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18 WhatsApp Business Template Messages You Can Use Today

Ready-to-use WhatsApp Business template messages for welcome flows, order updates, abandoned carts, appointment reminders, promotions, and re-engagement. Each includes the actual message text, category classification, and approval tips for the WhatsApp Business API.

Last updated: March 2026 · Reading time: 18 min

Overview

Why do WhatsApp Business template messages matter?

WhatsApp has 3 billion monthly active users worldwide, and messages sent through WhatsApp achieve a 98% open rate with click-through rates up to 60% (Chatarmin, 2026). Compare that to email’s 21% open rate and 2.5% CTR. Over 200 million businesses use WhatsApp Business accounts, and 175 million people message a business account every day (YCloud, 2026).
WhatsApp Business template message: A pre-approved message format required by Meta for any business-initiated communication outside the 24-hour customer service window. Templates must be submitted for review and approved before they can be sent through the WhatsApp Business API.
Since July 2025, Meta charges per delivered template message rather than flat conversation fees. In 2026, Meta enforced strict per-user frequency caps: a single user can’t receive more than 2 marketing messages per day from any business (GMCSco, 2026). This makes every template count. We’ve organized these 18 templates into 6 categories that map to the WhatsApp API’s classification system.
Category Templates API Category Approval Speed
Welcome & Onboarding 3 templates Marketing Minutes to hours
Order & Shipping 3 templates Utility Minutes (fastest)
Appointments & Reminders 2 templates Utility Minutes (fastest)
Cart Recovery & Re-engagement 3 templates Marketing Minutes to hours
Feedback & Reviews 2 templates Utility Minutes (fastest)
Promotions & Loyalty 5 templates Marketing Hours (most scrutiny)
Contents

What’s in this collection

  1. Why WhatsApp templates matter
  2. WhatsApp Business API requirements
  3. Welcome & Onboarding (3 templates)
  4. Order & Shipping (3 templates)
  5. Appointments & Reminders (2 templates)
  6. Cart Recovery & Re-engagement (3 templates)
  7. Feedback & Reviews (2 templates)
  8. Promotions & Loyalty (5 templates)
  9. How to get templates approved
  10. Key patterns across all templates
  11. Frequently asked questions
Requirements

What are the WhatsApp Business API requirements for template messages?

Before you can send template messages, you need access to the WhatsApp Business API. Here’s what’s required as of March 2026: Account requirements:
  • A verified Meta Business Account with a connected phone number
  • A WhatsApp Business API integration through a BSP (Business Solution Provider) like Twilio, Infobip, or directly through Meta’s Cloud API
  • Explicit user opt-in before sending any template messages
Template rules (2026):
  • Templates must be pre-approved by Meta before sending
  • Three categories: Marketing (promotions, campaigns), Utility (order updates, confirmations), and Authentication (OTP codes)
  • Per-user cap: maximum 2 marketing messages per day from any single business
  • Per-message pricing: charges apply per delivered template, not per conversation
  • General-purpose AI chatbots are prohibited. Only task-oriented automation is allowed
  • All messages must comply with GDPR, CCPA, and local privacy laws
Pricing (as of March 2026): In the US, Utility templates cost approximately $0.015 per message and Marketing templates cost approximately $0.025 per message. Authentication templates are typically $0.0135 per message. Check Meta’s pricing page for current rates.
Welcome

What should your WhatsApp welcome message say?

Welcome messages set the tone for your WhatsApp relationship. They should be short (under 160 characters for the main text), set expectations for message frequency, and include one clear next step. WhatsApp messages are read within 5 minutes by 80% of users (Chatarmin, 2026).

Template 1: Welcome After Opt-In

Category: Marketing | Variables: {{1}} = customer name

Hi {{1}}! Welcome to [Brand] on WhatsApp. Here’s what you’ll get from us: Order updates and tracking, exclusive deals (2-3x per month), quick customer support. Reply MENU to see what we can help with, or STOP at any time to unsubscribe.

Button: [Browse Our Store]

Why it works: It sets frequency expectations (“2-3x per month”) so the user knows what they signed up for. The STOP instruction builds trust by showing they’re in control.

Template 2: First-Purchase Welcome

Category: Utility | Variables: {{1}} = customer name, {{2}} = order number

Hi {{1}}, thanks for your first order with [Brand]! Order #{{2}} is confirmed and being prepared. We’ll send you shipping updates right here. Need help? Just reply to this message and our team will respond within 2 hours.

Button: [Track My Order]

Template 3: Community Welcome

Category: Marketing | Variables: {{1}} = customer name, {{2}} = member count

Welcome to the [Brand] community, {{1}}! You’re joining {{2}} members who get first access to new products, exclusive drops, and insider tips. Your welcome gift: use code HELLO15 for 15% off your next order. Valid for 72 hours.

