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As someone who uses WhatsApp to communicate with friends and family overseas, I could potentially see that as a nice support channel for businesses. However, th
by jeffmould 9y ago
As someone who uses WhatsApp to communicate with friends and family overseas, I could potentially see that as a nice support channel for businesses. However, there are several problems I see. First, you can't have more than one account linked to the app on your phone.
Second (and correct me if I am wrong), there is no way to create an account associated with a landline phone that I can figure out.
Third, it would be nice if multiple users could access the same account from their devices. Even if used as a sales tool this would limit interaction to one person.
Finally, without an API this is walled garden approach. Without being about to integrate with existing support platforms it is basically useless as a support channel.
In the end, I would like to see WhatsApp have a "business version" and would most likely be a consumer of such service, but verified accounts seems like putting the cart in front of the horse to me.
- puranjay 9y ago> Second (and correct me if I am wrong), there is no way to create an account associated with a landline phone that I can figure out. In markets like India (one of Whatsapp's largest) landline phones have been obsolete for nearly a decade now. It's not a forward-looking feature. Tons of businesses in India are already using Whatsapp here in India. It's a huge and critical part of the economy now.
- jeffmould 9y agoI can appreciate that. Unfortunately, here in the US most businesses still all rely on some form of landline number. For many, this is more a virtual number(s) through some VoIP provider. It would be nice to see WhatsApp integrate with some of the players in that market as an "add-on" feature to their services.
- tome 9y agoStaples (UK) didn't allow me to set up a business account because my company didn't have a landline number.