Summary
Starting a new chat in Wati is easy - whether you're messaging an existing contact or reaching out to someone new. This guide walks you through each step, from opening the chat window to sending a pre-approved WhatsApp message using a template.
Instructions
Steps to start a new chat
Follow these steps to begin a new conversation in Wati:
Step 1: Log in to your Wati account.
Step 2: Go to the Team Inbox.
Step 3: Click the WhatsApp icon to open your WhatsApp channel.
Note: It is important to click on the WhatsApp icon to start a new WhatsApp chat. If you are on the All chats tab then you would not see the “+” button to start a new chat.
Step 4: Click the “+” button to start a new chat.
Step 5: Choose how you want to send the message:
Enter a contact number manually, or
Select an existing contact from your list.
If you enter a number that isn't already saved, Wati will automatically add it as a new contact after the message is sent.
Step 6: Click Next.
Step 7: Select a pre-approved template message from the list.
You can scroll through available templates, search for a specific one, or click + New Template to create a new template.
Step 8: Fill in any required variables within the template (e.g., name, order ID, etc.).
Step 9: Review the message to ensure all details are accurate and complete.
Step 10: Click Send.
Once the message is sent, the conversation will appear in Broadcast status, and you can continue engaging with the contact from there.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Starting a new chat
1. Who can I message using Wati's new chat feature?
→ You can message both existing contacts and new phone numbers. If the number isn’t saved, Wati will automatically create a new contact after the message is sent.
2. Where do I go to start a new WhatsApp chat in Wati?
→ Go to the Team Inbox and click the WhatsApp icon. This ensures the option to start a new chat is available.
3. Why don’t I see the “+” button to start a new chat?
→ The “+” button only appears when you're inside the WhatsApp channel. If you're on the All chats tab, it won’t be visible.
4. How do I send a message to a new contact?
→ Click the “+” button in the WhatsApp channel, enter the phone number manually, and proceed with sending a template message. Wati will save the number as a new contact after the message is sent.
Message templates
5. What kind of message can I send in a new chat?
→ You can only send a pre-approved template message when starting a new WhatsApp chat.
6. How do I choose a message template?
→ After entering the contact information, click Next to view available templates. You can scroll, search for a specific template, or create a new one by clicking + New Template.
7. What should I do if the template has variables?
→ Fill in the required variables (like name or order ID) before sending. Review the message to make sure all details are accurate.
After sending a message
8. Where can I find the conversation after sending a message?
→ The conversation will appear in Broadcast status in your Team Inbox. You can continue chatting with the contact from there.