Button: [Shop Now]

Orders

How should you structure order and shipping update messages?

Order and shipping templates fall under the Utility category, which means faster approval and lower per-message costs. These are the templates your customers expect.

Template 4: Order Confirmation

Category: Utility | Variables: {{1}} = name, {{2}} = order number, {{3}} = total, {{4}} = delivery estimate

Order confirmed! Hi {{1}}, your order #{{2}} for {{3}} has been placed successfully. Estimated delivery: {{4}}. We’ll notify you when it ships. Reply HELP if you need anything.

Button: [View Order Details]

Template 5: Shipping Update

Category: Utility | Variables: {{1}} = name, {{2}} = order number, {{3}} = carrier, {{4}} = tracking number

Your order is on its way! Hi {{1}}, order #{{2}} has been shipped via {{3}}. Tracking number: {{4}}. Tap below to track your package in real time.

Button: [Track Package]

Template 6: Delivery Confirmation

Category: Utility | Variables: {{1}} = name, {{2}} = order number

Delivered! Hi {{1}}, your order #{{2}} has been delivered. We hope you love it! Had any issues? Reply to this message and we’ll sort it out within 2 hours.

Button: [Leave a Review] [Need Help?]

Appointments

What makes a good appointment reminder on WhatsApp?

WhatsApp appointment reminders reduce no-shows by 30-45% compared to email reminders alone. Send reminders 24 hours before and 2 hours before the appointment for maximum effect.

Template 7: Appointment Reminder (24 hours)

Category: Utility | Variables: {{1}} = name, {{2}} = service, {{3}} = date, {{4}} = time, {{5}} = location

Reminder: {{2}} appointment tomorrow. Hi {{1}}, this is a reminder for your upcoming appointment at {{5}} on {{3}} at {{4}}. Need to reschedule? Tap below or reply RESCHEDULE.

Buttons: [Confirm] [Reschedule]

Template 8: Appointment Reminder (2 hours)

Category: Utility | Variables: {{1}} = name, {{2}} = time, {{3}} = location

See you in 2 hours, {{1}}! Your appointment is at {{2}} at {{3}}. Running late? Just reply and let us know. We’ll hold your spot for 15 minutes.

Cart Recovery

How effective are abandoned cart messages on WhatsApp?

WhatsApp abandoned cart messages recover 15-25% of abandoned carts, compared to 5-10% for email cart recovery (InsiderOne, 2026).

Template 9: Abandoned Cart (1 hour)

Category: Marketing | Variables: {{1}} = name, {{2}} = product name, {{3}} = cart total

Hi {{1}}, you left something behind! Your {{2}} ({{3}}) is still in your cart. Checkout takes under 60 seconds. Need help deciding? Reply and we’ll answer any questions.

Button: [Complete My Order]

Template 10: Abandoned Cart with Incentive (24 hours)

Category: Marketing | Variables: {{1}} = name, {{2}} = product name, {{3}} = discount code

Still thinking about the {{2}}, {{1}}? We’re holding it for you, and here’s 10% off to make the decision easier. Use code {{3}} at checkout. This code expires in 24 hours.

Button: [Complete My Order]

Template 11: Re-engagement (30+ days inactive)

Category: Marketing | Variables: {{1}} = name, {{2}} = days since last visit

Hi {{1}}, it’s been {{2}} days since we last saw you. We’ve been busy adding new arrivals you might like. Here’s an exclusive 20% off to welcome you back. Code: MISSYOU20. Valid for 48 hours. No minimum order.

Button: [See What’s New]

Feedback

How do you request feedback through WhatsApp?

WhatsApp feedback requests get 3-5x higher response rates than email surveys because they feel conversational, not transactional. Keep surveys to 1-2 questions.

Template 12: Quick Satisfaction Check

Category: Utility | Variables: {{1}} = name, {{2}} = product name

Hi {{1}}, how’s your {{2}} working out? We’d love a quick rating: Reply 1-5 (1 = poor, 5 = excellent). Your feedback shapes what we build next.

Template 13: Review Request

Category: Utility | Variables: {{1}} = name, {{2}} = product name

Hi {{1}}, glad you’re enjoying your {{2}}! Would you mind leaving a quick review? It takes about 30 seconds and helps other shoppers make a decision.

Button: [Leave a Review]

Promotions

What promotional templates get approved and convert?

Marketing templates face the most scrutiny from Meta’s review team. They also face the per-user daily cap (2 marketing messages per business per day). Reserve WhatsApp marketing for your highest-converting offers.

Template 14: Flash Sale

Category: Marketing | Variables: {{1}} = name, {{2}} = discount, {{3}} = end time

Flash Sale Alert, {{1}}! {{2}} off everything for the next {{3}}. No code needed. Applied automatically at checkout. Our bestsellers sell out fast during these events.

