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SOCIAL MEDIA

WhatsApp launches new feature to aid e-commerce uptake by users

By our News Team | 2021

Users can search for local businesses within the app for the first time, as Facebook looks to further monetise its investment.

Facebook’s Vice President, Matt Idema, recently noted that “There’s definitely a route on ads, which is Facebook’s core business model. Over the long term I think in some form or another [ads] will be part of the business model for WhatsApp [too]”.

Whatsapp e-commerce

Image by HeikoAL from Pixabay

Facebook owns WhatsApp, along with Instagram.

Now there’s a new feature on WhatsApp that allows users to find shops and services through a directory in the app. It is the latest strategy in Facebook’s drive to bolster e-commerce on its services.

Idema said the new feature, which is being tested in the Brazilian city of São Paulo, could be the primary way that people start a commerce process in WhatsApp.

Thousands of business categories

According to WhatsApp, the new test feature is to include thousands of businesses in categories like food, retail and local services across certain São Paulo neighbourhoods.

Online retail has continued to boom during the Covid-19 pandemic, encouraging Facebook to push in-app shopping features.

In June, founder Mark Zuckerberg announced that Facebook’s Shops feature would expand to WhatsApp in several countries. In recent years, WhatsApp has also launched shopping tools like product catalogues and shopping carts.

WhatsApp Messenger, or simply WhatsApp, is an American freeware, cross-platform centralised instant messaging and voice-over-IP service owned by Facebook Inc. It allows users to send text messages and voice messages, make voice and video calls, and share images, documents, user locations and other content.

Source: Marketing Edge, Nigeria

Dr Kin Kariisa

Group CEO - Next Media

Dr. Kin Kariisa is an extraordinary force at the helm of Next Media Services, a conglomerate encompassing NBS TV, Nile Post, Sanyuka TV, Next Radio, Salam TV, Next Communication, Next Productions, and an array of other influential enterprises. His dynamic role as Chief Executive Officer exemplifies his unwavering commitment to shaping media, business, and community landscapes.
With an esteemed academic journey, Dr. Kariisa’s accolades include an Honorary PhD in exemplary community service from the United Graduate College inTexas, an MBA from United States International University in Nairobi, Kenya, a Master’s degree in Computer Engineering from Huazong University in China, and a Bachelor’s degree in Statistics from Makerere University.
Dr. Kariisa pursued PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radboud University in Nijmegen, Netherlands. As a dynamic educator, he has shared his expertise as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at both Makerere University and Radboud University.

Dr Kin did his PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radbond University in Nigmegen, Netherlands. He previously served as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda and Radbond University in Netherlands.

Dr Kin did his postgraduate courses in Strategic Business Management, Strategic Leadership Communication and Strategies for Leading Successful Change Initiatives at Harvard University, Boston USA.

  • Other current and previous roles played by Dr Kin Kariisa:
  • Lecturer of e-Government and Information Security to graduate students at Makerere University, Kampala and Radbond University in the Netherlands
  • Director of Eco Bank Uganda Limited, one of the largest banks in Africa
  • Chairman of the National Association of Broadcasters, an umbrella industry association for all Television, Radio and online broadcasters in Uganda.
  • Chairman of Board of Directors of Nile Hotel International, that owns the leading hotel in Uganda, Kampala Serena Hotel.
  • Chairman of Board of Directors of Soliton Telmec Uganda, the leading telecom company in Optic fibre business managing over 80% of optic fibre in Uganda.