Take App: A Singaporean Startup that Helps Merchants Sell via WhatsApp

In 2014, social media giant, Meta, bought WhatsApp. The app was initially used to communicate with users, make voice calls, and send messages. With time, the app has evolved into a tremendous communication tool for businesses and their customers. Many small sellers, especially those from Asia, have started to do significant amounts of business on the app.

WhatsApp is an easy-to-use communication platform, which is why it’s preferred over web-based channels. The creators of taking App saw this problem and created an app that lets small-scale sellers set up an online store. Once an order is complete, the seller is redirected via WhatsApp to manage and track the final order.
Upon realizing this, Meta invested in taking App. This startup can unlock and tap into a large marketplace. Youmin Kim, an ex-Facebook engineering manager, created the startup. After gauging the market gap, he quit his job in January and started work on taking App.

While Meta has not revealed the details of its investment, Take App’s leadership knows a lot about the company’s internal workings.

Take App was initially a non-profit that helped small restaurants in Singapore to accept online orders during the COVID-19 pandemic. Kim saw a huge opportunity to make Take App a business venture.

Kim says that WhatsApp is the most popular way to communicate with businesses. It comes with a high operating cost because employees must respond to multiple conversations.

Take App still has to reach many WhatsApp sellers, but its brilliant idea, timing, and the correct market will make it a great success. It will also help increase commerce in the Asian region.

Take App is a strong advocate for restaurants, with numerous businesses listed. However, Take App also works with service-based businesses such as bakeries, grocery shops, and beauty salons.

“Our unique selling proposition is that merchants can have direct WhatsApp conversations with customers.” Kim shared his startup story, saying merchants love the idea that they can receive order details and notifications directly
through WhatsApp.

The Reason Behind Why Businesses Use WhatsApp –

WhatsApp Business, the business version of WhatsApp, is designed to allow businesses to connect with customers. They can search for products and indicate buying interests using the App.

Verint claims that the messaging App has reached most, if not all, of the globe, being the preferred platform for communication in EMEA (Europe, Latin America, and some parts of Asia). WhatsApp’s popularity could be due to its ability to provide an alternative to SMS messaging for more expensive places.

WhatsApp is used by approximately 12% of Americans. Statista predicts that 85.8 Americans could use it by 2023. WhatsApp usage is not limited to North America.

WhatsApp’s success in allowing businesses to connect with customers directly is unquestionable. This messaging app will enable enterprises to create mobile storefronts for themselves with catalogs. They can also accept secure payments via FacebookPay.

All About the Take App

Take App is much simpler to use. A customer needs to fill out a business order form. According to the taking App’s website, it will then be sent to the business in order messages. Business owners and employees can also use the order message option to contact one another directly via WhatsApp. It makes the process much more accessible than replying individually to messages. Take App was initially created for small restaurants. It has since expanded its offerings to grocery stores, bakeries, and beauty salons.

Kim noted that while western CRM solutions offer the same service, such as Germany’s Charles, they were too expensive or complicated for small-business owners from Singapore and Southeast Asia. Take App eventually concentrated on traditional businesses with a digital deficit. WhatsApp makes it easier for customers to order. It is free for small-business owners, and the premium offers only a few advanced features.