Telegram Business: The Ultimate Telegram for Business Guide [March 2023]

The Ultimate Guide to Telegram for Business: Telegram Business Accounts

Is Telegram popular with your customers? If it is, read this Telegram guide and learn how to use Telegram for business. We’ll explain what a Telegram business account is, how to create a Telegram bot to chat with customers and best practices for making the most of your business account for Telegram.

Mục Lục

What is Telegram?

Telegram is a messaging app renowned for its privacy and security, support for every major operating system and ease of use as a mobile app. It had over 700 million monthly active users and was among the top five downloaded apps worldwide as of June 2022.

The privately-owned service also long held a not-for-profit stance. While Telegram has introduced a paid premium subscription, all existing features remain free, assuring users of its commitment to prioritizing their interests over profit.

As its popularity continues to grow, the channel is seeing an uptake among businesses. Let’s examine why Telegram is a key channel for customer communication.

Telegram Business Account Benefits

An impressive 64% of customers prefer communicating with businesses over instant messaging rather than traditional channels like phone calls or email. Using Telegram for business, in particular, has multiple benefits.

First, security is a key driver of the channel’s popularity. Telegram uses server-client encryption and files are stored encrypted in the Telegram cloud. Privacy-conscious users can opt for extra security with advanced end-to-end encrypted messages and voice calls.

This is an image depicting the benefits of using Telegram for Business, including the fast that it's secure, highly social and has no content restrictions or messaging windows The benefits of using Telegram for business

But customer communication is not limited to 1:1 chats and calls. Telegram also has social platforms businesses can leverage to interact with customers at scale, such as Telegram Groups and Channels (more on these later).

Best of all, Telegram doesn’t limit the number of devices an account can be connected to or used on simultaneously, and chats are synced in real-time across all devices. Without any restrictions on content type or messaging windows, it’s a great channel for business.

Businesses can use Telegram to:

Share promotional content, special offers and other marketing materials in 1:1 messaging or via Telegram Groups and Channels
Guide customers through the sales funnel easily as the platform enables secure and informal conversations that build rapport
Provide customer support 24/7 and respond to customer inquiries, complaints and feedback in real-time
Conduct surveys and gather feedback from customers or employees in a conversational format
Integrate existing CRMs so they can access and update customer data, and create deals or tickets while chatting with customers on Telegram

Now, let’s see where Telegram is actively being used by businesses to communicate with customers.

Regions that Use Telegram for Business

In a few regions around the world, Telegram is overtaking Facebook Messenger in popularity, though it’s still behind WhatsApp globally. What spurred this development and where is this growth prominent?

Telegram was the fastest-growing messenger in 20 countries and the top messaging app in 16 countries in 2020. That number has only risen since. The 2020 Telegram user growth map below shows its use in Eastern Europe and Asia, as well as in parts of South Africa, North America and South America.

The trend continued in 2021 and 2022, with Europe, Asia and Africa recording steady downloads. Telegram’s largest user base is now in India, where the app has 120 million monthly active users as of September 2022 and comprises almost 20% of its total users.

Telegram user growth in 2020 shows its popularity from Brazil to South Africa and Indonesia

A possible reason for this explosive growth is market share saturation. The most popular apps are already in use, leading to a slowdown in recent downloads. This allows Telegram to rank higher in app stores now as other messaging app users seek it out.

Telegram was also mostly popular in countries with authoritarian regimes due to its privacy policies and security features. Demand multiplied globally in 2021 when concerns about WhatsApp sharing private user data with parent company Meta arose.

Since then, Telegram has become part of an elite club of apps that have been downloaded over 1 billion times. If you’re in a region where customers are increasingly turning to the channel, consider using Telegram for business to reach out to them.

How to Use Telegram for Business

Telegram provides an easy yet impactful experience for businesses and customers alike. Businesses can drive customers to chat with them via Telegram links or QR codes. Small businesses will find the free version of the Telegram app sufficient with the ability to schedule messages and more.

Medium to large businesses can connect Telegram to a messaging inbox like respond.io and integrate it with their business software or CRMs to perform tasks while chatting with customers. They can also enable auto-replies, push notifications and bulk messaging, as well as advanced automation.

Let’s look into native Telegram features or capabilities that are ideal for businesses.

Create a Telegram Business Account with Telegram Bot

The Telegram bot is basically a Telegram Business account. Unlike WhatsApp Business App, there is no dedicated Telegram Business app. However, using the Telegram bot allows you to create a branded Telegram account for your business.

The Telegram bot (or Telegram Business API) is free and allows you to create bots to play games, run ecommerce services or chat with customers. Telegram chatbots are also searchable in the app if you agree to their commercial terms.

