In today’s world dominated by multinational corporations and online retail giants, it’s easy to overlook the immense value small businesses bring to our communities. Beyond their economic contributions, these enterprises are the lifeblood of neighbourhoods, injecting a character. Small businesses often face challenges when it comes to reaching and engaging with their customers effectively. However, the advent of digital communication platforms like WhatsApp Business has aimed to constantly provide them with new opportunities to connect. In recent news, WhatsApp Business announced a breakthrough feature for small business owners.
What is WhatsApp Business?
WhatsApp Business is a version of the popular messaging application, WhatsApp, specifically designed for small and medium-sized businesses. It offers a range of features and tools to help businesses effectively communicate with their customers and manage their interactions.
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WhatsApp Business allows businesses to create a dedicated profile with essential information on display. It offers messaging tools for efficient communication as well as lets business owners label various chats. One can also create and list a catalogue with all the relevant product information. Large business owners can own the WhatsApp Business API that allows many automation features.
New WhatsApp Business Features
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg recently announced new updates to the WhatsApp Business application that will revolutionise the way small business owners conduct their business. Many small business owners do have access to or the skills to use digital platforms for their business. However, due to personal usage, they are familiar with WhatsApp and can conduct a seamless business using WhatsApp Business. As per their data, more than 200 million individuals run successful businesses using WhatsApp Business.
To further develop the application, Mark Zuckerberg announced that WhatsApp Business users can create Facebook and Instagram ads without having an account on these social media platforms. These ads will feature on Instagram and Facebook and when the customer clicks on it, they will be redirected to WhatsApp and can directly speak to the business owner. Only with a payment option and an email address, users can avail of this feature.
The significance of the new update
WhatsApp Business’s new update will provide small business owners with a convenient, cost-effective, and efficient way to communicate with their customers beyond WhatsApp. It will boost customer engagement and help reach out to potential customers without the hassle of working through multiple social media platforms. Leveraging these features of WhatsApp Business can help small businesses grow and thrive in the competitive marketplace.
Where and when will these features be available?
Mark Zuckerberg in the announcement said that this new feature of WhatsApp Business will be available across the globe. It will have a widespread presence and will be accessible in all regions where WhatsApp is widely used.
There has been no announcement with regard to the official date when the features will be available but Mark Zuckerberg has promised that these updates will be rolled out very soon.
Upcoming Updates
Within WhatsApp Business, WhatsApp is testing new automation features that can allow its users to send personalised messages such as birthday wishes and appointment reminders. However, these updates will be available only later and shall be available to only those users who are willing to pay for them.
Small businesses are the unsung heroes of our local communities, creating a web of interconnectedness and warmth. By leveraging new innovations and updates, especially from a popular platform such as WhatsApp, small businesses can improve their reach, provide convenient customer service, and ultimately thrive in an increasingly digital world.
