World’s leading messaging application, Whatsapp is set to roll out its new service tagged ‘WhatsApp Business’ across the world in the coming weeks.
Whatsapp said the service will be free at the moment and is targeted at small businesses that have been using account meant for individuals. “While the focus, at present, is to get a small business on the platform for free, the firm plans to charge them in the future,” WhatsApp chief operating officer Matt Idema told ET Telecom in a phone interview.
The service is presently available via Google Play Store in Indonesia, Italy, Mexico, the UK and the US on Thursday, and will be launched around the world.
According to Whatsapp, research findings have shown that over 84 per cent of small businesses who use Whatsapp think that it helps them communicate with their customers, and 80 per cent of them think that it helps them grow their business.
WhatsApp Business gives users a verified green checkmark badge next to account name. Businesses will be able to create a company profile with information such as address, business hours, and description of product or service offered. Its messaging tool will help businesses manage consumer chats — 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. It also has a web interface.