How conversational AI is transforming the retail and e-commerce industry?
WhatsApp Business app is targeted at small businesses and is free of cost while WhatsApp Business API is meant for medium and large-sized businesses and comes at a price.
WhatsApp is enormous. It is arguably the world’s most widely used messaging application, with more than 1.5 billion active monthly users spread across 180 nations.
Understandably, organizations are trying their best to get through to this massive user base. It is a complex task and WhatsApp at this time, doesn’t serve advertisements and its end-to-end encrypted messaging structure implies targeting would be severely restricted. Additionally, based on the type of app used, WhatsApp Business users must pay a fee to send out messages unless consumers contact them first.
Today, though, smart businesses have found innovative ways to reach out to customers on WhatsApp and it has exhibited its usefulness in Customer service, one-on-one chats, and marketing campaigns.
Before Facebook acquired it, WhatsApp used to charge a fee for sending messages on its platform. After the acquisition, WhatsApp became free and vowed to never have advertisements.
However, Facebook was looking for a business model to make money from its colossal new asset. WhatsApp Business was the answer. Companies were using WhatsApp for marketing and expanding their network before the arrival of WhatsApp Business, through WhatsApp Groups, which was popular among people in the sales team.
For WhatsApp, it made perfect sense to charge companies to use the platform and eventually, in January 2018, WhatsApp introduced WhatsApp Business. The platform enabled businesses to connect with their customers across the whole journey with useful notifications and promotional messages. WhatsApp Business builds customized promotional campaigns that stand out and help engage customers with interactive messages and make them aware of the latest promotions and offers.
WhatsApp API is normally meant for medium to large businesses that wish to make the most of WhatsApp with several users. WhatsApp API has no front-end interface and must be incorporated into a business software. WhatsApp is careful with who is allowed API access. Firms that intend to use WhatsApp API are advised to use the services of a third-party known as Business Solution Providers (BSP).
For most businesses, the only option available to be able to use WhatsApp API is through BSPs. Your experience with WhatsApp API may vary drastically based on your BSP. To streamline things, there are two kinds of WhatsApp BSPs - SMS providers and others. SMS providers combine WhatsApp API with their patented API. Consequently, it takes more effort and time on their end to update any additional features from WhatsApp. The bands that are not classified as SMS providers use proxy APIs that are similar to the setup of WhatsApp. So, it is easy for them to support new WhatsApp Business API features.
Earlier, hosting WhatsApp API was possible only through an on-premise API on the BSP’s servers. BSPs today offer Cloud API, where the API is hosted on Meta. Cloud API is presently available in beta to a few BSPs. Organizations that are employing a BSP with Cloud API access will include the latest WhatsApp API features. In contrast, the businesses using on-premise APIs won’t be able to get access to new WhatsApp API features until their BSPs carry out API software updates.
A software program that operates on an encrypted WhatsApp platform is known as a WhatsApp chatbot. Users of WhatsApp can connect with a chatbot via the chat interface as they would speak to a person. Here are some of the key benefits of WhatsApp chatbot:
Creating a WhatsApp chatbot is not a complex process, but it is essential to have a robust plan to develop a superior one. It is somewhat similar to creating Facebook Messenger bots. However, with WhatsApp, customization can be achieved in a flexible manner. Also, it is essential to get the approval of WhatsApp to build a WhatsApp chatbot without being blocked.
You can create a secure and functional WhatsApp chatbot by submitting an application for WhatsApp Business API. The approval takes time for making a WhatsApp chatbot. But the waiting time can aid in creating a WhatsApp bot with all the necessary conditions.
With millions of users on WhatsApp, it's tough to disregard the platform. In the year 2020, WhatsApp hit 2 billion users, a 33% surge from 1.5 billion users in 2017. This is an incredible achievement since it is closing in on Facebook’s number at 2.7 billion users in 2020.
Besides the huge user base, it is also about engagement. Users on WhatsApp send close to 65 billion messages each day, which is around 750,000 messages each second.
In comparison to conventional techniques of reaching customers through emails, a large number of the messages sent via WhatsApp are delivered and seen within minutes. Infact, messages sent through WhatsApp Business have a 98% view rate.
Currently, over 5 million users are using WhatsApp Business and several more are listed with an API account. In the nations where WhatsApp is widely used, it has become essential for businesses to use it to reach their customers.
