WhatsApp Enhances Business Features for Entrepreneurs

WhatsApp has introduced new features aimed at facilitating entrepreneurs in efficiently selling their products on the WhatsApp Business platform. These enhancements include improved catalog management options and the introduction of a convenient web/desktop interface.

Simplified Catalog Management

One of the key updates involves enabling businesses to create and manage their catalogs directly from WhatsApp’s web and desktop versions. This enhancement acknowledges that many businesses handle their inventory management through computers, offering a quick and seamless way to update their catalog with new items or services. This functionality is particularly beneficial for businesses with extensive inventories, such as restaurants or clothing stores, as they can now manage their catalog from larger screens.

Expanding Catalog Access

WhatsApp users can currently browse through over 8 million business catalogs on the platform, with 1 million of these catalogs available in India alone. This vast catalog accessibility enables users to explore a wide range of products and services, enhancing their shopping experience on WhatsApp.

Improved Shopping Experience

The introduction of carts on WhatsApp during the previous holiday shopping season allowed users to browse catalogs, select multiple products, and send their orders in a single message to the business. Building on this functionality, WhatsApp now offers users the ability to “hide” specific items from catalogs temporarily. This feature enables businesses to manage out-of-stock items more effectively, showcasing them again when they become available for customers.

Global Rollout and User Preference

WhatsApp has begun rolling out these new features to businesses worldwide, starting from the announcement day. These enhancements align with user preferences, as indicated by a recent survey revealing that 76% of adults in India prefer conducting business or making purchases from companies accessible via messaging platforms.

With these updates, WhatsApp continues to enhance its business platform, empowering entrepreneurs to streamline their operations, improve catalog management, and deliver a more seamless shopping experience to users.