WhatsApp just got a killer upgrade for 2 billion users — how to try it now

WhatsApp but got a killer upgrade for 2 billion users — how to endeavor information technology now

(Image credit: Anadolu Agency / Getty Images)

Slowly only surely, WhatsApp has added a swath of new features aimed at getting users to spend more time in the conversation app — particularly when it comes to shopping. Most recently, WhatsApp added a special shopping push button just in time for Blackness Friday.

Now, with Dec holiday shopping in full swing, the messaging platform is adding one more than addition for shoppers — a shopping cart.

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Shopping carts are meant to brand it simpler for customers to rack up multiple items that they plan to buy from certain businesses in WhatsApp. They're also designed to offer easier ways for businesses to proceed track of orders and manage requests for more than data nearly items.

WhatsApp is adding the new characteristic equally a response to positive results subsequently testing its shopping cart with a select handful of businesses.

WhatsApp Shopping Cart — (Image credit: WhatsApp)

This is all role of WhatsApp's push button to further refine its shopping experience for users. When you lot're looking to purchase items through the app peruse businesses like restaurants, an option to add the items to your cart will pop up. You tin so transport your order to the merchant for next steps. One time the guild is sent, you're able to bulletin the business organisation to inquire questions if need be.

To attempt the shopping cart now, head to a WhatsApp business account that you desire to buy from. Peruse the app'due south catalog, and so select items you want to purchase. You should be able to add them to your cart.

Just be aware that not all users will have this functionality yet, as WhatsApp rolls out the characteristic, but there is a guide to how the shopping cart capability works.

You can edit items that are in your cart, changing the quantity of items added; you lot can as well get back to the merchant and add other items, or become ahead with your order. The society isn't actually final until a seller confirms it. What'due south more, there'due south still an easy fashion to ask questions about multiple questions in a itemize. You can just add items to your cart and transport a bulletin at the same time with any queries.

WhatsApp has made a multifariousness of moves to ensure its success as a commerce platform in addition to a messaging i. In addition to the aforementioned defended shopping push, it'due south offered catalogs included in chats, QR codes to scan, and fifty-fifty complimentary storage for hosting messages sent to businesses. In locations like India, which is WhatsApp'southward largest market in terms of users, commerce on the app has gained traction in a big way.

While there's still much to larn for WhatsApp as information technology completes its metamorphosis into full-blown shopping app, information technology's intriguing to see these individual features being added as time goes by. While WhatsApp nonetheless seems to be having difficulty adding payments to the mix, once that's solved, it could brand the chat app for an interesting competitor to other retail platforms out there. For now, get used to more updates that expand WhatsApp's characteristic set.

Brittany Vincent has been covering video games and tech for over 13 years for publications including Tom's Guide, MTV, Rolling Stone, CNN, Popular Science, Playboy, IGN, GamesRadar, Polygon, Kotaku, Maxim, and more. She'due south also appeared as a panelist at video game conventions like PAX Eastward and PAX West and has coordinated social media for companies similar CNET. When she'southward non writing or gaming, she's looking for the side by side peachy visual novel in the vein of Saya no Uta. You can follow her on Twitter @MolotovCupcake.