WhatsApp is rolling out significant new features aimed at empowering small businesses in India, including the introduction of Meta Verified badges and customized messaging options. These tools are designed to help businesses connect with customers more efficiently and build trust in the competitive digital landscape.
India is a bustling hub for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with over 65 million such businesses operating across the country. However, only around 5 million currently sell their products and services online, according to a report released by Meta and Bain & Company in May. WhatsApp, which dominates the Indian messaging space, has become an essential tool for businesses seeking to connect with their customers in a more direct and personal way. Through the WhatsApp Business platform, Meta is seizing the opportunity to cater to this massive market.
Meta Verified: A Badge of Trust for WhatsApp Business
WhatsApp’s new Meta Verified subscription is a game changer for small businesses looking to enhance their digital presence. For approximately $8 (₹639) per month, Indian business owners can sign up for Meta Verified and unlock several premium features that help them stand out. A Meta Verified badge not only signals authenticity but also boosts customer confidence, which is essential in the online business environment.
Subscribers to Meta Verified gain access to several exclusive features, including the ability to create custom WhatsApp pages. These pages, discoverable through web searches, allow businesses to present their services and products more effectively. Additional benefits include multi-device support, enabling businesses to manage their accounts across multiple devices seamlessly. This is particularly useful for larger teams, as WhatsApp will now support multiple employee accounts under a single business profile, streamlining communication and improving overall efficiency.
Personalized Messaging: A New Way to Engage Customers
Another exciting update for WhatsApp Business users is the introduction of personalized messaging. For less than a rupee per message, businesses can now send tailored messages to their customers. Whether it’s a reminder about an upcoming appointment, a personalized birthday greeting, or an update on a special sale, these messages allow businesses to create a more intimate and engaging customer experience.
Notably, businesses can also include customer names in their messages, adding a personal touch that can go a long way in building strong relationships. Additionally, customizable call-to-action buttons can be integrated into messages, driving customers to take specific actions, such as booking an appointment, visiting a website, or making a purchase.
A Nationwide Initiative: WhatsApp Business Yatra
To further promote the WhatsApp Business platform and its new features, Meta is launching a grassroots initiative called “WhatsApp Business Yatra.” This tour will see Meta representatives travel across tier-2 and tier-3 cities in India, providing in-person training to small businesses on how to effectively use WhatsApp Business. The training will cover a wide range of topics, from setting up WhatsApp Business accounts and creating catalogs to running ads that direct users to WhatsApp conversations.
This outreach initiative is designed to help small businesses, particularly those in smaller cities, unlock the potential of WhatsApp Business. Alongside the tour, Meta plans to build a dedicated resource center on the WhatsApp Business website, providing businesses with easy access to tutorials and best practices.
A Broader Strategy for Meta
The launch of Meta Verified for WhatsApp Business in India follows Meta’s previous moves to introduce verified badges for business accounts on Instagram and Facebook. This new rollout is part of a broader strategy to support businesses across Meta’s platforms, helping them engage with their customers more effectively.
By offering tailored solutions for small businesses, Meta aims to solidify WhatsApp’s role as an indispensable tool for business growth in India’s dynamic and rapidly expanding digital economy. With the introduction of Meta Verified and personalized messaging, WhatsApp Business is set to become even more powerful, giving small businesses the tools they need to thrive in a digital-first world.
For small businesses in India, the new features represent an opportunity to enhance customer relationships, streamline operations, and grow their online presence — all through a platform that millions of people already use every day.
