WhatsApp is the market leader in instant messaging applications. In 2022, the number of its active users reached 2 billion people. In 2018, WhatsApp released two separate services - WhatsApp Business and WhatsApp Business API, designed to communicate with customers through the messenger.

What are their differences and advantages? Find out in this article.

What is WhatsApp Business App

WhatsApp Business is a free Android and iOS mobile app for communication and customer support intended for small businesses.

Note that the user does not need to have an account in business service to communicate with your business. The normal and business apps interact with each other without any problems.

The content of the application is almost the same as the standard version of WhatsApp: it also allows instant exchange of text messages and photos. But because the messenger has been optimized according to the business owners` needs, it has become more flexible for interacting with customers online.

WhatsApp Business App allows you to automate sending of important messages, increase the quality of service and improve feedback. In the app you can send automatic SMS, create template responses, view marketing campaign statistics, segment the customer base.

WhatsApp mass messaging in this app is suitable for small and, less often, for medium-sized businesses. The application can be connected to only one mobile number and used just on one device.

If you are the owner of a large company with thousands of customers, you need a scalable solution. And in this case, WhatsApp provides WhatsApp Business API.

What are the features of WhatsApp Business API?

After the launch of the WhatsApp Business API service in August 2018, company owners were not immediately able to understand the new product. Instead of the desired business account, which opened up new opportunities for corporations, they downloaded the WhatsApp Business application with limited functionality.

WhatsApp Business API, or WABA, is a paid software extension in web or desktop interface, designed for handling large flows of customer, marketing and organizational messages.

WABA has a built-in paid API system, for access to which a special key is provided. This technology allows you to integrate WhatsApp into various CRM and ERP systems of companies, websites, and communication platforms.

This allows a company to manage the business account from several devices at the same time, set up WhatsApp mass messaging, and implement chatbots. The platform is safer for anyone who wants to avoid blocking and is afraid to get into spam.

Advantages of Business App and Business API for business

Developers are continuously working on WhatsApp business applications, adding new functionality and features to them. WhatsApp recently launched a payment service that allows users to connect Visa, Master Card and bank accounts. This feature is not yet available in all countries.

It is very likely that in the near future, business versions of the popular messenger will completely replace traditional online stores. The advantages of applications may contribute to this.

Setting up a business profile

In WhatsApp Business, business owners can set up a working profile of the company, and when applying WABA there is an opportunity to pass verification and get a badge to confirm the uniqueness of the brand.

A business profile is a great way to increase brand awareness and customer loyalty. You can add a description of the company, links to the website and social networks, location, phone number and much more. It has been proven that users trust companies that provide as much information about themselves as possible, rather than no-names.

Catalog demonstration

WhatsApp Business API app has a catalog feature that is displayed in the company profile. You can publish product photos, descriptions, prices, links, and other information, so that customers can learn more about your offers. In total, up to 500 products or services can be uploaded to the catalog.

Label Chat Segmentation

A distinctive feature of WhatsApp Business is the ability to divide customers into groups using special customized labels (Label chat). You can segment the base into regular customers, customers waiting for payment, completed orders, etc. This will allow you to organize your contacts and easily navigate a large flow of customers.

Two-way messaging interface

By connecting the WhatsApp Business API, companies and customers can interact directly. This allows you to establish closer connections with the customers, build a full sales funnel.

This function has a specific feature. If the client does not receive a response within 24 hours after the request, the program automatically sends a template response.

Automatic Replies

Even if your WhatsApp is available on multiple devices, it is impossible to stay online 24/7. Setting up automatic replies with the Away Message feature allows you to send chat messages even when managers are not there - a great way to improve the quality of service.

You can customize the schedule of sending messages using the general settings or use the "out of office" mode, as well as independently disable WhatsApp mass messaging.

Secure encryption

The developers offer users highly secure end-to-end encryption and two-factor authentication that protect all personal data. WhatsApp complies with the latest mobile security standards.

Since end-to-end technology is used, the content is visible only to the sender and the receiver, with no third-party access - even for WhatsApp.

Access to advanced statistics

The company gets access to detailed statistics on WhatsApp mass messaging: how many messages were sent, delivered, read.

How to integrate WhatsApp Business API into your company

Decision Telecom is an omnichannel communication platform for business and the official provider of WhatsApp Business. Decision Telecom technologies allow to seamlessly implement WhatsApp Business API into various systems.

For 10 years of operation in the industry, we have developed a reliable model of partnership. We guarantee: security, fast SMS sending and receiving, user-friendly interface, support at all stages, loyal pricing.

To activate WhatsApp mass messaging, please contact our technical support for consultation.

In conclusion

It is important for companies to be where their customers are, which is why WhatsApp has long become a full-fledged business tool.

Officially, the messenger is not intended for advertising campaigns. WABA technology is a safe and convenient way to set up WhatsApp mass messaging. This is a breakthrough for businesses in the field of communication with customers, which opens up many opportunities.