The tech giant Facebook-owned messaging service WhatsApp has introduced a new features aimed at helping businesses stay in touch with customers as well as allow them to easily showcase their products.
Now customers can start a chat with a business by scanning a QR code that is displayed by a business at their storefront, product packaging, or receipt. The QR code will then open a chat, with an option for businesses to create a pre-populated message when the conversation is started.
WhatsApp has also introduced a function to enable businesses to share their catalogs and individual products as links on websites, Facebook, Instagram, through the QR Code feature, and elsewhere.
“Catalogs allow businesses to showcase the goods or services they offer, which can help close sales,” the company said in a blog post.
“Since launching last year, catalogs have become a popular way for people to engage with a business on WhatsApp. In fact, more than 40 million people view a business catalog on WhatsApp each month.”
Both features are available to businesses globally using the WhatsApp Business app or WhatsApp Business API.
