WhatsApp Business launched in India…

Ever since its acquisition, Facebook has not taken any steps to monetize Whatsapp until a few months ago. The Whatsapp Business was first launched to a select few Indian businesses like BookMyShow – the ticketing giant in India. It’s been a while since it has been testing and now, the platform has finally been launched into the Indian Market. This is going to be a cost-effective marketing strategy for small to medium businesses that are unable to build a website or a landing page.

It is a platform exclusively for businesses to leverage the amazing features of Whatsapp with its own set of unique features. Facebook is also rolling out the call-to-action feature where your audience can directly click on the button and end up on your Whatsapp chat.

2-Step Registration:

Step 1 – First download the Whatsapp Business Application from the PlayStore/App Store.

Step 2 – Register your business mobile number- If you’re already registered on to the existing Whatsapp platform, you are asked if you want to change it into a business account, as the same number can’t be used on both the platforms simultaneously. Remember that once you register your business’ name, you can’t change it, so be sure you do it right the first time.

I have converted my number into a business profile to receive and respond to all the inquiries I personally receive, leveraging the amazing features that it brings with it. While this might be a good idea for me, a lot of people don’t mix their personal and professional life. These individuals can register a new number for their businesses. If you’re on a device that supports dual SIM, you can register the secondary number as your business number and use both the platforms simultaneously, on the same device.

The Business platform includes all the features of the normal messenger platform like stories, groups, normal messaging and broadcast messages.

In the settings you will find an option to set up your business settings where you’ll find the following features:

#1 Setting Up Your Profile:

Here you can add your business address using the maps extension, business category, business description, e-mail and business. I’ve completed my profile and this is how it looks now.

#2 Statistics

This feature doesn’t have much to talk about right now. It shows the number of messages sent, received, delivered and read.

#3 Away Message

I receive a lot of messages on Whatsapp every day and at most times am unable to reply to them promptly. This feature fills in for me and replies to my contacts with a pre-written text. You can use this while you are in a meeting or on business or personal trip. It ensures that your messages have been acknowledged. The catch with this feature is that it doesn’t work on group messages. The feature can be disabled and enabled as required.

Here’s a screenshot of how I’ve used this feature

#4 Greeting Messages

This feature sends pre-written texts to people who are texting you for the very first time or after 14 days of last contacting you. It is an effortless and pleasant way of starting conversations with new people.

Below is a screenshot of how I’ve used it. Since I’ve enabled both the greeting and away message options, the person is receiving them both, one after the other.

#5 Quick Replies

This is one fabulous feature that has made me love this platform even more because it helps me save so much more time when replying to texts. You can add messages under a keyword in this feature. I’ve saved messages that I frequently type and send to people with regards to my courses, workshops and responses to their feedbacks.

This is how I’ve used the keyboard shortcuts. All I have to do is type a slash and pick from the reply from the pop-up list or just type the entire keyword.

BENEFITS

Increased promotions

Marketers are always on a lookout for new platforms to promote their content, products or services. Hence, on WhatsApp for business, you can send your customer’s offers, new item discharges, promo codes and a lot more. Take full advantage of sending messages that are one on one and ensure that it is justified and not annoying. Nevertheless, be cautious that you do not try too hard with offers each day. This may very well influence them to block you. Promotions that are really relevant to them according to your research could work ponders for you

To send tracking and transactional messages

A business can use this messaging platform for sending transactional messages. For example, if someone makes a purchase online, you can send them a WhatsApp text about their transaction. An e-commerce brand can send tracking status to their customers. One can even send tickets on WhatsApp. A great example for this is Book My Show. Book My Show legit send tickets to people who have booked online.

Additionally, make sure that you give them an option for stopping the messages service. Just like SMS marketing, WhatsApp messages should also provide a way for users who do not wish to receive messages

Customer support

Having a disappointed client is obviously not good, however having one who has no legitimate place to grumble can turn into a failure. They may turn to posting via social media about their experience bringing about negative attention for you. In any case, utilizing a trusted stage like WhatsApp where they can connect with you actually can assist enhance your association with them

Also having a conversation one on one will make them buy more products or services from you. A satisfied customer is all that a business needs besides sales

Reviews and ratings

WhatsApp for business a great place to interact with customers and also to receive feedback. If your messages are actually helping customers then do not hesitate to ask them to take their time out and rate you.

You can get your clients to survey your product or service. Give them connections or choices to answer to a review. Give them inventive approaches to give reviews and they will really collaborate with you.

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