There are two types of WhatsApp Business accounts, WhatsApp Business app, targeted at mainly small businesses and WhatsApp Business API for medium and large enterprises.
The Business App enables SMBs to keep their personal and work messages separately. Since it is an app, firms can reply to messages instantly. Outside of working hours, firms can set ‘away’ messages and automated greeting texts.
To create a Business App account, download the app onto a phone from Google Play or Apple App store, verify the business phone number, set your business name, and fill in the profile details in settings and you are good to go. However, you must have a distinct SIM card or number for Business WhatsApp.
WhatsApp API is meant for large firms who wish to use WhatsApp Business with a large user base for sales and support. Applying for an API account is a long-drawn process and firms cannot apply for it through WhatsApp.
The process involves applying for an API account with a Business Solution Provider (BSP) who helps you get access to WhatsApp API. Once an application is approved, a business can connect the API to a WhatsApp CRM and start messaging. As the account gives access to an API, the potential of the account is contingent on the selected BSP and the pricing for an API account also differs between BSPs.
Once you have created a business profile the next step is to set up the app. The WhatsApp Business app as a messaging tool will help you save time by setting up automated greeting and away messages and you can also enable quick responses for users.
Here are the steps to set up your WhatsApp for Business communication account:
As mentioned above, there are two types of WhatsApp Business accounts. Both have their own set of benefits. The Business App account is about making sure small businesses flourish. Here are some of the few WhatsApp business account benefits and reasons why a company must choose a WhatsApp Business App account:
For medium and large businesses, the WhatsApp Business API is a more suitable option as it offers the following benefits:
A WhatsApp Business account comes with the following key features:
A business profile offers your customers valuable information such as your address, email address, business description, and website. A business account helps brands gain a user’s loyalty and gives it a recognizable “face" and identity.
A WhatsApp Business account allows you to generate a greeting message for users. The greeting message will be delivered whenever a user initiates a dialogue with your brand or after two weeks of inactivity. Through this message, you can introduce a brand to a new customer with no interruptions and waiting time.
Brands can manage their contacts and classify them with labels for quick access. This offers them an easy way to search through your contacts and keep them organized.
Catalogs enable brands to showcase their products in a way that help people easily browse the items they are keen on buying. To make the shopping experience easier, a new feature called Collections was introduced that acts as folders to set items within a business account. Users can find their way to the category they’re searching for quickly without going through the entire list.
These are recurring messages sent to answer common queries. It allows you to save and reuse messages you often send to effortlessly answer common questions fast.
Through this feature, WhatsApp for enterprise enables you to access key metrics such as the number of messages sent, delivered, and read.
WhatsApp Business is turning out to be a potent communication outlet for user engagement, especially for large firms serving a wide audience. Here are some of the industries where WhatsApp Business is playing a key role in expanding the reach of businesses:
The evolution of digital communication has played a vital role in the healthcare sector. The growing demand for top-quality healthcare services has led to telehealth solutions becoming more popular. Today, the sector is focused on swifter and more dependable communication platforms to deliver integrated healthcare solutions.
WhatsApp Business is enabling that by acting as a medium to address several key requests. From sending prescription updates, medical test reports, and appointment confirmations to sharing insurance details and outstanding balance updates.
The growing competition in the travel business has put online travel agencies under enormous pressure to demonstrate the value they bring besides price. OTAs are shifting their focus in travel marketing from getting a booking done to delivering an enhanced customer journey. At each stage of a traveller’s journey, OTAs have a chance to engage with them, add value and boost revenue earning opportunities. Adding WhatsApp Business to their communication set will make them a more accessible and well-connected travel partner and make the whole customer journey more worthwhile.
Intense competition, evolving customer expectations, and digital innovation are transforming the BFSI sector. To flourish in such an ecosystem, businesses must find groundbreaking ways to provide unique services that plug unfulfilled customer needs. Incorporating WhatsApp Business in their communication strategy is helping BFSI firms efficiently manage customer chats and giving them a holistic understanding of their exchanges, thus helping them support their customers better.
As E-commerce firms have inadequate face-to-face customer contact, they must make their online communications quick and compelling. By mapping customers’ journeys, finding prospects at each stage, and enabling tailored customer service through immediate messaging channels, E-commerce companies can create a deeper relationship with their customers and offer them an enhanced shopping experience.
