Back then, social media was just a platform for users to connect. But now, with the advancement of social media, it has integrated the use of a chat application. It’s an essential but necessary development that paved the way for users to communicate instantaneously on a whole different level.
Also known as a messaging app, a chat application is a platform that enables a user to connect and message another person through the use of their computers or mobile device. To name a few examples of chat applications are Facebook Messenger, WeChat, WhatsApp, and many more.
Now, as we are living in this device-dependent world, it’s not a surprise why these chat applications are a massive help in making our daily lives more comfortable. We might not see it clearly, but it’s slowly becoming a necessity as many more users are switching into using chat applications to communicate with friends and families from anywhere, even across the globe. All they need to do is have an account and an internet connection.
Why Use Chat Application in Business?
To keep up in this fast-paced world, we need to be able to adapt to constant changes. Communication is one of the most critical factors in any business. And being able to improve these factors are significant in growing a business.
Having a good customer service team is essential to nurture business and consumer relationships. But it’s also helpful to reach your clients where you are. Showing that you are too are evolving can have a significant to your consumers. This aspect shows that you are willing to adapt to various changes to land potential clients.
Furthermore, chat applications allow employees to engage with one another and work together. Teams of workers can share ideas and solve company issues with one click. In the time where people sit at computers all day, it makes sense for conversations to happen there. A chat application is also more efficient for communication versus email. And the main goal of a chat application is to collaborate. This means that its integration can lead to better employee performance and productivity.
Benefits of a Chat Application for Business
While some are still in doubt or having second thoughts into making the shift, here are some of the underlying benefits that a chat application would have on your business:
Speed
A chat application allows you to message or contact a person in real-time. In some cases, it becomes the bridge on where customers, potential leads, prospects could ask inquiries about products or services, and you can respond instantly. This factor alone has a tremendous effect on the productivity of your business and a perfect reason to incorporate chat application for your business.
Familiarity
Businesses started sending emails to customers and potential clients right after they learned that people use chat applications as a means to communicate with friends and family. Likewise, companies had only adopted the use of GIF’s and emojis in their social media posts, emails, and on their website after audiences had started using GIFs and emojis as a different way of communicating with one another.
People nowadays send messages to one another to discuss just about anything. With the growing number of users of social media, businesses could take advantage of using chat applications as their medium in communicating with customers. Almost 70 million businesses are on Facebook right now, and only 20 million of them started sending Facebook messages, it means that there is a considerable gap in the total addressable market. It shows that most businesses aren’t there yet. But when the time comes that they decide to use this platform, we will see a massive increase of integration because of the familiarity of the users with the channel.
Convenience
You can seamlessly blend a chat application into your everyday agendas. You can reach out or respond to an inquiry from your computer or mobile device, close the app, and return to whatever you are doing. All you have to do is wait for the other party to respond, then reply whenever it’s your turn.
This nature of the channel is extremely convenient for you and your consumers as it allows both parties to receive the full context of the conversation and continue the thread whenever you want.
Segmented Target Advertising
Segmented target advertising is a crucial part of targeting customers. By using instant messaging for a business, you can share your content either one to one or in a group. Companies take benefit of this feature of messaging apps to enhance their promotional content depending on customer demographics and interests.
Example – In WhatsApp, the maximum limit of adding people in a group is 256, but you can create an unlimited number of groups. The number of targeted people is much smaller, but in these small groups, you have the most engaging and targeted customers.
Increased Productivity
Smartphone applications are a staple in our modern digital world. Everyone has a broad range of apps on their phone, and every notification is another thing to respond to.
While some social media apps are distracting and decrease work productivity, it’s still advisable to have a team messaging or chat application dedicated for work purposes only. This can ultimately increase productivity and improve time management among your staff.
By integrating a chat application for your team, employees now have a channel in which they can communicate with you or co-workers where they can address issues regarding a project or a specific task.
File Storage and Sharing
Developments in chat applications now include the feature to send pictures, sound bites, documents, among other things. This means it can also serve as a backup if ever you are in a situation wherein the main methods didn’t work correctly, or your device broke or got stolen. Having this feature in your chat application allows you to find files that were sent there and retrieve it.
Employee Engagement
Who says that chat applications for business are strictly for business only? Team messaging apps aren’t as dry as email communications. You can create another chat stream that gives colleagues an avenue to share personal information and exciting family news.
Having this separate channel can boost the bond between employees, which can result in better performance. Now, they can feel that their workplace is like their second home, and colleagues are an extension of their family.
Privacy
Chat applications such as WhatsApp, Apple Business Chat, Facebook Messenger, Viber, and Telegram are all direct channels where information is private and secure. Customers don’t have to worry about anyone seeing their private information — including the messaging company itself! Messaging apps with end-to-end encryption offer data protection so secure that you can discuss any customer service issue with no worries.
Saves Money
Chat applications are usually can be developed and utilized with a lite investemnt. You can communicate with any client, customer, or overseas employees with instant messaging solutions without paying for international charges. You can also hire staff in other countries and conduct business internationally. HeroBot is a great example of a low-cost chat application that can save you tons of money and increase your productivity tremendously.
Easy to Setup
Unlike a conference call, which takes time to set up and everyone needs a number to use, IM is right there to be accessed at any time, and everyone can communicate with it all the time. You can also connect with people who are offsite as well. You don’t have to put everyone from the company in one conference room. It can all be done with a simple through features in a chat application.
Less Troublesome
Compared to a phone call, messaging in a chat application is less disruptive. It’s more difficult to manage several calls at a time than to juggle different chat windows. Chat applications are a better alternative to making phone calls. Leaving a window open could ultimately serve as a reminder to respond to a client or send essential information to a team member.
How Chat Application Can Jumpstart Your Business
Starting a business, whether you are a small-sized or a medium-sized company, could be a lot harder than you think. Many businessmen fail to acknowledge change and the use of technology as tools in helping their companies, which will eventually go downhill from there.
As this may not always be the case, staying open in trying out innovations is what could set you apart from other companies out there. Another difference-maker would be the reach to your market. With everyone being in the online world, it would make sense that using chat applications to communicate with them is the best possible move you can do.
Evolve Your Business with Herobot
A chat application can offer a lot of advantages for businesses. These apps can help take brands to the next level. But with Herobot, you can take these benefits one step further by integrating a chatbot into your chat applications. Along with a dedicated team of professionals, Herobot has the perfect tools that will guide you through the basics of chatbot software. Visit our website at herobot.app for more details.
