WhatsApp developers have added a new shopping button right next to the call button in the chats on WhatsApp Business accounts. The new button directly takes the potential buyers to the list of items or catalog of products a business has. Previously, users had to tap on the business contact name before accessing the list of items. But, now the latest addition reduces the number of taps one used to take before viewing the catalog.

This is indeed a great feature because users will tap directly on to the button provided and see the list of items a particular seller has even when the seller is not active at that moment for interaction. In many cases, consumers ask sellers to send the catalog of items, thus adding extra work for the sellers.

We're making shopping on WhatsApp even easier. Now you can easily discover something you'd like to buy from your favorite business by tapping on the new shopping button at the top of chats. pic.twitter.com/lHn0M1NhM5

— WhatsApp Inc. (@WhatsApp) November 10, 2020

Quick and direct access to the things a user wants to have is one of the first rules of a good user experience. It is fairly possible that shoppers may not look around for a simple catalog option. They want a direct button right inside the chat that does not even require interaction with the seller.

By providing a direct button above the chats, WhatsApp is opening a great option of window shopping where a user needs to simply open the business chat and tap on the shopping button to see the catalog.

In related news, WhatsApp announced last month that it is adding an “Add to Cart” option so that users can directly “buy” items from the catalog provided. With the latest quick to view catalog addition, it appears WhatsApp is making its messaging platform ready for the big shopping update. A user will click on the shopping button to access the entire catalog and select the item to view it and then add it directly to the cart. A simple and easy shopping experience is thus created.

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