Summary
Sending messages to individuals outside of your contact list is currently not supported by WATI. To initiate communication with someone not in your contact list, you'll need to add them as a new contact first and then use pre-approved template messages. This guide will walk you through the steps to send a message to someone who isn’t in your contact list.
Instructions
Adding a New Contact
To start, navigate to the contacts page and click on "Add Contact." Follow these steps:
Enter the person's email address or mobile number.
Select their profile picture (optional).
Add any additional details about the contact, such as their name or job title.
Sending Pre-Approved Template Messages
Once you've added the recipient as a new contact, you can send them a pre-approved template message. Follow these steps:
Navigate to the contacts page and select the individual's name.
Click on the "Message" tab.
Choose from our pre-approved templates for various use cases.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
General Questions
Can I send messages to someone who is not in my contact list? → No, WATI does not support sending messages to individuals outside of your contact list. You must first add them as a contact before initiating a conversation.
Why does WATI require me to add contacts before messaging? → This ensures compliance with WhatsApp’s policies, prevents spam, and maintains a high-quality messaging experience for both businesses and users.
Are there any exceptions to this rule? → No, all messages must be sent to saved contacts. There are no exceptions.
Adding a New Contact
How do I add a new contact in WATI? → Follow these steps:
Go to the Contacts page.
Click Add Contact.
Enter the person’s mobile number or email address.
(Optional) Add additional details such as their name or job title.
Save the contact.
Can I import multiple contacts at once? → No, this guide only covers adding a single contact. Bulk import may require a different process.
Do I need to enter a contact’s profile picture? → No, adding a profile picture is optional.
Sending Messages to a Newly Added Contact
How do I send a message after adding a new contact?
Navigate to the Contacts page.
Select the contact you just added.
Click on the Message tab.
Choose a pre-approved template message to send.
What are pre-approved template messages? → These are WhatsApp-approved message templates used for initiating conversations with new contacts. They ensure compliance with WhatsApp policies.
Can I send a custom message instead of a template? → No, initial messages to new contacts must be sent using a pre-approved template. Once they reply, you can send custom messages.
Where can I find the list of available template messages? → You can view pre-approved templates within the Message tab in WATI.