WhatsApp introduces carts, business catalogs for faster shopping

WhatsApp introduced a new shopping tool in its platform, adding carts for users to shop from businesses through direct messages.   

© WhatsApp
With carts, customers can browse a catalog, select multiple products and send the order as one message to a business.

With carts, customers can browse a catalog, select multiple products and send the order as one message to a business.

The new feature adds a shopping button, which looks like a storefront icon, to access a business catalog.

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When visiting a business catalog, WhatsApp users can click on the “Message a Business” button to start a conversation or use the “Add to Cart” option to place an order with the business.

Once a customer has updated their cart, they can send it to the seller as a WhatsApp message. After sending the message, users can see the order details by tapping in the “View Cart” button in their chat window with the seller.

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WhatsApp is planning to add a feature in 2021 that allows users to check out and pay right within the app.

“For people and businesses across the world, WhatsApp is quickly becoming the store counter to ask questions, discuss products and close sales,” said Ajit Varma, head of business products at WhatsApp. “As businesses continue to rapidly shift their operations online to stay connected with their customers during the ongoing pandemic, they need new digital tools to help them increase their sales and grow.”

Follow Coral Murphy on Twitter @CoralMerfi

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Holiday shopping: WhatsApp introduces carts, business catalogs for faster shopping