WhatsApp Introduced a New Shopping Button for Business Accounts

WhatsApp, a popular messenger owned by Facebook, has rolled out a new shopping button on business pages to make shopping within the app easier. The button will take users to product catalogs, where they can explore a business’ list of services and goods.

The button looks like a storefront icon and is said to be available worldwide. If a business has a product catalog set up, users will be able to tap the button to view it, and then contact that business if something interests them.

“Now, when a person sees the shopping button, which looks like a storefront icon, they will immediately know the business has a catalog so they can browse products and start a conversation about an item they see with just one tap. This will make it easier for businesses to have their products discovered which can help increase sales,” WhatsApp said in a statement.

The shopping button will replace the voice call button’s location. Instead, there will be one button for both voice and video calls. No “add to cart” button is yet available. However, another video titled “how easy we think messaging a business should be” did feature the “add to cart” option, so it is unknown when exactly it will be implemented.

By adding new functionality to WhatsApp, Facebook continues to expand its shopping features. Last year, the social media giant launched Facebook Pay, its own payment system. Also, Facebook announced Facebook Shops, a service and a virtual shop that users may find on Instagram and Facebook, to help small businesses sell their products online on the social network’s platforms.