WhatsApp Message Template Guide

Learn how to write short, useful pre-filled WhatsApp messages that ask for the right context without collecting sensitive information.

Reviewed by the WALinkGen editorial team for practical clarity and responsible use.

Last updated: June 10, 2026

What a pre-filled WhatsApp message should do

A pre-filled message should make the first customer reply easier, not force the customer into a script. The best drafts tell your team why the person opened the chat and what page, product, service, property, or event they were looking at.

The message appears as editable text in WhatsApp. The user still has to press send. That means the wording should be polite, natural, and easy to change. Build the final link with the WhatsApp link generator after the message is ready.

Use context from the page

The same number can appear on many pages, so the draft should preserve context. A product page can name the product. A property page can include the listing code. A restaurant menu can mention reservation or takeaway. A support page can ask for a non-sensitive order reference.

Good context reduces the first round of back-and-forth. Instead of "Hi, can you help?" try "Hi, I am interested in the compact office desk. Is it available for delivery to Johor Bahru?" The second version gives the seller something useful to answer.

Keep the first message editable

Avoid writing a draft that sounds like a completed transaction. A click does not confirm a booking, place an order, or create consent for unrelated marketing. Use phrases such as "I would like to ask," "Can I check," "Is this available," or "Could you share the next step?"

Leave bracketed details only when the user is expected to replace them. For public links, it is usually better to write a normal sentence and let the visitor add their own details in WhatsApp.

Short prompts versus long prompts

Short prompts work well for mobile users because they are easy to scan and edit. Long prompts can be useful for high-value services, but they may feel like a form forced into a chat window. If you need several mandatory fields, a proper form may be better than a long WhatsApp draft.

  • Short: "Hi, is the black travel backpack available for delivery to Penang?"
  • Medium: "Hi, I would like to request an appointment for a haircut on Tuesday afternoon. What times are available?"
  • Too heavy for a URL: a full application form, identity details, medical history, or payment information.

Privacy considerations

A pre-filled message becomes part of the link. It may appear in browser history, analytics logs, server logs, short-link destinations, printed QR codes, or forwarded messages. Do not include passwords, one-time codes, payment card details, identity numbers, medical details, or private chat history in a message template.

If a business needs sensitive information, use WhatsApp only to start a conversation and then move to an appropriate secure process. Explain what information is needed and why instead of placing private fields in the first URL.

Examples by business type

  • Restaurant: "Hi, I would like to request a table for 4 people on Friday at about 7:30 pm. Is that available?"
  • Clinic: "Hi, I would like to ask about appointment availability for a general consultation this week."
  • Real estate: "Hi, I am interested in listing KL-204. Is it still available, and can I arrange a viewing?"
  • Online seller: "Hi, I am interested in the navy linen shirt in size M. Is it in stock?"
  • Freelancer: "Hi, I am looking for help with a landing page design. Could you share your availability and starting price?"
  • Support: "Hi, I need help with order A12345. The issue is that the item arrived damaged."

What to avoid

  • Do not stuff the same keyword into every message.
  • Do not ask for sensitive information in the URL.
  • Do not write the draft as if the customer already agreed to buy.
  • Do not use one generic message across unrelated pages.
  • Do not make the first message so long that it is hard to edit.

Testing your message

  1. Read the draft out loud and remove stiff wording.
  2. Paste it into the generator and check the live preview.
  3. Open the link on a phone and confirm the draft is readable.
  4. Check line breaks, punctuation, emoji, and non-Latin text if used.
  5. Ask someone outside the team whether the next step is clear.

For a larger library of editable examples, visit WhatsApp message templates. For link-format rules, read how to create a WhatsApp link.

FAQ

Should a WhatsApp pre-filled message be short or detailed?

Start short. The message should identify the reason for contact and one useful detail, while leaving the customer free to edit it.

Can I include personal information in a pre-filled message?

Avoid sensitive information. A pre-filled message becomes part of a URL that may be copied, logged, forwarded, or stored in a short-link destination.

Is a pre-filled message sent automatically?

No. WhatsApp shows the text as a draft. The visitor can change or delete it and must choose to send it.