A template is a message layout consistent with Meta. You can start a dialogue from the company's side only by using a template message. Templates can contain text, media files, buttons, and variables.
When the client responds to a template message, a 24-hour session opens, during which you can continue the dialogue with regular messages.
How to create a template
- Go to Meta* Business Suite via the link.
- Next, select the desired business account:
- Go to "WhatsApp Accounts", select the desired account and click "WhatsApp Manager" in the lower right corner.
- In WhatsApp Manager, open the "Management Tools" tab and select "Message Templates".
- Click "Create Template".
- Select a category
Category:- Marketing messages — for promotional mailings and any other non-official or non-authentication messages.
- Service messages are used for reporting transactions, accounts, orders, or user requests.
- Authentication is for one—time passwords.
- Fill in the template with the information
Name — you can use only lowercase Latin letters, numbers, and underscores.
Languages — you can select one or more languages. In the next step, you can delete languages or add others.
Setting up service and marketing templates:
Header — add a text header or use media files.
Variable — only Number is supported.
Body — add the text of the message in the selected language. You can change the text format, add emoticons or variables. Variables allow you to add unique information to messages, such as names, addresses, and tracking numbers.
Footer — you can add a short line to the bottom of the message template.
Content samples — if the template contains variables or media files, you need to add an example of the content. This will speed up the template verification. Make sure that the examples do not include real customer information.
Buttons — allow clients to reply to messages or perform other actions. In total, you can add 10 buttons to 1 template. There are two types of buttons:
- Quick Response — you can add up to ten buttons that customers can use to quickly reply to a message.
- Call to action buttons — Visit the website (Maximum 2 buttons), Call the phone number (Maximum 1 button).
The buttons allow you to add a phone number and URL to the message. For example, in the "Visit website" button You can specify up to 2 static or dynamic site URLs. Dynamic URLs are personalized using variables. By clicking on such a link, the person will go to the necessary information.
Configuring Authentication Templates:
Sending the code — Choose how customers will send the code from WhatsApp to the app:
Copy the code — Customers copy and paste the code into the app.
Auto—completion - the code is sent directly to the application after clicking on the button. If the "No pressing" function is enabled, the code is transmitted automatically. If auto-fill is not available, a "Copy Code" message will be sent.
Message content — The message content for the authentication template cannot be changed. You can add security recommendations or a code expiration date.
Button text — you need to enter the text of the button both for automatic filling and for copying the code. Even if the "No pressing" feature is enabled, these buttons are needed to deliver the code in an alternative way.
For more information about authentication message templates, see the Facebook article Templates for the Authentication category.
8. When everything is ready, click "Submit for review".
There are two stages of verification:
"Automatic" – checking for correctness of filling in and compliance with the template format.
"Manual" – Facebook performs a detailed template check.
The decision-making process can take up to 24 hours. Upon completion, WhatsApp Manager will receive a notification with the result, and Business Manager administrators will receive an email notification.
The status can be viewed in the "Message Templates" section. After the template is approved, it can be used to send messages.