What's up with WhatsApp: Should my business be using WhatsApp for business?

It comes as no surprise that the messaging giant is currently in the spotlight. It’s the most popular messaging app in the world, with over 1.5 billion monthly active users sending around 60 billion messages a day across 180 countries.

Although we have seen a rise in the creation of other chat apps, none of the current competition has been able to create the same level of success or user reach.

Nowadays, WhatsApp comes preinstalled on a variety of smartphones worldwide, and if not, it is one of the very first apps to be installed once a new phone is unboxed. This ultimately means that your customers are very likely already using the app. For companies, this represents an immense opportunity to modernize the way they communicate with their customers.

WhatsApp is massive, it is the sheer size of its audience that makes it so appealing. WhatsApp shows amazing market penetration in Europe and African countries. 85% of Dutch smartphone owners use the app along with 85% of Spaniards and 84% of Italians. South African users standing at a 97% penetration followed by Kenya with 96%.

If the scale of their user base is not attractive enough, there are an additional three reasons why businesses should seriously consider developing a presence on WhatsApp.

Powerful communication

WhatsApp for Business is an extremely powerful customer service channel. It allows for quick, easy and personalized customer interaction on a platform that your client base is already comfortable with.

Businesses and customers can interact directly and in real-time. This allows for quick-problem solving, making it easier than ever to build positive customer relationships.

Secure Engagement

All WhatsApp messages and calls are secured with end-to-end encryption which provides strict attention to protecting subscriber privacy.

From a business point of view, this means that only the business and the customer can read messages or listen to calls. Nobody in between, including telecom providers, Internet providers, the government, and not even WhatsApp can read business communication.

Users are also able to see whether a company's account is verified by WhatsApp or not. Businesses on the other hand can trust that users are genuine because of WhatsApp's built-in two-factor authentication.

Using WhatsApp as a solution also provides the sender with reliable delivery information, providing companies the additional benefit of knowing what messages have been delivered and, ultimately, read.

International Reach

If you want to tap into a global market, the WhatsApp Business solution should absolutely be part of your current communication plan.

Additionally, if you already have an existing global audience or customer base, you'll find it easy and cost-effective to connect with your international customers, since WhatsApp doesn't charge a fee for international communication.

Whether your customers are in multiple countries or in just one, it is essential that business leaders start to see WhatsApp as a necessary tool to effectively communicate with customers.

If you are ready to capitalize on WhatsApp, Duple can help you every step of the way. Get in touch!

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