WhatsApp to introduce subscription for WhatsApp Business: Is it worth getting it?
WhatsApp is working on a new subscription model for WhatsApp Business accounts. The plan includes an option to link more devices than before. We explain what new features you can expect, and if it’s worth getting the subscription.
Until now, using the WhatsApp Business app was free for companies. Now, WhatsApp is considering adding a new subscription plan for business accounts. The pay version would come with additional features. Is it worth getting it?
Overview: new subscription model for WhatsApp Business
WhatsApp Business subscription: These updates are coming
After having added a new option for businesses to set up cover images on their profiles, WhatsApp seems to be working on an even bigger update for its WhatsApp Business app: a subscription model.
What can you do with WhatsApp Business now?
As the regular WhatsApp messenger is for private communication only, currently, businesses that want to use WhatsApp for their customer communication, can use the WhatsApp Business app free of charge.
WhatsApp Business for companies offers businesses a verified account, text templates, and the possibility to include business information, such as a product catalog or opening hours. However, there are also some limitations. It requires a smartphone, using the interface with multiple users at multiple locations is not possible, there are no automation options, and GDPR compliance is not guaranteed. So, what changes can you expect from the new subscription model?
These updates will come with the WhatsApp Business subscription
The subscription model promises new, additional features. So far, however, only one update has been published. With this upgrade, subscribers will be able to link more devices than before. Right now, it is possible to link up to four devices in the multi-device setting. With the WhatsApp Business subscription, you will be able to link up to ten devices.
There are more updates to come. WhatsApp will announce these in the future.
New interface for “linked devices”
Regardless of subscription plans, WhatsApp is also working on a new interface for the “linked devices” section for business accounts. According to the description of the new interface, you would be able to add multiple devices to the account, which would allow multiple agents to talk to a customer in the same chat.
New multi-device interface for WhatsApp Business. (Source: Wabetainfo)
🖥️ Do you want to use WhatsApp Business on a desktop PC? Find out how to use WhatsApp Web with your business app!
What will the new subscription model cost?
WhatsApp is yet to announce any information about the cost of the new subscription plans for business accounts. It is also not clear whether it will be a monthly or yearly subscription.
Yet: There will be no forced upgrade to the subscription model. If a business wants to stick with the free business app, they can choose to do so, without having to pay for a subscription. So, similar to Twitter Blue, the WhatsApp Business subscription is optional for businesses who want to use the additional features.
Of course, the biggest question is: is it worth getting it?
Should you get the new WhatsApp Business subscription?
With the information that is known so far, the only advantage of paying for a subscription is the ability to connect more devices than before. While that might be worth it for some businesses, there are still a lot of shortcomings.
Even with the subscription, data protection is still not guaranteed, and you have no automation options, like adding a chatbot to your interface. Even with multiple devices and users that can be in a chat, there seems to be no ticket system that allows you to direct conversations to specific agents.
Also, if your business is using more than one messaging app for customer communication, you will still have to jump from one platform to another.
The WhatsApp Business API: Get the most out of WhatsApp for your business
Therefore, if you want to get the most out of WhatsApp for your business, your best option is still the WhatsApp Business API, offered only by official business solution providers, such as MessengerPeople. It is also a subscription model for companies that want to use WhatsApp in a business context, but it offers many more features. And you can even connect multiple messaging apps in one platform.
With the “Messenger Communication Platform” from MessengerPeople you can…
- 👨⚖️ … use WhatsApp and other messaging apps via the official WhatsApp Business API for customer communication in a GDPR-compliant way.
- 🗞️ … use the Messenger Information Assistant (MIA) to send messaging newsletters to your subscribers.
- 🚀… Start without IT effort and in the shortest possible time, even from a work-from-home setup!
- 💻… Edit and reply to all messages centrally, regardless what messenger app they are coming from.
- ↔ … Assign requests as tickets to your co-workers manually or automatically through auto-routing.
- 🤖 … Easily set up automation using our simple chatbot builder, which is free of charge.
- ⬆️ … Boost your efficiency with templated replies through a chatblock builder.
- 💰 … Use the number one communication channel effectively, at fair price, and without a set-up fee for maximum personal digital consulting!
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