Telegram's New Business Account Feature | MarkMeets | Entertainment, Music, Movie, TV & London Film Premiere News

Telegram founder Pavel Durov has unveiled a new capability on the chat platform: the ability for users with personal accounts to convert them into business accounts, provided they are willing to pay a monthly fee. This move opens up a range of possibilities for businesses, particularly small cafes and shop owners, who can now leverage their Telegram accounts to showcase vital information such as location and opening hours, enhancing their online presence and accessibility to customers.

Exploring Business Account Features

The introduction of business accounts brings a host of features tailored to meet the needs of businesses, both big and small. Among these features are the ability to organize chats with color labels, utilize automatic greetings and away messages, and employ shortcuts for quick replies. Durov hinted at more enhancements to come, including the integration of AI-powered chatbots for customer service, a feature that is set to revolutionize the way businesses interact with their clientele.

Chatbots: The Future of Customer Service

Durov envisions a future where Telegram Business accounts seamlessly incorporate chatbots as virtual assistants, capable of handling a wide range of inquiries and tasks. These AI-powered chatbots have the potential to elevate customer service to new heights, providing businesses with a cost-effective solution to managing their interactions with customers while ensuring prompt and efficient responses.

Competition in the Messaging Landscape

With this move, Telegram is positioning itself to compete more effectively with WhatsApp Business, a platform that boasts over 200 million monthly active users. While WhatsApp has introduced a plethora of business-oriented features, including personalized customer messages and seamless e-commerce transactions, Telegram distinguishes itself by adopting a subscription-based model for accessing business features, a departure from WhatsApp’s revenue generation strategy based on chat frequency and content type.

Telegram’s Strategic Focus

Over the past few years, Telegram has strategically expanded its offerings to cater to diverse user needs and preferences. From premium subscriptions to self-custodial crypto wallets, the platform has continuously innovated to stay ahead of the curve. Additionally, Telegram has explored revenue streams such as the auction of premium usernames, catering to users’ desire for unique and personalized experiences on the platform.

A Look Ahead: The Ad Platform

As part of its ongoing evolution, Telegram is set to launch its ad platform, signaling a new chapter in its monetization strategy. This platform will not only provide businesses with a targeted advertising channel but also introduce a revenue-sharing program for channels, incentivizing content creators and fostering a vibrant ecosystem within the Telegram community.

Why would someone use Telegram? Telegram offers several advantages that attract users:
- Enhanced privacy features: Telegram boasts end-to-end encryption for secret chats, providing users with a high level of privacy and security.
- Versatile messaging capabilities: Users can send messages, photos, videos, and files of various formats with ease.
- Large group chats: Telegram supports group chats with up to 200,000 members, making it ideal for communities, businesses, and organizations.
- Cloud-based storage: Telegram stores messages, media, and files in the cloud, allowing users to access their data across multiple devices seamlessly.
- Customization options: Users can personalize their experience with themes, stickers, and custom backgrounds.
Is Telegram safe for users? Telegram prioritizes user privacy and security through its robust encryption protocols. While no platform is entirely immune to security risks, Telegram’s end-to-end encryption for secret chats and commitment to protecting user data make it a relatively safe option for communication. However, users should exercise caution and adhere to best practices for online security, such as enabling two-factor authentication and avoiding sharing sensitive information in public chats.
Is Telegram free to use from the UK? Yes, Telegram is free to use in the UK and globally. Users can download the Telegram app for free from app stores and access its core features, including messaging, group chats, and media sharing, without incurring any charges. However, certain premium features or services, such as the ability to convert personal accounts to business accounts, may require payment of a subscription fee.
What is the difference between WhatsApp and Telegram? While both WhatsApp and Telegram are popular messaging apps, they have distinct features and functionalities:
- Encryption: While both platforms offer encryption, Telegram provides end-to-end encryption for secret chats by default, whereas WhatsApp offers end-to-end encryption for all chats.
- Group chats: Telegram supports larger group chats with up to 200,000 members, whereas WhatsApp has a maximum limit of 256 members per group.
- Cloud-based storage: Telegram stores messages and media in the cloud, allowing users to access their data from multiple devices. WhatsApp, on the other hand, stores data locally on users’ devices.
- Business features: Telegram offers advanced business features such as converting personal accounts to business accounts, integrating AI-powered chatbots, and launching an ad platform. While WhatsApp has introduced business-oriented features, such as WhatsApp Business, it primarily relies on chat frequency and content type for revenue generation.

Conclusion: Embracing Business Innovation

In conclusion, Telegram’s introduction of business accounts marks a significant step forward in its journey to become a multifaceted platform catering to both personal and professional needs. By empowering businesses with advanced features and tools, Telegram is poised to redefine the way businesses engage with their customers and capitalize on the growing demand for seamless and efficient communication solutions. As the platform continues to evolve and expand its offerings, it remains at the forefront of innovation in the messaging landscape, setting new standards for user experience and functionality.

Author Profile

Adam Regan

Deputy Editor

Features and account management. 3 years media experience. Previously covered features for online and print editions.

Email Adam@MarkMeets.com