The top 5 messengers for companies at a glance [October 2023]

What are messengers used for in companies?

Messenger apps are extremely versatile in companies and fulfill a wide range of applications. Here are some of the most common uses for messengers in business environments:

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1. Internal communication:

• Real-time team communication
• Quick exchange of information between employees
• Group chats for project teams, departments, and locations
• document exchange
• employee engagement

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2. customer support:

• Provide customer support via chat
• Responding to customer inquiries in real time
• Automated chatbots to help with frequently asked questions
• Managing customer contacts

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3. Marketing and sales:

• Direct customer contact for marketing campaigns
• Sending promotional messages and offers
• Lead generation and customer acquisition

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4. Supply chain management:

• Tracking deliveries and orders
• Communication with suppliers and partners
• Real-time updates on the status of orders

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5. Process automation:

• Automating business processes with chatbots
• Appointments and bookings via Messenger
• Integrate with other business applications such as CRM and ERP

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WhatsApp messenger for businesses

WhatsApp Business

WhatsApp Business is a free app available for Android and Apple smartphones, specifically designed for smaller businesses. WhatsApp Business makes it easy to interact with customers by providing tools to automate, sort, and respond to messages quickly. The user interface and many functions are similar to those of the WhatsApp Messenger app for private individuals, making it very easy for most companies to use WhatsApp Business.

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Compared to the app for private individuals, a WhatsApp corporate account also offers the following functions:

• Company profile to list important information, such as a company's address, email and website
• Messaging tools to quickly answer customer inquiries, such as text modules and automated answers
• Categorize customers and chats (e.g. new customer, prospect, service request, etc.) for a better overview
• Automated responses to customers (e.g. outside business hours)
• Preparation of product catalogs

WhatsApp Business can be used in Google Play Store and in App Store can be downloaded free of charge.

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WhatsApp API interface

To provide larger companies with a secure, scalable and GDPR-compliant solution tailored to their needs, Facebook launched the WhatsApp Business API in August 2018. This application programming interface (API) allows companies to receive and respond to WhatsApp messages from their customers.

In contrast to the WhatsApp business app, the API itself does not require a user interface. The API connects WhatsApp to a professional messaging tool, as offered by Hellomateo, for example. Companies integrate the WhatsApp API endpoint with the software of an official WhatsApp Business Solution provider. Hellomateo offers corporate customers with in-house software the appropriate integration into a clear user interface.

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The most important features of the WhatsApp Business API

The WhatsApp Business API offers companies with a privacy-compliant communication platform a number of additional functions compared to the normal version of WhatsApp Business. These include:

• WhatsApp newsletter marketing
• In-depth statistics
• GDPR-compliant customer communication
• Unlimited number of users per account
• Unlimited number of devices per account
• Integration with other software applications
• Fully automated message delivery

For more information, read our article”What is the WhatsApp Business API?”.

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Google Business Messages

Google Business Messages is an emerging communication platform used by companies to connect with customers via Google Search and Google Maps. With this feature, companies can send and receive messages in real time, answer customer inquiries, and provide information without users having to switch platforms. This enables seamless and convenient interaction between companies and customers. Google Business Messages can be extremely useful, particularly for local companies and service providers, to answer customer questions, communicate opening hours or make appointments. It provides an efficient way to address customer concerns while increasing the company's visibility in Google search results.
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Instagram & Facebook Messenger

Social media are playing an increasingly important role in corporate communication and the online presence of companies. On social media, you can not only present your company and your products or services, but also use some useful functions of the integrated messengers for customer communication.
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The Facebook Messenger for companies

Facebook Messenger is a widely used messaging app that companies can use to interact with customers. Here you can respond directly to inquiries, help customers with problems, or provide information. Facebook Messenger can be used to send text messages, images, videos, documents, and voice messages. Facebook is the most popular social network in the world and with over 23 million users in Germany alone, it is highly likely that a large proportion of your customers use Facebook regularly.
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Instagram Direct Messages

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Like Facebook, Instagram is part of Meta Platforms. Companies can present their products and brands on Instagram. High-quality images and videos can be shared here to arouse the interest of the target group. Companies can also interact directly with customers and followers via comments and direct messages. The introduction of Instagram Shopping allows companies to sell products directly via the platform. Users can view, select, and buy products without leaving Instagram. This can make the sales process easier for companies.

