It seems like WhatsApp is finally ready to launch its new standalone app for businesses to interact separately on their platform. In an FAQ on its website, it detailed how WhatsApp for Business is going to work and its features. 

The interface of the app remains the same, but the features afforded to businesses differ from the original messaging app. 

To communicate with customers using this new messaging app, businesses will first have to register using their business number, separate from their normal WhatsApp messenger number. Once they are registered, they will have a ‘business account’ which will be marked by a gray question mark symbol beside their name showing that the business has neither been confirmed or verified by WhatsApp.

Once a business confirms their business number, they become a ‘confirmed account’ and a gray tick appears next to their name. A green check-mark means it is a ‘verified account’ used by a business that is authentic and verified by WhatsApp. 

The new app is already live in Play Store but is yet to be released to general public. 

Back in September, WhatsApp announced that it was experimenting and beta-testing ‘WhatsApp Business’ with few pilot-testers. Users may remember communicating with brands like BookMyShow, MakeMyTrip, or Goibibo using the messaging app.

Kshitija Agrawal