Telegram Premium users now have free access to new business account feature

Telegram launched its latest product, Telegram Business, on March 31, which will allow users to convert their accounts into business accounts. Those running small online businesses or owning brick-and-mortar stores will be able to attract new customers, support orders from existing customers and help resolve queries, all within the messaging app. With this offering, the platform will offer a host of new features such as showing business hours and locations, quick replies, automated messages, custom start pages, chatbot support, and more.

The messaging app introduces new features blog postwhich states: “Telegram has long allowed developers to build powerful bots and mini-apps that are widely used by businesses. Starting today, any user can easily use business functions without any coding skills.”

New features for Telegram business

Users who choose a business account will be able to display information about their business on the chat’s information page. These will show the store’s opening hours and physical location on the map. This way, businesses can let users know when and how to contact them personally.

Telegram Business also allows businesses to build custom start pages for empty chats. Here, they can add text and stickers of their choice so that new customers know about them before they start a conversation. The company says the space can be used to display information about products and services or to welcome customers with branded artwork.

Additionally, account holders can use automated messages in a variety of ways. They will see an option to set up a greeting message that will be sent to first-time texters. You can specify a period of time after which the greeting message will be repeated again for new messages. Quick replies are also available for business accounts. These are shortcuts for sending canned messages that users can send to get relevant information. These support links, stickers, media and files. Users can also set away messages during business hours. All automated messages can be set up to exclude specific people or entire chat categories, in case the account holder intends to use them as personal chats as well.

Some other features are also included. Telegram Business account users can create links that direct users to the Telegram app. These links can be placed inside Telegram or outside the user’s website. Clicking on them will result in a direct query being posted in the chat, for which automatic messages can be set up. Finally, Telegram is also giving business account holders access to its bots and AI assistants that can be used to manage chats, answer queries, and more.

Telegram Business is free for all premium users.The option to convert your account to a business account is available at set up > telegraph service.