WhatsApp marketing campaigns with templates
Run WhatsApp marketing campaigns that comply with WhatsApp’s rules. Opt-in requirements, marketing template examples, bulk sending and campaign reporting in Hello.
WhatsApp messages are opened more reliably than most marketing email, which makes WhatsApp an effective channel for product launches, promotions and re-engagement campaigns, provided you follow WhatsApp’s rules and send messages customers find relevant.
Requirements
- Opt-in. Message only customers who have agreed to receive marketing from your business on WhatsApp.
- Approved templates. Campaigns use pre-approved marketing templates. WhatsApp usually reviews each template within 24 hours at most, subject to WhatsApp’s policies.
- Quality rating. If many recipients block or report your messages, your number’s quality rating falls and WhatsApp can reduce the number of customers you can reach.
Campaign types
| Campaign | Example |
|---|---|
| Product launch | New collection announcement with a product image |
| Promotion | Time-limited sale with a Shop now button |
| Back in stock | Notification to customers who asked about an unavailable item |
| Abandoned cart | Reminder with the product image (requires marketing opt-in) |
| Re-engagement | Offer for customers who have not purchased recently |
| Event invitation | Date, venue and an RSVP quick-reply button |
Example template
[Image: new collection] Hi {{1}}, our {{2}} collection is now available. Enjoy 15% off until Sunday. Reply STOP to unsubscribe [ Shop now ] [ Not interested ]
The image, footer and buttons are fixed in the template, and each message supplies the customer’s name and the collection name. The media and buttons guide describes how to create and send this template.
Sending a campaign
- From the dashboard: select the template, upload a list of opted-in customers and send. Hello queues and rate-controls the campaign so it does not delay time-sensitive messages such as order updates and reminders.
- From your systems: send the template to each customer with
POST /v1/{phone_number_id}/messages, for example from your CRM or ecommerce platform.
Reporting
Hello reports sent, delivered, read and failed status for every message in a campaign. A high failure rate usually indicates invalid numbers or a paused template. A low read rate suggests the opening line should be revised.
Recommendations
- State the offer in the first line, because it is shown in the notification preview.
- Always provide an opt-out, such as a “Not interested” button or a “Reply STOP” footer.
- Segment your audience. Relevant messages to a smaller audience perform better than generic messages to everyone.
- Send during the recipient’s daytime, taking time zones into account.
- Replacing broadcast lists. With coexistence, broadcast lists in the WhatsApp Business app become read-only. Template campaigns in Hello replace them with greater reach and reporting. How coexistence works →
Frequently asked questions
Can I send WhatsApp marketing messages to anyone?
No. Customers must have opted in to receive marketing messages from your business on WhatsApp. Messaging people who have not opted in leads to blocks and reports, which reduce your number’s quality rating and sending limits.
How do API campaigns differ from broadcast lists?
Broadcast lists in the WhatsApp Business app reach only contacts who saved your number and are sent manually. API campaigns use approved templates, can reach any opted-in customer, and include delivery and read reporting.
How many marketing messages can I send?
Your daily limit for starting conversations increases as your number maintains a good quality rating. WhatsApp may also limit how many marketing messages an individual receives from businesses, so some messages may not be delivered.
How do I measure a campaign?
Hello reports whether each message was queued, sent, delivered, read or failed, including the reason for failures. Use link tracking on your website to measure clicks and conversions.