Telegram is not as widely used as WhatsApp, but businesses can now add it as a communication option for customers if needed. Now, anyone on the messaging app can convert their account to a business account to access features designed to make it easier for customers to find and contact them. They will be able to display their opening hours on their profile and pin their location to a map. By identifying opening hours, customers can see at a glance whether they are still open and what hours they will be open that day.
Businesses can also customize their start page and display information about their products and services in an empty chat, allowing customers to learn about what’s on offer before they get in touch. To make it easier to respond to multiple queries, Telegram Business accounts can also create and save preset messages and send them as quick replies. Of course, they can also pre-write greetings and away messages that are automatically sent to customers who contact them. They can also use Telegram bots to chat with customers, although we all know how frustrating it is to talk to a bot when we need to talk to a human customer service representative. All these features are free, but only for users with a Telegram Premium account, which costs $5 per month.
In addition to rolling out new business-focused features, Telegram revealed that it will earn 50% of revenue from ads displayed on channels as long as channel owners have at least 1,000 subscribers. Based on information previously shared by company founder Pavel Durov, Telegram appears to be in good financial shape and can afford to be so generous.Durov told financial times He expects the messaging app to become profitable next year and is currently exploring a future initial public offering.
