Brands have been quick to jump on the WhatsApp Business API bandwagon since WhatsApp launched its Business API. And rightly so; who would want to miss an opportunity to connect with 2 billion active users and engage with them? That's why today, WhatsApp Business API has become a powerful marketing and communication tool for brands, giving rise to the need for WhatsApp templates to bolster WhatsApp marketing efforts.
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We’ll discuss the following topics in this blog.
- What is a WhatsApp template message?
- What are the rules for creating WhatsApp message templates?
- What are the best practices for effective WhatsApp message templates?
- 10 ready-to-use WhatsApp templates for business messaging with examples
1. What is a WhatsApp template message?
A WhatsApp template is a pre-formatted message that can send information or updates to a group of people quickly. With the pre-defined WhatsApp templates and rich media capabilities, the WhatsApp Business API is aiding brands to drive deeper customer engagement. It helps brands to
- Create a superior customer experience,
- Drive better quality conversations,
- Deliver prompt customer care services and more.
To create and use a WhatsApp template, brands must jot down the desired message, save it as a template, and then select and customize it before sending it to the recipients.
2. What are the rules for creating WhatsApp message templates?
To start a conversation with customers, brands must abide by the proper guidelines of WhatsApp templates. With the stringent messaging regulations that brands need to adhere to, initiating communication through WhatsApp may look challenging to many. One of the guidelines' critical aspects is the creation of WhatsApp message templates. Without having to wait for Meta’s approval all the time, pre-approved WhatsApp templates save time on campaign creation.
The following guidelines & checklist will help brands ensure that customers don't take them as spam accounts.
Template Name: Brands must follow the guidelines while naming the templates below.
- WhatsApp message templates allow messages of 512 characters.
- Only alphanumeric lowercase and underscores are allowed; special characters and spaces are unacceptable.
- Once submitted for review, a template cannot be edited; only the delete option is available for the submitted template.
Template Content: The template content can have placeholder values called variables. Variables allow brands to personalize their message content and are shown as in the WhatsApp templates. eg: , your package has been delivered. Here Customer Name is the placeholder value.
- A WhatsApp template message can be text-based, media-based, or interactive, and the content should be limited to 1024 characters. For media content such as audio, images, videos, or stickers, brands must specify the media type and upload the media to the WhatsApp server or share an HTTPS link.
- Businesses can also employ interactive elements like a call-to-action or a quick reply button with a character limit of 20 to get prompt responses from customers. While using the variables, use proper formatting. The text content cannot contain newlines, tabs, or more than four consecutive spaces.
Language: Message templates for a particular language are stored together and called language packs. And a collection of the language packs is referred to as a message template namespace.
- WhatsApp Business API doesn't support autotranslation. Hence, brands have to provide translations for each template element.
- The language should match the content and have no special characters.
Now that the three main components of a WhatsApp message template have been discussed, let’s learn how to create an effective, quality-driving conversation using WhatsApp business templates.
3. What are the best practices for effective WhatsApp message templates?
Recently, many WhatsApp users condemned the rise in unsolicited messages on WhatsApp and called “WhatsApp for Business as WhatsApp for Spam.” To avoid this scenario, brands must abide by certain practices mentioned below for crafting the most effective WhatsApp Business message templates.
Four things to keep in mind while creating conversation-driven messages using WhatsApp templates:
Always keep WhatsApp message limit in check
- Business accounts can have up to 250 message templates.
- Keeping quality over quantity in mind, the frequency of WhatsApp marketing messages should be around 5-6 messages per month.
Curate WhatsApp marketing messages thoughtfully
- As per customers' preferences, messages must be personalized using emojis, images, videos, PDFs & scannable text with a clear call to action.
- No content should ask for any sensitive or personal information from the customers.
Be consistent and concise while messaging
- Aim for short, direct sentences to avoid creating long copies of automated messages.
- Avoid using complicated jargon that may confuse the users.
Keep an eye on quality metrics
- Pending: After submitting the WhatsApp message templates for the first time, this status reveals that Meta is yet to review them.
- Approved: It implies that brands can send communications from the platform.
- Rejected: It means brands need to revise the WhatsApp business message templates.
- Flagged: It indicates that WhatsApp templates are of poor quality, the quality ratings have reached a low status, and it needs further improvement to get approval.
- Disabled: The WhatsApp business message templates will be disabled across all languages if the ratings don't improve even after seven days of being moved to the Flagged status.
4. 10 ready-to-use WhatsApp templates for business messaging with examples
The higher penetration of WhatsApp business API coupled with interactive features make this channel ideal for brands to acquire, engage, and support their customers instantly. The bonus is that these ready-to-use and pre-approved WhatsApp templates can help brands kickstart their campaigns without wasting time.
Primarily, WhatsApp templates can be categorized as follows:
- Marketing or Promotional: Templates like product or service announcements, promotional offers, or discounts come under this category to augment customer engagement and increase awareness.
