A lot of social networking companies started out by letting people form personal relationships and connections with friends, families and peers. Soon, companies like Facebook, Twitter and Snapchat realized the value of having companies and brands use their platforms to connect with customers.
WhatsApp also stepped in by introducing a business version of the messaging app called WhatsApp Business. Today, WhatsApp has gone on to become one of the most popular messaging apps replacing the traditional modes of communication such as email and SMS. WhatsApp is available in 180 countries and in 60 different languages and everyday more than 100 billion messages are exchanged on the app.
If you are looking to upgrade to the business version of WhatsApp, there are two options available to you. You can sign up for a regular Business Account or opt for the Official Business Account depending on your business needs. The regular Business Account or the WhatsApp Business App is meant for small businesses who want to keep their professional and personal messages separate. The app is free to use and can be easily set up by downloading it from the App Store or the Google Play Store. It is a convenient way for businesses to actively engage with their customers.
Fast growing, medium and large enterprises may want to consider setting up the Official Business Account or the WhatsApp Business API, as it is popularly known. The WhatsApp Business API has advanced features to offer and is made available by an Official WhatsApp Business Solutions Provider like Interakt. It supports multiple users and devices unlike the regular account and allows sales and customer service teams to proactively communicate with a large number of customers.
Before we dive into its top features, let's look at the benefits of a WhatsApp Business account.
Here are some reasons why you should consider adding WhatsApp Business to your communication strategy:
1. Data security
WhatsApp Business provides end-to-end encryption on all chats offering utmost data privacy and security to its users.
2. Improved customer support
Customer support is at the core of WhatsApp Business. You can engage in two-way conversations to resolve customer issues and provide timely information on a platform they use multiple times a day.
3. International reach
WhatsApp boasts of 2 billion monthly active users worldwide. It's one of the top instant messaging apps of our time with a growing user base.
4. High message open rates
The open rate of WhatsApp messages is an incredible 99% compared to a meagre 18% for email.
Here are the features of the WhatsApp Business App
1. WhatsApp Business profile
A business profile lets you display important information about your company to your customers like the address, business description and website.
2. Product catalogue
With the product catalogue, you can showcase your top products and services to customers. The catalogue can display up to 500 products and services.
3. Away messages
This feature lets you set automated messages to be sent to customers every time they contact your business beyond its working hours or when you are out of the office.
4. Labels
The WhatsApp Business App lets you organize and label chats into categories helping you find and access chats easily.
5. Free to use
The WhatsApp Business App can be downloaded for free. It is the perfect solution for small businesses where the owner engages directly with the customer.
Here are the top features of WhatsApp Business API:
1. Shared team inbox
It has a user-friendly dashboard that supports multiple users and devices. With a shared team inbox, your agents can view, access, track and respond to customer chats easily.
2. Bulk notifications
This feature lets you send timely, personalized messages and alerts, keeping customers informed on the status of their orders.
3. Quick replies
Quick replies allow you to set automated responses to frequently asked customer questions.
A chat widget added on your website enables customers to get in touch with your business instantly with just a click of the button. The chat widget can be customized to reflect your brand's personality.
5. Integration with third-party solutions
Interakt provides quick and seamless integration with popular CRM like Hubspot and Zoho and e-stores like Shopify, WooCommerce or Magento. The integration will help you manage your daily tasks more efficiently.
If you are looking to scale your business operations, we recommend WhatsApp Business API. Upgrade to WhatsApp Business API on Interakt and power your business communication today. Sign up on Interakt and enjoy a 14- day free trial.
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