TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Creating WhatsApp Templates
  • Setting Up an Interactive WhatsApp Template
  • Setting Up trigger links under WhatsApp Template
  • What's next?
  • Frequently Asked Questions

More Tutorials from the Community

If you’re looking for additional guidance, these community-led tutorials offer helpful insights into working with WhatsApp templates:

    •    Watch Tutorial 1

    •    Watch Tutorial 2

    •    Watch Tutorial 3

Template Category Validation in WhatsApp Manager

When you create a new template in WhatsApp Manager, you must select a category for it (e.g., Marketing, Utility, or Authentication).

Meta will then validate your chosen category against its official template category guidelines. Based on the validation outcome, the system will assign a status to your template—such as Approved, Pending, or Rejected.

It’s important to ensure your message content matches the selected category to avoid delays or rejections during the approval process

? Pre-Requisites and Guide to Setting Up WhatsApp at a Location

To start using WhatsApp effectively at any location, ensure the following prerequisites are met:

✅ Pre-Requisites

    •    The sub-account (location) must have an active WhatsApp subscription.

    •    Meta onboarding must be completed successfully.

? Need help onboarding? Refer to the WhatsApp Location Onboarding Steps and Best Practices to complete the process.

Creating WhatsApp Templates

WhatsApp templates are required to initiate outbound messages. You can customize and categorize these templates for different use cases.

Step 1: Navigate to Template Settings

Go to: Sub-Account → Settings → WhatsApp → Template tab → Click "Create Template"

Learn how to Add a Media to your templates!
WhatsApp's latest update introduces support for Media Templates, enabling users to send various types of media content, including Images, Videos Documents, and Location. Learn more here: WhatsApp Media Templates

Step 2: Fill In Template Details

You’ll need to provide the following:

    •    Template Name – Use only lowercase characters and no spaces.

    •    Category – Choose between:

    •    Marketing – For promotional content.

    •    Utility – For transactional or service-related messages.

See Meta’s Template Categorization Guidelines

    •    Language – Select the language in which the message will be sent.

    •    Header (Optional) – Can be static or include 1 custom variable (e.g. {{1}}).

Step 3: Add Body and Footer

    •    Body – The core message. Use Add Variable to insert placeholders like {{1}}, {{2}} etc.

    •    Footer (Optional) – A static message at the bottom of your template.

? Note: You must fill in sample values for each variable, as required by Meta for review and approval.

Details around the fields available

1. Body - The message that would be sent to the customer. You can add multiple custom variables while creating the template by clicking on Add Variable. 
2. Footer (Optional) - You can add a static footer.  
   
   NOTE: Please fill sample value for all the custom variables added as Meta need examples to be sent while submitting the Template. 

Step 4: Review & Submit

Once the template is filled in, review it and click Create. The system will automatically submit the template to Meta for approval.

Step 5 : Now we will send this template to Meta for approval and you can track the status in the Template Tab.

Setting Up an Interactive WhatsApp Template

Step 1: Go to Settings > WhatsApp > Templates 

Step 2: Create Template > Add Button

Step 3: Select the types of CTA button you wish to add: Quick Reply, Visit Website, Personalized Website Link, Call Phone Number, Copy Offer Code, or Marketing Opt-Out.

Quick Replies:

• Allow users to respond quickly with predefined options, enhancing the conversation flow and user engagement. This allows customers to reply without typing.

Visit Website:

• Direct users to your website with a single click, increasing traffic and improving conversion rates.

Personalized Website Links:

• Utilize dynamic “Visit Website” buttons to customize links for each customer, offering a personalized experience and boosting engagement.
• Adding a variable creates a personalized link for the customer to view their info. Only one variable can be added to the end of a URL.

Call Phone Number:

• Provide an option for users to call a specified phone number directly from the message, facilitating immediate communication and support.

Copy Offer Code:

• Enable users to easily copy promotional codes or offer details, making it convenient for them to redeem offers.

Marketing Opt-Out:

• Give users the option to opt out of marketing messages effortlessly, ensuring compliance with WhatsApp regulations and improving user trust.

Setting Up trigger links under WhatsApp Template

Step 1: Create trigger link > Marketing > Trigger Links > Add Link

Step 2: Go to Settings > WhatsApp > Templates > Create Template > Body > Add Variable > Trigger Link

What's next?

1. Once your clients have a registered template they can start using the below and product areas to send/receive WhatsApp messages.
2. If you still have not added a number that can be used inside WhatsApp, refer below:

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I add custom variables in the Header and Body of a WhatsApp Template?

To add variables:

    •    Step 1: Click on “Add Variable” under the Header or Body section.

    •    Step 2: Click on the tag icon and choose a system field like contact name, phone, etc.

    •    Step 3: Provide a sample value for each variable (e.g., {{1}} → “Shubham Gupta”). Meta uses these samples during template approval.

2. What are the different WhatsApp Template categories, and how do I choose one?

Meta provides three categories:

    •    Marketing: For promotions, offers, announcements, etc.

    •    Utility: For transactional messages such as order updates or appointment reminders.

    •    Authentication: For OTPs or secure login purposes.

Choose a category that closely matches the intent of your message to avoid rejections.

3. How can I edit or resubmit a rejected WhatsApp template?

    •    Navigate to Settings → WhatsApp → Templates

    •    Click the accordion (expand) icon next to the rejected template

    •    Hit Edit Template, make necessary changes, and click Create to resubmit for approval.

4. What do the WhatsApp Template statuses mean?

    •    Pending: Submitted to Meta, waiting for approval

    •    Approved: Validated and ready to use

    •    Rejected: Not approved by Meta. You need to review and re-submit with corrections.

5. Can I use media like images or videos in WhatsApp templates?

Yes. With Media Templates, you can include:

    •    Images

    •    Videos

    •    Documents

    •    Location

This helps improve engagement and is ideal for showcasing products or sharing files directly in messages.

6. What types of Call-to-Action (CTA) buttons can I add in interactive templates?

You can choose from:

    •    Quick Reply

    •    Visit Website

    •    Personalized Website Link

    •    Call Phone Number

    •    Copy Offer Code

    •    Marketing Opt-Out

Each serves a unique purpose and enhances user interaction with your brand.

7. What is a trigger link, and how do I use it in a WhatsApp Template?

Trigger links allow automation tracking when a recipient clicks the link.

To use:

    •    Go to Marketing → Trigger Links → Add Link

    •    Then insert it into your template using the Add Variable option in the body text.

This allows you to track engagement and set automation rules based on clicks.

8. What happens after my WhatsApp templates are approved?

Once approved, you can start sending them through:

    •    Manual messages in Conversations

    •    Workflows or Automations

    •    Review Requests or Marketing Campaigns

Make sure your number is fully onboarded and your template categories are compliant before launching.

9.How do we add custom variables in Header and Body of a Template?

Step 1 - Click on add variable available under Header or Body.

Step 2 - Click on tag icon and select the custom variable(as in this case it is contact name) and a sample text(Shubham Gupta in this case).

10. How do you submit a rejected template or edit a previously approved template?

Step 1 - Click on the accordion icon and hit Edit templateStep 2 - Fill in all the information again and hit Create.