With more than two billion active users, WhatsApp is a force to be reckoned with in the world of messaging. On the enterprise side of things, its business messaging platform, WhatsApp Business. The app now lets you use WhatsApp Business in addition to the regular version of WhatsApp if both accounts are active with different phone numbers.
Both versions can also be used simultaneously on a mobile device, following an update from WhatApp Business on February 20, 2020. Users can access their business profiles from the settings menu within the mobile app, and the new version of the business messaging platform features UX improvements along with some bug fixes.
Introducing Catalogs by WhatsApp Business
WhatsApp Business also introduced a new tool for SMBs, ‘Catalogs,’ it announced in a blog post. Catalogs attempt to cut out the process of sending multiple photos and messages back and forth between consumers and businesses.
Catalogs act as a mobile directory for businesses to put products on display, meaning businesses owners no longer have to send product photos and supporting information one at a time. Today, customers can see a company’s full business inventory from its WA Business user interface.
Business owners can add product information, including price, description, and product codes. Storage isn’t an issue either, as WhatsApp Business hosts all catalogs. Android and iOS users in Brazil, German, Indiana, Indonesia, Mexico, the U.K., and the U.S., can now access the feature.
Features and functionality are the heart of WhatsApp Business profiles and provide customers with any additional information they need about your business including address, business category, email address, and a background on the company as well as hours of operation.
What Can WhatsApp Business Do?
WhatsApp Business users can access a virtual own reception desk through a feature that automatically sends greetings in response to new customers, away replies, and quick replies. Most of these features work with the single tap of the finger across mobile devices and desktops.
WhatsApp Business is already a robust business messaging platform, allowing customers to access essential company insights. Under the Statistics tab in your WhatsApp Business profile, view simple metrics regarding the number of messages you send each week, how many are read, etc, giving business users the chance to optimize responses for better experiences.
To tackle staying organized, the business messaging platform extends the use of features like ‘Chat labels,’ which let you label chats for later using custom labels. For new customers, sales leads, follow-ups and more – this feature will more than likely come in handy.
I will add, WhatsApp Business developers do a solid job at replicating the user experience so that it is not fundamentally different from its consumer counterpart, a major part of the app’s appeal notwithstanding the fact that it is a free tool. Just as you can with the regular version of WhatsApp, you can hide ‘last seen messages,’ profile photos, as well as status from customers.
As to ensure security, all messages are protected by end-to-end encryption or two-step verification. Check out this video to learn more about WhatsApp Business.
