WhatsApp runs pilots with businesses in India to monetise its services

Businesses will be able to update customers with flight times, delivery confirmation, other services

Instant messaging platform WhatsApp has outlined its two-pronged approach to help businesses reach out to customers through its service and is running pilots with several mid-sized companies in India, its largest market globally.

In a blog post on Tuesday, WhatsApp said it is building and testing two new tools for businesses — a free WhatsApp Business app for small companies and an enterprise solution for larger firms. For now, the company has not shared any details on how it plans to monetise its service for businesses.

"These businesses will be able to use our solutions to provide customers with useful notifications like