A Telegram bot can run tasks and act as a business account

However, as an API, the Telegram bot lacks an interface and needs to be connected to a messaging inbox like respond.io to send and receive messages.

Additionally, connecting a Telegram bot to respond.io will enable sophisticated automation to automate marketing initiatives, sales cycles and customer support over Telegram, including the escalation of complex support issues.

Interact with Customers on Telegram Groups

Telegram Groups work just like groups on any other messaging app. The key difference is groups on Telegram can have up to 200,000 members. Groups are highly configurable, have granular controls for chat management and can be private or public and searchable.

Groups are awesome for community building. You can add members individually or post a group link publicly. Groups can even be made public and searchable in-app. This is a great way to use Telegram as information is quickly and widely disseminated, especially in countries where Telegram is popular such as Indonesia and the US. Telegram Group settings

As Telegram Groups support two-way interaction, they are invaluable for community building. Businesses can share their Telegram links with customers and use them to gather feedback, conduct polls or address topics of interest according to the group’s segmenting.

Send Broadcasts via Telegram Channels

Telegram Channels have the same features as Groups except communication is one-way. Only admins can send messages. They also have no user limits, making them ideal for broadcasts.

For instance, Health Ministries in Singapore, Malaysia, India and Israel used Telegram Channels to update the public on Covid-19 news.

Example of health ministries’ Telegram Channels

Users subscribe to channels through in-app searches on Telegram or by using channel links posted on websites or other places. Channels with over 1,000 subscribers can access channel and post analytics to measure their reach and impact.

Share Identification Documents Securely with Telegram Passport

If you’re in an industry that handles identity verification, then Telegram Passport is for you. It’s a platform that stores identification documents for use by institutions or service providers that require them for Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures.

This image in the Telegram guide shows how Telegram Passport is useful for those in sectors like the finance and cryptocurrency industries, where identity verification is vital. Telegram Premium is a platform that stores identification documents so they can be used with financial institutions that require Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures. Telegram Passport

The idea is to stop uploading these confidential documents to various places. Since Telegram stores this data in its cloud with end-to-end encryption, only the intended recipients can access the data.

Get Telegram Premium for Heavy Use of Telegram for Business

Telegram’s co-founders were adamant that its private messaging would always be cost-free and ad-free. That promise is still intact, but the channel recently introduced Telegram Premium for users who are willing to pay for additional benefits.

Telegram Premium capabilities

These include 4GB file uploads, faster downloads, exclusive stickers, custom animated emojis and emoji statuses, and advanced chat management and privacy settings. If you often send large files, subscribe to the Premium plan. Otherwise, you can get by with the free version.

For best results, however, connect your Telegram business account to respond.io to unlock features like advanced chat automation, integration with external CRMs and extensive reporting and analytics. We’ll show you how to do this next.

How to Set Up a Telegram Business Account with Telegram Bot

As it lacks its own interface, the Telegram bot has to be connected to respond.io to send and respond to messages. To get started, we’ll guide you through the Telegram account setup using a Telegram bot.

How to Create a Telegram Business Account

The Telegram bot allows you to set up a branded Telegram account for business, which gives your account legitimacy and credibility. To create the bot, do the following:

1. Chat with the BotFather. Search for the BotFather in Telegram and then press Start.

This is an image depicting the Telegram account setup. To create a bot, Chat with the BotFather. Find the bot father by searching and then press Start. Creating a Telegram bot with BotFather

2. Use the /newbot command. This will start the bot creation process.

To create a bot, Use the /newbot command. This will start the creation process. BotFather Menu List

You’ll need to choose a display name and then a username. You can change the bot name later, but the username has to be unique, should describe who you are and end with bot .

3. Receive the token to connect your Telegram bot to a messaging CRM.

Once you've created your bot you'll receive your token and you can start using it as a business account. Connect Your API token

4. Create a respond.io account if you don’t already have one and use the token to connect the Telegram bot.

That’s it — once this Telegram account setup is complete, you can start using your Telegram bot immediately.

Verify Your Business Account with the Telegram Badge

Want to assure contacts of your legitimacy with a Telegram verified badge? You’ll need verified accounts on at least two of these services, including TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook. Verification is currently only available for channels, bots or public groups.

Next, let’s look at best practices to make the most of your Telegram account.

Telegram Business: Best Practices

Using Telegram for business is a smart move as the channel is focused on providing fast and secure messaging, with complementary features for that purpose. But for conversations to happen on this channel, you need customers to message you first.

Let’s look at how you can encourage inbound conversations.

Telegram Business: Get Contacts to Find You on Telegram

Although users sign up for Telegram with a phone number, the primary identifier of each user is their Telegram ID. To protect your privacy and reduce spam, Telegram does not pass on your phone number or ID to your messaging CRM, just your name.

