Messaging apps are a new way to communicate, and they have become an integral part of our lives.
A messaging app is a type of software application that allows people to send messages, videos, pictures, and other content to one another over the Internet. Most messaging apps work across mobile devices and desktops.
Messaging apps are different from email or social media platforms because they require the sender and receiver to be online at the same time to communicate.
Why Your Message Matters And When You Need to Use a Messaging App?
The importance of messaging apps in the modern business world can’t be understated. It’s not just about the communication channel – it’s about developing a consistent voice, managing customer expectations, and increasing customer engagement.
Messaging apps also solve one of the most demanding problems which most businesses are facing today, instant gratification (for eg, people only give a maximum of 5 seconds for google to provide the answer). With ever-increasing internet speed, humans are getting more accustomed to quick answers (since everyone starts googling for an answer whenever they confront any obstacle). Messaging apps can provide a solution to the ever-increasing instant gratification of any human.
Messaging apps are also a great way to reach out to your customers and prospects by using them as a marketing tool. They provide an extra layer of convenience for your customers who are always on the go and don’t have time to call or email you.
Advantages of Chatting on the Phone vs. Texting
Texting is an excellent way to communicate with people when you need to convey a message quickly. But, it lacks the personal touch of talking on the phone. However, it still delivers the most important task which is giving an instant answer to the inquirer who has the potential to be your customer.
Slow response time gives a bad experience to your customer. Hence, it will reduce the repeat order which in turn leads to lower sales volume. Slow response time also causes businesses to fail to secure potential customers who are inquiring about more product information. This leads to a waste of the marketing budget.
Chatting on the phone is a great way to have a more natural conversation and feel more connected with the person you are talking to. Plus, it’s much easier to understand what they are trying to say if you can hear their voice.
Best Messaging Apps – Recommended Platforms of 2023
Messaging apps are becoming more popular as the number of people who use them is increasing. There are a lot of different messaging apps out there, but not all of them are created equal.
Let’s go by ranking with the highest number of messaging users (based on Business of Apps):
WhatsApp: 2.4 billion users
Facebook Messenger: 2.1 billion users
WeChat: 1.2 billion users
Viber: 823 million users
Telegram: 500 million users
Snapchat: 347 million users
LINE: 178 million users
Discord: 170 million users
Kakao Talk: 49 million users
Signal: 40 million users
There are reasons why people choose to use WhatsApp the most globally (Personally, I think is because of its smooth & simple user experience & interface).
What Features Do These Messaging Apps Have?
These messaging apps all have different & common features that make them unique.
Disappearing messages
Messages are set to disappear 24 hours, 7 days, or 90 days after the time they are sent
Group messages
Create a chatroom that allows the admin to invite relevant people to join the same chatroom for discussion
Communities
Categories group messages and park under communities. For eg, you have “Sales Group Chat”, “HR Group Chat” etc. You can mark all of these group chats under the “ABC company” community.
Announcement channel
Create a channel where people can have the latest announcement update by following your announcement channel
Reveal/Hide phone number/username, “Seens” message, “Read” message, “Delivered” message, and more.
Able to see whether the message has been seen, read, or delivered to the recipients
Insert attachment & emoji
Sending attachments and emojis to the recipient
Delete messages for everyone
Delete every copy of the message across different recipients
Record & send voice note
Send voice record format within messaging apps instead of text message formats
Payment gateway and/or cryptocurrency integration
Use it to facilitate the transaction
Marketplace
Showcase the products and services you offer to your audience alongside your competitor
Business Directory
A directory within messaging apps where you can find businesses information
Stores
Create your stores to showcase your products/services
Business Profile
Insert all your business information in your business profile
Catalog
Showcase your products description and benefits to the audience
Greeting message
Send automated messages whenever receive the new incoming message
Away message
Send automated message replies to incoming messages when you are away
Quick replies
Pre-saved all the replies and send them easily within messaging section without having to type the whole sentence over and over again to different inquirers asking the same question.
Open API
Allow integration to 3rd party software
Take live picture
Send a picture after taking a photo using the camera
Story
Post updates in your messaging which can last for 24 hours only
Search for contacts, messages, and files
A search bar that allows you to search for contacts, messages, and files easily
Voice calls
Receive and make calls via an internet connection
Links to start messaging and calling
Generate and copy a custom link that allows people to message your business directly.
Message backup integration
Choose your backup server to store your messaging information
Privacy focused messaging
Enable you to choose who can message you and more.
and more….
Why These Messaging Apps are Better Than Texts or Emails In Many Ways?
Texting is the most popular way to communicate with someone. But there are many reasons why messaging apps are better than texts or emails.
We can send messages to anyone, anytime and anywhere, and we don’t need to worry about the message being read by someone else. Messaging apps are also more convenient because they have features like stickers, gifs, and emojis. Recipients can get instant replies from businesses and friends about the information they are seeking for.
Conclusion: Which Messaging App Should You Be Using For Your Business?
We can conclude by saying that the messaging app that you choose to use for your business should depend on the kind of message you want to send. Since there are so many types of messaging apps to manage as a business owner, it is advisable to sign up for an omnichannel messaging software that allows businesses to connect all messaging apps into 1 software. It will be easier for businesses to manage their incoming inquiries.