Whatsapp Business

WhatsApp today declared that it's increasing its WhatsApp Business API to additional giant enterprises, and added that it's going to be charging these companies for sending messages to customers going forward. It’s not specified what the value is, the sources advised this might be declared within a week. Facebook is additionally introducing ads on the social network that click to WhatsApp. WhatsApp launched its WhatsApp Business app for small businesses in January this year, a free android app that businesses may use to reply to their customers. Whereas that works for a small and pop operation which might use an app one phone to reply to customers, for big enterprises, this can be of limited use.

Therefore, WhatsApp additionally has the WhatsApp Business API that is used by several of partners as well as Uber, Singapore Airlines and MakeMyTrip. Sources told that customers in India include BookMyShow, 1mg, MakeMyTrip, Uber, Goibibo. According to WhatsApp blog post, currently, it'll begin charging big businesses to send non-promotional content, like shipping confirmation, appointment reminder or event price ticket. Users will send a message to the business to ask queries, and also the answers to those messages are free for the first 24 hours.

One of the Indian companies to use the platform, Group Chief Marketing Officer of MakeMyTrip, Saajanya Shrivastava said, "Whatsapp for Business has been a great enthusiast to reach our customers quickly and effectively."

Sources said that Whatsapp will first make this solution available to big companies where there is a high demand from customers to get information on mobile phones and great customer care is required like e-commerce and travel. Sources said the company has planned to slow down the Whatsapp Business API. Facebook, which is the owner of the messaging platform, also blogged about the testing method for starting WhatsApp chat on social networks. Under the new format, clicking on the ad will launch a WhatsApp message full of pre-loaded. According to sources, it is seen as a long-term goal, and will not be visible in India - the biggest market for Whatsapp - now.

Launched in January, the Whatsapp Business app, Messaging statistics for analytics, automated greeting messages and tools such as quick answers and support for the Whatsapp web are included. Whatsapp Business Pilot Program started a year ago, in September 2017, brought verified accounts for businesses and facilities for support and quick help replies.

Whatsapp has not specified any goals for the WhatsApp business in Enterprise Space but has said that its goal is to work with a select number of companies that specialize in "a few hundred businesses" and customer service management. Earlier in the day, the messaging platform Gupshup said in a statement that it is working with WhatsApp to enable entrepreneurs to connect with their customers. In order to gain early access to the WhatsApp business, some of the entrepreneurs capable of making Jupiter include Kotak Mahindra Bank, Citibank, ICICI Bank, IndusInd Bank and Dish TV.