THE FUTURE OF BUSINESS
BY ABHIJIT BOSE, HEAD OF WHATSAPP, INDIA
Over the last few years, we have seen a significant shift to using messaging to get information and engage with businesses across the world. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic has only further truly highlighted an urgency for digitization as business messaging platforms and apps have become a lifeline for people and businesses to connect when there is no other alternative. As businesses across the world reopen and expand online, people will continue to look for simple ways to get in touch with them to ask questions, get information or find something they might like to buy. In a survey conducted by The Harris Poll [1], 77% of adults in India agreed that they prefer messaging a business when they need to contact them now more than they did prior to the pandemic.
Small Businesses can use “WhatsApp for Business”, a version of WhatsApp designed specifically for small businesses and Kirana shop owners. Through WhatsApp for Business, shop owners can create catalogs and simplify ordering with their customers. Today, more than 175 million people message a WhatsApp Business account every day across the world, and we expect this number to continue to grow as businesses continue to rely on versatile digital platforms to communicate and sell products. In India, already more than 15 Million small business users use WhatsApp for Business to connect with their customers.
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