This is an image showing you how to use Chat Links, QR Codes or in app search to get users to start a chat with your account. Chat Links and QR Codes

This also means Telegram users cannot be imported via CSV file to a CRM as contacts. Customers will have to message you first to become your Telegram contacts. Luckily, there are features designed for this purpose. We’ll guide you through them.

Telegram for Business: Chat Links and QR Codes

When a person clicks a chat link or scans a QR code, they will be taken directly into a chat with your brand. Every Telegram bot comes with a chat link using the t.me/username format, so it’s important that your bot username reflects your brand.

This is an image showing how every Telegram Bot comes with a Chat Link using the t.me/username format. So it’s important that your bot username reflects your brand. Telegram t.me link

Chat links work well on websites, social media profiles, or even in emails sent to customers. They do have a limitation though, t.me links only work well when the Telegram app is installed on the device.

On mobile, users will be directed to download the Telegram app if they press the link. On desktop, users will be taken to a page where they can open Telegram Web. However, this only works when users have visited the page previously.

This is an image in the Telegram guide showing how QR Codes are another option to drive traffic to your account. Unlike links, they can be used in offline locations like physical stores. Like Chat Links, QR Codes will only work with the app installed, so add a Telegram logo above the QR code. Telegram QR Code

QR codes can drive traffic to your account from online or offline locations such as storefronts. Similar to chat links, they will only work when the app is installed. To let customers know which app to use, add a Telegram logo above the QR code.

Although Telegram doesn’t provide QR codes out of the box, they can be made with any QR code generator using the t.me link. Alternatively, generate a QR code on respond.io. Just go to Settings > Channel > Select your connected Telegram channel > Scan code.

Telegram for Business: In-App Search

Unlike other messaging app business accounts, you don’t need a verified Telegram bot to be searchable in-app. Once your bot is created, any user should be able to search for it on Telegram and send it a message.

When using Telegram for business it is important to know that users can search for your telegram business account using in app search. Searching for a Telegram Bot

Although in-app search may not drive the bulk of your traffic, this is the most likely way hardcore Telegram users will find your brand. Now that you know how to acquire customers as Telegram contacts, let’s explore how you can go about messaging them.

Telegram Business: Messaging Customers

Messaging customers on Telegram is relatively straightforward. Although other messaging app business accounts place limits on when and what you can send, Telegram for business doesn’t have any such restrictions.

Telegram for Business: 1:1 Messaging

Since Telegram doesn’t have a messaging window, you can send customers a message any time after they become a contact. The key things to know about messaging customers on Telegram are the sent and read receipts.

This is an image verifying that the channel allows you to send unlimited messages with any content but does not provide Message Status for sent messages. This Telegram guide confirms the types of 1:1 messaging possible on the channel. Telegram for business: 1 to 1 Messaging

While Telegram provides sent, delivered and read statuses on personal accounts, a Telegram business account doesn’t have the same functionality. Status updates are not provided by the Telegram Bot API, even if connected to a business messaging platform.

Additionally, whenever a Telegram user messages your bot, their messages will automatically be marked as read, creating the impression that they were seen but not replied to. Use a centralized inbox like respond.io to ensure you never miss a message and track responses.

Telegram for Business: Broadcast Messaging

Like 1:1 messaging, Telegram doesn’t have any limitations for broadcasting. You can send rich media like pictures, videos, files, and text to an unlimited number of Telegram contacts.

This is an image of the types of Broadcast Messaging available. Broadcast messaging is a great way to use Telegram for business because there are not limitations. Telegram for business: Broadcast messaging

However, contacts can block your bot if your content is irrelevant or your broadcast too often. If they do, you’ll receive a Forbidden: bot was blocked by the user notification when you message them. Keep your content relevant and broadcast carefully to avoid this.

Just like with 1:1 messaging, you’ll need to connect your bot to a business messaging platform to send a broadcast. Make sure the business messaging platform you choose has broadcast capabilities.

Telegram for Business: Group Messaging

Group messaging is important for business use cases like sales or promotional messaging. You’ll be pleased to learn that Telegram bots can be added to group chats.

This is an image showing how group messaging is possible using a Telegram Bot as your Telegram Business Account. Telegram for business: Group messaging

By adding a Telegram bot to your group chat, you’ll be able to record group chat history in the messaging CRM your bot is connected to. While we haven’t enabled group chats on respond.io, you can help us do so by upvoting the feature request.

In short, talking to customers on a Telegram business account via respond.io drastically expands what you can do with the channel. Interested in using Telegram for business after reading this Telegram guide? Sign up for respond.io to get started.