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With more than 2 billion users worldwide, WhatsApp is the most popular messenger. In Germany alone, over 60 million people use the messenger daily (source: Statista 2022). WhatsApp owner Meta Platforms, Inc. (formerly Facebook) has also been offering companies the option of using the messenger for customer communication for several years with WhatsApp Business. But what are actually the main differences between the conventional WhatsApp Messenger and WhatsApp Business? What functions do the two variants offer and how can companies use WhatsApp Business? In this article, you will learn more about this.
WhatsApp Messenger is a widely used, free messaging app for Android and Apple smartphones. WhatsApp allows individuals to send text messages, pictures, videos, and audio files easily and quickly. Group chats and voice and video calls are also possible. The user interface is intuitively designed and the operation is therefore extremely user-friendly. A special feature is the end-to-end encryption, which provides additional security in communication. WhatsApp Messenger can be downloaded free of charge from the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store. The setup is very simple and is explained step by step when using the app for the first time.
WhatsApp Business is a free app available for Android and Apple smartphones, designed specifically for small businesses. WhatsApp Business simplifies interaction with customers by providing tools to automate, sort, and quickly reply to messages. The user interface and many features are similar to those of the WhatsApp Messenger app for individuals, making WhatsApp Business very easy to use for most businesses.
WhatsApp Business can be downloaded free of charge from the Google Play Store and the App Store. You can find all the setup info in our article"WhatsApp Business setup - detailed instructions".
Compared to the app for individuals, a WhatsApp corporate account offers many additional features. Here is an overview:
WhatsApp Business allows the creation of a detailed company profile. In addition to name and picture, opening hours and company description can be added. Other important information, such as a company's address, email address, phone number and website can also be added.
The WhatsApp Business App makes it possible to integrate product catalogs directly in the chat. Customers can thus explore products and services without having to leave the app.
Chats and customers can be categorized for better organization. Labels such as "New customer", "Prospective customer", "Service request" or "Open invoice" help with sorting and make your chats clearer.
WhatsApp Business offers useful messaging tools such as message templates, automatic out-of-office notes and text modules to optimize communication. As a result, you can save valuable working time in customer service and your customers stay informed thanks to the automated responses (e.g. outside business hours).
To keep track of the many differences between the conventional WhatsApp Messenger and WhatsApp Business, all important information is summarized in the following table.
To provide larger businesses with a secure, scalable, and GDPR-compliant solution tailored to their needs, Facebook launched the WhatsApp Business API in August 2018. This application programming interface (API) enables businesses to receive and reply to WhatsApp messages from their customers.
Unlike the WhatsApp Business App, the API itself comes without a user interface. The API connects WhatsApp with a professional messaging tool, such as Mateo offers. Companies integrate the WhatsApp API endpoint into the software of an official WhatsApp Business Solution provider. Mateo offers enterprise customers the corresponding integration in a clear user interface with its in-house software.
The WhatsApp Business API offers businesses significantly more features than the traditional WhatsApp Business app. There are also some important peculiarities that users need to keep in mind when using WhatsApp via the API interface.
WhatsApp newsletter
Companiescan send marketing newsletters via the API. In doing so, the so-called "Promotional Messages" must be approved by WhatsApp and recipients must agree via an opt-in.
Software integrations
TheAPI enables the integration of WhatsApp into other applications. With Mateo and Zapier, a simple connection to more than 6,000 applications is possible, for example, to send order confirmations automatically.
Unlimited users & devices
With the WhatsApp Business API, an unlimited number of users can use the same WhatsApp account. The number of linked devices is also not limited.
GDPR-compliant
The use of WhatsApp Business is generally not compatible with the GDPR . The WhatsApp Business API, on the other hand, is data protection compliant. This allows you to avoid the warnings, severe penalties and expensive legal costs that often occur in the event of non-compliance with the DSGVO (= use of the standard WhatsApp Business app).
We have also summarized the differences between the functions and features of WhatsApp Messenger, WhatsApp Business and the WhatsApp Business API in a clear table:
Mateo's WhatsApp API interface offers many other benefits and improves your customer communication in dozens of aspects. Our customers particularly appreciate the following advantages:
Arrange a free and non-binding consultation and we will show you how MATEO can meet your communication needs! Simply book an appointment here or write to us via our web widget.
With Mateo, you provide your customers with an outstanding customer experience and gain loyal fans.