WhatsApp Update: WhatsApp for business just got smarter! From payments to calling, everything in one place...

WhatsApp Business Features: WhatsApp, which we all use extensively for chatting, has now become equally effective for businesses. Recently, they held their second "Business Summit" in Mumbai, where they launched several new features and tools that will greatly help businesses, large and small, connect with customers, streamline their work, and grow their businesses. Let's take a look at WhatsApp's new features one by one.

1. Direct Payments on the WhatsApp Business App!

Small businesses will now be able to receive payments from their customers directly through the WhatsApp Business app.

How It Works
Merchants will simply send a QR code to the customer with a single click. Customers will be able to make payments using their preferred payment method (e.g., UPI, debit/credit card) directly within the WhatsApp app.

What are the benefits?

This will make the purchase and payment process much faster and easier. Customers will no longer need to navigate to another app.

2. Business AI for in-app calling and improved customer support!

What is it?
You can now call or receive calls from large companies directly from the WhatsApp app.

When will it be useful?
If you have a difficult question or need to speak with customer care, this feature will be very useful. This feature has been rolled out to all companies using the WhatsApp Business platform in India.

What's next?
What's going to happen next?
In the future, you'll be able to get help by sending voice messages or making video calls. For example, video calls will also be available for health appointments.

What is Business AI?
Companies will now be able to use AI assistants to answer customer questions, even through the voice calling feature. This will make customer support even faster and more effective.

3. Manage all your marketing from one place – Ads Manager!
What is it?
Merchants in India will now be able to manage their ads across WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram from a single place, called 'Ads Manager'.

How will it work?
You can create, set up ads, and manage your budget all from one place.

What's the benefit?
Once this feature is fully rolled out, companies will be able to upload their customer lists. They can decide where and how to display ads, or use Meta's AI system, 'Advantage+,' to optimize their budget and ensure their ads perform optimally.

4. Finding businesses and channels on the Status tab is now easier!
What's it? WhatsApp's 'Updates' tab is used by 1.5 billion people daily. Now, WhatsApp Status ads, promoted channels, and channel subscriptions will provide new opportunities for businesses and creators to grow.

Who's using it?
Big brands like Maruti Suzuki, Air India, and Flipkart are using Status ads. People in India will soon start seeing them. Popular channels like Jio Hotstar have also started using the Promoted Channel feature.

These features will be completely separate from your WhatsApp chat and inbox, ensuring your privacy. These features will gradually roll out to everyone over the next few months.

What do Maruti Suzuki and Air India have to say? Bhuvan Dhir of Maruti Suzuki and Sunil Suresh of Air India stated that advertising on WhatsApp Status will greatly help them increase sales of their products and services and connect directly with customers.

5. Small businesses can now use both the WhatsApp Business app and platform simultaneously!
What is this? Small businesses can now use both the WhatsApp Business app and the WhatsApp Business platform simultaneously without changing their phone number.

What are the benefits?
If a company receives a lot of marketing messages or wants automation (automated replies), it can use the WhatsApp Business platform. Additionally, they can continue to use the WhatsApp Business app for group chats, calls, and status updates. This is very beneficial for companies that are growing rapidly and want to expand their operations.

6. Easy access to government services for the public!
The role of WhatsApp
People in India now use WhatsApp extensively to communicate with companies (according to the Kantar 2025 report, 91% of online Indians chat with companies every week). WhatsApp is also becoming an easy way to access government services.

Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from Zee Business. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.