Previously, if you wanted to use WhatsApp for your business, you had to do so using your number or installing two WhatsApps on the same device with Parallel Space or other methods. Thanks to the new WhatsApp Business application, you can use two WhatsApp accounts (WhatsApp and WhatsApp Business) on the same phone.
But how is WhatsApp Business different from the WhatsApp app? What additional features do you get? You will get all the answers in this article where we compare the two.
Let's start with the WhatsApp and WhatsApp Business comparison.
different logo
To help you visually differentiate the two apps, they have a different logo. In the Business app, the character B replaces the phone symbol inside the WhatsApp icon.
Identify cats
When you receive a message, WhatsApp notifies you if it's from a business chat account. A small alert will appear informing you that the conversation is taking place with a professional account.
In the future, WhatsApp will verify businesses and award them the verified badge as well.
Availablity
WhatsApp Business is currently available for Android only. However, the iOS version is under development and will be launched soon.
activity Descrition
In the WhatsApp Business app, you can create a proper business profile by adding details like business address, description, working hours, and location. You can also add contact details such as multiple websites and email addresses.
Thanks to this, customers can easily get all the necessary information about companies and ways to contact them.
Quick replies
WhatsApp Business app comes with a smart reply tool called Quick Reply. With Quick Reply, you can send predefined answers for frequently asked questions.
When someone asks a question, press the slash (/) key and you'll see all the quick answers so you can choose one and save yourself from typing the same answers over and over. This feature is not present in the standard WhatsApp app.
Welcome message
WhatsApp Business app allows you to introduce your business to customers using a greeting message. The application automatically sends a welcome message created by you to each new customer or after 14 days of inactivity with said customer.
In addition to personalizing the message, you can even select the recipients of the greeting message. You cannot set custom messages with the regular WhatsApp app.
Away message
Another feature exclusive to the Business app is the away message. With this feature, you can let your customers know you're away or tell them to visit your website or FAQ section until a representative is available to answer. You can customize the message, add a time and change the recipient of the away message.
Labels
To keep your conversations separate, WhatsApp Business comes with the Label feature. You can add tags to chats and separate them into categories.
For example, if you are using WhatsApp to sell something, you can have labels like new order, payment received, payment pending, order completed, etc. You can then see all messages under each label. Since the tags are color coded, it's easy to find the cats.
Search filter
WhatsApp recently added the search filter feature to the Business app. It is not available in standard WhatsApp.
Using filters, you can easily find your unread chats, groups, and mailing lists. The filter also lists tags, making it easy to find the right conversation from one place.
Short links
The Business app comes with another useful feature that makes it easy for customers to initiate a conversation. Usually a customer needs to register the number first and then chat. With short links, they don't need to save the number. All they have to do is tap the unique link and a new conversation will begin.
The short link is an integrated feature in the WhatsApp Business application. You can also have links for normal accounts on standard WhatsApp, but the only difference is that you have to create them manually.
Create an account using a landline number
Unlike regular WhatsApp, where you can create accounts using only a mobile number, WhatsApp Business also allows you to create an account using your landline number. Note that you will receive a verification call on the landline number.
Similarities
While these are the main differences between the apps, they also have many similarities.
Internet access
Both apps are accessible from WhatsApp Web. However, you can only use one account at a time on a browser. Unless, of course, you're in incognito mode or using other browsers.
User interface
The user interface of both apps is the same. The design of the Business app gives existing WhatsApp users a similar feel to the regular WhatsApp app.
Other similar features
You get all the features of WhatsApp in the Business app such as status, audio and video calls, newly introduced stickers, etc.
Which should you use?
WhatsApp and WhatsApp Business apps are very different. For a business owner, the Business app is a must-have. It offers remarkable features at no additional cost. If you are a business owner, we suggest you upgrade to the Business app on your Android device now. The app will help you grow your business in several ways.
WhatsApp Business app should have a store to showcase the products. As a business owner, you want to promote your products to over 1.5 billion monthly active users. For this, you can use the broadcast function, which is different from groups. The broadcast feature is available on both WhatsApp apps.