Introduction
For our POD clothing sellers, cross-border e-commerce business is the most important content, there is no one. However, in the process of expanding the international market, how to communicate efficiently and conveniently with overseas customers has become the key. Fortunately, modern technology has provided us with multiple instant messaging tools that not only help us cross geographical boundaries, but also improve customer experience and conversion rates. This article will introduce you to 10 instant messaging software tools commonly used by foreign customers to help you achieve greater success in the field of cross-border e-commerce.
Why is it important to choose the right instant messenger?
In the competitive international market, choosing the right instant messaging tool can not only improve work efficiency, but also enhance customer trust. A good instant messaging tool should have the following characteristics:
- Ease of use: Friendly interface, simple operation.
- Versatility: In addition to the basic text chat, should also support voice, video calls, etc.
- Security: Provides end-to-end encryption to protect user privacy.
- Cross-platform compatibility: supports multiple devices and operating systems.
- Localization services: To adapt to the needs of different countries and regions, to provide localized functions and services.
10 foreign customers commonly used instant messaging software tools sorting
1. WhatsApp
Number of users: 2 billion (active in 2024)
features: WhatsApp has a high penetration rate due in part to its ease of use, free voice and video calling capabilities, end-to-end encryption protection, and cross-platform compatibility. Whether for personal or business users, WhatsApp plays an important role as a communication tool around the world. With the expansion of features, including payments, enterprise services, group chat and more, WhatsApp remains the preferred messaging platform for many users.
User base: South America, Middle East, Southeast Asia, Africa. In particular, Brazil, India, South Africa, these countries have a penetration rate of up to 80%, in short, WhatsApp is currently the most commonly used chat software, Europe also has a very large user group, the United States is also, so the development of customer WhatsApp must have.
2. Facebook Messenger
Number of users: 1.3 billion (active in 2024)
Function: Facebook Messenger users are mainly from the Facebook social media platform, not only provides text messaging, voice and video calls, but also integrates a variety of social and entertainment features such as memes, GIFs, payment functions, chatbots, making it more than a communication tool. It also has strong social interaction attributes. The close integration with the Facebook platform makes it easy for Messenger to interact with Facebook friends and pages, further enhancing its user engagement and frequency of daily use. Globally, Messenger is still one of the most important social chat apps.
User base: North America, Europe, Latin America. Countries like the United States, Brazil, Indonesia, and the Philippines use Facebook Messenger in large numbers.
3. Instagram Direct
Number of users: Nearly 2 billion (active in 2024)
Function: Instagram, as the mainstream social media platform, has more than 2 billion monthly active users worldwide. Instagram Direct is a built-in instant messaging function of Instagram, allowing users to chat one-on-one or group within the platform. Since its launch, Instagram Direct has become a very important part of Instagram, allowing users to not only send text messages, but also share pictures, videos, memes, voice messages, and more.
User base: North America, South America, Europe, Asia. In particular, the United States, Brazil, and India have the highest penetration of Instagram Direct. This user is mainly due to the strong rise of Instagram in recent years, and it is also a very good communication software.
4. WeChat
Number of users: 1.2 billion (active in 2024)
Function: WeChat, as a super application, is not only an instant messaging tool, it integrates payment, social media, games, shopping and other functions, covering almost every aspect of users' daily life. In China, WeChat is an indispensable tool, almost all social networking, payment, merchant services, corporate communication, etc., are completed through WeChat.
User base: Southeast Asia, Africa, Middle East. While WeChat's popularity is low outside of China, it still has a strong user base among Chinese communities in Southeast Asia, Australia, and some European and American regions. In recent years, the trade between China and Russia is also increasing, and there are more and more WeChat users on the Russian side.
5. Telegram (airplane, telegram)
Number of users: 700 million (active in 2024)
Features: Telegram is an instant messaging software that emphasizes privacy protection, encrypted communication, and open source code, and has seen rapid user growth worldwide in recent years. Telegram is popular among technology enthusiasts, privacy-conscious and social groups alike, and its unique features such as support for large groups, channels, unlimited cloud storage, and end-to-end encryption have attracted a large number of users seeking a more free and secure communication experience. Telegram is also gradually expanding its reach among businesses, media and content creators, and its wide range of features and decentralized nature make it a different application option from traditional social media platforms.
User group: CIS, Middle East region. Like Russia and the Middle East countries many customers use Telegram this software, if you want to develop Russian customers, Telegram this software is not to be missed. There are also countries like the five Central Asian States, Belarus, Ukraine.
