THE EASE of CONVERSATION with WhatsApp Automation
I consulted a dietitian on an app called ‘Mfine,’ owing to the pandemic. To top it all , I spent the next few minutes having the most awkward conversation with the doctor ever as I tried to explain how my father was not really comfortable talking about his conditions, and that too over a phone call.
“Ma’am we could connect to the patient over WhatsApp, through Mfine officially.”
“Would the doctor be there on chat?”
“Yes ma’am. Our doctors take utmost care about the comfort and convenience of the patients. If required we would be sending over voice notes and all necessary details there itself.”
For the next few weeks, a qualified and experienced dietitian and nutritionist was there to comfort my father and guide him through the meal plans, diets, exercises for all working hours of the day. She even encouraged me to send the pictures of the meals so she could explain the benefits in detail. She was Chennai based and I saved her number for future guidance, while wondering if this process could be half as smooth if we were not among the 1.5 billion users of the world’s most powerful two-way messaging media.
If I told you to think and tell me about the one thing that comes to your mind when thinking about ‘online business’ and ‘customer service or official notifications,’ from a few years back most of you might as well come up with ‘Emails’ or ‘long phone calls with automated machine beeps.’ However, it all changed slowly but steadily as the companies recognized WhatsApp as one of the most powerful marketing tools, with its roots deeply set in almost 180 countries around the world.
THE TRUST FACTOR and THE BEST MARKETING TOOL
Almost every person is part of one or the other WhatsApp groups where various updates and links are shared every minute. No one bothers to check irrelevant mails or messages like , ‘DIAL 5050,’ but the WhatsApp conversations and status updates are checked every minute right from the day’s start. Due to the popularity of this messaging platform, WhatsApp business API allows users to set up their business profile on WhatsApp with information like official email id, website link and company number that will help them to create a brand identity in the market. Many companies are now using ‘SPAM control’ as well as ‘real time conversations’ as strategies to market their products on the application. The WhatsApp chatbots,, with the help of business API, can send automated replies and messages in order to share the company updates, order details, notifications etc., to make the process more convenient than ever.
BRANDS TARGET THE EXISTING CUSTOMERS
“I was leaving for my morning class at 9 am and the fact that one of my important parcels was due that day, was completely out of my mind. I was about to leave when my phone beeped. It was a harmless , simple “Hi” from Myntra , followed by updates of my order status. I wondered if I had agreed or shared my WhatsApp number for the updates, nevertheless it was convenient.”
Ever since WhatsApp entered into business accounts, brands have been targeting the existing customers with a layer of informal greetings and important updates. The technique works every time because in the end we would want our favorite brands to communicate with us directly and remain close by. A recent study revealed how users are more likely to respond and connect on WhatsApp than other sources.
A WhatsApp business account ensures 40 percent increase in customer response.
With over 65 billion messages shared by billions of people around the world from over 180 countries , WhatsApp makes it easier for every business to reach its target audience. The app is available in 60 different languages and is a cross platform application that ties your target audience in a close knit circle. There already are around 120 companies globally on WhatsApp.
THE COST EFFECTIVE , VISUAL PLATFORM
We could try but we would fail to count the benefits of WhatsApp in effective communication for business on our fingers. WhatsApp groups can be utilized to share the updates about brands and their immediate offerings. The consistency and dedication of the products, services and overall brand can be shown in the form of pictures, videos, campaigns and slide shows, which will be regularly shared with your customers. Colgate organized a “SHARE YOUR SELFIE” campaign on WhatsApp for its consumers which is a great example of utilizing the digital platform to engage its viewers. MakeMyTrip , Oyo, KLM are among a few big names using WhatsApp to connect and communicate with its audience.
Safe to say, WhatsApp is undoubtedly the fastest tool that offers a new sphere of possibilities to the giant e-commerce websites as well as local businesses trying to fit in. Wise leaders have already recognized its potential to emerge as one of the biggest tools of growth and many more are regularly adding into the group.
