WhatsApp templates

A WhatsApp template is a message Meta approves in advance. You need one to start a conversation, to send a broadcast, or to reply after the 24-hour window has closed. Create it under WhatsApp → Templates → Create template, and Meta usually reviews it within 24 hours.

#Create a template

1. Open WhatsApp in the sidebar and go to the Templates tab.

2. Select Create template → Normal (or Carousel for swipeable cards).

   

3. Fill in the form (below) and select Create Template.

4. The template goes to Meta for review and shows Pending until it is decided.

Select Sync to pull in templates you created directly in Meta.

#The form, field by field

#Category

The category decides the price. Meta can re-categorise a template if the content does not match. See How usage is charged.

An Authentication template has no header, body or footer to write. You set an Expiration Warning (Optional) in minutes and can tick Add Security Disclaimer; the template gets a Copy Code button.

#Header

A Header Text is up to 60 characters and can contain one variable. Type some words first, then select Add Variable; a header cannot start with a variable. For Image, Video or Document, select the file to use as the sample.

#Body and variables

Type the text and put each variable in double curly brackets, for example {{1}} or {{customer_name}}. When you create the template, variables are renumbered {{1}}, {{2}}, {{3}} in the order they first appear. For each variable, fill in a value under Sample Content for Body (Content for {{1}}, and so on).

The form refuses a body that:

• starts with a variable,
• ends with a variable,
• has two variables next to each other with no words between them.

You can format text with the bold, italic, strikethrough and monospace buttons, add emoji, and tick Transliteration to type Hindi and other Indian languages in English letters.

#Buttons

Select Add Buttons and choose a type:

All buttons together: up to 10. Button Text is up to 25 characters. Drag buttons to change their order.

A Dynamic website button adds the per-customer part at the end of the URL. When you choose Dynamic, Use SmartLink tracking (cht.ad) is ticked; untick it to use your own Base URL, such as https://www.kaveriorganics.in/track/. The form shows what Meta will register, for example https://www.kaveriorganics.in/track/{{1}}. The Example is required and accepts letters, numbers, hyphens and underscores only.

#Worked example: a Utility template

To send it to a customer list, follow the WhatsApp broadcast worked example.

#Carousel templates

A carousel shows up to 10 cards the customer swipes through, under one main body.

1. Create template → Carousel.
2. Fill in Template Name, Project, Template Type, Languages and the main Body.
3. Choose Number of Cards (1 to 10).
4. For each card, use Change Card to switch, then set:
   • Header: an Image or Video,
   • Body: up to 160 characters,
   • buttons: at least 1 and up to 2 per card (quick reply, Visit website, or one Call phone number).

When you broadcast a carousel, every variable on every card needs a value, or the page shows "Card N has some empty parameters."

#Statuses

The Quality column shows Meta's rating (High, Medium or Low) once enough messages have gone out. Low means the template is in danger of being paused or disabled.

#Common questions

#How long does template approval take?

Meta usually reviews a template within 24 hours. It shows Pending until then.

#Can I edit an approved template?

You can edit and resubmit a template; it goes back to Meta for review before the new version is used.

#Why was my template rejected?

The usual reasons are promotional wording in a Utility template, a body that starts or ends with a variable, or a template that is mostly variables. Fix the wording and submit again.

#How many variables can a text header have?

One. Type some words first, then select Add Variable. A template whose text header has a variable can't be used in a broadcast yet: the broadcast template list marks it "can't be broadcast yet". For broadcasts, keep the header fixed text or use an image, video or document header, and put the personal details in the body.

#Can I use a customer's name in a template?

Yes. Put a variable such as {{1}} in the body, then pick First Name for it when you send the broadcast.