WhatsApp message templates are the backbone of every broadcast campaign, automated notification, and proactive outreach flow. Without approved templates, you cannot initiate conversations, send order updates, or run promotional campaigns — your business communication is entirely reactive.
This guide gives you everything: how templates work, how to get them approved, and 50 ready-to-copy templates across every major use case.
Table of Contents
A WhatsApp message template is a pre-formatted, Meta-reviewed message that businesses use to initiate conversations or send messages outside the 24-hour service window. Every time you send an outbound broadcast, a shipping notification, or a re-engagement campaign, you are using a message template.
Templates are necessary because WhatsApp needs to prevent spam. By requiring pre-approval of all business-initiated messages, Meta ensures that businesses only send content that is genuinely useful to customers — not spam blasts.
Key facts about templates:
| Category | Use For | Relative Cost | Opt-Out Required? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marketing | Promotions, product launches, re-engagement | Highest | Yes |
| Utility | Order updates, reminders, account alerts | Low | No (recommended) |
| Authentication | OTP codes, verification messages | Very low | No |
Important: Misclassifying a marketing message as utility is a policy violation. Meta monitors template usage against category definitions. Violations result in template rejection, quality rating drops, or account suspension.
Every template has up to four components:
1. Order Confirmation:
Hi {{first_name}}, your order #{{order_id}} has been placed successfully! 🎉
Items: {{items}}
Total: {{total}}
Estimated delivery: {{delivery_date}}
Questions? Reply here anytime.
2. Shipping Notification:
Good news, {{first_name}}! Your order #{{order_id}} has shipped.
Carrier: {{carrier}}
Track here: {{tracking_link}}
Expected delivery: {{date}}
3. Out for Delivery:
Hi {{first_name}}, your order is out for delivery today! 📦
Please ensure someone is available to receive it at {{address}}.
4. Delivered Confirmation:
Hi {{first_name}}, your order #{{order_id}} has been delivered! Hope you love it.
Rate your experience: {{review_link}}
5. Cart Abandonment Recovery:
Hi {{first_name}}, you left something behind! 🛒
{{product_name}} is still in your cart. Complete your order: {{cart_link}}
Offer expires in {{hours}} hours.
6. Back in Stock Alert:
Hi {{first_name}}, great news! {{product_name}} is back in stock. Get yours before it sells out again: {{product_link}}
7. Price Drop Alert:
Hi {{first_name}}, {{product_name}} just dropped from {{old_price}} to {{new_price}}!
Shop now: {{product_link}}
Reply STOP to opt out.
8. Return Confirmation:
Hi {{first_name}}, we've received your return request for order #{{order_id}}. Your refund of {{amount}} will be processed within {{days}} business days.
9. Refund Processed:
Hi {{first_name}}, your refund of {{amount}} has been processed and will appear in your account within 3–5 business days. Thanks for your patience!
10. Loyalty Points Update:
Hi {{first_name}}, you earned {{points}} new loyalty points on your last purchase! Your total: {{total_points}} points = {{value}} in rewards. Redeem: {{link}}
11. Ticket Opened:
Hi {{first_name}}, your support request #{{ticket_id}} has been received. A team member will contact you within {{response_time}} hours.
12. Ticket Resolved:
Hi {{first_name}}, your support request #{{ticket_id}} has been resolved. Satisfied with the outcome? Rate your experience: {{rating_link}}
13. Follow-Up After Resolution:
Hi {{first_name}}, just checking in — is everything resolved with your {{issue_type}} from {{date}}? Reply YES or let us know if you need anything else.
14. Escalation Notification:
Hi {{first_name}}, your case has been escalated to our specialist team. {{agent_name}} will reach out to you within {{time}}. Reference: #{{case_id}}
15. Feedback Request:
Hi {{first_name}}, how was your recent experience with {{business_name}}? We'd love your feedback (takes 30 seconds): {{survey_link}}
16. Proactive Update:
Hi {{first_name}}, update on your case #{{ticket_id}}: {{status_update}}. We'll keep you posted as things progress. Questions? Just reply here.
17. Service Disruption Alert:
Hi {{first_name}}, we're experiencing {{issue_type}} affecting {{service}}. Our team is working on a fix. Estimated resolution: {{time}}. We apologise for the inconvenience.
18. CSAT Survey:
Hi {{first_name}}, how would you rate your recent support experience?
⭐ Reply 1–5
We read every response.
19. Account Verification:
Hi {{first_name}}, to complete your {{action}}, please verify your identity: {{verification_link}}. This link expires in 24 hours.
20. Password Reset:
Hi {{first_name}}, you requested a password reset for your {{business_name}} account. Reset here: {{reset_link}} (expires in 1 hour). If you didn't request this, reply here immediately.
21. Flash Sale:
Hi {{first_name}}! Flash sale starts NOW! 🔥
{{discount}}% off everything until {{time}} tonight.
Shop: {{shop_link}}
Reply STOP to unsubscribe.
22. New Product Launch:
Hi {{first_name}}, meet {{product_name}}! 🆕
{{short_description}}
Be first to get it: {{product_link}}
Limited stock — reply STOP to opt out.
23. Seasonal Campaign:
Hi {{first_name}}, {{holiday}} is almost here! 🎉
Get ahead with our {{holiday}} collection — up to {{discount}}% off.
Browse: {{link}} | Reply STOP to unsubscribe.
24. Exclusive Member Offer:
Hi {{first_name}}, as a valued {{tier}} member, here's your exclusive {{month}} offer: {{offer_details}}.
Claim by {{expiry}}: {{link}}
Reply STOP to opt out.
25. Win-Back Campaign:
Hi {{first_name}}, we miss you! It's been {{days}} days since your last visit.
