional information like a description, address, and contact information, and enable quick replies for answers to common questions. It lets users create greeting messages as well and provides analytics to see which messages are most effective.
As of now, WhatsApp Business is already available on the Google Play Store in the US, the UK, Italy, Indonesia and Mexico and in India, it is expected to arrive in a week or so. India now has 16% of that user base with 200 million active users and WhatsApp claims that 80% of small businesses in India and Brazil are already using WhatsApp to connect with their customers. So, as we expect WhatsApp Business to arrive in India soon, let’s have a look at its features.
1. Business Profiles: A business profile can be set up and information like business description, email, addresses, and website can be added. Business profiles also indicate and let people know that they are talking to a business, and eventually, WhatsApp will start verifying and making business profiles, which have confirmed their phone number.
2. Messaging Tools: Quick replies provide fast answers to frequently asked questions, greeting messages can be used to introduce a business to potential customers and also away messages can be set so that customers can know when the business is closed or on a break.
3. Messaging Statistics: Analytics shows the number of messages read by customers, or it can be used to determine what kind of messages is the most effective.
4. WhatsApp Web: Just like the regular WhatsApp app for any individual, WhatsApp Business can also be accessed from a PC or notebook.
As of now, WhatsApp Business is a free to download app and there are no charges billed against usage. However, in future, if WhatsApp adds more tools and features, it may charge a little for those extra set of features.
UPI Payment Feature on WhatsApp
Another update is also arriving for the regular WhatsApp app for the users in India. WhatsApp will provide UPI based payment solution to its users in India and they have partnered with HDFC, ICICI, State Bank of India, and Axis Bank. Google launched Tez a while ago, and now it has 12 million users. So, if WhatsApp launches it next month they will compete with Tez and PhonePe, the two key players right now in UPI Payment solutions.
Recently, a banker also confirmed that WhatsApp is testing system integration with banks and is currently performing security checks to ensure the safety of the data. WhatsApp got the approvals from the government to integrate with UPI in July and will soon compete against Google and Flipkart.
