WhatsApp for Business Comes to the UK

Free business communications on your smartphone

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Published: February 2, 2018

Rebekah Carter - Writer

Rebekah Carter

The chances are that you or someone you know already has WhatsApp installed on your phone. This simple and effective little application makes it easier (and cheaper) for people to communicate with their network instantly – and it feels just as convenient as sending a text. All you need to send someone a message is their phone number, and you’re ready to go.

Now, WhatsApp is looking at new ways to expand on the opportunities they’ve uncovered in the consumer market, with their very own business application too. The WhatsApp Business messenger solution is similar in appearance and function to the consumer app, but it’s uniquely designed to perform in a way that’s useful for enterprise users.

Officially Entering the UK Market

WhatsApp PhoneTraditionally, WhatsApp found its fame as a consumer tool – but that doesn’t mean that the staff in your office haven’t been using it to interact with their co-workers too. After all, WhatsApp allows people to communicate in conversations with specific groups in an instant – perfect for when you want a cheap way to collaborate on an upcoming project.

However, now that WhatsApp Business has officially rolled out to five countries, including the UK, the hope is that the download might allow companies to expand on the communication opportunities they have with their customers.

According to a press release from the company, the app will help businesses to connect with their clients while ensuring that the 1.3 billion consumer users to strike up conversations with companies too.

What Can You Expect from the Business App?

Besides the obvious ability to send instant messages through your phone to the numbers of people within your company, features of the WhatsApp Business app include:

  • Business profiles: including business description, website links, and email addresses
  • Messaging tools: Automatic greeting messages, quick replies, and “away” messages
  • Messaging statistics: Businesses will be able to see the number of messages read by their customers
  • WhatsApp Web: You can send messages on your desktop, as well as your phone

Importantly, Business Accounts will be marked on the app, so that users are always aware of when they’re talking to a company, instead of just an everyday person. Additionally, WhatsApp is planning on rolling out a Confirmed Account status too, although there haven’t been any whispers on when that feature will become available.

Currently, the WhatsApp Business app is only available for Android, and the company has announced that the power will still be entirely in the customer’s hands. If you don’t want to talk to a business, you’ll always have the opportunity to block that number or report spam messages to the system.

 

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