WhatsApp has seamlessly integrated into our daily lives, becoming an essential communication tool. Whether it’s chatting with friends, video calling distant relatives, organizing events through groups, or sharing media with a single tap, WhatsApp simplifies connectivity.

Why WhatsApp Business?

Given the platform's ubiquity, it was only a natural progression for WhatsApp to introduce a business variant in 2018, transforming customer-business interactions overnight. Since consumers were already comfortable using WhatsApp for personal communications, engaging with businesses through the same platform felt intuitive, enhancing accessibility and functionality.

What Sets WhatsApp Business Apart?

At its core, WhatsApp Business operates much like the standard version, with a key distinction: businesses connect using a dedicated business number, not a personal one. This feature allows customers to interact with companies just as easily as they would with friends or family, maintaining the platform’s hallmark ease of use.

Additionally, WhatsApp Business enables enriched interactions, supporting the exchange of photos, videos, and audio. Imagine a customer needs to report a defective product—the process is as straightforward as sending a message accompanied by visual proof, allowing service representatives to address the issue promptly and efficiently.

For users, WhatsApp Business serves as a one-stop communication hub, while businesses can manage multiple service threads seamlessly behind the scenes. This dual functionality ensures a smooth user experience without sacrificing organizational efficiency.

Key Advantages of WhatsApp Business:

Ease of Access: Known for its user-friendliness, WhatsApp makes it exceptionally easy for customers to initiate contact via WhatsApp Business.

Rich Communication: The platform supports multimedia messaging, enhancing the quality and effectiveness of interactions, which is particularly beneficial for timely issue resolution.

Centralized Service: Users enjoy a singular point of contact for all inquiries, streamlining their experience while the business efficiently handles backend operations.

Innovative Applications at Harmonizer

At Harmonizer, we’ve taken the capabilities of WhatsApp Business further. For a major Dutch transportation company, we developed a tech demo that reinvents the job application process. Candidates can now initiate applications through a simple QR code scan—engaging via WhatsApp as casually as if they were messaging a friend. This integration with the ATS system (Emply) streamlines the traditional application process, which often poses barriers with lengthy forms and mandatory uploads.

This method not only simplifies the application process but enhances engagement by allowing potential candidates to interact with companies at the first sign of interest. For example, a candidate might scan a QR code displayed in a bus shelter, instantly connecting with a company's WhatsApp chat. This dynamic interaction pulls questions directly from a standard application form, yet feels as natural as any casual conversation.

Ultimately, all responses are compiled by Harmonizer into a comprehensive application profile, directly accessible from the Emply recruiter dashboard.

This QR code approach not only reduces barriers for applicants but also streamlines the recruitment process for companies, gathering precise information through dynamic questioning and compiling it into a clear, actionable format—all without manual intervention.

Ready to Try It Out?

Scan the QR code below to start your application as a bus driver right now — Don’t worry, whatever you put in into this test environment gets auto-deleted after 24 hours 🙂

If a QR is not your thing or you don't have a smartphone with camera handy, you can also click this link to check out this process: https://wa.me/message/2PVHJQLZ2EXKK1.

Wait, There’s More!

This is just the beginning. We're also developing solutions for customers to report industrial machine malfunctions via WhatsApp. Each machine can be equipped with a unique QR sticker, enabling swift, direct support requests. This not only facilitates quicker problem resolution but also enriches support interactions with the ability to share real-time photos and videos.

Another interesting case that we are currently implementing, is for Stichting JoU, a social good foundation in Utrecht. Young people can interact with the foundation via WhatsApp if they need a helping hand. By integrating Microsoft Teams to WhatsApp Business, we solved two problems for them:

• Their staff doesn’t need to constantly switch between applications anymore, which was very time consuming
• Their staff can now collaborate on a case, by using certain operators and wider functionality in Microsoft Teams. Previously in WhatsApp Business, this was not possible.

The Bottom Line: Endless Possibilities Await You

The potential for WhatsApp Business is boundless, and at Harmonizer, we’re just getting started. These innovations excite us, and we’re eager to explore more!

Curious about the potential of WhatsApp Business for your needs, or have other integration queries? here. Reach out for a no-obligation chat and explore what WhatsApp Business can do for you.