Summary
Sending your first WhatsApp campaign can feel complicated, especially when you are unsure about contact compliance, template approvals, or the correct setup process. Wati’s guided first campaign setup helps you launch your first campaign step by step by guiding you through contact upload, template selection, Meta approval, and campaign creation. This helps you send campaigns confidently while following WhatsApp best practices.
Note: The guided setup feature for campaigns is available to all Wati customers.
Instructions
Wati includes a guided setup experience designed for new customers sending their first WhatsApp campaign. The setup flow simplifies the process and helps reduce common mistakes during first-time campaign creation.
With this guided flow, you can:
Upload the contacts
Review the recommended WhatsApp template
Submit the template for Meta approval
Prepare your campaign before approval is completed
Automatically send the campaign once the template is approved
Prerequisites
Before sending a campaign using the guided setup flow, make sure your WhatsApp number is connected to Wati.
If your number is not connected yet, you can still test the campaign by sending a broadcast message to yourself.
Scan the QR code shown (refer to the screenshot below). This will open WhatsApp and add you as a contact in Wati. You can then send the campaign to yourself to verify that it is working as expected.
Steps to send your first WhatsApp campaign
To start the guided campaign setup flow, log in to your Wati account, go to Campaigns Overview page, and click Guided Campaign Set up.
Step 1: Upload your contacts
When you open the guided setup flow, the first step is to upload the contacts you want to message.
To upload your contacts:
Understand contact requirements.
Drag and drop your CSV contact file.
Choose whether you want to update existing contacts found in Wati using the values from the CSV file, or skip updating them.
Map the CSV columns to the corresponding Wati contact attributes. Click Confirm Import to proceed.
Review the contact upload details and click Proceed to Import to complete the upload process.
Wati recommends uploading:
Customers who have given explicit consent
Recent customers
Existing leads who expect communication from your business
Avoid uploading:
Purchased contact lists
Scraped contact databases
Cold audiences without consent
Old or inactive contact lists
You can either:
Upload new contacts
Skip this step if your contacts already exist in Wati
Tip: Using consent-based contact lists helps improve message delivery and reduces the risk of account restrictions.
Step 2: Select a WhatsApp template
Next, create a template message. You can review the recommended WhatsApp template.
For first-time campaigns, you can send either a utility or marketing template. Wati recommends using a utility template because it is generally safer for initial customer communication and helps build trust.
Utility messages are designed to provide customers with important updates or helpful information.
Review the tips to send your first message
Meta evaluates your message on three things. Get these right and approval is fast.
1. Send to people who know you
Recent customers and opted-in contacts reply more and block less. That protects your quality score.
2. Include an Opt-Out Option
Required for marketing, good practice for any message. Example: "Reply STOP to unsubscribe"
3. Keep it short and personal
Use {{name}} to personalize. Add one clear next step ("Reply YES", "Reply STOP").
Not sure which category to use?
Utility is best for transactional messages like order updates, account alerts, reminders. Less risk of being throttled.
Marketing is fine for first contact and broadcasts, as long as it's personal and non-pushy (like the one we've drafted for you). Just always include "Reply STOP."
Note: Do not use utility templates for promotional or marketing content.
Step 3: Submit the template for Meta approval
Before your campaign can be sent, the selected template must be approved by Meta.
You can either edit the suggested template or save and submit it directly to Meta for approval.
After submitting the template, a confirmation notification will appear indicating that the template has been successfully submitted.
Template approval usually takes a few hours, although approval times may vary.
Note:
Template approval is typically required only once for each template.
If you are sending the campaign using the shared number, you do not need to submit the template for approval.
Step 4: Create and send your campaign
While your template is under review, you can continue preparing your campaign.
Next you can schedule your broadcast.
Review all the campaign details and click Publish when ready.
Wati automatically uses:
Your uploaded contacts as the campaign audience
Your selected template as the campaign message
Once the template is approved:
Your campaign is automatically sent
After the campaign is sent, go to the Campaign Overview page to track its performance and review key analytics.
Key highlights
Designed specifically for first-time WhatsApp campaign setup
Helps reduce setup mistakes during initial messaging
Encourages compliant and consent-based messaging practices
Automatically sends campaigns after template approval
Simplifies the process of template submission and campaign creation
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Guided campaign setup overview
1. What is Wati's guided campaign setup feature?
Wati's guided campaign setup feature helps new customers send their first WhatsApp campaign by guiding them through contact upload, template selection, Meta approval, and campaign creation. It is designed to reduce common setup mistakes and encourage compliant messaging practices.
2. Who can use the guided campaign setup feature?
The guided campaign setup feature is available to all Wati customers.
3. What does the guided campaign setup flow help with?
The guided setup flow helps with uploading contacts, selecting a WhatsApp template, submitting the template for Meta approval, preparing a campaign before approval is completed, and automatically sending the campaign after the template is approved.
Contacts and compliance
4. Which contacts are recommended for WhatsApp campaigns?
Wati recommends using customers who have provided explicit consent, recent customers, and existing leads who expect communication from your business.
5. Which contact lists should not be used for WhatsApp campaigns?
Purchased contact lists, scraped contact databases, cold audiences without consent, and old or inactive contact lists should not be used for WhatsApp campaigns.
6. Can I test a campaign before connecting my WhatsApp number to Wati?
Yes. If your WhatsApp number is not connected to Wati, you can test the campaign by sending a broadcast message to yourself.
Templates and approvals
7. Which template type is recommended for a first WhatsApp campaign?
Wati recommends using a utility template for a first WhatsApp campaign because it is generally safer for initial customer communication and helps build trust with customers.
8. What factors does Meta evaluate when reviewing a WhatsApp template?
Meta evaluates whether messages are sent to people who know your business, whether the message includes an opt-out option, and whether the message is short, personalized, and includes a clear next step for the customer.
9. What happens after a WhatsApp template is approved by Meta?
After the template is approved, Wati automatically sends the campaign using the uploaded contacts as the audience and the approved template as the campaign message.