WhatsApp has successfully replaced offline messaging services in the past few years. Leveraging this, the messaging platform launched WhatsApp Business – App specially dedicated to small businesses. This Facebook-owned WhatsApp Business App has turned out to be very beneficial. Many small, medium, and large businesses are using it to get connected with their target audience.
Although there are a number of applications which are catering to the business users, this messaging App offers a wider scope for all types of businesses, be it professional services or a local grocery store.
What is WhatsApp Business?
WhatsApp Business App is like a messaging platform that allows the small business to interact with its customers conveniently. It is an Android App, i.e., WhatsApp Business in India is only available for Android users and can be easily downloaded from the Play Store. The small business owner has to register on the application with the official business or office landline number.
Also Read: How to Improve CIBIL Score for a Small Business Loan?
The WhatsApp Business features are:
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Free of Cost: WhatsApp Business can be downloaded for free from the Google Play Store. It allows the user to send service messages at absolutely no cost. Thus, this App counters the conventional SMS facility that many businesses use for marketing.
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Business Profile: The WhatsApp Business is very beneficial for people who own a small business without a dedicated website. The application allows the small business owners to describe their business in detail, fill in the address, contact numbers, and other social media links. Also, WhatsApp Business takes the verification seriously. A green tick next to the business’s name suggests that the application has verified business details.
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Messaging Options: The WhatsApp Business has a unique feature called customized reply settings. This feature allows you to send a quick reply to the frequently asked question with standard responses. For example, you can frame a customized greeting message with the introduction of your business and what makes you different from others for all the new leads who get in touch with you.
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Web Service: WhatsApp Business lets you manage your messaging account on the computer without the mobile App.
What WhatsApp Business has for Small Businesses?
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The budding entrepreneurs can certainly take advantage of the WhatsApp Business in terms of marketing. It helps in extending the reach of the small business without making any hefty investment in developing a marketing plan, developing a website for business, or mobile App creation.
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The WhatsApp Business is an apt way to share the pictures of the products and promotions with the current and prospective customers. Also, the green tick verification offers credibility to the small businesses. It directly implies the genuineness of the products and services. This is a major aspect that will help in providing a wider audience to the MSMEs.
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There are more than 230 million WhatsApp users in India. The fact denotes that almost everyone knows how to use the application. Thus, it eliminates the time required on the part of the user to learn the nuances of a new application.
Also Read: Small Business Loan – 4 Things to Know Before Applying for It
In today’s time, many small business owners avail a business loan to meet working capital needs or to buy machinery for expansion. So, it turns difficult for them to bear marketing expenses. The WhatsApp Business app is a cost-effective solution to marketing and communication needs of small businesses.