Running your business often requires you to be out in the field and travel for meetings or official engagements. Sometimes, you have to manage your team and your transactions from a remote location to ensure that everything is running smoothly. While you can communicate using SNS and calls, they are sometimes not enough to help you keep track of things. That’s where instant messaging apps can be of value to you and your venture.
Through these apps, you can send short messages instantly, call each other, send files and photos, and store conversations. While some of them may have similar features, there are certain factors that you find a particular app suitable for your needs. Oftentimes, you end up using two or more of these apps depending on the intended recipients. While it can be useful, it can also cause confusion, not to mention that it can take up a lot of space in your phone’s storage.
It’s about time we take a closer look at these messaging apps so you can assess which ones you can use for your business needs.
Slack
Chat with your team or call your business partner using various channels. You can share files from your Google Drive, Dropbox, Trello and other apps that are integrated within the Slack system. You can easily search for the topics you have discussed and shared through this platform. Slack can be accessed via its website or downloaded on the computer or smartphone.
Microsoft Teams
Users of this platform can do individual and group chat and video meetings. They can also store files and use other Microsoft products, especially with the Office 365 suite, seamlessly while integrating non-Microsoft products through its extensions. It can be used for personal, business and educational purposes. It replaced Skype for Business using Skype’s advantage as one of the early players in instant messaging and video conferencing.
Twist
Messaging apps are your best tools to exchange information fast and efficiently. But when your group or team becomes huge, conversation threads may seem all over the place, and every message notification may become distracting. Twist provides a way to organise online discussions and you can disconnect if you need to focus on more important matters.
Zoho Cliq
If you are using other Zoho products, such as Zoho CRM, Zoho People, and Zoho Desk, it is easier to integrate them with Zoho Cliq, which can streamline your team’s conversations. You can easily chat with them, call them and set up reminders wherever you are and from any device you use.
Flock
Another app that is revolutionising modern communication is Flock. You can send instant messages and call contacts directly or through your group. You can also add people as guests to limit information sharing. It allows you to manage your mailing list and bookmark significant messages.
Google Hangouts Chat
If you have been using Google products or comfortable using G Suite, then you’ll find Google Hangouts Chat very convenient to use as you can integrate these products together. It is also downloadable in any device. You can easily share your docs, sheets, and slides that are in your G Drive with your team or contacts. The beauty of Google Hangouts is that there are several Google users, which makes communication easier.
Facebook Messenger/Workplace
There are millions of Facebook messenger users around the world, which means that you can easily contact your teammates, suppliers and other stakeholders through this app. Facebook ups its ante through Facebook Workplace where you can create an organizational chart for your contacts, translate messages into different languages and allows you to do live videos on top of its instant messaging, video conferencing and integration of third-party apps.
Another messaging app that is gaining more users globally is WhatsApp. Its version for business owners allows users to create product catalogues and manage their customer service through this platform. WhatsApp can be downloaded on any device and has a web-based platform for laptops and computers.
Originating from China, WeChat is a messaging platform that is popular in China and various parts of the world. One of its features is WeChat Pay where users can transfer or pay money for goods or services. It also adds other features such as photomontages, music lyrics, floating windows, and translation from images.
Kik
If you want your team to enjoy communicating with others, Kik provides a fun way of connecting with people and groups. It has gaming features, news, tips and a lot more. Brands can have their stickers, that users can include in their messages when chatting with their contacts.
There are many more messaging apps and platforms available online. Some are more popular in a certain country or a particular sector of society. Choose the one that you and your team can easily use. Make it also a medium for your clients and customers to communicate with you, enabling you to deepen and strengthen your relationship with your market.