WhatsApp Business app starts rolling out in selected markets

The most widely used messaging service around the world, WhatsApp has recently introduced a new platform for businesses. WhatsApp has released WhatsApp Business for Android, a free-to-download app for small businesses to respond to customers and organize their presence on the messaging platform.

Using Whatsapp Business app, business users will be able to manage business profiles to provide customers with useful information like a description or store address. Businesses and small firms will also get access to messaging tools like quick replies to rapidly answer common questions and the ability to create greeting messages to introduce customers to their business.

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WhatsApp plans to expand the Business app’s availability worldwide in the coming weeks, it explained in a blog post.

“People will know that they’re talking about a business because you will be listed as a Business Account. Over time, some businesses will have Confirmed Accounts once it’s been confirmed that the account phone number matches the business phone number.”

Businesses on WhatsApp also get a verified badge to display on their profile, messaging statistics, and desktop access.

WhatsApp, a company Facebook acquired in 2014, has now reached around 1.3 billion users on its messaging platform. With no plans to bring advertisements to WhatsApp, business subscriptions could be the ultimate way for Facebook to earn revenue from the app.

The app was previously available to limited people in selected regions. For now, businesses established in Indonesia, Italy, Mexico, the UK, and the US can download the app from the Google Play Store for free. The app will be soon rolling out to other emerging markets.