Creating WhatsApp template messages requires adherence to specific guidelines to ensure approval and effective communication with your customers. SMSGatewayCenter simplifies the process by helping you craft compliant templates for the WhatsApp Business API. Here’s a detailed guide to the guidelines and best practices:
Guidelines for WhatsApp Template Messages #
WhatsApp enforces strict rules for template messages to prevent spam and ensure a positive user experience. Follow these guidelines to create templates that get approved:
Content Requirements #
- Text-Based: Templates must primarily be text-based, using letters (a-z, A-Z), digits (0-9), special characters (e.g., !, @, #), and emojis.
- Character Limit: The message body must not exceed 1024 characters, including spaces, special characters, and formatting.
- Supported Formatting: Use WhatsApp-specific formatting like bold (text), italic (text), ~strikethrough~ (~text~), or
monospace(text). Other formatting (e.g., underlining, colored text) is not allowed. - No Media in Body: The message body cannot include media (e.g., images, videos), though media can be added in headers for certain template types (e.g., Interactive – Image with Buttons).
Dynamic Variables #
- Use placeholders (e.g., {{1}}, {{2}}) for personalization, such as customer names or order numbers.
- Variables must not contain line breaks, as this can cause formatting errors.
- Example: “Hi {{1}}, your appointment is scheduled for May 15, 2025, at {{2}}.”
Category Alignment #
- Choose the correct category for your template (e.g., Marketing, Utility, Authentication).
- The content must match the category:
- Marketing: Promotional offers (e.g., “Get 20% off with code SAVE20!”).
- Utility: Functional updates (e.g., “Your subscription renews on May 16, 2025.”).
- Authentication: OTPs (e.g., “Your OTP is {{1}}. It expires in 10 minutes.”).
- Avoid mixing purposes (e.g., don’t include promotional content in a Utility template).
Compliance and Quality #
- No Spam or Misleading Content: Avoid vague, promotional, or deceptive messages that could be flagged as spam.
- Clear Intent: The message should have a clear purpose and provide value to the recipient (e.g., a timely update or offer).
- Language Accuracy: Submit the template in the correct language with proper grammar and spelling to avoid rejection.
- Avoid Excessive Special Characters: Overusing emojis or special characters may lead to rejection; use them sparingly.
Opt-In Requirement #
- For Marketing templates, ensure customers have explicitly opted in to receive promotional messages.
- Non-compliance with opt-in policies can result in account suspension or message delivery issues.
By following these guidelines, you can create WhatsApp template messages that get approved quickly and resonate with your audience. For further assistance with template creation, contact our support team.