WhatsApp for Business claims to have 15 million users in India

WhatsApp has said that WhatsApp Business users have found tremendous value in the platform during the lockdown in India and it is now getting more than 15 million users on the app in the country every month.

Globally, WhatsApp said it has more than 50 million people using WhatsApp Business each month. WhatsApp also said starting Thursday, it has launched new features that will make it easier for users to do business on the app.

A WhatsApp spokesperson said, “The lockdown has been extremely difficult on small businesses, with several being forced to pivot and restructure their operations to ensure business continuity as well as find new ways to engage and interact with their customers. WhatsApp Business users are finding tremendous value in the very nature of WhatsApp, and have relied on the platform as a lifeline to stay connected with their customers at a time, when they might not be able to see them in person.”

The company said its new QR codes feature will make it significantly easier to open a chat with a business. The company said it is also making catalogs and individual items available to be shared as links on websites, Facebook, Instagram and elsewhere. WhatsApp said more than 40 million users globally and over three million in India view a business catalog on WhatsApp each month.

The company said it will also be launching new 'Open for Business' sticker packs to help people and businesses stay connected. WhatsApp said its new animated sticker packs displaying various messages ranging from we are open, sorry closed, out of stock, to free delivery besides others will be available to all of its more than two billion users worldwide as well as the 50 million users of the WhatsApp Business app.