Whatsapp business has launched a catalogue feature in its business app, which will allow small businesses to showcase their products and to add useful information such as pictures, product descriptions, and prices.
This will allow customers to get information on the products without messaging the sellers.
The new feature will help small businesses to sell their products on social platforms without the need for a website.
Shortening the Customer Journey
The new feature will significantly improve users’ experience and increase sales for online traders. Previously, a business owner would have to source the pictures from their gallery every time a customer requested information on a product.
Alternatively, a business would refer a prospect to an Instagram page or a website. As a result, a prospective buyer would spend significant time bouncing between different pages or downloading multiple images before making a purchase.
With the growth of mobile money, more shoppers are using digital platforms such as Whatsapp to buy goods and services.
Growing Social Commerce Through Whatsapp Business
Whatsapp’s debut of the catalog feature comes at a time where Social Commerce is growing in Africa. A survey in Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa reveals that at least 24% of market activities stems from Social media.
Whatsapp plans to add more features such as chat labels, business profiles, and automated replies.
The new feature is only available to businesses in Brazil, Germany, India, Indonesia, Mexico, the U.K., and the U.S. The rest of the world will access it in the future.
