How to create a message template for the official WhatsApp business API channel

To create a template, go to Personal Account and click on Channels [Licenses] in the top left corner. Click on the gear of the license to which WhatsApp Business API is connected:

You’ll see Messengers field to the left. Click on the @Templates button:

In the top right corner click on the green square with plus symbol:

A window will open:

Template name

You may select any title for a template.

Element title should be in English characters, no spaces, use only lowercase (small) letters. It should not duplicate element titles of other templates.

Content

Add a text you want to send to “Content” box of the template. Copy this text to “Example” (required for test messaging).

❗ The message should contain maximum 4096 symbols.

Variables

You can use variables by writing in the text "{{1}}", "{{2}}". You can substitute names, addresses, product names and any other data in variables.

How to handle variables: 
{{1}}, {{2}}, etc. Two braces to the left of the digit and two to the right.

Buttons

You can add a button with a link (URL), phone number (Phone Number) or quick reply (QUICK REPLY).

URL – a user will follow a link by clicking the button;
Phone Number – a user will call the specified number by clicking the button;
QUICK REPLY – a user may select offered answer option.

Enter the text visible for a user in “Button title” box. For example, “Go to website”. Insert the link to the website in “Button value” box.

You can insert answers for a chatbot to QUICK REPLY type buttons. For example, if you want to gather subscribers for bulk messaging put a chatbot command (for example, /subscribe) to “Button value” box. 

Template category, type, and language

Select template category. More here

If you template contains only text, select “Text” type for the template.

If you want to send a picture, document, video, or geolocation select this type in the list. You cannot harmonize templates both with an image and with a document. No need to harmonize images and files, but you need to attach an example of files to be sent.

Select a language of a message. You cannot set the English language and write the message in French.

Reasons why WhatsApp can reject a template

1. Misspelling and grammatical errors.
2. Inaccurate variables.
3. Parameters function of which is not clear from the context.
4. Selected language does not match with the template language or message includes words in several languages.
5. Template content violates WhatsApp policy – more read here.

More recommendations:

1. If you want to send a message template in order to check connection to API, use correct format. All other versions will be rejected.
   Message template title: test
   Text: Hello {{1}}
2. Do not use services for URL shortening (such as bit.ly, tinyurl and goo.gl) since they hide target IP address of the link.
3. Domain in URL should refer to your company.

There are 3 types of templates in the list:

Accepted – green
Rejected – red 
Under moderation – blue

If your template is rejected, you need to recreate it with allowance for mistakes made. Do not forget to give a new name for an element.

If the template is accepted, you can send it to the mailing list.