Telegram has launched its latest feature, named Telegram Business, as of March 31. This new initiative allows users to convert their personal accounts into business accounts. It aims to assist small online entrepreneurs and physical store owners in attracting new customers, addressing existing customer inquiries, and managing their orders, all through the messaging platform. The new offering includes a variety of features such as operational hours, location display, automated messages, quick reply options, a personalized start page, and chatbot integration.
The company detailed these enhancements in a blog post, which emphasized the ease with which any user can access business functionalities without needing any programming skills. “Telegram has long allowed developers to build powerful bots and mini-apps which were widely used by businesses. Starting today, any user can easily use business features,” the post stated.
New Features in Telegram Business
Users choosing to create a business account can display critical information about their business on their chat info page. This feature allows businesses to provide their operating hours and a location map, thereby facilitating easier physical access for customers.
Additionally, Telegram Business enables users to customize a start page for chat conversations that have yet to commence. This page can feature text and a sticker of the user’s choice, providing a preliminary welcome and information about products or services before any discussion starts. The company highlighted that this could also involve branded artwork to enhance customer engagement.
In terms of communication, business account holders can utilize automated messages in various capacities. For instance, they can set a greeting message for first-time contacts, which can be programmed to repeat at designated intervals. Quick reply options will also be available, allowing users to send pre-set messages containing relevant information, including links, stickers, media, and files. Furthermore, business accounts can configure away messages for times when the business is not operational, with options to exclude certain individuals or entire chat categories for those wanting to maintain personal chat capabilities alongside their business functions.
Additional features include the ability for business users to create links that direct customers to conversations within the Telegram app. These links can be utilized both internally within Telegram and externally on the user’s website, enabling direct queries to be sent to the chat, for which automated responses can be established. Moreover, holders of business accounts will have access to bots and AI assistants designed to help manage chats and respond to customer inquiries efficiently.
Telegram Business is available free of charge to all Premium users, with the option to switch to a business account accessible in Settings > Telegram Business.
