Over the past few years, messaging applications have been an important part of our daily lives. These social messaging apps are taking over as the most popular medium of connection for all internet users. Apart from giving a seamless way to let people contact or interact with friends and loved ones, most of these apps are also free to install or access.
Marketing strategies change from time to time. In fact, at this very moment, messaging applications are continuously being reshaped and enhanced. This is inevitable with a society that’s highly dependent on technology.
Social messaging apps are slowly paving its way into the complex world of digital marketing.
That being said, entrepreneurs should not overlook the significance of using messaging applications. A rough estimation by We Are Social states that there are more than 2.1 billion people use it every day. This alone proves that messaging apps are being used by people on a daily basis and that it can be an easy way to reach target markets.
Social messaging apps enable business owners to send personalized messages to target audiences. A direct message is more than enough to make a good personalized interaction. Aside from that, a lot of modern-day customers are always on-the-go; meaning, they are constantly busy with their 9-5 jobs that they hardly have the time to make phone calls.
With social messaging apps, brands can maintain an active presence and continuously connect with their audience.
Messaging is a great way to seamlessly interact with target audiences. It enables businesses to easily respond to customer queries and concerns as well as provide a more personalized experience that help build a better relationship with customers. It also helps increase the rate of conversions for the business.
With the aforementioned advantages that social messaging apps can provide, here are the top 3 Social Messaging Applications that can help boost startup and mid-sized businesses.
With 1.6 billion active users, WhatsApp comes in the number 1 spot among any other messaging apps. Although it is also owned by Facebook, WhatsApp surpassed Facebook Messenger as the most popular messaging application across the globe.
The difference between WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger is that it is based on phone numbers. This means that users no longer need to prompt any actions to sync all contacts in their phone. The app itself is designed as a replacement for SMS texting to help users with limited texting plans.
WhatsApp offers incredible features. It enables up to 250 people to connect with one group chat making it a viable mechanism for businesses to interact with their customers. Another great feature is that users can send a file that is 100 megabytes big. This gives the opportunity to make messages even more personalized. It also keeps all user data safe by providing end-to-end encryption. Lastly, customers no longer have to worry about their messages being disrupted every now and then since the app is completely ad-free!
This app is free to download in any application stores like Google Play Store, App Store, and Galaxy Apps. This application is fully optimized for all operating systems. WhatsApp gives users 100% convenience, efficiency, and accessibility whether in making calls or sending text messages.
WhatsApp is most suitable for businesses in need of an app that is free and easy to use. It lets businesses send valuable information and interact seamlessly with target audiences.
- FACEBOOK MESSENGER
With 1.3 billion users all around the world, Facebook Messenger secures the number 2 spot in this list. Messenger is a third-party app that is solely attached to Facebook. Facebook Messenger or Messenger was first introduced during the early part of 2008. It started as an added feature on Facebook’s interface to provide an instant messaging platform for Facebook users.
In the past, the Messenger app can only be accessed if the user is connected to Facebook. But, with continuous enhancements and adjustments to the application, it soon became a standalone application optimized for both Android and IOS users. The newly revamped Facebook Messenger app was introduced in 2011 and was called Messenger. The application’s new version now enables users to access the messaging features of Facebook even without accessing the social media platform itself, making it more accessible and efficient.
The app is very user-friendly. At the same time, aside from messages, it also allows users to send photos, videos, GIFs, stickers and even documents. It offers numerous features that help boost interaction between business and customers.
Apart from that, it also enables businesses to maintain an online presence with the help of Chatbots. Chatbots are gradually becoming the most popular messaging trend among businesses. It provides a way to give customer service even without the availability of a support agent. Chatbots entertain customer queries in place of support agents, especially when office hours are over. It also serves as a great tool to notify customers by sending automated reminders and confirmations.
Facebook can be a viable channel to help increase brand popularity. Thus, when paired with Messenger it helps businesses generate direct customer interaction and provide better services.
WeChat or Weixin is a Chinese messaging application that first paved its way into the digital world in 2011. With 1 billion users all around the world and (strikingly dominating a huge user base in Asia), it is no surprise why this app completes the top 3 social messaging apps in this list.
Although WeChat landed only on the third spot, it still dominates the Asia-Pacific regions followed by other third-party applications like KakaoTalk and LINE. This is due to the amazing features it offers.
Just like the leading social messaging applications, it serves as a medium for connecting one user to another, even those situated in different countries. One feature that makes it unique among other applications is that it allows users to call landline numbers. This provides a flexible way to contact customers who don’t have the app installed on their phones.
Another notable feature of this app is WeChat Pay. It serves as a virtual wallet within the app that allows users to make online purchases. Easy money transfer is made possible by the app’s wallet feature. Aside from enabling quick and easy application, WeChat likewise provides its users with access to the latest news and headlines involving current events, businesses and entertainment.
With the added WeChat Pay and wallet features of the app, businesses using e-commerce sites can provide a more hassle-free shopping experience for their customers. It goes beyond the simple function of exchanging messages, thereby enabling better convenience and satisfaction to customers.
Social messaging apps are among the fastest-growing ways that businesses can gain direct connection with their target customers. It helps improve brand recognition and build better business-to-customer relationship. Since messaging apps are already an integral part of almost every customer’s lifestyle, communication now goes beyond physical and digital boundaries.
Messaging apps serve as a bridge for the most effective marketing approach. Connecting with a real, live person enables businesses to expand and merge into a media-rich digital ecosystem that’s slowly shaping the future of the business-customer relationship. With the rise of different social messaging applications, improving businesses and services has never been this easy!
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Do you agree with our top three picks for social messaging apps? Let us know! You can also learn more about our social messaging platforms by visiting our website at https://newmediaservices.com.au/.