WhatsApp may quickly be emerging as the biggest thing to help small businesses around the globe, and especially in India. That is largely because of the features being rolled out by the company in recent days. After the launch of its Business app company is now going to launch the option of sending payments via UPI from within the app. The feature has been spotted recently in the beta versions of app. Currently it’s being used by a select few WhatsApp beta users on iOS and Android devices, but soon it may be available to everyone.
The move will put WhatsApp directly in competition with Google Tez, PayTM, Mobikwik and PhonePe. The feature will be accessible from the attachments icon inside the chat window, and from there users will be asked to link their UPI accounts to start sending payments. If you don’t have a UPI account, you’ll first of all have to create one through the app/website of any bank or UPI app.
A shot in the arm
WhatsApp has more than 200 million users in India, so its entry in the payments space may be much needed shot in the arm to boost digital transactions in our country. The online transactions have already grown manifolds after PM’s demonetization decision last year, but this WhatsApp payments thing may become next big milestone in the journey of India’s tryst with digital payments.
The effect on businesses
Small businesses may emerge as the biggest beneficiaries of this new WhatsApp feature, which may allow them to take payments from their customers within this awesome and popular chatting platform. This may open up a world of new possibilities and new ways of doing business not seen before. Besides that people will also be able to send money to their friends more easily.
Bottom Line
The feature will benefit businesses and common users both. It’s likely to be rolled out publicly within next few days, so don’t forget updating your WhatsApp this time if you want to use this feature.