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Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams is an integrated communications platform from Microsoft that provides companies with a wide range of collaboration and communication tools. It allows you to easily share text messages, files, images, and videos, and it is primarily intended for team collaboration. With MS Teams, companies can seamlessly switch between different applications and tools to complete tasks efficiently. It also offers features for video conferencing and online meetings, making it a comprehensive platform for internal communication and collaboration within companies. MS Teams is not suitable for customer communication or marketing.

By the way: The hellomateo user interface can be all messengers included (WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, email, SMS) can be easily integrated into Microsoft Teams. For example, you can answer WhatsApp messages from your customers from MS Teams.

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Slack

Slack is a messaging platform that's great for internal communication and collaboration within companies. The platform makes it possible to organize messages in various channels in order to structure conversations and involve relevant teams or project groups.

A key advantage of Slack is the integration of third-party apps and services. This allows teams to seamlessly share files, manage tasks, sync calendars, and more without leaving the platform. Slack also offers advanced search and archiving features to make it easier to find important information. This can be particularly beneficial in larger companies.

The platform is known for its ease of use and appealing design, which increases acceptance in companies. Overall, Slack is a powerful messenger platform for companies that makes communication and collaboration more efficient. It is particularly popular in companies with a strong focus on teamwork and project management. Like MS Teams, Slack is not suitable for customer communication or marketing.

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Messenger for companies in other countries: WeChat, LINE & Co.

The messengers presented so far are particularly common in Germany. But depending on where your company operates and which target group you want to reach, using other messengers, which are rather unknown here in Germany, may be the better choice. We will briefly introduce these messengers.

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WeChat — a must in China

WeChat is the most-used messenger in China and has over 1 billion monthly active users. For companies that operate in China or want to target Chinese customers, WeChat is a must. The platform offers multiple features, including messaging, social networks, mobile payments, and even mini apps. Companies use WeChat for marketing, customer service, and building brand presence.

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LINE — widely used in Asia

LINE is widely used in Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, and other Asian countries and has more than 165 million monthly active users. It's not just a messenger, but also a platform for gaming, shopping, payments, and more. Companies can use LINE to communicate with customers, advertise, and even create their own chatbots.

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KakaoTalk — No. 1 in South Korea

KakaoTalk is the dominant messaging app in South Korea with over 50 million users. Companies use KakaoTalk for customer communications, customer support, and marketing campaigns. The app also offers mobile payment services and a variety of emojis and stickers that make communication more lively.

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Viber — popular messenger especially in Eastern Europe

Viber is popular in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and some parts of Asia and has more than 1 billion users worldwide. It not only allows messaging and calls, but also media and location sharing. Businesses can use Viber for customer service, direct marketing, and interaction with customers in these regions.

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The professional communication software from hellomateo — the most important messengers clearly arranged in one place

We at hellomateo are your messaging experts when it comes to customer communication and appropriate marketing. Hundreds of companies are already using hellomateo and are impressed. Our customers particularly appreciate the following benefits of hellomateo:

• ‍Central user interface: hellomateo combines WhatsApp Business Platform, email, Instagram, SMS and Facebook Messenger in one central inbox. The intuitive user interface includes various tools for efficient customer communication and saves you valuable working time.
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• integrations: With hellomateo, you can use WhatsApp in integrate over 6,000 software programs and fully automated Customer trips create with invitations, order confirmations, shipping information, invoices, and reminders.
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• Newsletter marketing: Send GDPR-compliant Newsletter via WhatsApp or SMS and benefit from opening rates of over 95%.‍
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• Assessment management: hellomateo can Automatically request online reviews from your customers, which boosts your Google ranking and trust in your company.
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• ‍Data protection: hellomateo meets all German and European Data protection requirements and offers end-to-end encryption for secure customer communication.
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• scalability: Our software is suitable for Businesses of all sizes and can be extended indefinitely depending on the package.‍
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• ‍Diverse AI features: Our AI agent can automatically answer customer inquiries in chat, answer calls, help with the formulation of messages and much more.
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Arrange a non-binding and free consultation and we'll show you how hellomateo covers your communication needs! Simply book an appointment here or write to us via our web widget.

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