As mentioned earlier, the WhatsApp API account is targeted at large firms who wish to use WhatsApp Business with several users for customer sales & service.
It is not possible for any WhatsApp number to have a chatbot installed. WhatsApp doesn’t allow that. The WhatsApp chatbot was introduced when Facebook launched WhatsApp Business API chatbot for businesses.
WhatsApp Business API allows businesses to be present on WhatsApp and they also obtain a substantiated WhatsApp Business account. With WhatsApp APIs, it is possible to integrate systems such as WhatsApp bot for business, chat agents dashboard, and CRM to automate customer support and sales.
WhatsApp Business API is preferred by several multinational businesses and retains its exclusivity as a platform without advertisements and puts users in control of their inboxes. Over time, the approvals will be faster to enable smaller companies as well to benefit from the facility.
WhatsApp offers the following benefits with Business API:
WhatsApp chatbot for business has a good reputation in reducing the gap between businesses and consumers. Here is a step-by-step method to build WhatsApp chatbots for business:
Things to keep in mind while working on WhatsApp chatbot are:
WhatsApp used to charge 99 cents annually. But after its acquisition by Facebook, the messaging tool became free and also vowed to never have ads on the platform. Even today, the original product is totally free.
On the other hand, the business solutions are charged. When it was newly launched, WhatsApp’s business solution was essentially free, except for special charges for messaging customers 24 hours after their most recent correspondence. But on October 22, 2020, Facebook declared that it would start charging businesses for using WhatsApp.
WhatsApp Business app is free, but the WhatsApp API account comes at a price. However, several providers offer the solution at a reasonable price and offer easy access to the WhatsApp API for businesses. Here are some of the costs that a WhatsApp API solution provider may charge:
This can differ significantly depending on the provider, so it is better to spend some time comparing.
Besides the monthly costs, a few providers also charge a one-time implementation fee to set up the whole thing.
As per the latest pricing model (in effect from February 2022), WhatsApp charges a fee per conversation and not per message template.
If you are planning to use WhatsApp for business for multiple users to boost your customer and/or employee engagement, Yellow.ai is the right choice as we are an authorized partner for WhatsApp Business accounts and a next-gen total experience Automation platform fueled by dynamic AI agents for businesses to provide human-like chats that boost customer satisfaction and employee engagement at scale. Get in touch with our experts to get started with WhatsApp Business API.
WhatsApp AI chatbot is an automated AI-powered software where people can converse through the chat interface, just like any other interaction with a person. It is a collection of automated responses that mimics a human chat on WhatsApp. As billions of people are using WhatsApp today, businesses have boundless opportunities to reach and engage with their audience through WhatsApp chatbots. With WhatsApp for Business, brands are interacting with their customers and WhatsApp chatbots are enabling them to interact instantly and on a large scale.
There are several chatbot building platforms that businesses can use to help them develop a WhatsApp bot. However, businesses need to be careful while choosing their vendor as a few of these platforms may not be able to provide them with WhatsApp business approval and without WhatsApp’s consent, they will not be able to launch the chatbot.
Yellow.ai offers WhatsApp business chatbot services, where businesses can share and obtain text messages, URL, audio content, images, location information, stickers, videos, and any other document in any format.
If you are planning to use WhatsApp for business for multiple users to boost your customer and/or employee engagement, Yellow.ai is the right choice as we are an authorized partner for WhatsApp Business accounts and have the necessary automation experts to help you get started with WhatsApp Business. We are a next-gen Total Experience Automation platform fueled by dynamic AI agents for businesses to provide human-like chats that boost customer satisfaction and employee engagement at scale.
WhatsApp Business app is targeted at small businesses and is free of cost while WhatsApp Business API is meant for medium and large-sized businesses and comes at a price.
WhatsApp is a messaging app meant for the general public while WhatsApp Business is a messaging app that businesses use to reach a wider audience.
Under the latest beta program, it is possible to use the WhatsApp Business app on five devices of one phone + four more devices for each number.
Yes, the WhatsApp Business app is free for all and was developed with the small business owner in mind.
Yes, WhatsApp business offers a chatbot that operates on an encrypted WhatsApp platform.
