Facebook's WhatsApp messaging service has rolled out a business version of its app to iOS devices worldwide, furthering the reach of the service.
The iOS version of WhatsApp Business had been previously launched on iOS back in March, some what lagging behind the release of the Android version of the business app.
Much like the Android app, WhatsApp Business on iOS has all the messaging features one would expect from the vanilla version of WhatsApp, but also comes with specific business-orientated capabilities. These include the ability to share company details within a profile as well has handle interactions between a customer and the apps business user.
“Like the Android version — which over the last year has been adopted by millions of businesses around the world — the WhatsApp Business app for iOS will be free to download from the Apple App Store and will include features to help small businesses and customers communicate,” explained WhatsApp.
“Whether it's an online sweet shop in Ribeirão Preto, Brazil that closes 60 percent of its sales via WhatsApp Business or a cinnamon roll company in Tijuana, Mexico that credits WhatsApp Business for allowing it to open a second location, small business owners all over the world are using the app to grow.”
The app is ready to be downloaded in Brazil, Germany, Indonesia, India, Mexico, the UK and the US with more countries set to be added to the roster.
19/01/18: WhatsApp Business launches in the UK
A new way for businesses to interact with their customers has been launched in the UK: WhatsApp Business.
The UK is one of five countries worldwide where the SMB-focused app has rolled out officially, having initially been in a pilot programme since September last year.
WhatsApp has traditionally been used, both as a consumer tool and within businesses, to engage in conversations among members of specific groups, say those working on a given project, for example, or to organise a social event. WhatsApp Business, however, is intended to open a new channel of communication between businesses and their customers.
"Our new app will make it easier for companies to connect with customers, and more convenient for our 1.3 billion users to chat with businesses that matter to them," the company said.
Features of the app include business profiles, for at-a-glance information on the company; some basic automation including quick answers for FAQs, greetings and away messages; and the option to access WhatsApp Business through the web, rather than the app.
Business accounts will also be marked as such, so users are aware they're engaging with a company, and a Confirmed Account status will be rolled out "over time" to some businesses, although there's no indication of time scales involved.
The WhatsApp Business app itself, which is currently only available for Android, only needs to be downloaded by the business user, with customers able to use their normal WhatsApp account.
"People will continue to have full control over the messages they receive, with the ability to block any number, including businesses, as well as report spam," the company said.
-
Westcon-Comstor and Vectra AI launch brace of new channel initiativesNews Westcon-Comstor and Vectra AI have announced the launch of two new channel growth initiatives focused on the managed security service provider (MSSP) space and AWS Marketplace.
-
Third time lucky? Microsoft finally begins roll-out of controversial Recall featureNews The Windows Recall feature has been plagued by setbacks and backlash from security professionals
-
'Digital hide-and-seek': Workers are wasting hundreds of hours a year sourcing the information they need to carry out their roleNews Knowledge workers globally are wasting a quarter of their working week tracking down information, new research from Atlassian has revealed.
-
Untethered: How CIOs and CISOs are paving the way for the new hybrid workforceWhitepaper Effective techniques to transition from exposed legacy infrastructure to an effective zero trust strategy
-
Unlocking the power of your digital servicesSponsored Businesses have invested significant cash into technology since COVID-19, but are they really getting their money's worth?
-
Delivering fast and secure digital experiences for the modern hybrid workforceWhitepaper A new approach to digital experience monitoring that can monitor the health of all systems
-
Collaboration is the glue that holds your business togetherSPONSORED A combination of productivity tools and cloud telephony can enable the best from your workforce
-
The future of work and the forgotten workforcewhitepaper How to deploy a mobile-first strategy so no one gets left behind
-
The case for an accelerated device refresh cycleWhitepaper Achieving a more cost-effective device lifecycle overall
-
Employees are choosing how they workWhitepaper And with the right secure digital strategy, this could be a great thing for your business: today and far into the future
