WhatsApp Business Now Allows Users to Search, Chat and Buy Products in the App
WhatsApp, the instant messaging app owned by Meta, has rolled out another new feature for Business profile users. This feature will allow users to search for businesses on the platform and chat with them, as well as the option to purchase products. WhatsApp Business users will be able to browse businesses by category – such as banking, travel – or search by name using this update. However, it is currently limited to selected countries including Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, Mexico, and the UK.
In blog post shared on the online page, WhatsApp shared that the new feature will help users in the Business profile to easily communicate with businesses using the messaging system instead of saving their phone numbers in contacts or searching for information on business websites. Currently, business search capabilities are rolling out to Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, Mexico, and the UK. Users in these countries can use the WhatsApp Business Platform to find contact information for other businesses.
In addition, users will also be able to shop directly using WhatsApp instead of visiting the website. The instant messaging platform has partnered with various payment partners to allow users to purchase products directly from the app itself. The feature works in a similar way to the JioMart shopping experience that was launched in India a few months ago. Now, it is being expanded to many countries. As shared by WhatsApp, this feature is secure and will maintain users’ privacy.
Additionally, people will be able to make a secure payment in the chat using their credit or debit card details. “This seamless transaction will revolutionize the way people and businesses want to buy and sell on WhatsApp without going to a website, opening another app or paying manually,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, WhatsApp first rolled out the Poll feature and ‘Communities’ for group chats on both Android and iOS devices. Like other features in the app, WhatsApp Polls will also be protected with end-to-end encryption. WhatsApp also introduced one-tap video calls for up to 32 people and doubled the group participant limit.