6. KakaoTalk
Number of users: 500 million (active in 2024)
Features: KakaoTalk provides a wealth of additional features, including payment, taxi service, social media, music, video, e-wallet, etc., to meet the various needs of users. South Korea's electronic products and game industry is developed, basically will have this software.
User base: South Korea, South Korea Overseas community, Southeast Asia. KakaoTalk is the main communication tool in South Korea, used by almost all Koreans, and its market penetration in South Korea is so high that it has almost become a part of People's Daily life. In Thailand and Indonesia, KakaoTalk also has a market share, especially among certain demographics. KakaoTalk's influence model at home and abroad is similar to our wechat, both domestic mainstream, and foreign communities are also useful.
7. Snapchat
Number of users: 400 million (active in 2024)
Function: This is a chat tool in the United States, which is characterized by instant burn after reading, using the application, users can take photos, record videos, add text and pictures.
User group: is currently mainly concentrated in Europe and the United States, young people use more, more inclined to entertainment, do foreign trade can see customer demand.
8. Skype
Number of users: 300 million (active in 2024)
Function: Skype is mainly used for voice and video calls, especially in cross-border communications and corporate video conferencing. It was once one of the most popular free calling tools around the world, and while the market has been overtaken by apps like WhatsApp in recent years, Skype still has an impact in certain areas, such as remote video conferencing for business and education, and international calls between family and friends.
User base: North America, Europe, Middle East, Asia. Countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, India and the United Arab Emirates still have a lot of Skype use.
9. Line
Number of users: 270 million (active in 2024)
function: Line has gradually become a super app, offering payment, social media, news, online shopping, games and other functions in addition to instant messaging.
User base: Southeast Asia. Line is currently mainly popular in Southeast Asian countries and regions, such as Japan, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Taiwan Province is also quite a lot of Line, if the main development of these local markets, this software can be used.
10. Zalo
Number of users: 100 million (active in 2024)
Features: Zalo, as a local messaging application in Vietnam, provides strong localization services, including Vietnamese language support and tight integration with local services (such as payment, news feed, etc.), supporting text, voice, picture, video and other ways of instant messaging. Zalo's status in Vietnam is similar to wechat's status in the country, and it is already a super app in Vietnam with social media functions.
User base: In the Vietnamese community in Vietnam and overseas. Needless to say, if developing the Vietnamese market, can not miss a chat software.
A niche instant messaging tool to improve user experience
In addition to these mainstream instant messaging tools, there are some niche but powerful tools such as Viber, Hangouts, Imo, GroupMe, Wire: https, Wickr, Discord, Slack, Trillian, Tango, etc. Each of these tools has its own characteristics and can be selected according to specific needs. In addition, many mainstream social media platforms such as Twitter and VK also provide online communication functions, which are also worth considering, but the best way is still to use different instant messaging tools, because these tools are not just instant messaging in nature, there are many different content, and they are often the most used communication channels. It naturally increases the sense of trust and closeness, which is much closer to their circle of life than not knowing when the other person will meet, or when they will check online communication window, or email.
Conclusion
In the context of globalization, choosing the right instant messaging tools is crucial to the success of cross-border e-commerce, especially at present, major e-commerce platforms and social media, search paid advertising is rising, the acquisition cost of each customer is constantly rising, and limited to a variety of reasons, e-commerce platforms and social media or independent stations, If you want to communicate with customers, it is always less convenient and more in line with the habits of the other party. Therefore, according to the characteristics of the target market and user habits, reasonable selection and skilled use of these tools will help improve customer experience and increase customer conversion rate, so as to achieve continuous business growth.
FAQ (FAQs)
1. Which IM tools are suitable for developing the Southeast Asian market?
A: Instant messaging tools suitable for developing the Southeast Asian market include WhatsApp, WeChat, Line and KakaoTalk.
2. How do I promote my business on WhatsApp?
- A: You can promote your business on WhatsApp by creating business accounts, setting up customer groups, sending marketing messages, etc.
3. What are the unique advantages of Telegram?
Telegram's advantages include a high degree of privacy protection, end-to-end encryption, support for large-scale groups and channels, unlimited cloud storage, and more.
4. What kind of users is Snapchat suitable for?
A: Snapchat is primarily for younger users, especially those who like entertaining content.
5. In what scenarios is Skype used more?
- A: Skype is used in cross-border communication, corporate video conferencing, distance education and cross-border calls between family and friends.
