Telegram takes on WhatsApp with business-focused features

Telegram is not as widely used as WhatsApp, but businesses can now add it as a communication option for their customers if they wish. Now anyone on the messaging app can convert their account in a business account to access features designed to make it easier for customers to find and connect with them. They will be able to display their working hours on their profile and pin their location on a map. With business hours set, customers can see at a glance if they are still open and what time they close for the day.

Businesses can also customize their home page and display information about their products and services in empty chats, giving customers an idea of ​​what’s on offer even before they get in touch. To make it easier to respond to multiple inquiries, Telegram Business accounts will also be able to create and save preset messages that they can send as quick replies. Of course, they can also pre-write greetings and messages that are automatically sent to customers who contact them. They can use Telegram Bot to chat with their customers as well, although we all know how frustrating it can be to talk to a bot when we need to talk to a customer service representative. All these features are free, but only for those with a Telegram Premium account, which costs $5 per month.

In addition to introducing its new business-focused features, Telegram also revealed that it is giving channel owners 50 percent of revenue earned from ads displayed on their channels as long as they have at least 1000 subscribers. Based on information previously shared by company founder Pavel Durov, Telegram seems to be doing well financially and can afford to be so generous. Durov said Financial Times that it expects the messaging app to be profitable by next year and that it is currently exploring a future initial public offering.