Businesses today must contend with a plethora of challenges to ensure that their customers have a fulfilling experience. One of these challenges above is providing them with smooth mobile communication for supportive customer service. It is why it isn't surprising to see an influx of apps, such as WhatsApp Business, that have quickly established themselves as the preferred tool for businesses to engage with their customers. Apple hasn't been blind to this trend, which explains its decision to bring in Business Chat under the purview of its native Messages app.

Aimed at empowering organizations with a different medium to reach out to and connect with customers in real-time, Apple's Business Chat allows companies to address queries, remediate problems, and execute transactions -- straight from the company's iMessage app. What it does is that it will enable users to find a business via Maps, Safari, Siri, Spotlight, and more to start a conversation with the chosen industry via iMessages.

To give you a better idea of its potential, here are some of the many ways different companies are leveraging Apple Business Chat for their benefit.

1. To be discovered:

While any business has an endless list of options to up their 'discoverability' quotient, unfortunately, they often fail in what comes next, i.e., how does the customer engage with it. Do they call, email, or contact via the website? While feasible, these options aren't exactly preferred. To that end, with Business Chat a message widget is listed next to the business on any Google searches performed on customers' iPads or iPhones. It, in turn, gives them a quick and highly convenient way for them to engage with the business.

2. To co-ordinate and schedule appointments:

Time is invaluable, be it for the company or its customers. Sadly, availability and schedules have proven to be a significant issue for both of them alike. In this context, businesses are now using Business Chat to inform customers about their availability. It is done via time slots presented to the customers, who can then select one that works for them -- again, all from within iMessage.

3. To allow customers to shop:

Among many other things, Business Chat is now also being used to enable customers to buy a business' offering or even make reservations for services straight from the iMessage thread. Business Chat also enables businesses to show the items they currently have in stock, as a list, within the conversation. It, in turn, does away with the requiring the customer to open a different window to browse.

Considering that it is relatively new in the arena, we will admit that Apple's Business Chat has a long way to go before it becomes the norm in the industry. However, that day shouldn't be too far, given the way it stands to empower businesses. Now, if you are feeling inclined to integrate this Apple novelty into your business, pick a trusted name from the sea of companies developing iOS apps, and you'll be soon on your way to transforming your business like never before.