Initially, all messengers were created solely to facilitate communication between users. They actually became the best alternative to mobile communication, as they not only allowed you to exchange text and voice messages, but also could transfer files and add emotional color to conversations using animated emoticons or special stickers. This type of communication has quickly become popular among users of all age groups. Given the wide reach of the audience, messengers have come to be considered as a convenient platform for doing business. To increase the efficiency and optimize communication processes with potential customers, special programs have been developed — chatbots.
The developers of the popular WhatsApp messenger were among the first to appreciate the broad business prospects. They offered all interested users a convenient and practical solution — the ability to create a business account with a multifunctional chatbot linked to it.
Let's take a closer look at what a WhatsApp business account is, what advantages and features it offers to its customers, where it is used, and how to create, configure and integrate a WhatsApp chatbot into the system.
WhatsApp regular and business accounts: key differences and features
The advent of verified business accounts was a powerful impetus to the development of the WhatsApp platform and significantly expanded the messenger's functionality.
What WhatsApp business opportunities arise when creating a special verified account:
- Using a landline phone as one of the contacts. Customers or business partners can now use the messenger to call your office's linked landline number.
- An opportunity for potential customers to find all the information they need from your profile. You can enter your company name, work schedule, office or representative address with geolocation on the map.
- Creating a catalog with product cards. You can use it to promote your products or services effectively.
Verified profile owners have access to a number of effective tools for optimizing communication processes with customers: setting up newsletters, templates for automatically answering simple questions, and creating and configuring their own chatbot.
WhatsApp Business Solutions
WhatsApp for Business offers two powerful tools: WhatsApp Business APP and WhatsApp Business API. Let's see what purposes each application is for and what business categories this or that option will be attractive for.
WhatsApp Business APP is a free platform with basic functionality. This is an ideal solution for small businesses and start-ups. Users are able to optimize correspondence, can create labels, set up quick replies, and have access to message statistics.
WhatsApp Business API is a paid package for medium and large organizations, as well as for entrepreneurs who want to scale their business by attracting new customers through online services. Subscribers have access to various tools for managing subscriptions, integrating with other services, as well as verifying their profile and creating their own chatbot with extensive functionality.
It should be noted that most users trust verified accounts more than anonymous profiles, which also increases the chance for a constructive dialogue and closing sales.
Business WhatsApp benefits
Why do you need a WhatsApp business account? This question is often asked by aspiring entrepreneurs or business owners who want to expand their target audience by attracting new users through messengers and social networks.
Here are some compelling facts in favor of WhatsApp:
- This messenger is the main business tool in 188 countries. This will allow you to find potential customers or partners from around the world.
- According to statistics, the open rate of messages in WhatsApp is a record 98%. A competent marketing strategy and the correct configuration of newsletters will ensure almost 100% “reach” your target audience.
- Most users prefer messenger communication. This creates an atmosphere of trust, which significantly increases the involvement and interest of potential customers in your products or services compared to SMS messages or emails.
Also, do not forget that a WhatsApp business account provides the ability to create a catalog with images of goods. This is a powerful tool for interacting with potential customers, as the visual component is one of the key factors when making a decision to buy a product.
Where a WhatsApp business account is used
One of the features of the WhatsApp platform is its versatility and multipurpose use. Almost all entrepreneurs can take advantage of the messenger, but most often these are the following lines of business:
- logistics (cargo transportation companies, taxi services, vehicle fleets);
- tourism business (tour operators and travel agents, hotel and health resort chains);
- catering industry (bars, restaurants, cafes);
- medical facilities, sports complexes, fitness rooms.
The benefits of messaging via WhatsApp Business are also widely used by owners of online stores in various areas, call centers, providers and other business areas that require interaction with a large customer base.
Chatbots for WhatsApp messenger
One of the most powerful and practical tools that the WhatsApp platform provides for entrepreneurs is the ability to create a chatbot and integrate it with an existing system (for example, CRM).
What are the benefits of a WhatsApp bot for business:
- Savings. The bot can replace several operators, which will allow you to reduce staff payroll costs. The funds invested in developing a virtual assistant, as well as the monthly subscription fee, will quickly pay off in the process. In addition, the virtual assistant will answer basic questions and perform simple actions, which will reduce the burden on operators, who will now deal with more complex situations that require a professional approach.
- Effectiveness. The bot works around the clock; it does not need a break for lunch, rest and vacation. This will allow you to have a dialogue with potential customers from all over the world regardless of time of day or time zones.
- Safety. When communicating, an end-to-end encryption protocol is used, which excludes the transfer of customer data to third parties.
A chatbot tailored to the specifics of a particular business sector will automate the process of communicating with customers, and will also be able to effectively participate in advertising campaigns to attract new customers.
Creating a WhatsApp bot, features of its configuration and integration into the system
There are two ways to create a WhatsApp bot for business: on your own or with the help of specialized specialists. The first option is captivating with its seeming simplicity and the absence of additional financial costs.
Creating a chatbot is available only through the paid WhatsApp Business API package. First, you need to think through the dialogues yourself. It is advisable to take into account the maximum number of scenarios (positive and negative) so that chat communication looks natural and the virtual assistant's answers are concise, logical and correct. The next step is to write all conversations into a blank template on the platform. After that, you need to test the script, which will give an idea of how it works correctly. The final stage is to connect the chatbot to your account.
In the future, it is necessary to constantly monitor the program's performance, review conversations with users, evaluate the bot's actions and, if necessary, make adjustments to existing dialogs.
The built-in WhatsApp Business API designer will allow you to more accurately customize the work of the virtual assistant, taking into account the specifics of your business. Despite its seeming simplicity, the process of creating and adapting a chatbot requires not only a lot of time, but also a clear understanding of what tasks the bot can perform and which cannot. Improper script configuration will not only fail to attract new customers, but may also scare off potential buyers.
If you are not sure that you can create and configure a WhatsApp chatbot yourself, you can entrust this work to specialized specialists. Programmers will write the script from scratch, adapt it to your business and integrate it with third-party services. This will require additional financial costs, but you will save your time and are guaranteed to get a fully functioning and configured chatbot that will help you grow your business.
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