3 ms·

Facebook has had 6 years already to integrate payments or businesses into Whatsapp, and they haven't. They haven't even added the ability to message someone wit

Facebook has had 6 years already to integrate payments or businesses into Whatsapp, and they haven't. They haven't even added the ability to message someone without first entering them in your contacts. They're not going to make it into a WeChat equivalent anytime soon.

richardw 6y ago
In a group, hold the message, click more, click reply privately. Not in contacts. https://www.whatsapp.com/business/api https://www.whatsapp.com/business/api https://www.whatsapp.com/payments https://www.whatsapp.com/payments
- benhurmarcel 6y ago
  And if somebody gives you their phone number by another channel? For example there's a number on a classified ad, you want to ask if it's still available. Or a restaurant takes bookings via Whatsapp. I don't want to add them to my contacts, I just want to book. Payments are not available in most countries, including countries where private communication are all on the platform. And their businesses offer is extremely basic and doesn't have any penetration, even in places where 100% of people have the app. Why can't you search a business by name to contact them; why don't businesses put up a link on their website/Google Maps to start communicating with them? Why can't I scan a QR code on their ad and message them? Where I live Whatsapp runs all private communication, and yet in 6 years Facebook hasn't even tried doing more.
  - richardw 6y ago
    My point is that they are obviously intending to go after both business and payments. If there is a gap it’s not because they don’t want to go there. If you’re judging them on what you can use now then you’re discounting a massive intent for change and a lot of money to make it happen. Feel free to revisit this in 24 months. Facebook cannot afford to leave WhatsApp in an easily copied state.

3 ms·

Facebook has had 6 years already to integrate payments or businesses into Whatsapp, and they haven't. They haven't even added the ability to message someone wit

by benhurmarcel 6y ago

richardw 6y ago
In a group, hold the message, click more, click reply privately. Not in contacts. https://www.whatsapp.com/business/api https://www.whatsapp.com/business/api https://www.whatsapp.com/payments https://www.whatsapp.com/payments
- benhurmarcel 6y ago
  And if somebody gives you their phone number by another channel? For example there's a number on a classified ad, you want to ask if it's still available. Or a restaurant takes bookings via Whatsapp. I don't want to add them to my contacts, I just want to book. Payments are not available in most countries, including countries where private communication are all on the platform. And their businesses offer is extremely basic and doesn't have any penetration, even in places where 100% of people have the app. Why can't you search a business by name to contact them; why don't businesses put up a link on their website/Google Maps to start communicating with them? Why can't I scan a QR code on their ad and message them? Where I live Whatsapp runs all private communication, and yet in 6 years Facebook hasn't even tried doing more.
  - richardw 6y ago
    My point is that they are obviously intending to go after both business and payments. If there is a gap it’s not because they don’t want to go there. If you’re judging them on what you can use now then you’re discounting a massive intent for change and a lot of money to make it happen. Feel free to revisit this in 24 months. Facebook cannot afford to leave WhatsApp in an easily copied state.