WhatsApp Flows: Features, Benefits, and How to Use Them

WhatsApp, a widely used messaging app, has been continually evolving since its inception, introducing features that enhance user interaction and experience.  WhatsApp is enhancing the shopping experience within the app with a new feature called “WhatsApp Flows.”

This feature is designed to allow users to complete various tasks, such as selecting a seat on a flight or booking an appointment, all within the app. It provides a range of building blocks, including text boxes, calendars, and seat pickers, enabling merchants to create rich, interactive experiences for users. 

WhatsApp is testing this feature with several businesses and aims to focus on shopping and e-commerce, enabling more activities to be conducted right in the chat thread.

What is WhatsApp Flows?

WhatsApp Flows is a new feature that allows businesses to create automated conversation flows for their customers. This means that customers can complete tasks such as booking an appointment, ordering a product, or getting support without having to leave WhatsApp.

WhatsApp Flows are built using a visual editor, which makes them easy to create and customize even for non-technical users. Businesses can add different elements to their flows, such as text messages, buttons, menus, and forms. They can also use WhatsApp Flows to collect data from their customers, such as their name, contact information, and order preferences.

WhatsApp Flows Features and Benefits

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WhatsApp Flows is a feature designed to enhance the interaction between businesses and users. Here’s a simple breakdown of the features of WhatsApp Flows:

Faster Chat Experiences

WhatsApp Flows allows businesses to offer more experiences like choosing train seats, ordering meals, or booking appointments, all without leaving the chat. This means you can do a lot more things quickly and easily right within your chat!

Rich Menus and Customizable Forms

Businesses can provide rich menus and customizable forms that support different needs. This makes it easier for you to navigate and choose exactly what you need.

Meta Verified Businesses

Businesses can receive verification from Meta, helping you know you’re chatting with the right business. This adds an extra layer of trust when you’re interacting with businesses on WhatsApp.

Enhanced Directory for Channels

WhatsApp Channels have an enhanced directory, allowing you to find and follow channels based on your country and interests. This means you can stay updated on topics that matter to you!

Reactions and Editing for Channels

You can react using emojis to give feedback on channels, and admins can make changes to their updates. This allows for more interactive and up-to-date content.

Privacy Features

WhatsApp continues to prioritize your privacy with features like Silence Unknown Callers and Privacy Checkup, giving you more control and peace of mind.

Edit Sent Messages

You can now edit your sent messages, allowing for corrections and additional context to be added after the message has been sent. This means no more worries about typos!

Chat Lock

Chat Lock allows you to protect your most intimate conversations behind an additional layer of security, ensuring that your private chats remain private.

Polls and Sharing with Captions

New updates to polls and the ability to share documents with captions make group decisions and context sharing more efficient and straightforward.

Payments Features of WhatsApp Flows

WhatsApp is introducing new payment partners to enhance the checkout experience. It is especially focusing on the Indian market, where it has over 500 million users. Previously, users could only pay through the UPI-based WhatsApp Pay without leaving the app.

Expanding Payment Partnerships with WhatsApp Flows

However, with the introduction of Flows, WhatsApp has collaborated with payment gateway providers Razorpay and PayU. This collaboration allows users to make payments through other UPI apps and also through credit and debit cards. It offers more flexibility and options to users during the checkout process.

WhatsApp is not charging merchants separately for using Flows. WhatsApp will incorporate conversations utilizing Flows under the existing payment model, where WhatsApp charges businesses for categorizing conversations as marketing, utility, authentication, and service. The introduction of Flows and extended payment support aims to encourage end-to-end shopping experiences and increase frequent business transactions.

Here are some specific examples of how businesses can use WhatsApp Flows:

  • A travel agency could use WhatsApp Flows to allow customers to book a flight, hotel, and rental car all in one conversation.
  • A restaurant could use flows to allow customers to order food and pay for their meal without having to wait for a server.
  • A clothing retailer could use flows to allow customers to browse their products. Customers can add items to their cart and checkout without having to leave WhatsApp.
  • A bank could use flows to allow customers to check their account balance, transfer money, and pay bills.

WhatsApp Flows is a powerful feature that can help businesses create more engaging and interactive experiences for their customers. It is like having a mini-app inside your chat, letting you do lots of different things easily and securely. Whether it’s ordering food, booking appointments, or interacting with verified businesses, Whatsapp Flows makes your experience smoother and more enjoyable!

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