Here's {{discount}}% off to welcome you back: {{code}}
Valid until {{expiry}}: {{shop_link}}
Reply STOP to unsubscribe.
26. Referral Program:
Hi {{first_name}}, share {{business_name}} and earn! Get {{reward}} for every friend who signs up using your link: {{referral_link}}
Reply STOP to opt out.
27. Birthday Offer:
🎂 Happy Birthday {{first_name}}! To celebrate, enjoy {{discount}}% off your next order.
Use code: {{code}} at checkout: {{link}}
Valid for {{days}} days. Reply STOP to opt out.
28. Waitlist Notification:
Hi {{first_name}}, you're on the waitlist for {{product_name}}. The item just became available — claim your spot: {{link}} (offer reserved for {{hours}} hours).
29. Event Invitation:
Hi {{first_name}}, you're invited to {{event_name}} on {{date}} at {{location}}.
RSVP here: {{rsvp_link}} | Reply STOP to unsubscribe.
30. Post-Purchase Upsell:
Hi {{first_name}}, customers who bought {{product}} also love {{related_product}}.
Get {{discount}}% off: {{link}}
Reply STOP to opt out.
31. Booking Confirmation:
Hi {{first_name}}, your booking is confirmed! 📅
Date: {{date}}
Time: {{time}}
Location: {{location}}
Reply CHANGE to reschedule or CANCEL to cancel.
32. 48-Hour Reminder:
Hi {{first_name}}, reminder: your {{service}} appointment is in 2 days on {{date}} at {{time}}.
Reply CONFIRM to confirm or RESCHEDULE to change the time.
33. 24-Hour Reminder:
Hi {{first_name}}, just a heads-up — your appointment is tomorrow at {{time}}. We look forward to seeing you at {{location}}!
34. 2-Hour Reminder:
Hi {{first_name}}, your appointment is in 2 hours at {{time}}. Address: {{address}}. Any questions? Reply here.
35. No-Show Follow-Up:
Hi {{first_name}}, we missed you at your {{time}} appointment today. Let's reschedule — book a new time here: {{booking_link}}
36. Post-Appointment Follow-Up:
Hi {{first_name}}, hope your {{service}} went well today! How would you rate your experience?
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ {{review_link}}
37. Cancellation Confirmation:
Hi {{first_name}}, your appointment on {{date}} at {{time}} has been cancelled. Rebook anytime: {{booking_link}}
38. Available Slot Alert:
Hi {{first_name}}, a {{service}} slot just opened up: {{date}} at {{time}}. Book before it fills up: {{booking_link}}
39. Waitlist Update:
Hi {{first_name}}, you're at position {{position}} on the waitlist for {{service}}. We'll notify you as soon as a slot opens up.
40. Recurring Booking Reminder:
Hi {{first_name}}, your monthly {{service}} appointment is coming up. Same time — {{date}} at {{time}}? Reply YES to confirm or CHANGE if you'd like a different slot.
41. OTP Code:
Your {{business_name}} verification code is: {{code}}
Valid for 10 minutes. Do not share this code with anyone.
42. Payment Reminder:
Hi {{first_name}}, your invoice #{{invoice_id}} for {{amount}} is due on {{date}}. Pay now: {{payment_link}}
43. Payment Overdue:
Hi {{first_name}}, your payment of {{amount}} (invoice #{{invoice_id}}) is now overdue by {{days}} days. Please settle to avoid service interruption: {{payment_link}}
44. Payment Received:
Hi {{first_name}}, we've received your payment of {{amount}} for invoice #{{invoice_id}}. Thank you! Receipt: {{receipt_link}}
45. Subscription Renewal:
Hi {{first_name}}, your {{plan_name}} subscription renews on {{date}} for {{amount}}. Update payment method: {{link}} | Cancel: {{cancel_link}}
46. Low Balance Alert:
Hi {{first_name}}, your {{account_type}} balance is {{balance}} — below your minimum threshold. Top up now: {{link}}
47. Transaction Alert:
Hi {{first_name}}, a transaction of {{amount}} was made on your account on {{date}} at {{time}}. If this wasn't you, contact us immediately.
48. Account Expiry Warning:
Hi {{first_name}}, your {{product}} expires on {{date}}. Renew now to avoid interruption: {{renewal_link}}
49. KYC Reminder:
Hi {{first_name}}, your KYC verification expires on {{date}}. Complete renewal in 5 minutes: {{kyc_link}}
50. Contract Signature Request:
Hi {{first_name}}, your {{contract_name}} is ready for signature. Review and sign here: {{signing_link}} (valid until {{expiry}}).
ChatDaddy's template manager makes it easy to create, submit, track, and use approved WhatsApp message templates at scale. Unlimited contacts on all plans.
Try ChatDaddy FreeA pre-formatted, Meta-reviewed message required for all business-initiated conversations outside the 24-hour service window. Templates support text, images, documents, buttons, and dynamic variables.
Submit via Meta Business Manager or your API provider (ChatDaddy). Approval typically takes 0–24 hours. For faster approval: use proper variable formatting, include opt-out for marketing templates, avoid promotional language in utility templates.
Common reasons: promotional content in utility templates, missing opt-out in marketing templates, misleading content, improper variable formatting, content violating WhatsApp commerce policies, or spam-like patterns.
Up to 250 approved templates per WhatsApp Business account. Each language version counts separately.
Marketing (promotional), Utility (transactional updates), and Authentication (OTP codes). Category determines pricing — marketing templates cost more than utility.
Yes. Templates can include a header image/video/document, body text with variables, a footer, and up to 3 CTA buttons or 3 quick-reply buttons.
Most templates are approved within hours, sometimes instantly. First-time accounts or complex templates may take up to 24 hours. Rejected templates can be revised and resubmitted immediately.