What do you want to know
- Meta announced that WhatsApp will add free cloud hosting services for businesses.
- The WhatsApp Cloud API is designed to help businesses quickly establish a presence on the messaging app.
- WhatsApp Business app also gets two premium features which are optional for users.
Meta is looking to make more money from business WhatsApp users. The tech giant has unveiled the WhatsApp Cloud API, its new cloud hosting services for businesses that run on Meta’s infrastructure.
The API is free, which means businesses and developers can use Meta’s secure cloud hosting services to extend their WhatsApp (opens in a new tab) presence without spending a penny. Clients, according to Meta, can be up and running in minutes rather than days or weeks.
“Already more than a billion users log into a business account on our messaging services every week,” said Mark Zuckerberg, Founder and CEO of Meta. “They ask for help, find products and services, and buy anything from large items to everyday goods.”
According to Zuckerberg, the API will be available to large and small businesses around the world.
It is the cloud version of the WhatsApp Business Platform, which first appeared in 2018. Large companies, such as banks and airlines, use this platform to create personalized solutions and provide customer service. personalized.
However, companies must store their messages either using an on-premises solution or using third parties. Either way, server costs are prohibitive.
Meanwhile, in addition to being free, the new cloud hosting service gives customers immediate access to new WhatsApp features. Additionally, WhatsApp users will be able to choose which businesses can reach them through the app.
Businesses will also have a few options to create personalized experiences for users and respond to their messages faster using one of the best messaging apps. (opens in a new tab). Meta plans to achieve this by introducing two new premium features to the WhatsApp Business app.
“Based on feedback from several small businesses that need more powerful tools to manage their chats and run operations beyond a few people, we’re building advanced features,” Meta said.
New features include the ability for businesses to manage chats on up to 10 devices and create customizable WhatsApp chat links.
It should be noted that the Business application will remain free. New features are optional only and will be part of Meta’s efforts to increase revenue streams through the app.
Meta said it will start testing the new features soon. It is unclear, however, how much they will cost.
Comments