WhatsApp Business API drives a business’s communication with customers worldwide, so they can connect with them on WhatsApp in a secure, easy, and trustworthy manner.
WhatsApp is enormous. It is arguably the world’s most widely used messaging application, with more than 1.5 billion active monthly users spread across 180 nations.
Understandably, organizations are trying their best to get through to this massive user base. It is a complex task and WhatsApp at this time, doesn’t serve advertisements and its end-to-end encrypted messaging structure implies targeting would be severely restricted. Additionally, based on the type of app used, WhatsApp Business users must pay a fee to send out messages unless consumers contact them first.
Today, though, smart businesses have found innovative ways to reach out to customers on WhatsApp and it has exhibited its usefulness in Customer service, one-on-one chats, and marketing campaigns.
Before Facebook acquired it, WhatsApp used to charge a fee for sending messages on its platform. After the acquisition, WhatsApp became free and vowed to never have advertisements.
However, Facebook was looking for a business model to make money from its colossal new asset. WhatsApp Business was the answer. Companies were using WhatsApp for marketing and expanding their network before the arrival of WhatsApp Business, through WhatsApp Groups, which was popular among people in the sales team.
For WhatsApp, it made perfect sense to charge companies to use the platform and eventually, in January 2018, WhatsApp introduced WhatsApp Business. The platform enabled businesses to connect with their customers across the whole journey with useful notifications and promotional messages. WhatsApp Business builds customized promotional campaigns that stand out and help engage customers with interactive messages and make them aware of the latest promotions and offers.
WhatsApp API is normally meant for medium to large businesses that wish to make the most of WhatsApp with several users. WhatsApp API has no front-end interface and must be incorporated into a business software. WhatsApp is careful with who is allowed API access. Firms that intend to use WhatsApp API are advised to use the services of a third-party known as Business Solution Providers (BSP).
For most businesses, the only option available to be able to use WhatsApp API is through BSPs. Your experience with WhatsApp API may vary drastically based on your BSP. To streamline things, there are two kinds of WhatsApp BSPs - SMS providers and others. SMS providers combine WhatsApp API with their patented API. Consequently, it takes more effort and time on their end to update any additional features from WhatsApp. The bands that are not classified as SMS providers use proxy APIs that are similar to the setup of WhatsApp. So, it is easy for them to support new WhatsApp Business API features.
Earlier, hosting WhatsApp API was possible only through an on-premise API on the BSP’s servers. BSPs today offer Cloud API, where the API is hosted on Meta. Cloud API is presently available in beta to a few BSPs. Organizations that are employing a BSP with Cloud API access will include the latest WhatsApp API features. In contrast, the businesses using on-premise APIs won’t be able to get access to new WhatsApp API features until their BSPs carry out API software updates.
A software program that operates on an encrypted WhatsApp platform is known as a WhatsApp chatbot. Users of WhatsApp can connect with a chatbot via the chat interface as they would speak to a person. Here are some of the key benefits of WhatsApp chatbot:
Creating a WhatsApp chatbot is not a complex process, but it is essential to have a robust plan to develop a superior one. It is somewhat similar to creating Facebook Messenger bots. However, with WhatsApp, customization can be achieved in a flexible manner. Also, it is essential to get the approval of WhatsApp to build a WhatsApp chatbot without being blocked.
You can create a secure and functional WhatsApp chatbot by submitting an application for WhatsApp Business API. The approval takes time for making a WhatsApp chatbot. But the waiting time can aid in creating a WhatsApp bot with all the necessary conditions.
With millions of users on WhatsApp, it's tough to disregard the platform. In the year 2020, WhatsApp hit 2 billion users, a 33% surge from 1.5 billion users in 2017. This is an incredible achievement since it is closing in on Facebook’s number at 2.7 billion users in 2020.
Besides the huge user base, it is also about engagement. Users on WhatsApp send close to 65 billion messages each day, which is around 750,000 messages each second.
In comparison to conventional techniques of reaching customers through emails, a large number of the messages sent via WhatsApp are delivered and seen within minutes. Infact, messages sent through WhatsApp Business have a 98% view rate.
Currently, over 5 million users are using WhatsApp Business and several more are listed with an API account. In the nations where WhatsApp is widely used, it has become essential for businesses to use it to reach their customers.
