Exploring iMessage as a Businesses Communication Tool: Pros and Cons

Today, most work-related interactions happen digitally. Although this shift has brought many benefits such as increased flexibility and productivity, it has also created new challenges like security risks and compliance issues.

Despite these challenges, many businesses still rely on consumer apps like iMessage and WhatsApp for team communication. However, using such apps can have serious downsides that can harm the business in the long run.

This article takes an in-depth look at all the important considerations you need to keep in mind when using popular chat apps like iMessage, WhatsApp, and others for your business communications.

We'll cover legal considerations, security and privacy concerns, alternative options, and other important factors that businesses need to consider when choosing a messaging app. This should help you understand everything you need to know to make an informed decision about which chat app is best for you.

People Still Use iMessage for Business Purposes?

Many business owners and team leaders use iMessage for daily communication because it provides many benefits that make it a quick and efficient choice. First of all, it syncs easily with Apple devices like iPhones, iPads, and Macs, making it very convenient for employees to chat with each other.

Since it's based on phone numbers, it's easy to chat with someone whose contact information is already in your contact list. There's no need to ask for a username, profile name, or anything like that. iMessage has also become a go-to chat tool at work because it has no learning curve. If you've ever sent an SMS message, you already know how to use iMessage.

Another reason that business use iMessage is due to the fact that they’ve grown tired of playing phone tag with customers and employees, and have turned to texting to get responses.

“Convenience” is a bit of a catchall, though, so let’s break it down. In other words, people tend to enjoy texting more than other forms of communication. Phone calls are interruptive, and email is viewed as overkill for many communications, but a text fits smoothly into people’s days. It doesn’t have to be responded to immediately, and takes little effort when you’re ready.

Despite all these advantages, iMessage is far from being a perfect tool for business communication. When you look deeper into the role of team chat and communication for business purposes, you'll realize how unsuitable it can be and worse, how it can expose businesses to legal risks.

Unpacking the Legal Risks of Using iMessage for Business Communication

One major limitation of using iMessage for business purposes is the lack of administrative and IT control and safeguards. IT and security teams need access to controls to ensure that all company data is secure and meets compliance standards. Unfortunately, iMessage does not offer any of these tools because it is not designed to be an enterprise chat and collaboration solution.

Enterprise email and team chat solutions like Spike, on the other hand, are built on an open email protocol and allow IT and security to export, archive, and produce data when legally required. iMessage does not meet the required compliance standards for business communications, which could lead to legal liabilities for companies that use it.

Business leaders who use iMessage for business purposes or allow employees to use it should consider the potential risks of using a communication platform that they have no control over.

Why Some Communication Tools Fall Short for Business Use

While there are some benefits to using iMessage for personal communication, it's not an ideal tool for workplace communication and collaboration. One major drawback is the lack of cross-platform compatibility. Since iMessage is exclusive to Apple devices, communication with clients or colleagues who use other operating systems or devices can be difficult, leading to communication breakdowns and a decline in productivity.

Another reason to avoid using iMessage for work is that it can be challenging to distinguish between personal and work-related messages and group chats. Since the app is primarily designed for personal use, it can be difficult to keep track of important business communications, deadlines, and client feedback when personal messages are mixed in. This can lead to confusion and inefficiency, as well as privacy concerns if personal messages are accidentally sent to work contacts. After all, do you really want your work communication intermingled with random funny cat GIFs?

Collaboration-wise, iMessage falls short in setting up channels or group conversations, making it challenging to manage multiple conversations with different groups. While it's great for friend groups, it's not suitable for professional team chat solutions that offer advanced features for setting up company-wide channels and group direct messages.

Another reason why iMessage is not ideal for business use cases is the lack of advanced collaboration and project management options, such as integrated calendars, task management, and file sharing. These features are essential for employees working together on complex projects, and without them, team productivity suffers. Unfortunately, iMessage only added the ability to mark a message as unread as its only productivity feature since its launch in 2011. Furthermore, it's not easy to add the contents of an iMessage to a task in Apple’s own Reminders app.

If you're seeking a user-friendly and fast alternative to iMessage without the associated drawbacks, it's worth considering a team collaboration solution such as Spike.

Spike is easy to use, and anyone can use the platform without extensive training. To chat with someone on Spike, all that's required is their email address, and for those who don't use the platform, the conversation appears just like a regular email. Spike is so intuitive that if you're able to send a text message, you're already very adept at using it.

So, Is it Time to Say Goodbye to iMessage for Business Chat?

While iMessage may be convenient for personal communication among Apple users, it falls short when it comes to a business messaging app for team communication. Its limitations, such as the lack of IT and admin controls, lack of Windows and Android compatibility, and limited collaboration options, make it a poor choice for businesses looking to improve productivity and collaboration while remaining in compliance.

Businesses should consider adopting a professional team chat app like Spike which offers a familiar conversational interface similar to iMessage, encouraging fast, informal communication while offering advanced features for efficient collaboration and cross-platform compatibility. Adopting a tailored tech stack that meets specific business needs is crucial for workplace productivity while satisfying regulatory requirements for archiving. With the right tools in place, businesses can improve productivity, collaboration, and security in the workplace.

About the author:

Dvir Ben-Aroya is the co-founder and CEO of Spike, a business communication platform designed to enhance team collaboration. With over two decades of executive expertise directing technology and internet companies, Dvir is dedicated to integrating a human touch into digital communication. Additionally, Mr. Ben-Aroya possesses an MBA from The University of Manchester and a BA in International Finance from Reichman University (IDC Herzliya). His passion drives his vision of establishing Spike as the preeminent communication tool.