What’s a WhatsApp Message Template?
A WhatsApp message template is a pre-made message you can use to send things like order confirmations, reminders, or alerts to customers who’ve agreed to receive them. These templates are especially useful for keeping your communication consistent, professional, and organized.
Here are some popular uses for WhatsApp templates:
- Order Confirmations: Let customers know their order is received or shipped.
- Appointment Reminders: Remind clients of their upcoming appointments.
- Account Updates: Send updates about account changes, like password resets.
- Alerts: Notify users about important updates, like payment deadlines or renewals.
Templates are designed to be professional and useful, which is why WhatsApp has an approval process for them. But don’t worry! Here’s a step-by-step to help you create them.
Step 1: Decide What You Need the Template For
Before you jump into creating, think about the purpose of your template. For instance, are you looking to update customers on their orders? Remind them about an upcoming appointment. Knowing the purpose will help you write a clear, focused message.
Step 2: Log in to Your WhatsApp Business Platform
To create a template, you’ll need a WhatsApp Business API account, which is available through providers like Twilio or MessageBird. Once you’re in, look for the “Templates” section—this is where you’ll build and manage your message templates.
Step 3: Create Your Template
When you’re ready to create, here’s what to do:
- Name Your Template: Keep it short and clear, like order confirmation or appointment_reminder.
- Choose a Category: Pick the best category, like “Transaction” for orders or “Reminder” for appointments.
- Select the Language: Choose the language you’ll use. You can create multiple templates in different languages if you need to.
- Write the Message: Here’s where you type your message. WhatsApp lets you add placeholders for information like customer names or order numbers. For example:
- plaintext
- Copy code
- Hi {{1}}, your order {{2}} has been shipped! It should arrive on {{3}}. Thank you for shopping with us!
- Here, {{1}}, {{2}}, and {{3}} will be automatically replaced with details specific to each customer.
- Add Extra Details (Optional):
- Headers: Add a short header like “Order Update” or “Appointment Reminder.”
- Buttons: Include quick actions like “Call Us” or “View Website” to make it easy for customers to follow up.
Step 4: Submit for Approval
Once finished, you’ll submit the template for WhatsApp’s approval. This step usually takes a few hours to a couple of days. If your template is not approved, WhatsApp will tell you why so you can make changes.
Step 5: Start Using Your Template
Once approved, your template is ready to go! Use it to keep your customers informed and engaged. Just remember to fill in placeholders (like customer name or order number) each time you send the message, so it’s personalized for each customer.
Tips for Making Great Templates
- Keep it Short and Clear: People prefer short, easy-to-read messages. Get to the point quickly.
- Don’t Sound Too Salesy: WhatsApp is strict about promotional language in templates. Keep it informative rather than pushing a sale.
- Use Placeholders Wisely: Personalization is great, but don’t overdo it with too many placeholders.
- Follow the Rules: Review WhatsApp’s guidelines before you submit to avoid delays.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Too Much Promotional Language: Avoid words like “free,” “discount,” or too many exclamation marks, which may lead to rejection.
- Generic Wording: Make sure your message is clear and adds value.
- Skipping the Category or Language Option: Double-check you’ve selected the right options to make approval easier.
Final Thoughts
With WhatsApp templates, you can stay in touch with your customers in a simple, consistent way. They’re a great way to keep communication professional and efficient. Just remember to keep it clear, follow the rules, and always personalize when possible.
This guide should help you get started, and if you ever need more details, check out your API provider’s resources for more in-depth instructions.
