Businesses on Messenger is a new facet of Facebook Messenger, which helps beef up the service to add functions that further people's experience on the social media platform. Through partnerships with retailers, they will be able to pull customer interaction inside the app through such actions as requesting an 'enhanced receipt,' tracking their packages and initiating a new purchase.
Facebook's latest venture shows the way many messaging apps are going in general. Through Businesses on Messenger, people are able to use it in a number of ways, making it a one-stop shop for daily tasks. Fred Wilson, managing partner at Union Square Ventures notes, "The most popular apps that sustain themselves day after day, month after month, at the top of the leaderboard, are messengers. Once they become full-blown ‘portals’ for mobile content and mobile commerce, we will really see how massive this opportunity is."
Purchasing Chat Apps
Facebook's Businesses on Messenger Expands the Social Service
Trend Themes
1. Enhanced Receipts - Facebook's Businesses on Messenger allows customers to request enhanced receipts, paving the way for businesses to provide more detailed purchase information and personalized offers.
2. In-app Purchases - By enabling customers to initiate purchases within the Messenger app, businesses can streamline the buying process and provide a seamless shopping experience.
3. Mobile Commerce Portals - As messaging apps evolve into full-blown portals for mobile commerce, there is a significant opportunity for businesses to tap into this massive market and drive sales.
Industry Implications
1. Retail - Retailers can leverage Facebook's Businesses on Messenger to enhance customer experience, offer personalized promotions, and streamline the purchase process.
2. E-commerce - With the ability to provide enhanced receipts, track packages, and facilitate in-app purchases, e-commerce businesses can leverage Messenger as a powerful platform for engaging with customers and boosting sales.
3. Technology - The development of businesses within messaging apps presents opportunities for technology companies to create innovative solutions that integrate with these platforms and enhance customer interactions.