WhatsApp Business Desktop & Web Browser - 2023 Guide

For several years now, WhatsApp owner Meta Platforms, Inc. (formerly Facebook) has been offering small and medium-sized companies the opportunity to use WhatsApp Business, by far the most popular messenger in Germany, for customer communication. The presence of companies on social media and the accessibility on popular communication channels lead to a closer relationship with the consumer and thus to better sales figures and personal customer service. That's why more and more companies have integrated WhatsApp Business into their customer communications in recent years. Since answering customer inquiries on the smartphone often takes more time and is less clear than on the computer, this article describes how WhatsApp Business can be used in the web browser and desktop application.

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How to: Use WhatsApp Business in the Web Browser

WhatsApp Web is an extension of the smartphone WhatsApp account in the web browser of a computer. WhatsApp launched this web service back in 2015; initially only for Android, Windows and Blackberry, later also for iOS. The web version synchronizes all conversations in real time, so that messages can be read and answered both on the smartphone and in the browser. WhatsApp Web works with common browsers like Google Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer. The user interfaces of the conventional smartphone app and the browser version are very similar, there are no significant differences. The increased clarity due to the larger screen and typing on a standard keyboard make customer communication with WhatsApp Web more efficient than with the smartphone app.

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WhatsApp Business Web setup is simple and works as follows:

● On the computer, open WhatsApp Web at https://web.whatsapp.com/ in any browser.

Open the WhatsApp Business app on your smartphone.

● On an Android smartphone: Tap the three small dots at the top right of the app and select "Linked devices" or "WhatsApp Web".

● For an Apple smartphone: Select "Linked devices" or "WhatsApp Web" in the WhatsApp settings.

● Select the "Add device" option. This activates the QR scanner on the smartphone.

● Hold the cell phone in front of the screen and scan the QR code on the desktop.

● The login on the desktop should now happen automatically

The WhatsApp Business Web version is built very similarly to the desktop version and the smartphone app.

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How to: Use WhatsApp Business via the desktop app

WhatsApp Business is also accessible via the desktop app. This is available for both Windows and iOS devices. A separate desktop app for WhatsApp Business is not available, so it is the same WhatsApp app as for private users. WhatsApp Desktop is very similar to the web app, both visually and functionally, and has to be downloaded from the Microsoft Store or the App Store.

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WhatsApp Business Desktop setup with Windows operating system

The Windows Desktop application is downloaded from the Microsoft Store. The desktop application works only with Windows 8.1 operating system or higher.

After the application has been downloaded, it has to be started and the setup process has to be performed. After a while, a QR code will appear here as well. After that, the following steps need to be taken:

● Open WhatsApp business app on smartphone

● Open the menu (Android) or the settings (iOS).

● Select "Add device" to open the QR code scanner

● Scan the QR code on the computer screen

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WhatsApp Business Desktop setup with macOS operating system

WhatsApp Desktop can also be installed on Apple computers. The application can be downloaded from the App Store, and the setup is identical to the Windows app.

Download the application, launch it and perform the setup process. After a while, a QR code will appear. After that, you need to take the following steps:

● Open WhatsApp business app on smartphone

● Open the menu (Android) or the settings (iOS).

● Select "Add device" to open the QR code scanner

● Scan the QR code on the computer screen

This way, WhatsApp Desktop is usable for enterprise customers on both Windows and macOS devices.

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Differences between WhatsApp Business Web and Desktop

The user interfaces of WhatsApp Web and WhatsApp Desktop look almost identical. Due to major updates in the last few months, the desktop application now offers some additional features. These include:

● Make video and audio calls

● Use of keyboard shortcuts

● Change status of read messages

● Jumping back and forth between chats

● Better stability and technical integrity

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Disadvantages of WhatsApp Business Web and Desktop

Even though the WhatsApp web and desktop versions have many advantages over the smartphone app, there are unfortunately still some problems.

Neither the web nor the desktop applications comply with the current European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). We have summarized in this article why WhatsApp Business without an API interface is mostly not compliant with the GDPR.

The desktop app cannot be used by multiple accounts at the same time. This means that the simultaneous use of a business WhatsApp account and a private WhatsApp account on one computer is not possible. Furthermore, the use of the WhatsApp business app is currently limited to a maximum of 4 devices and 1 smartphone, and the integration of automated solutions such as chatbots and the sending of newsletters is technically not feasible or violates the T&Cs and the GDPR.

WhatsApp Business versions on mobile, browser and desktop are generally much less powerful than WhatsApp via API solutions in terms of customer communication. If companies want to make their customer communication highly efficient and also DSGVO-compliant through chatbots, ticketing systems, pre-formulated text modules, unlimited number of users and devices, the integration of other communication channels, newsletters and many other functions, there is no way around an API connection of WhatsApp Business. Mateo has worked out how WhatsApp Business works via API in this article.

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Using WhatsApp Business on the desktop via the WhatsApp API with Mateo

The application programming interface (API) connects WhatsApp to a professional messaging tool, such as Mateo. Enterprises integrate the WhatsApp API endpoint with the software of an official WhatsApp business solution provider. Mateo's in-house software provides enterprise customers with the appropriate integration in a clean desktop user interface. Mateo's messaging software offers much more than a plain WhatsApp API user interface. Diverse features and tools result in Mateo's centralized messaging software making customer communications much more efficient. Mateo's enterprise customers appreciate the following advantages in particular:

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Central user interface

In addition to WhatsApp Business API, Mateo bundles many other communication channels such as email, Instagram, SMS or Facebook Messenger in a central inbox. On the intuitive and clear user interface, you will find various helpful tools for particularly efficient customer communication. A web widget with the messaging channels you support is available for your customers for particularly easy contact.

Through the central inbox in Mateo's software , various communication channels are clearly bundled

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Custom Message Templates

Thanks to various message templates that can be created individually, the amount of paperwork is minimized and the efficiency of customer communication is increased. This means that personnel resources in the service area can be deployed elsewhere.

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With Mateo's WhatsApp API solution, newsletters can be sent in a DSGVO-compliant manner. Due to the first-class open rate of 98% for WhatsApp messages, marketing can thus be carried out significantly better than via email or other channels.

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More positive Google reviews

With Mateo, you create an outstanding customer experience. Mateo can automatically request online reviews from your customers. The more reviews you have, the better you will be found on Google, for example. Reviews also create trust in your company.

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Privacy

Mateo's messaging tool is compatible with all German and European legally binding data protection requirements. If the law changes, the software will be revised accordingly. For absolutely secure customer communication, all messages are encrypted end-to-end. You can read all the info about the GDPR when using WhatsApp in our article"WhatsApp Business and GDPR". This will help you avoid the warnings, severe penalties and expensive legal costs that often occur in the event of non-compliance with the GDPR (= use of the standard WhatsApp Business app).

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Scalability for all company sizes

The scalability of the messaging tool has been confirmed by the large number of companies already using Mateo with high satisfaction. Whether customers have just a few employees or many hundreds, the software works smoothly and, depending on the package, with an unlimited number of end devices, users and phone numbers. By significantly reducing the workload in the customer service area , Mateo opens up new growth opportunities for many companies.

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Low cost provider for WhatsApp Business API

With an entry-level price of just 79 euros per month, Mateo is a cost-effective provider of WhatsApp Business API solutions on the German market. Combined with the integration of additional communication channels and various helpful tools, Mateo offers excellent value for money. Mateo's personal customer support assists companies with every step of the integration, ensuring very low barriers to entry.

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Use WhatsApp Business in the web browser and desktop application [September 2023].