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Up until the second quarter of 2020, WhatsApp was the most downloaded and most popular application globally.
TikTok and the coronavirus pandemic are responsible for its unseating. Still, it was downloaded a gargantuan 96 million times in February 2020.
The platform boasts of more than 2 billion users and slowly inching towards the king of social media, Facebook. As of 2019, Facebook had 2.45 billion monthly active users.
With all the explored platforms, the risks are equal and a reward for early adopters.
The numbers herein are a marketer's dream come true. The reach is immense, and this should prompt you to consider WhatsApp marketing deeply.
WhatsApp penetrated the social media sphere so comfortably representing messenger apps, and there are around 2.26 billion users open either Whatsapp, Facebook, Messenger or Instagram daily.
The application has faced its fair share of usage blockage worldwide, in China most popularly, but it still soars.
What is WhatsApp?
WhatsApp is the best pun in the world. Bluntly, What’s Up? The phrase symbolizes catching up and conversation.
The App uses your phone’s internet connection to chat with your mates without using mobile SMS charges. Over the years, the app has developed into supporting voice and video calls, text, media sharing - all aspects to enable you to do business on WhatsApp.
Facebook acquired WhatsApp for US$19 billion in February 2014 and has since been available for use on mobile devices (supporting both Android and iOS), tablets and desktops too.
Whatsapp is a social media platform that uses phone internet connections that help you chat with other WhatsApp users. The app can enable you to share files, images, and support voice and video calls, and supports a wide range of phones in an era where sending an SMS is costly.
Once you have download the App, you need to confirm your country and enter the phone number to use, and you are good to go. Alternatively, you can use your Facebook information to sign in.
WhatsApp supports one on one chats, groups of up to 256 people and broadcast lists.
WhatsApp for Business
WhatsApp Marketing is now a healthy option in marketing strategies because interaction and communication don’t stop. More than 65 billion messages are currently being sent daily via WhatsApp. And the transmission is not all leisure and gossip; there is a business too.
According to Nielsen’s Facebook Messaging Survey, 67 percent of mobile messaging app users said they expect to use chat more for communicating with businesses over the next two years. Fifty-three percent of the users said they are more likely to engage with and shop for a company to which they can send a message.
WhatsApp is not limited to one demographic. The penetration of mobile phones and internet access means it has reached all age groups, opening marketers to substantial target audiences.
Getting a WhatsApp Business account is easy, especially if you have the app already downloaded. If not, head over to your app store and type in "WhatsApp Business." If you've already set up an account, the app will connect your account to a Business profile.
Next, accept the Terms and Conditions, and enter a phone number. (If you want to refrain from using your number, this is something you can change later in Settings).
And then, you're all set! You can make your Business account look polished and professional from here. You can also begin to explore some of the business-specific functions available to you, like contact labels and short links.
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In the " Business Profile " section, this profile will help you list your company's contact information, like email, physical address, and website link (if you have one). You can access this section when you visit your business settings. You can also add a catalog of your products.
People use WhatsApp for business or personal use because:
It’s free. The only charges you might get are data roaming charges.
It’s reliable. As long as you’re connected to wi-fi or have mobile data, you can use WhatsApp to communicate with users all over the world.
It’s widely available. There are WhatsApp users in 180 different countries.
It’s not just about texting. You can use WhatsApp for voice messages, calls and video calls, as well as sharing photos, videos, documents, or your location.
Benefits Of WhatsApp for Business
There are various ways your business can benefit from WhatsApp Business.
1. Improve your business visibility
One of the tools is that of the catalog available for your business. It allows you to showcase your product list, with photos inclusive. This gives your users a chance to browse through and look for what they want exactly.
2. Reduce the response time
Lest we forget, it is a messaging app, and your clients will want to chat/converse with you and get timely replies. The messages come instantly to your mobile device, and you can efficiently respond to clients.
3. Connect with customers
Traditional methods like phone calls and emails take a back seat, and WhatsApp is coming to the forefront. Successful companies understand that to deliver exceptional customer experiences; they have to fish where they are and be on the channels their customers prefer. In fact, a Dimensions Data study reveals that nine out of ten consumers would prefer using messaging to communicate with businesses, and, according to Nielsen, 56% would rather message customer service than speak on the phone.
4. Give rise to two-way conversations
On WhatsApp, chat is a two-way street: businesses and customers can interact directly. Real conversations don’t ask one participant to text ‘Y’ for yes, or close an app and dial the phone if they want to take the conversation to the next level. Today’s customers want to reach out to businesses and have real conversations, not just respond to one-way messages directed at them.
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