The messaging chat app WhatsApp is rolling out a ‘Directory’, a new feature that allows users to search for clients within the instant messaging app. The move is part of Meta Platform to increase its e-commerce ecosystem.
The company is already rolling out the new feature in Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, Mexica and the United Kingdom (UK). According to Meta, the new feature will help users to browse and discover local small businesses in their neighbourhoods.
“We want to make it easier for people to get more done on WhatsApp. Part of that is building better ways to engage with businesses,” Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said at the summit.
“And while millions of businesses in Brazil use it for chat, we haven’t made it easy to discover businesses or buy from them, so people end up having to use workarounds. The ultimate goal here is to make it so you can find, message and buy from a business all in the same WhatsApp chat.”
The new technology will allow users to browse businesses by categories such as banking, food and drink and travel as well as by their names.
“If you run a business in Brazil, that means people will be able to find you, contact you and purchase from you all in one WhatsApp chat, and we’re working to bring this experience to more countries in the coming months too,” Zuckerberg said.
“This is the next step for business messaging and I’m looking forward to hearing about the opportunities this unlocks for all of you.”
