One of the most famous and used messaging platforms in the world is undoubtedly WhatsApp. This easy-to-use app allows millions of people and even stores to communicate with each other in a matter of minutes in a fast, direct and personalized way.
Considering the numerous benefits offered, WhatsApp is not surprising that it is one of the most loved communication channels not only for sending messages to friends and family, but also as a medium for sending promotional messages or important notifications. It is what is known in the sector as WhatsApp Marketing , a digital intercommunication strategy that offers many advantages.
However, we have to emphasize that there is not a single type of WhatsApp, since the company offers two solutions, one to be used by users every day for personal communications, and another alternative created for companies.
Given the benefits of this communication channel, its popularity and importance in our lives, we have decided to write this article, where we are going to introduce you to this platform, telling you all its secrets and how to use it in the best way.
What is Whatsapp?
Now, we are going to tell you what WhatsApp is in simple words, before going on to present the version for users and the business solution.
WhatsApp is a communication channel, or rather a very popular chat platform , since it has more than 2.5 billion active users so far. This means of communication works anywhere, the important thing is that the electronic device where the platform is installed has an internet connection.
In this sense, we have to point out that, like other means of chat communication, WhatsApp is also an asynchronous platform, that is, users can respond to messages in real time or whenever they want. From this point of view, then, the app is very flexible and can be used whenever you want, being able to even keep the communication thread.
Information about WhatsApp
How many users does WhatsApp have?
As we have mentioned before, it is not an exaggeration to say that the WhatsApp platform is one of the most popular messaging applications so far. In fact, according to some recent statistics and studies, this communication channel has more than 2.5 billion active users , being the most popular chat among young people, considering that 55% of users are between 18 and 35 years old .
Reaffirming this overwhelming data is the fact that GlobalWebIndex calculated that, leaving China aside for its internal legislative context, 69% of internet users use WhatsApp on a daily basis.
In which countries does WhatsApp have the highest and lowest penetration?
As we told you before, the WhatsApp platform is used in various parts of the world thanks to its global connection through the Internet, which is why its arrival is internationally known.
In any case, it should be noted that it is an app that is usually used more often in certain countries, while other messaging platforms are used in others, either due to the local popularity of other technologies or due to national regulatory regulations, such as the case from China.
Therefore, although WhatsApp has users from all regions, there are areas where it is more or less popular. Indeed, the countries that use the app the most are India, Brazil, Indonesia, the United States and the Philippines, while it is rarely used in countries in the Middle East, South Korea and Japan.
How do users use WhatsApp?
The enormous popularity of the WhatsApp app among users in their daily lives means that 1 in 4 people use WhatsApp to communicate every day, a number that is constantly growing.
In light of these data and those that we presented to you before, it is not surprising that this platform delivers more than 100 billion messages per day , so it could be calculated that an average user opens WhatsApp 23-25 times per day spending more than two billion minutes of voice or video calls per day.
These numbers are constantly increasing and that is why, to this day, WhatsApp is the third most popular social network after YouTube and Facebook.
WhatsApp Business
Now, so far we have told you everything you need to know about the traditional WhatsApp app. However, there is also a business version platform, that is, WhatsApp Business, the solution for those who have specific requirements.
What is WhatsApp Business and what makes it different from WhatsApp?
WhatsApp Business is an easy to download application created to meet the needs of small and medium-sized businesses. In fact, it is the ideal solution for small stores that have a light volume of customer requests.
Although the installation method and the interface of the Business version are the same as the traditional app used by consumers, the professional platform has some extra features that ordinary WhatsApp does not have.
The advantages of this business app are several. In this sense, it allows you to add all the information useful to customers to find the store, data such as the address of the business location, the telephone number, the email and even the link of the web page.
Likewise, this means of communication is characterized by being direct and customizable, so you will be able to maintain a closer relationship with your customers, either to promote your brand or to resolve doubts or problems with your most loyal customers.
In the same way, the buyer has more confidence in your brand, since they can communicate directly with you in case of need, improving, in short, the quality of the experience lived by the customer.
What tools does WhatsApp Business have that WhatsApp does not?
The business version has some interesting features that the traditional app does not have, such as the possibility of having a verified profile so that customers can be sure and confident that they are talking with the brand.
Likewise, this easy-to-use Business solution allows you to configure catalogs where stores or small businesses can show consumers and potential buyers what products or services are offered by the brand.
On the other hand, to professionalize the app, WhatsApp has added the function to create small automated welcome, closing or absence messages . What does it mean?
In case of receiving a message from a new customer, then, the user will receive a chat where you can communicate the most important information about the store, such as opening hours and add some questions for the person to answer.
If the user starts the chat when the business is out of working hours or when it is closed for vacations, they will receive a message informing them of the opening hours or when the business is available again.
These automated messages, although they are limited compared to the WhatsApp Business API (used by large corporations), are useful for speeding up user service, thus also organizing the flow of chats received.
All these tools were created to offer the necessary functionalities for small stores to sell more with less effort, organizing and cataloging chats with customers, also improving the communication and sales experience lived by consumers.
How many businesses use WhatsApp?
As you may have noticed, the business version includes many features that, although limited to a single user, are very useful for small and medium-sized businesses.
That is why it is not surprising that WhatsApp Business has become a very popular communication channel even among stores, especially since consumers affirm that it is a medium that favors the creation of a more trusting personal connection.
The number of companies that decide to bet on the use of WhatsApp Business and start a true conversational marketing strategy is increasing. From what could be currently estimated, around the world there are more than 50 million companies using the Business version of WhatsApp, a number that increased ten times compared to the previous year.
Conclusion
In the digital age, communicating with people quickly and personally is key. Thanks to the extreme popularity of WhatsApp among consumers, more and more small and medium-sized companies decided to implement the conversational strategy through WhatsApp.
Its considerable audience and the features added to the business version of this app mean that today stores can more easily interact with their customers, automating the most important messages and taking advantage of other important tools.
That is why WhatsApp and its business solution have become an efficient and effective communication channel that cannot be missed.