In today’s digital era, businesses are looking for effective marketing channels to connect with their target audience. WhatsApp for Business has emerged as a powerful tool for marketing and communication, with its massive user base of 2 billion active users.
To make the most of this platform, businesses need to leverage WhatsApp templates, which are pre-built standardized messages that can be reused for various marketing campaigns. In this blog, we will discuss the various whatsapp message templates that you can use for various business purposes.
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What is a WhatsApp Message Template?
A WhatsApp template message, also known as a highly structured message, is a predefined message format that businesses can use to automate and streamline their interactions with customers.
These templates can include interactive and dynamic content, such as placeholders that change based on user data, making the messages more personalized and engaging.
WhatsApp templates are versatile and can be used for a wide range of purposes, including sending promotional messages, product announcements, order updates, appointment reminders, and customer care messages. They provide businesses with a convenient way to deliver information and updates to their customers in a standardized format.
The Importance of WhatsApp Templates
WhatsApp templates are crucial for businesses using the WhatsApp Business API (Application Programming Interface). To initiate conversations with users, businesses have to send template messages that have been approved by WhatsApp. These templates ensure that businesses do not spam users and maintain a high-quality user experience.
Using WhatsApp templates saves time and effort in creating and sending messages. Instead of waiting for approval for each individual message, businesses can have their templates pre-approved, allowing for faster campaign creation and sending.
Rules for Creating WhatsApp Templates
When creating WhatsApp templates, businesses must adhere to certain rules and guidelines set by WhatsApp. These guidelines ensure that the templates comply with WhatsApp’s policies and provide a positive user experience. Here are some key rules to keep in mind:
- Opt-in Contact List: Businesses must have an opt-in contact list, meaning they can only send messages to users who have given their consent to receive WhatsApp communications.
- Template Name: The template name should only contain lowercase alphanumeric characters and underscores. Special characters and spaces are not allowed.
- Message Content: The content of the message should comply with WhatsApp’s Commerce Policy. Businesses cannot promote goods and services that are restricted by WhatsApp, such as prescription drugs, cigarettes, alcoholic beverages, weapons, etc. Additionally, businesses cannot ask users for financial data or other sensitive identifiers.
- Variables: Templates can include variables, which are placeholders that are dynamically replaced with user-specific information. Businesses need to provide sample values for these variables in their template submissions.
- Formatting: Proper formatting is crucial for template approval. Variables should be formatted correctly using double curly brackets, such as {{variable}}. Missing or mismatched variable parameters can result in template rejection.
- Approval Process: Once a template is submitted, it goes through an approval process by WhatsApp. The review process usually takes about 24 hours, during which the template is evaluated for compliance with guidelines.
If a template gets rejected, businesses can edit and resubmit it for review. It’s important to ensure that the revised template meets all the guidelines before resubmitting.
Best Practices for Effective WhatsApp Templates
To create effective WhatsApp templates that engage customers and drive results, businesses should follow these best practices:
- Keep it Personalized: Use variables in your templates to personalize the message content based on user data. This helps create a more personalized and relevant experience for the recipient.
- Be Clear and Concise: Keep the message content clear, concise, and to the point. Avoid using complicated jargon or excessive information that may confuse the recipient.
- Use Emojis and Formatting: Emojis can add a touch of personality and enhance the visual appeal of your templates. Additionally, you can use formatting options like bold and italics to highlight important information.
- Maintain a Balanced Frequency: While templates are a powerful tool, it’s important not to overload users with messages. Maintain a balanced frequency of WhatsApp marketing messages to avoid overwhelming your audience.
- Monitor Quality Metrics: Keep an eye on the quality metrics of your templates. WhatsApp provides status indicators for template approval, such as “Pending,” “Approved,” “Rejected,” “Flagged,” and “Disabled.” Monitor these metrics and make necessary improvements to ensure high-quality templates.
With these best practices in mind, businesses can create WhatsApp templates that effectively engage their audience and drive meaningful interactions.
Best WhatsApp Business Message Templates to Use
To help businesses get started with WhatsApp templates, here are some whatsapp message template examples that cover a range of business use cases. These templates can be customized to suit your specific needs and provide a foundation for your WhatsApp marketing efforts.
(A)Transactional WhatsApp Message Template
1. Welcome Message
2. Cart Abandonments
Send this template to your customers to remind them about their cart abandonment.
3. Account Activation Message
Send this template to users to confirm that their account has been successfully activated.
4. Order Confirmation
Use this template to inform customers that their order has been successfully confirmed and provide relevant details.
5. Appointment Update
Send this template to update customers about any changes or updates to their scheduled appointment.
6. Support Update
Use this template to acknowledge customer support inquiries and provide an estimated response time.
7. Shipping Update
Notify customers that their order has been shipped and provide relevant tracking information.
8. Payment Update
Confirm to customers that their payment has been received and provide relevant details about the order.
9. Feedback Request
If you want to collect feedback from your customers, send them a WhatsApp message encouraging them to share their thoughts.
10. Cancellation Message
Notify customers that their account or subscription has been canceled and provide any relevant instructions or alternatives.
(B) Promotional WhatsApp Message Templates
11. New Product Alert
Use this template to announce the launch of a new product or feature and provide a discount code or offer.
12. Sale Start Announcement
Notify customers about the start of a sale or promotion and provide details on the discounted products.
13. Contest Promotion
Encourage customers to participate in a contest or giveaway and provide instructions on how to enter.
14. Cross-Sell/Replenishment Message
Notify customers about related products or items that complement their recent purchase.
15. Newsletter
Promote your newsletter and encourage customers to subscribe for updates and exclusive content.
16. Loyalty Program Invitation
Invite loyal customers to join your loyalty program and offer special rewards or discounts.
17. Event Invitation
Invite customers to attend a special event or webinar and provide details on the date, time, and registration process.
These WhatsApp templates provide a starting point for businesses to create effective and engaging messages for their marketing campaigns. Customize them to fit your specific needs and objectives.
Conclusion
WhatsApp message templates are a valuable tool for businesses to connect with their audience and drive engagement. By following the rules and best practices for creating WhatsApp templates, businesses can create personalized, engaging, and effective messages that resonate with their customers.
Use the provided examples as inspiration and customize them to fit your specific business use cases. With WhatsApp templates, you can take your marketing efforts to the next level and leverage the power of this popular messaging platform.