There are two types of WhatsApp Business accounts, WhatsApp Business app, targeted at mainly small businesses and WhatsApp Business API for medium and large enterprises.
The Business App enables SMBs to keep their personal and work messages separately. Since it is an app, firms can reply to messages instantly. Outside of working hours, firms can set ‘away’ messages and automated greeting texts.
To create a Business App account, download the app onto a phone from Google Play or Apple App store, verify the business phone number, set your business name, and fill in the profile details in settings and you are good to go. However, you must have a distinct SIM card or number for Business WhatsApp.
WhatsApp API is meant for large firms who wish to use WhatsApp Business with a large user base for sales and support. Applying for an API account is a long-drawn process and firms cannot apply for it through WhatsApp.
The process involves applying for an API account with a Business Solution Provider (BSP) who helps you get access to WhatsApp API. Once an application is approved, a business can connect the API to a WhatsApp CRM and start messaging. As the account gives access to an API, the potential of the account is contingent on the selected BSP and the pricing for an API account also differs between BSPs.
Once you have created a business profile the next step is to set up the app. The WhatsApp Business app as a messaging tool will help you save time by setting up automated greeting and away messages and you can also enable quick responses for users.
Here are the steps to set up your WhatsApp for Business communication account:
As mentioned above, there are two types of WhatsApp Business accounts. Both have their own set of benefits. The Business App account is about making sure small businesses flourish. Here are some of the few WhatsApp business account benefits and reasons why a company must choose a WhatsApp Business App account:
For medium and large businesses, the WhatsApp Business API is a more suitable option as it offers the following benefits:
A WhatsApp Business account comes with the following key features:
A business profile offers your customers valuable information such as your address, email address, business description, and website. A business account helps brands gain a user’s loyalty and gives it a recognizable “face" and identity.
A WhatsApp Business account allows you to generate a greeting message for users. The greeting message will be delivered whenever a user initiates a dialogue with your brand or after two weeks of inactivity. Through this message, you can introduce a brand to a new customer with no interruptions and waiting time.
Brands can manage their contacts and classify them with labels for quick access. This offers them an easy way to search through your contacts and keep them organized.
Catalogs enable brands to showcase their products in a way that help people easily browse the items they are keen on buying. To make the shopping experience easier, a new feature called Collections was introduced that acts as folders to set items within a business account. Users can find their way to the category they’re searching for quickly without going through the entire list.
These are recurring messages sent to answer common queries. It allows you to save and reuse messages you often send to effortlessly answer common questions fast.
Through this feature, WhatsApp for enterprise enables you to access key metrics such as the number of messages sent, delivered, and read.
WhatsApp Business is turning out to be a potent communication outlet for user engagement, especially for large firms serving a wide audience. Here are some of the industries where WhatsApp Business is playing a key role in expanding the reach of businesses:
The evolution of digital communication has played a vital role in the healthcare sector. The growing demand for top-quality healthcare services has led to telehealth solutions becoming more popular. Today, the sector is focused on swifter and more dependable communication platforms to deliver integrated healthcare solutions.
WhatsApp Business is enabling that by acting as a medium to address several key requests. From sending prescription updates, medical test reports, and appointment confirmations to sharing insurance details and outstanding balance updates.
The growing competition in the travel business has put online travel agencies under enormous pressure to demonstrate the value they bring besides price. OTAs are shifting their focus in travel marketing from getting a booking done to delivering an enhanced customer journey. At each stage of a traveller’s journey, OTAs have a chance to engage with them, add value and boost revenue earning opportunities. Adding WhatsApp Business to their communication set will make them a more accessible and well-connected travel partner and make the whole customer journey more worthwhile.
Intense competition, evolving customer expectations, and digital innovation are transforming the BFSI sector. To flourish in such an ecosystem, businesses must find groundbreaking ways to provide unique services that plug unfulfilled customer needs. Incorporating WhatsApp Business in their communication strategy is helping BFSI firms efficiently manage customer chats and giving them a holistic understanding of their exchanges, thus helping them support their customers better.
As E-commerce firms have inadequate face-to-face customer contact, they must make their online communications quick and compelling. By mapping customers’ journeys, finding prospects at each stage, and enabling tailored customer service through immediate messaging channels, E-commerce companies can create a deeper relationship with their customers and offer them an enhanced shopping experience.
