Summary
WhatsApp Template Messages allow businesses to send important notifications, such as alerts and account updates, to customers. These messages can include call-to-action buttons, quick replies, and media elements like images and videos. Additionally, they can be sent even after the 24-hour customer service window has expired. The process of submitting WhatsApp Template Messages varies depending on your Wati plan. This guide explains how to create and submit templates for approval.
Note: Broadcasts are now Campaigns – same powerful features, updated name!
Instructions
Follow these steps to create a Template Message
Navigate to the Template Message Section
Go to Campaign.
Select Template Messages.
Click Your Templates.
Click New Template Message to start creating a template.
Creating a Text-Only Template Message
Enter the Template Name: Use underscores instead of spaces (e.g., `template_for_demo`).
Select the Category.
Choose the Language.
Enter the Message Body: Use parameters in the format `{{parameter}}` to personalize messages. During the campaign, these variables will be replaced with corresponding contact attribute values.
Save the Template:
Click Save as draft to continue editing later.
Click Save and submit to send the template to WhatsApp for approval.
Note: The maximum character limit for the message body, including variable values, is 1024 characters.
Creating a Rich Media Template Message
Rich templates allow you to include images, PDFs, videos, and interactive buttons.
Enter the Template Name (use underscores, e.g., `template_for_demo`).
Select the Category.
Choose the Language.
Set a Campaign Title (Optional):
None: No campaign title.
Text: A text-based title.
Media: A title with an image, video, or document. Supported formats:
Images: JPEG, PNG
Videos: MP4
Documents: Any valid MIME type
Add the Message Body: Click Add Variable to insert dynamic fields (e.g., `Dear {{name}}, hello from Wati.`).
Add an Optional Footer (e.g., "Powered by wati.io").
Add Interactive Buttons (Optional):
Call to Action:
Visit Website: Define Button Text, select URL Type (Static or Dynamic), and enter the URL (Dynamic URLs can use variables like `{{name}}`).
Call Phone: Enter Button Text and a phone number (without the `+` sign).
Quick Reply: Add up to 3 quick-reply buttons.
Creating Carousel Template Message
Media Card Carousels: How They Work
These templates let you send one text message with up to 10 scrollable media cards.
Key Behavior:
When users click a card's URL button (like "Buy Now"), their device opens the link in a web browser (exiting WhatsApp). To keep users in WhatsApp instead, use Product Card Carousels.
Enter the Template Name (use underscores, e.g., `template_for_demo`).
Select the Category as Marketing.
Choose the Language as per your requirements.
Select Marketing Template as Carousel.
Enter your message body.
Add a Carousel Card. You can add up to 5 cards.
Note: You can see the sample cards by enabling the switch.
Click on the “+” to add a card.
Add the card content and that’s it.
Modifying Template Messages
Click Edit to modify a draft template message.
Click Submit to send the template for WhatsApp's approval.
Approval Process: Meta reviews template submissions, which may take 30 minutes to 24 hours.
Once submitted, the status changes to Pending and the template becomes read-only.
Approved templates will have the status Approved.
Click Remove to delete a template.
Deleted templates cannot be reused; a new name is required to submit a replacement.
Searching and Sorting Template Messages
Use the search bar to find templates by keywords.
Click Filter to sort template messages by status. By following these steps, you can create, customize, and manage WhatsApp Template Messages efficiently.
Important Notes:
Do not submit templates from WhatsApp Manager, as they will not be added to your Wati account.
You can manage and track all approved templates within your Wati CRM.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
General questions
1. What are WhatsApp Template Messages used for?
They are used to send important notifications such as alerts, updates, and announcements to customers, even outside the 24-hour customer service window.
2. Can Template Messages include buttons or media?
Yes. Templates can include call-to-action buttons, quick replies, and media like images, videos, and documents.
Creating template messages
3. Where do I create a new Template Message in Wati?
Go to Campaign → Template Messages → Your Templates, then click New Template Message.
4. What naming rules apply to template names?
Template names must use underscores instead of spaces, such as template_for_demo.
5. How do variables work in Template Messages?
Variables like {{name}} are replaced with contact attribute values when the campaign is sent.
6. Is there a character limit for template messages?
Yes. The message body, including variable values, has a maximum limit of 1024 characters.
Rich media and carousel templates
7. What media types are supported in rich template messages?
You can include images (JPEG, PNG), videos (MP4), and documents with valid MIME types.
8. What is a carousel template message?
A carousel template allows you to send one message with multiple scrollable media cards, each containing its own content and links.
Approval and management
9. How long does WhatsApp take to approve a template?
Approval typically takes between 30 minutes and 24 hours after submission.
10. Can I edit or delete a template after submitting it?
You can edit templates while they are in draft. Once submitted, they become read-only. Deleted templates cannot be reused and must be recreated with a new name.