Getting messages right on WhatsApp Business is a real challenge. We've all been there — trying to find that perfect balance between being professional and personal when reaching out to customers. And with WhatsApp reaching almost 3 billion active users in 2024 (and probably surpassing it by now), getting your message templates right is essential for your business growth. And it can be tricky, because WhatsApp requires businesses to use pre-approved templates for starting conversations with customers. 

But all in all, templates make communication more efficient, and they're also your key to building lasting customer relationships.

That's why we've put together this guide. Read on to find 9 templates that are working right now for businesses just like yours. 

Understanding WhatsApp Business Templates

If a customer messages you first, you're free to reply however you want within a 24-hour window to keep the conversation going naturally. But if you are the one starting a conversation with your customers, you'll need an approved template for that.

Different Types of Templates

You've got four main types of templates to work with, and they're all designed to help you connect with customers in different ways. First up, there are utility templates — these are your bread and butter for keeping customers in the loop about their orders. Then you've got marketing templates for sharing your latest offers, authentication templates for anything security, and service templates when you need to help customers out.

Want to see how these actually work in practice? We've got examples of different types of templates that are working really well right now, and those can do more than you might think. They can help you build real relationships with your customers while keeping everything professional and organized.

Pro tip:  After April 1, 2025, you won't be able to send marketing templates to US phone numbers (although thankfully rules haven’t changed for other geos). 

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The Template Approval Process

Getting your templates approved on WhatsApp can feel a bit overwhelming at first. You've got to submit them for review, and sometimes the waiting can be tough. But I'll walk you through what really works — and what doesn't.

How the Process Works

In every template WhatsApp looks at everything: message clarity, its relevance, whether it follows the format rules. It sounds intimidating at first, but once you know the basics, it gets much easier.

And here's something that might help you get better results right away:

• Skip words like "Buy" or "Discount"
• Use simple calls to action like "Browse Collection"

Making Sure Your Templates WorkOne good way to see how your messages are doing is to check templates' health status anytime in your Meta WhatsApp business manager. With this tool you'll probably be able to spot patterns in what works best for your business.Speaking of what works — keeping your messages simple is key. You want to write like you're talking to a friend, but keep it professional. That's the sweet spot that usually gets approved.If you do get a rejection reason, don't worry too much about it. Everyone gets them sometimes, and they're actually pretty helpful for learning what to fix. You can use that feedback to make your next template even better.By the way, there's a little trick to getting templates approved faster: think about what you'd want to receive as a customer. When you write from that perspective, your approval chances go way up.1. Onboarding and First Purchase Templates

Getting your first message right can be a bit tricky. You want to make new customers feel welcome while giving them all the important info they need. A good welcome message might look something like:"🎉 Hi there! We're so happy you're here at [Your Business Name]. Your account's all set up and ready to go!"The key is keeping it friendly but professional. You can tell them about your products, but don't overwhelm them with too much information at once. After all, nobody likes getting bombarded with messages right after signing up — that must be tough to deal with as a customer.2. Post-Purchase and Customer Nurturing TemplatesOnce someone's made a purchase, you've got a great chance to build a real relationship. Here are three ways you can keep the conversation going:

1. Share new products they might like (based on what they bought before)
2. Send them a special discount code — everyone loves saving money
3. Give them a friendly reminder about items they looked at but didn't buy

Speaking of messages, you'll want to pay attention to character limits with media message templates. They can be a bit different from regular messages, but once you get used to them, they're actually pretty easy to work with.By the way, if you've had some quiet days without talking to your customers, don't worry too much about it. A simple "Hope you had a great weekend! We're back and ready to help" works really well. And you know what? Customers appreciate knowing when you're available and ready to chat.And here's something that works really well: sending a quick follow-up message about a week after their purchase. You could ask how they're liking their new item or if they need any help. It shows you care about their experience, not just their purchase.Pro tip: Mix and match your messages — nobody likes getting the same type of message over and over. Sometimes a simple "How are you enjoying your new [product]?" works better than any promotional message ever could.3. Customer Inactivity and Abandonment TemplatesWe all know how it feels when customers leave items in their cart — it's a bit frustrating, right? But there are some really good ways to bring them back. Your WhatsApp messages can make a big difference here, especially when you make them personal.Try something like this: "Hi Sarah! That blue dress you were looking at would look great with our new accessories collection." It's friendly, personal, and reminds them what caught their eye in the first place.Sometimes people just need a little extra push. Maybe offer free shipping or a small discount if they complete their purchase the next day. And if they're stuck because they have questions? A simple "Need any help deciding?" can work wonders.4. Making Your Regular Customers Feel Special

Your loyal customers are like gold — they keep coming back because they trust you. So why not show them some extra love?Here are some ways to make them feel valued:

• Send them a surprise message on their shopping anniversary
• Give them early access to your new products
• Remember their birthdays with a special discount
• Check in after they've bought something expensive (that can feel a bit scary, and showing you care means a lot)