As mentioned earlier, the WhatsApp API account is targeted at large firms who wish to use WhatsApp Business with several users for customer sales & service.
It is not possible for any WhatsApp number to have a chatbot installed. WhatsApp doesn’t allow that. The WhatsApp chatbot was introduced when Facebook launched WhatsApp Business API chatbot for businesses.
WhatsApp Business API allows businesses to be present on WhatsApp and they also obtain a substantiated WhatsApp Business account. With WhatsApp APIs, it is possible to integrate systems such as WhatsApp bot for business, chat agents dashboard, and CRM to automate customer support and sales.
WhatsApp Business API is preferred by several multinational businesses and retains its exclusivity as a platform without advertisements and puts users in control of their inboxes. Over time, the approvals will be faster to enable smaller companies as well to benefit from the facility.
WhatsApp offers the following benefits with Business API:
WhatsApp chatbot for business has a good reputation in reducing the gap between businesses and consumers. Here is a step-by-step method to build WhatsApp chatbots for business:
Things to keep in mind while working on WhatsApp chatbot are:
WhatsApp used to charge 99 cents annually. But after its acquisition by Facebook, the messaging tool became free and also vowed to never have ads on the platform. Even today, the original product is totally free.
On the other hand, the business solutions are charged. When it was newly launched, WhatsApp’s business solution was essentially free, except for special charges for messaging customers 24 hours after their most recent correspondence. But on October 22, 2020, Facebook declared that it would start charging businesses for using WhatsApp.
WhatsApp Business app is free, but the WhatsApp API account comes at a price. However, several providers offer the solution at a reasonable price and offer easy access to the WhatsApp API for businesses. Here are some of the costs that a WhatsApp API solution provider may charge:
This can differ significantly depending on the provider, so it is better to spend some time comparing.
Besides the monthly costs, a few providers also charge a one-time implementation fee to set up the whole thing.
As per the latest pricing model (in effect from February 2022), WhatsApp charges a fee per conversation and not per message template.
If you are planning to use WhatsApp for business for multiple users to boost your customer and/or employee engagement, Yellow.ai is the right choice as we are an authorized partner for WhatsApp Business accounts and a next-gen total experience Automation platform fueled by dynamic AI agents for businesses to provide human-like chats that boost customer satisfaction and employee engagement at scale. Get in touch with our experts to get started with WhatsApp Business API.
WhatsApp AI chatbot is an automated AI-powered software where people can converse through the chat interface, just like any other interaction with a person. It is a collection of automated responses that mimics a human chat on WhatsApp. As billions of people are using WhatsApp today, businesses have boundless opportunities to reach and engage with their audience through WhatsApp chatbots. With WhatsApp for Business, brands are interacting with their customers and WhatsApp chatbots are enabling them to interact instantly and on a large scale.
There are several chatbot building platforms that businesses can use to help them develop a WhatsApp bot. However, businesses need to be careful while choosing their vendor as a few of these platforms may not be able to provide them with WhatsApp business approval and without WhatsApp’s consent, they will not be able to launch the chatbot.
Yellow.ai offers WhatsApp business chatbot services, where businesses can share and obtain text messages, URL, audio content, images, location information, stickers, videos, and any other document in any format.
If you are planning to use WhatsApp for business for multiple users to boost your customer and/or employee engagement, Yellow.ai is the right choice as we are an authorized partner for WhatsApp Business accounts and have the necessary automation experts to help you get started with WhatsApp Business. We are a next-gen Total Experience Automation platform fueled by dynamic AI agents for businesses to provide human-like chats that boost customer satisfaction and employee engagement at scale.
WhatsApp Business app is targeted at small businesses and is free of cost while WhatsApp Business API is meant for medium and large-sized businesses and comes at a price.
WhatsApp is a messaging app meant for the general public while WhatsApp Business is a messaging app that businesses use to reach a wider audience.
Under the latest beta program, it is possible to use the WhatsApp Business app on five devices of one phone + four more devices for each number.
Yes, the WhatsApp Business app is free for all and was developed with the small business owner in mind.
Yes, WhatsApp business offers a chatbot that operates on an encrypted WhatsApp platform.
WhatsApp Business API drives a business’s communication with customers worldwide, so they can connect with them on WhatsApp in a secure, easy, and trustworthy manner.
