Over the years, numerous instant messaging platforms have landed on the market, but only one has managed dominate it, becoming the leading messaging communication tool worldwide, and this is how WhatsApp becomes a very famous, extremely reliable and, above all, secure cross-platform communication service, since its users’ information is really important to the company, which is proud of its two billion monthly active users across the world. These users have chosen WhatsApp to communicate with their family and friends.
It is very easy to figure out why. WhatsApp is extremely simple to use, it is a very intuitive app and, if that weren’t enough, it is not limited only to sending text messages, but also videos, images, documents, you can make video calls, advertisements, etc. In addition to all this, another very important feature is that the chats are end-to-end encrypted, proving that security is an essential issue for the company.
WhatsApp has designed its platform to cater to different types of users, including individuals, local businesses and even large corporations. Among the different presentations of this app, we have two really important ones:
1) WhatsApp Business App
2) WhatsApp Business API
Click on this link if you want to know all the questions and answers about WhatsApp Business
WhatsApp Business App is an app designed for companies, both small and large, to allow them to open a professional, practical, safe and effective contact channel within the WhatsApp platform; in this way, each company will be able to use their company WhatsApp Account without having to use any personal numbers. Companies have particularly benefited from the improvements that WhatsApp has implemented to the Business app, optimizing it for sales and user communication, which allows to browse catalogs, see company information such as address, activity, logo and much more.
Let us explain in a simple way how WhatsApp Business works: first of all, you must know that you can access the app via your mobile device, both from Android and from iOS, furthermore all messages must be assisted or managed manually, meaning that a person can reply to messages via the app: this means that you cannot have multiple agents interfacing with customers, however this can be solved with a provider, such as Callbell. For more information, you can click here.
In general, it works just like WhatsApp, but it gives you the option of adding a catalog, your company information and buttons for purchases, in addition to the fact that your profile will appear as that of a company and not of person.
The WhatsApp Business API is very different from WhatsApp Business. It is specially designed for large and/or growing companies. This version provides very special, advanced and unique features, optimized for the business environment, and which you will not be able to find in normal WhatsApp Business. One of these distinctive features is the ability to add the green checkmark to your WhatsApp profile which verifies if you are actually a legitimate and reliable company.
WhatsApp Business is free to download, and allows you to create your own account, using a mobile or landline number, while the APIs can be acquired in a different way. Any company wishing to obtain the services offered by the WhatsApp APIs will have to request, or contract the services of a business solution provider (BSP) and a WhatsApp partner such as Callbell. Once this is done, you will have access to your APIs and WhatsApp will request the verification of your account, which is only possible thanks to your BSP partner.
Like any other service, these are paid, but they are really important because they allow you to obtain features that no other WhatsApp account, aside from the APIs, has: among these you have the automation of processes and synchronization of contacts, incoming emails, a centralized dashboard and much more. Companies like Callbell can guarantee you all these features.
One of the most surprising features of the WhatsApp API is that it allows multiple agents to access the same account at the same time, allowing them to use their own dashboard and inbox, communicate with all customers, leave internal messages to other team members, use the functions of sending multimedia messages with photos, videos or documents, and access useful functions such as detailed analysis, reports and more. None of this is possible with the other two solutions.
We know that WhatsApp, in its two versions, meaning both the normal and the Business version, has apps for Android and iOS devices, while the WhatsApp Business API does not have a mobile interface. This means that, unless BSP provides one, you will not be able to use a mobile interface with any operating system. In this case, Callbell has a mobile app that will allow you to communicate with your customers even when you don’t have a computer.
For whole time we used WhatsApp apps, we have noticed how they limit the size of the files we can share to a maximum of 100mb, however, in this case, with the APIs it is our BSP that takes care of adjusting the maximum size of each file. This lets you send unlimited messages on your behalf, and generally each BSP charges their own fees, but you can see this information on Callbell here.
There is another substantial difference between WhatsApp Business and WhatsApp Business API. The first one allows you to make voice and video calls through the app itself, while the second one does not have this function.
The WhatsApp Business app has numerous advantages over the traditional WhatsApp app, however, there are also some disadvantages compared to the WhatsApp Business API, here we show you the main pros and cons of WhatsApp Business.
Advantages of WhatsApp Business over WhatsApp
a) It can connect up to two users;
b) End-to-end encryption;
c) WhatsApp chat on the website;
d) Compliant with the GDPR;
3) It is a business account.
Disadvantages compared to WhatsApp Business API
a) It has no bot or automation;
b) It does not have a shared inbox for the team;
c) It is not portable;
d) It does not have a third-party software integration;
e) It is not enterprise-grade software;
f) It does not present reports or analyses;
g) It cannot connect more than two users.
Speaking instead of the advantages that Callbell’s WhatsApp Business APIs have over WhatsApp Business, they are many, here we show you all the advantages and disadvantages that you would have compared to the WhatsApp Business app.
Advantages
a) It is possible to interface with users;
b) End-to-end encryption;
c) WhatsApp chat on the website;
d) Compliant with the GDPR;
e) It is a business account;
f) It has a shared inbox for the team;
g) It is portable;
h) It is enterprise-grade software;
i) It has a chat widget for your website;
j) You can connect multiple communication channels;
k) It presents reports, analyses and statistics;
l)The cost is very competitive;
In general, these are just some of the great advantages of using the WhatsApp Business API with Callbell. If you are interested and want more information about this, we invite you to join our weekly webinar and find out how Callbell can help you grow your profits, click here.
We hope you can decide wisely, always making sure you choose the best solution to use for your business: the two versions of WhatsApp are both good, however, WhatsApp Business API offers specialized solutions to maximize the customer service experience. For this reason, if your company is growing and has many customers and agents, we strongly recommend that you use the API and, in case you need more information or if something is not clear, you can continue reading about the WhatsApp Business API here.
We know that you will be able to choose the best option for you, remember all the advantages and disadvantages of the different versions of WhatsApp, analyze what your company actually needs and make a decision. At Callbell we will always be happy to help you maximize the potential of your business to always make the most of it.
Frequent Questions
What is the WhatsApp Business app?
WhatsApp Business is an app designed for companies, both small and large, so that everyone has the opportunity to open a professional, practical, safe and effective contact channel within the same WhatsApp platform. In this way, every company can enjoy their WhatsApp Business Account without having to use personal numbers, benefiting particularly from it since WhatsApp has improved the Business app, optimizing it for sales and communication with users, thus being able to show elements such as catalogs, company information such as address, category, business, logo and much more.
What is the WhatsApp Business API?
The WhatsApp Business API is very different from the WhatsApp app. It is specially designed for large and/or growing companies. This version provides very special, advanced and unique features, optimized for the business environment and that you will not be able to find in the simple WhatsApp Business app. One of the distinctive features is the ability to add the green sign to your WhatsApp profile, labelling you as a legitimate and reliable company.
Should I use the WhatsApp Business API?
We always advise you to decide wisely and be sure of the best solution to use for your business, the two versions of WhatsApp are both very valid; however, WhatsApp Business API offers specialized solutions to maximize the customer service experience. For this reason, if your business is growing and has many customers and agents, we recommend using the API.
How can I access the WhatsApp API?
To use the WhatsApp API it is necessary to acquire an external service that can allow your company to connect to the API. A great example is Callbell, as it offers a secure connection that all your agents can connect to using a single WhatsApp number from a single messaging platform.
About the author: Hello! I am Alan and I am the marketing manager at Callbell, the first communication platform designed to help sales and support teams to collaborate and communicate with customers through direct messaging applications such as WhatsApp, Messenger, Telegram and Instagram Direct