- Transactional: Templates like order updates, payment or shipping updates, alerts, and account updates fall into this category to share crucial information.
|Maintain a 3:1 ratio between transactional & promotional messages
To help brands create templates that get approved and reach their campaign goals, here are some of the best examples of WhatsApp message templates to use in 2024, covering most business use cases.
1. For new product or service announcement notifications
Template type: Promotional
Template name: New product launch
When to use: To grab customers' attention for newly launched products and services
Example: { {customer name} }, Spring is here!
Give your wardrobe a makeover with the newly launched Spring Collection in vibrant colors by { {brand_name} }.
Explore & place your order today for guaranteed shipping in { {number} } day!
Insert <quick reply button> View Catalog
Insert <quick reply button> Deal of the Day
2. For special offers and discounts notifications
Template type: Promotional
Template name: Promotional offer
When to use: To send curated offers and discounts for improved customer retention
Example: Dear { {customer_name} }, here's a special offer only for you!
We’re thankful & lucky to have you as a customer.
As a token of our appreciation, you’ve been pre-approved for a housing loan at the interest rate of { {rate} }.
Act before { {date} } to avail of this offer!
Insert <quick reply button> Claim Now
Insert <quick reply button> FAQs
3. For upcoming events notifications
Template type: Promotional
Template name: Event invitation
When to use: To reach a wider audience and for faster engagements
Example: Dear { {customer_name} }, Run for Environment Edition 3.0 is here!!!
We’re excited to announce that this year’s sports day will be hosted on { {Date_event} }.
You’re cordially invited to take part in various hosted activities. Participation is absolutely free.
To confirm your presence, kindly tap on your preferred response.
Insert <quick reply button> I’m In
Insert <quick reply button> I’m Out
4. For loyalty & reward program notifications
Template type: Promotional
Template name: Loyalty programs
When to use: To strengthen relationships with long-term customers
Example: Dear { {customer_name} },
Flat { {personalized_offer_discount} } discount offer for you!
We’re thankful to you for being a valued customer for over { {timespan} }!
As a token of appreciation, get a flat { {personalized_offer_discount} } off on your next purchase with us.
5. For contests and giveaway notifications
Template type: Promotional
Template name: Contests and giveaways
When to use: To increase customer engagement by running contests and giveaways
Example: Dear { {customer_name} }, Win a trip to Maldives now!
Grab your chance to get an all-paid trip valued at { {trip_amount} } per person for free!
To win it, tap on ‘I am interested’ to enlist your name in the contest. If you're one of the winners, we'll notify you on WhatsApp!
Insert <quick reply button> I am Interested
Insert <quick reply button> Chat with Agent
6. For festive wishes & greetings
Template type: Promotional
Template name: Festive greetings
When to use: To boost sales on specific festivals or occasions
Example: Ho Ho Ho, { {customer_name} }!!!
Here's an exclusive Christmas treat for you!
Get FLAT 25% off up to Rs. { {amount} } on selected items.
Hurry! The Sale ends at midnight today.
Insert <quick reply button> Shop Now
Insert <quick reply button> Check Wallet Balance
7. For reminder notifications
Template type: Transactional
Template name: Reminder
When to use: To remind customers about their incomplete or pending actions
Example: Knock knock! { {name} }, we haven't heard back from you.
Are you still interested in the { {course_name} } online course? Or are you looking for other course options? Tap on your preferred answer!
Insert <quick reply button> Interested
Insert <quick reply button> Not Interested
Insert <quick reply button> View Other Courses
8. For Back-in-stock notifications
Template type: Transactional
Template name: back-in-stock alert
When to use: To alert users about incomplete purchases due to out-of-stock products
Example: Hey { {name} },
Your saved { {item} } is back in our stock with new color options!
Grab your favorite one ASAP before these get sold out again!
Insert <quick reply button> View Saved Items Now
Insert <quick reply button> Remind Me Later
9. For Customer feedback & survey fill-ups
Template type: Transactional
Template name: Feedback & survey
When to use: To improvise offered products and services
Example: Hello { {customer_name} },
We hope you liked the { {product} } you purchased on { {date} }.
Kindly share your experience with us so that we can serve you better. We would love to hear from you.
Simply choose from the options below
Insert <quick reply button> I'm Happy
Insert <quick reply button> I'm Very Happy
Insert <quick reply button> Not Satisfied
10. For Abandoned cart reminder notifications
Template type: Transactional
Template name: Abandoned cart reminder
When to use: To bring back the users who abandoned the cart while checking out
Example: *YOUR CART IS WAITING*
{ {customer_name} }, you added a product to your cart but haven’t completed your purchase yet.
Complete your purchase now while it’s still available.
Conclusion
A tailored WhatsApp chatbot solution helps brands automate interaction and get the most out of the platform. As an ace in this domain, Haptik has had over 1 billion interactions and works with many prominent brands in India. Its tailored WhatsApp chatbot solutions can help your business join the chatbot revolution.