For example, you might send: "Hi Alex! 🎉 You've been shopping with us for a whole year now, and we're so grateful. We've got something special for you..."Speaking of special treatment, some customers really appreciate getting a sneak peek at new products before anyone else. It makes them feel like VIPs, and who doesn't want that?By the way, if you notice someone hasn't shopped with you in a while, a friendly "We've missed you!" with their favorite type of products can work really well. Sometimes people just get busy and need a gentle reminder that you're still there.5. Promotional Offer TemplatesLet's talk about promotional messages that actually work. You want your offers to catch attention right away — something like "Hey Sarah! 🎉 30% off your favorite items today!" works so much better than a boring announcement. And when you add a clear next step like "Tap here to shop," you're making it super easy for customers to act.People love seeing what they're getting, so adding a good product image can make a big difference. And you know what works really well? Adding a bit of time pressure: "Only 24 hours left!" can give people that extra push to make a decision.6. Asking for Feedback (Without Being Annoying) Getting feedback can feel a bit awkward sometimes, but it doesn't have to be. A simple "Hi Alex, how was your experience with us?" feels so much more personal than a formal survey. And when customers do share their thoughts, it's worth its weight in gold for making your business better.Try something friendly like: "Hi! We'd love to know what you think about your recent purchase. Good or bad, we're all ears!" It's casual, open, and shows you really care about their opinion.7. Holiday Greeting Templates

Holiday messages are tricky — you want to be festive but not over the top. A message like "The holidays are coming! We'll be open from 10 AM to 4 PM this week, and we've got something special for you..." hits just the right note.And speaking of special, holiday promotions work really well when you tie them to the season. Think about it: "Spread some joy this season with 20% off our gift collection" feels much more meaningful than a regular discount message.Sometimes, a simple "Thank you for being with us this year" can mean more to your customers than any discount. It's all about making them feel valued while keeping things professional and genuine.8. Support Ticket Update TemplatesHaving a problem with a product can be really frustrating — and waiting for updates makes it even worse. That's why good support ticket messages are so important. When you tell customers exactly what's happening with their issue, it makes the whole experience so much better.Try something like: "Hi Emma, we've got your message about the delivery delay. Our team is looking into it right now, and we'll get back to you as soon as we have an update." Simple, clear, and it shows you're on top of things.Speaking of updates, it's good to keep customers posted even when there isn't much news. A quick "We're still working on this, thanks for being patient" can make a big difference. After all, nobody likes being left in the dark when they're waiting for help.9. Survey and Poll TemplatesLet's talk about surveys and polls. You want to know what your customers think, but you've got to make it easy for them. A simple "Which do you like better?" with two clear options works so much better than a long questionnaire.For example: "Hi there! Quick question: Would you prefer our new bracelet in silver or gold? Reply with S or G 💍" It's quick, it's fun, and people actually respond to messages like these.And you know what's really good? When you show customers how their feedback made a difference. Maybe you launched a new product based on their votes, or changed your delivery times because they asked for it. That makes them feel valued, and they'll probably help out with feedback again in the future.Pro tip: adding a little something extra for people who take the time to answer — maybe a small discount on their next purchase — can work really well. Just keep it simple and genuine, and your customers will appreciate the gesture.Best Practices for Creating Effective WhatsApp Business TemplatesWriting great WhatsApp templates isn't as hard as it might seem. Let me share what really works, based on what we've seen work for other businesses.Five Things That Make a Big Difference

1. Keep it short and sweet. Long messages can be tough to read on a phone screen, so try to say what you need in as few words as possible. Something like "Your order's on its way!" works so much better than a long paragraph about shipping details.
2. Sound like yourself. If your brand has a friendly vibe, your messages should feel friendly too. And if you're more professional, stick with that. The key is being consistent — your customers should feel like they're talking to the same business every time.
3. Make it personal. Using someone's name might seem like a small thing, but it can make a big difference. "Hi Sarah" feels so much warmer than a generic "Dear Customer," doesn't it? And when you mention something from their last purchase, it shows you're paying attention.
4. Add some personality with emojis. A well-placed 🎉 or ✨ can make your message more eye-catching. Just don't go overboard — one or two is probably enough.
5. Keep improving. Watch how your messages perform and make little tweaks when needed. Sometimes changing just a few words can make your messages work so much better.

Speaking of improvements, it's good to try different versions of your messages to see what works best. Maybe your morning messages get better responses than evening ones, or perhaps people really like it when you include their order number. These little details can make a big difference in how well your messages work.By the way, if you're finding that certain messages aren't getting many responses, that's pretty normal at first. It can take a bit of time to find the right tone and timing that works for your customers. But once you do, you'll probably see your engagement rates go up quite a bit.Final ThoughtsIf you've made it this far, you're probably thinking about how to make your WhatsApp business messages work better. We've covered everything from saying hello to keeping customers coming back, and honestly? It's all about finding what feels right for your business and your customers.Whether you're trying to welcome new customers, keep current ones happy, or just stay in touch, these templates can make your job a bit easier. Want to see how these templates could work for your business? Start your 7-Day Free Trial with Zoko and test these messages with your customers. You'll have access to all these templates and more, plus the tools to make them work for your specific needs. No pressure — just a chance to try something new and see if it fits your business style.