Versalence Blogs

And while some design choices might now seem strange to contemporary audiences — like the "Brady Bunch"-style screen with individual windows for each chat participant — the platform stands as a perfect illustration of just how far along messaging technology has come in the subsequent half-century.

That journey, of course, continues today. And as users enjoy increasingly rich, dynamic messaging threads with their friends and family, they’ll often come to expect the same level of interaction with their favorite brands, too.

It’s why we’re so excited to announce the release of WhatsApp Flows: a powerful new feature for the WhatsApp Business Platform that allows businesses to create custom experiences right in their chat box — without the need to visit an external website or download another application.

Curious? Let’s take a closer look at some of the key benefits of this versatile tool.

Stay in “The Flow” of Your Conversations

With WhatsApp Flows (now available for both Android and iOS devices), brands will be able to unlock more flexibility and functionality on the platform than ever before — removing a great deal of friction while efficiently addressing customer needs.

Previously, a business might interact with a consumer with a number of back-and-forth messages, or by leading the customer to an external sales portal or website. Now powered by Flows’s customizable building blocks (called “Components”), brands can create tailored, personalized experiences for their users without the need for heavy technical lifting.

As you can probably imagine, Flows provides a number of practical applications for businesses. There are a few ways brands can use these blocks to improve the customer experience – but bear in mind, it’s hardly an exhaustive list.

Promotions and Rewards (“Sign Up”)

We all receive messages from brands offering 10% off to “sign up” now. But with Flows, these messages go beyond mere text, providing interactive, seamless experiences for your users.

Your customer can view the promotion, review the details, and “sign up” — all on the same screen. No need to remember promo codes, hit a confirmation link, or switch apps.

Customer Service Feedback (“Contact Us”)

Appointment Booking (“Book Now”)

Calling a restaurant for a reservation is very…1990s. Today, it’s all digital — and can be as frictionless as ever with Flows.

In the same app they use to plan dinner with friends, users can message their favorite spots, ask "may I book a table?" and instantly receive a Flows form right within WhatsApp to make their reservation. No more waiting on hold while planning your Friday nights — just click, confirm, and go.