WhatsApp has today launched WhatsApp Business, a new variant of WhatsApp, for small-scale businesses to enable them to connect with their customers easily and efficiently, without interfering a customer’s personal WhatsApp experience.
Source: whatsapp.comIn the announcement blog, the company writes,
“WhatsApp was built for people and we want to improve the business experience. Our new app will make it easier for companies to connect with customers, and more convenient for our 1.3 billion users to chat with businesses that matter to them. Here's how:
- Business Profiles: Help customers with useful information such as a business description, email or store addresses, and website.
- Messaging Tools: Save time with smart messaging tools — quick replies that provide fast answers to frequently asked questions, greeting messages that introduce customers to your business, and away messages that let them know you're busy.
- Messaging Statistics: Review simple metrics like the number of messages read to see what's working.
- WhatsApp Web: Send and receive messages with WhatsApp Business on your desktop.
- Account Type: People will know that they're talking to a business because you will be listed as a Business Account. Over time, some businesses will have Confirmed Accounts once it’s been confirmed that the account phone number matches the business phone number.“
Source: whatsapp.com
As stated above, the WhatsApp Business app will not interfere with people’s personal messaging experience. They will continue to have the full control over the messages they receive, as they had earlier, with the ability to block any number, including businesses, as well as report spam.
WhatsApp Business is available only for Android devices and in limited countries including - Indonesia, Italy, Mexico, the U.K. and the U.S. Ironically, the blog claims that small businesses like clothing companies in India and spare part dealers in Brazil will be among the top beneficiaries of this new app and the app is not made available in both the countries in the first place, however, the site indicates that the app is rolling out around the world in the coming weeks.