WhatsApp Business and Startup Mexico create an alliance to boost the growth of Mexican SMEs

September 18, 2019 | 3:45 pm

WhatsApp Business, hand in hand with the Startup Mexico organization, plans to reach more micro, small and medium Mexican companies to contribute to its growth.

Startup Mexico was selected by WhatsApp Business to train entrepreneurs and business owners to connect better with their customers through the application.

WhatsApp selected us to support them in promoting this business tool and thus improve communication between SMEs, suppliers and customers

Marcus Dantus, CEO of Startup Mexico

Pablo Bello, director of public policies for Facebook messaging, told EL CEO that the application is very important to help microentrepreneurs to sell more and improve their relationship with customers.

He also mentioned that, for WhatsApp, Mexico is a priority country worldwide. This is the first agreement of this kind that they establish in Latin America.

It is about inviting them to know a digital tool that is simple, powerful and reliable. It is already helping thousands of small entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs in Mexico and the world. Microenterprises are the engine of Latin America

highlighted Pablo Bello

In Mexico there are more than 4 million SMEs and they generate seven out of 10 jobs in Mexico. More than 97% are microenterprises with less than 10 workers, according to figures from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi).

How will it reach Mexican SMEs?

Startup Mexico, an organization that has a presence in different states of the country, will develop digital publications aimed at SMEs to explain the advantages of the professional use of WhatsApp.

The program will be available this month and they expect it to reach thousands of entrepreneurs, since it will not be exclusive for members of the organization.

Worldwide, WhatsApp Business, which was launched in January 2918, is already used by more than five million small businesses to communicate with their customers.

While the WhatsApp platform is the world's leading messaging application with 1.5 billion users in 2018 and it is estimated that this year it will reach 2,000 million users, according to Hootsuite.

Economic impact of the application in Mexico

Among Mexican SMEs that use the messaging app, 82% think it helps them communicate with customers, while 65% believe it helps them expand their business, according to the survey on the economic impact of WhatsApp in Mexico.

While 57% of small and medium-sized companies said that their sales increased thanks to the use of the app and 56% believe that the platform allows them to sell their products or services in other cities, states or countries.

Now, with the availability of WhatsApp Business, SMEs will be able to share details about their business, be in more efficient contact with their customers and use management tools.