WhatsApp Bharat Yatra Empowers Small Businesses with Digital Training

WhatsApp launched the WhatsApp Bharat Yatra on December 10, 2024, a groundbreaking initiative to deliver in-person training to small businesses across India. This mobile bus tour aims to empower small and medium businesses (SMBs) by enhancing their digital capabilities, enabling them to leverage the WhatsApp Business app for growth and customer engagement.

The Yatra began in the Delhi-NCR region, visiting bustling markets like Laxmi Nagar, Rajouri Garden, Nehru Place, and key locations in Gurgaon and Noida, such as Sapphire Mall and Atta Market. Following this, the tour will span cities including Agra, Lucknow, Kanpur, Indore, Ahmedabad, Surat, Nashik, and Mysore.

This initiative includes interactive demos, hands-on training to create Business Profiles, set up catalogs, and create click-to-chat ads, alongside expert guidance to use WhatsApp's features effectively. Businesses will learn to strengthen their digital presence, connect better with customers, drive sales, and streamline operations.

Ravi Garg, Director of Business Messaging, Meta India, highlighted the role of small businesses in India’s economy and emphasized the potential of digital tools to accelerate India’s digital transformation. He stated, “By meeting businesses where they are—both physically and digitally—we aim to create a meaningful, long-lasting impact on India’s entrepreneurial landscape.”

WhatsApp recently introduced Meta Verified, enabling businesses to enhance credibility, and launched features like customized messaging for appointment reminders, holiday sales updates, and Meta AI integration. The Bharat Yatra provides SMBs with personalized training to maximize these tools.

The WhatsApp Bharat Yatra is part of the platform’s broader efforts, including programs like WhatsApp Se Wyapaarwith CAIT, Digishaastra by India SME Forum, and a partnership with ONDC, to drive India’s digital economy and empower millions of traders and entrepreneurs.