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!

Create a Template Message

Prefer a visual walkthrough, be sure to watch our video on creating your first template message in Wati:

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 account.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Creating template messages

1. What are WhatsApp Template Messages used for?
WhatsApp Template Messages let businesses send important notifications, such as alerts and account updates, to customers. They can include call-to-action buttons, quick replies, and media such as images and videos. They can also be sent after the 24-hour customer service window has expired.

2. How can I personalize a WhatsApp Template Message?You can personalize a template by using variables in the message body, such as {{parameter}}. When you send a campaign, Wati replaces these variables with the corresponding contact attribute values.

3. What is the maximum character limit for a WhatsApp Template Message?
The message body can contain up to 1,024 characters, including any variable values.

Rich media and carousel templates

4. What can I include in a rich media template message?
A rich media template can include images, videos, documents, an optional footer, and interactive buttons. Supported buttons include Visit Website, Call Phone, and up to three Quick Reply buttons.

5. What file formats are supported in a rich media template?
Rich media templates support:

Images: JPEG and PNG
Videos: MP4
Documents: Any valid MIME type

6. How do carousel template messages work?
Carousel template messages let you send one text message with up to five carousel cards. When a customer clicks a card’s URL button, the link opens in a web browser outside of WhatsApp.

Managing template messages

7. How long does WhatsApp template approval take?
Meta reviews submitted template messages. The approval process can take 30 minutes to 24 hours. During the review, the template status is Pending and the template cannot be edited. Once approved, the status changes to Approved.

8. What happens if I delete a WhatsApp Template Message?
Deleted template messages cannot be reused. To create a replacement, you must use a new template name.

Important information

9. Can I submit WhatsApp templates from WhatsApp Manager?
No. Templates submitted through WhatsApp Manager are not added to your Wati account. To manage and track approved templates in Wati, submit them from your Wati account.