Messaging app Whatsapp is working on solutions to enable businesses to use its platform to connect with consumers and India will play a “crucial role” for the product, a company official notified ET.
Last year, the Facebook-owned company had said WhatsApp will test tools that allow users to communicate with businesses and organisations like banks and airlines through its platform.
While WhatsApp does not intend to introduce any third- party ads, it is looking at ways to monetise the platform and working with businesses could be a step in that direction. WhatsApp remains free for consumers.
India is the biggest market for WhatsApp. Of its over one billion users, about 200 million are here. In India, it competes with the likes of Hike and SnapChat.
Facebook, on its part, has a strong focus on bringing businesses to its platform as well. Over five million businesses globally actively advertise on Facebook.
WhatsApp has been working on introducing features to enhance engagement on the platform. It had recently launched a story feature to allow users to express their thoughts using pictures and animations.
WhatsApp is also attempting to foray into digital payment services, with India as a test bed. The company is looking to hire a digital transactions head for the country.
By Baishakhi Dutta
