ICYMI: If You’re A WhatsApp Business Owner, Here Are New Business-friendly Features For You

Eko Hot Blog reports that social media company, Meta, who owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has unveiled new features for businesses using the WhatsApp Business App.

The company announced the features in a blogpost on the Facebook website.

The new features include Flows, Payments Services, and Verification Badges.

Meta said Flows will deliver faster chat experiences, allowing businesses to provide rich menus and customizable forms that support different needs.

“We’re launching Flows so businesses can offer more experiences like quickly choosing your train seat, ordering a meal or booking an appointment – all without leaving your chat,” the company said.

“With Flows, businesses will be able to provide rich menus and customizable forms that support different needs. We’ll make Flows available to businesses around the world using the WhatsApp Business Platform in the coming weeks.”

Also, Meta disclosed that WhatsApp Business owners will now be able to choose payments service.

That means customers can complete purchase directly in the chat.

“We’re making it easier to complete a purchase directly in the chat. Starting today, people in India can add items to their cart and send a payment using the method of their choice from all supported UPI apps, debit and credit cards, and more,” the social media company said.

“We’re excited to be working with partners Razorpay and PayU to make paying for something as simple as sending a message.”

Lastly, Meta said it will soon start verifying businesses that demonstrate their authenticity.

It stated that the verified badge will come with extra premium features such as the ability to create a custom WhatsApp page that is easily discoverable via a web search, and multi-device support so multiple employees can respond to customers.

“We’re making it possible for businesses to receive verification from Meta, which helps you know you’re chatting with the right business. To become Meta Verified, businesses demonstrate their authenticity to Meta and in return receive a verified badge, enhanced account support and impersonation protection,” Meta said.

“For businesses interested in signing up, Meta Verified will come with additional premium features including the ability to create a custom WhatsApp page that is easily discoverable via a web search, and multi-device support so multiple employees can respond to customers.

“We’ll begin testing Meta Verified soon with small businesses using the WhatsApp Business app before introducing it to businesses on the WhatsApp Business Platform in the future.

“We’re excited to continue building great features for businesses to improve the customer service and other offerings they provide to people, and look forward to hearing how these new updates help establish connections, build relationships and get more done.”

WhatsApp is available across 180 countries including Nigeria, and accessible in over 20 different languages. While there were about 50 million WhatsApp Business app users in 2020, the number of global consumers and companies using WhatsApp Business was estimated to surpass 1.2 billion users as of 2021.

Just like verification for creators, Meta Verified for Businesses benefits include a badge, better reach and impersonation protection. The company is offering the same badge to businesses as the one offered to creators, so there is no differentiation.