WhatsApp launched a feature on Tuesday that allows its more than 2 billion users to shop through the messaging platform and enables merchants to track orders and inquiries.
WhatsApp Cart was introduced globally after the company piloted the service with select businesses. The Facebook-owned instant messaging app expects its new feature to have traction during the holiday season this month, the company said.
Here is how the new shopping platform will work and potentially disrupt the contactless shopping ecosystem globally.
What is WhatsApp cart?
WhatsApp cart is useful when messaging businesses that typically sell multiple items at once, like a local restaurant or a clothing store. With cart, people can browse a catalogue, select multiple products and send the order as one message to the business. This will also make it simpler for businesses to track orders, inquiries, manage requests from customers and close sales.
How to place an order using cart?
Users can go to the business profile of the company and tap on the shopping button icon to access the catalogue. After accessing the catalogue, they can use the "message business" option to start a conversation. They can browse through a list of products from different categories and order by clicking on the "add to cart" button.
How to edit the cart?
As with online shopping, cart users can at anytime see the items they have added by clicking on "view cart". They can click "add more" to navigate back to the catalogue to continue adding more products. They can also edit the quantity for each product added to the cart.
Once the cart is successfully updated, users can send it to the seller as a WhatsApp message. They can also see the details of the order by tapping on the "view cart" button in their chat window with the seller.
How safe is WhatsApp messaging for business?
To attract more business users, WhatsApp is also offering free storage to host messages. WhatsApp ensures safety through its high level of encryption, the company said.
“Every private message sent using WhatsApp is secured with end-to-end encryption by default. Strong encryption acts like an unbreakable digital lock that keeps the information you send over WhatsApp secure, helping protect you from hackers and criminals.”
Messages are only kept on your phone, and no one in between can read your messages or listen to your calls, it said.
WhatsApp is committed to not using messages to boost target advertising.
How big is WhatsApp community?
WhatsApp was founded in 2009 and sold to Facebook for $19 billion in 2014. The messaging platform has more than 2 billion users, compared with 1.5 billion in 2018. Nearly 175 million of WhatsApp's 2 billion users interact with a business on the app every day, according to the company's chief operating officer, Matt Idema.
Boulder shooting victims
• Denny Strong, 20
• Neven Stanisic, 23
• Rikki Olds, 25
• Tralona Bartkowiak, 49
• Suzanne Fountain, 59
• Teri Leiker, 51
• Eric Talley, 51
• Kevin Mahoney, 61
• Lynn Murray, 62
• Jody Waters, 65
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How to come clean about financial infidelity
- Be honest and transparent: It is always better to own up than be found out. Tell your partner everything they want to know. Show remorse. Inform them of the extent of the situation so they know what they are dealing with.
- Work on yourself: Be honest with yourself and your partner and figure out why you did it. Don’t be ashamed to ask for professional help.
- Give it time: Like any breach of trust, it requires time to rebuild. So be consistent, communicate often and be patient with your partner and yourself.
- Discuss your financial situation regularly: Ensure your spouse is involved in financial matters and decisions. Your ability to consistently follow through with what you say you are going to do when it comes to money can make all the difference in your partner’s willingness to trust you again.
- Work on a plan to resolve the problem together: If there is a lot of debt, for example, create a budget and financial plan together and ensure your partner is fully informed, involved and supported.
Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
SERIES INFO
Afghanistan v Zimbabwe, Abu Dhabi Sunshine Series
All matches at the Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Test series
1st Test: Zimbabwe beat Afghanistan by 10 wickets
2nd Test: Wednesday, 10 March – Sunday, 14 March
Play starts at 9.30am
T20 series
1st T20I: Wednesday, 17 March
2nd T20I: Friday, 19 March
3rd T20I: Saturday, 20 March
TV
Supporters in the UAE can watch the matches on the Rabbithole channel on YouTube
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FIGHT%20CARD
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
WHAT%20IS%20THE%20LICENSING%20PROCESS%20FOR%20VARA%3F
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Young women have more “financial grit”, but fall behind on investing
In an October survey of young adults aged 16 to 25, Charles Schwab found young women are more driven to reach financial independence than young men (67 per cent versus. 58 per cent). They are more likely to take on extra work to make ends meet and see more value than men in creating a plan to achieve their financial goals. Yet, despite all these good ‘first’ measures, they are investing and saving less than young men – falling early into the financial gender gap.
While the women surveyed report spending 36 per cent less than men, they have far less savings than men ($1,267 versus $2,000) – a nearly 60 per cent difference.
In addition, twice as many young men as women say they would invest spare cash, and almost twice as many young men as women report having investment accounts (though most young adults do not invest at all).
“Despite their good intentions, young women start to fall behind their male counterparts in savings and investing early on in life,” said Carrie Schwab-Pomerantz, senior vice president, Charles Schwab. “They start off showing a strong financial planning mindset, but there is still room for further education when it comes to managing their day-to-day finances.”
Ms Schwab-Pomerantz says parents should be conveying the same messages to boys and girls about money, but should tailor those conversations based on the individual and gender.
"Our study shows that while boys are spending more than girls, they also are saving more. Have open and honest conversations with your daughters about the wage and savings gap," she said. "Teach kids about the importance of investing – especially girls, who as we see in this study, aren’t investing as much. Part of being financially prepared is learning to make the most of your money, and that means investing early and consistently."
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