In the rapidly evolving world of business communication, Telegram has recently entered the arena with Telegram Business, a paid subscription service designed to cater to the needs of businesses.
Following in the footsteps of WhatsApp Business, Telegram’s offering aims to bridge the gap between businesses and customers by providing a comprehensive suite of features within the existing Telegram app.
Embracing the Subscription Model for Enhanced Business Capabilities
Telegram Business distinguishes itself from its counterpart, WhatsApp Business, by introducing a monthly subscription fee of €4.49/KES 700 (or a discounted annual rate of €2.83/KES 440 per month).
However, current Telegram Premium subscribers can access these business features at no additional cost, providing a seamless transition for those already invested in the premium experience.
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This subscription-based approach offers businesses a unified communication solution without the need to juggle multiple platforms, streamlining their workflows and enhancing productivity.
Key Features
While Telegram Business shares several functionalities with WhatsApp Business, such as welcome messages, absence messages, quick replies, and enhanced business profiles, it also introduces unique capabilities designed to elevate the user experience:
- Welcome and Absence Messages: Businesses can personalize greetings automatically sent to new contacts upon their initial message and establish automated responses to inform customers about their unavailability, such as during closed hours.
- Quick Replies: Pre-defined responses can be created for efficient communication, saving time and ensuring consistency across customer interactions.
- Enhanced Business Profiles: Companies can showcase their opening hours and location through an integrated map, providing customers with valuable information at a glance.
- Emoji Status: Similar to Telegram Premium, businesses can personalize their profiles with an additional emoji next to their name, adding a touch of individuality to their brand.
- Priority Display and Privacy Control in Stories: Telegram Business stories appear higher in the feed, ensuring greater visibility for companies. Additionally, users can view other stories anonymously, while businesses can see who has viewed their content, fostering transparency and engagement.
- Enhanced Stories Experience: Businesses can upload stories in double the resolution, maintain a permanent view history, customize expiration times, and include longer descriptions. Furthermore, diverse formats like links are supported, and users can even save non-private stories from other users, expanding the possibilities for content sharing and engagement.
Cost Considerations
Weighing the Options While WhatsApp Business offers a free entry point, Telegram Business requires a subscription fee.
However, Telegram’s approach provides access to both its business features and the benefits of Telegram Premium, including the aforementioned Stories enhancements. In contrast, additional features on WhatsApp Business Premium require separate subscriptions, potentially increasing costs for businesses.
The choice between the two platforms ultimately depends on individual business needs, preferences, and budget considerations.
Companies seeking basic functionalities at no cost may lean towards WhatsApp Business, while those valuing advanced features, comprehensive Stories functionalities, and a unified platform experience might find Telegram Business a compelling alternative, despite its subscription model.
Embracing the Future of Business Communication
As the landscape of business communication apps continues to evolve rapidly, both Telegram and WhatsApp are likely to refine their offerings to meet the ever-changing demands of companies and their customers.
With its subscription-based model and innovative features, Telegram Business positions itself as a trailblazer, pushing the boundaries of what businesses can expect from a messaging platform.
As businesses navigate the competitive digital landscape, platforms like Telegram Business offer a compelling solution for streamlining communication, enhancing engagement, and ultimately driving growth and success.
