WhatsApp SWOT Analysis, Competitors & USP

WhatsApp SWOT analysis evaluates the brand by its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities & threats. In SWOT Analysis of WhatsApp, the strengths and weaknesses are the internal factors whereas opportunities and threats are the external factors.

SWOT Analysis is a proven management framework which enables a brand like WhatsApp to benchmark its business & performance as compared to the competitors, and make strategic improvements. WhatsApp is one of the leading brands in the IT & Technology sector.

The article below lists the WhatsApp SWOT, competitors and includes its target market, segmentation, positioning & USP. Let us start the WhatsApp SWOT Analysis:

SWOT Analysis of WhatsApp

For WhatsApp, SWOT analysis can help the brand focus on building upon its strengths and opportunities while addressing its weaknesses as well as threats to improve its market position.

WhatsApp Strengths

The strengths of WhatsApp looks at the key aspects of its business which gives it competitive advantage in the market. Some important factors in a brand's strengths include its financial position, experienced workforce, product uniqueness & intangible assets like brand value. Below are the Strengths in the SWOT Analysis of WhatsApp :

1. WhatsApp is a top of the mind app among customers worldwide for personal & private chats

2. WhatsApp has a very high awareness and extremely high user engagement

3. With increase in telecom services, the app has had a cascading effect in terms of installations

4. Ad free service and hence higher customer satisfaction

5. WhatsApp has a strong loyal customer base of over 1.5 billion users worldwide

6. Available in all major smartphone platforms like iOS, Android etc

7. WhatsApp has been enjoying early mover advantage in the chatting platform

8. Bug free compared to its competitors (Works smoothly without any problems)

9. WhatsApp Inc was acquired by Facebook in 2014 for approx. US$19 billion

10. The brand has very high penetration in India, Brazil, UK & other parts of Europe

11. WhatsApp also plans to launch application for small businesses & enterprise level solutions

WhatsApp Weaknesses

The weaknesses of a brand are certain aspects of its business which are it can improve to increase its position further. Certain weaknesses can be defined as attributes which the company is lacking or in which the competitors are better. Here are the weaknesses in the WhatsApp SWOT Analysis:

1. Vulnerability of encryption, promotion of hatred etc have all been linked to WhatsApp

2. Fear among users that data might get leaked due to cloud

WhatsApp Opportunities

The opportunities for any brand can include areas of improvement to increase its business. A brand's opportunities can lie in geographic expansion, product improvements, better communication etc. Following are the opportunities in WhatsApp SWOT Analysis:

1. Increasing internet penetration especially in developing countries can be leveraged by WhatsApp

2. Increasing smartphone users would help in keeping customers engaged 

3. Technological development & better services can help WhatsApp reach to a wider audience

4. Ensuring better security & privacy of user data, and controlling viral outbursts can help improve its image

WhatsApp Threats

The threats for any business can be factors which can negatively impact its business. Some factors like increased competitor activity, changing government policies, alternate products or services etc. can be threats. The threats in the SWOT Analysis of WhatsApp are as mentioned:

1. Intense competition from similar apps can hurt WhatsApp's user engagement

2. Similar applications are also available for free

3. Strict actions by governments can be a threat for WhatsApp & its operations

WhatsApp Competitors

There are several brands in the market which are competing for the same set of customers. Below are the top 9 competitors of WhatsApp:

1. Viber

2. WeChat

3. Line

4. Skype

5. Telegram

6. Facebook

7. Instagram

8. Snapchat

9. Twitter

Hence this concludes the WhatsApp SWOT analysis.

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About WhatsApp

WhatsApp Overview
Parent Company	Facebook
Category	Mobile & Web Application - Cross Platform Social media messenger
Sector	IT & Technology
Tagline/ Slogan	Simple. Personal. Real Time Messaging.
USP	WhatsApp offers simplicity & user friendly platform for private chats
WhatsApp STP
Segmentation	All internet users (Smartphone as well as web)
Target Market	Customers who need personalized messenger application (Relatively younger segment)
Positioning	WhatsApp is a simple, user friendly & personal social media app

This article has been researched & authored by the Content & Research Team. It has been reviewed & published by the MBA Skool Team. The content on MBA Skool has been created for educational & academic purpose only.

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