Button: [Shop the Sale]

Template 15: New Product Launch

Category: Marketing | Variables: {{1}} = name, {{2}} = product name, {{3}} = price

{{1}}, something new just dropped. Introducing {{2}}, starting at {{3}}. You’re seeing this before it goes on the website. WhatsApp subscribers get 24-hour early access.

Button: [Get Early Access]

Template 16: Seasonal Promotion

Category: Marketing | Variables: {{1}} = name, {{2}} = holiday/season, {{3}} = offer details

Happy {{2}}, {{1}}! To celebrate, here’s our special offer: {{3}}. Valid through [end date]. Use code {{2}}SALE at checkout.

Button: [Shop Now]

Template 17: Loyalty Reward

Category: Marketing | Variables: {{1}} = name, {{2}} = points balance, {{3}} = reward

Great news, {{1}}! You’ve earned {{2}} loyalty points. That’s enough for: {{3}}. Redeem your reward before it expires on [date].

Button: [Redeem Now]

Template 18: Back-in-Stock Alert

Category: Marketing | Variables: {{1}} = name, {{2}} = product name

{{1}}, the {{2}} you were waiting for is back in stock! Last time, it sold out in 48 hours. Grab yours before it’s gone again.

Button: [Buy Now]

“WhatsApp has the highest open rates of any messaging channel, but that’s also a responsibility. Every brand gets 2 marketing messages per user per day. Waste those on generic promotions and users will opt out within a week. We treat WhatsApp like a VIP channel: early access, personalized offers, and real-time support. That’s what keeps opt-in rates above 70% for our clients.”

Hardik Shah, Founder of ScaleGrowth.Digital

Approval

How do you get WhatsApp templates approved by Meta?

Meta reviews every template before it can go live. Here’s what we’ve learned from submitting 500+ templates across client accounts: 1. Use clear, simple language. Avoid slang, excessive emoji, or ALL CAPS in the template body. Meta’s review system flags overly aggressive copy. 2. Include opt-out instructions. Every marketing template should tell users how to unsubscribe. This speeds up approval. 3. Don’t disguise marketing as utility. If your message promotes a product or drives a sale, it’s Marketing. Mislabeling templates will get your template rejected. 4. Keep variables contextual. Use {{1}}, {{2}}, etc. for personalization, but make sure the surrounding text makes it clear what the variable represents. 5. Avoid prohibited content. Meta prohibits templates related to alcohol, tobacco, gambling, firearms, adult content, and financial lending. 6. Submit sample values. Include realistic example values for every variable to speed up approval.
Insights

What patterns make WhatsApp templates perform better?

Across the 500+ WhatsApp templates we’ve managed, five patterns consistently separate high-performing messages from those that get ignored: 1. Keep it under 160 characters when possible. Messages that read like marketing emails get ignored. Short, direct, one idea per message. 2. Use buttons, not links. Buttons get 2-3x higher tap rates than in-text URLs. Use them for your primary CTA. 3. Personalize beyond the name. The best-performing templates reference specific products, order numbers, or points balances. Read rates on well-targeted broadcasts average 68% (Chatarmin, 2026). 4. Time utility messages to events. Shipping updates should fire the moment status changes. Appointment reminders should arrive 24 hours and 2 hours before. 5. Respect the daily cap. Plan your campaigns so you never hit the 2 marketing messages per user per day limit.
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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do WhatsApp Business template messages cost?

Since July 2025, Meta charges per delivered template message. In the US, Utility templates cost approximately $0.015, Marketing templates cost approximately $0.025, and Authentication templates cost approximately $0.0135 per message. Rates vary by country.

How long does WhatsApp template approval take?

Utility templates are typically approved within minutes. Marketing templates usually take minutes to hours. Complex templates or those with media attachments may take up to 24 hours. Include realistic sample variable values to speed up the review process.

What’s the difference between Marketing and Utility templates?

Marketing templates promote products, send offers, or drive sales. They cost more and face stricter daily limits (2 per user per day). Utility templates respond to user actions like order confirmations, shipping updates, and appointment reminders. They cost less, get approved faster, and aren’t subject to marketing frequency caps.

Can I use AI chatbots with WhatsApp Business API?

As of 2026, Meta prohibits general-purpose AI chatbots on the WhatsApp Business API. Only task-oriented automation flows are permitted. This means you can build structured conversation flows but cannot deploy open-ended conversational AI. Violations can lead to account suspension.

What open rate can I expect from WhatsApp messages?

WhatsApp messages achieve an average open rate of 98%, with 80% of messages read within 5 minutes. Click-through rates reach up to 60%, compared to email’s 2.5% average CTR. Well-targeted marketing broadcasts see read rates around 68%. These rates make WhatsApp the highest-engagement messaging channel available.

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