How to create and send a WhatsApp template optimizing response times?
In this article, you'll learn how to use the template window to manage the process of registering new notifications and knowing about the status of the submission. You will also learn how to optimize the response times with the new reply button and option list features.
Estimated reading time: 10 minutes
Before you can create new WhatsApp bulk load templates, you need to check the verification status in the business settings. Otherwise, we recommend contacting your Facebook account manager.
To submit new templates for approval, access the templates window. Here you can create them by clicking on the "+" in the lower right corner of the screen.
How to send a WhatsApp template for approval?
Note: The templates that need approval are only those sent via WhatsApp, the other channels do not need approval.
NOTE: _You cannot edit a template submitted for approval or already approved. For any change: a comma, a word summary, or even an accent, you must pass through Facebook approval again. For more information, you can refer to the related Facebook documentation on template approval policy: _ Message Template Guidelines - WhatsApp Business API
Template Window
Here, you can submit new WhatsApp templates for Facebook approval and view their status in real-time.
Template Creation
How can I create a notification?
Before setting up the content of your notification, make sure to complete the following fields:
- Name : To identify the notification. It must describe the content of the notification that you will create.
- Format : Lowercase letters, may contain numbers. Spaces and accents are not supported (replace spaces with _). For example notify_alert.
- Category : For the categorization of the notification that corresponds to the template content. You can obtain more information about the different types in the following article: What are the template categories?
- Language : Indicates the language in which you will create the template.
- Content: Indicates the message sent to the user.
Content
Remember: you have a limit of 1024 characters or 160 characters in case you have a header or footer. And, it cannot include new lines, tabs, or more than four consecutive spaces.
The text can be in:
Bold : To make your message bold, place an asterisk on each side of the text.
Italics : To italicize your message, place an underscore on each side of the text.
Strikethrough: To strikethrough your message, place a written accent on each side of the text.
Monospace : To leave a monospace text, place three sentences on each side of the text.
Emojis : You can add emojis in the message text.
Variables : They must start with a $ and contain the variable name between keys, as in the example below. Example: ${name}
Templates with buttons for API
If you use the Botmaker API, when creating a template with buttons, you can select the "API" option to make triggers via call.
Remember : It is not necessary to define the button in the API call structure, the buttons are sent automatically. The variables (if any) must be indicated in the "param" field.
The button options you can choose from are "quick reply" and "call to action". Find out how they work below.
Quick response: When the template is an API template, you can use the buttons to send the responseID defined in your webhook as set up in Botmaker when users click on the options. Thus, you will be able to analyze when users click on the options and schedule in your system automatic responses/sendings depending on the responseID received.
Note: The responseID field does not accept variables, it should be used only with text messages.
Call to action : this option is used so that you can define in the buttons redirection links to specific sites or phone numbers so that users can easily contact you.
How to delete templates?
Only users with administrator profiles can delete templates. To do this, go to Menu>Templates. On the right side of the screen, you will see the icon to delete the template.
By clicking the delete icon, you will see a notification removal to cancel or confirm the operation.
How to optimize the response times through WhatsApp?
Nowadays, companies use numbered lists with options selected by the customer according to their needs. Now, you can interact with your customers more easily through reply buttons and options lists, which allows you to improve the response times, thus increasing conversions.
Reply Buttons : These are quick response buttons in the chat. They are presented horizontally and can include up to 3 options without emojis.
Messages lists : A list of up to 10 options that are displayed to the user so that they can choose the type of information they need simply.
For further details, you can refer to Facebook's technical information about sending interactive messages: Sending Interactive Messages.
Note: This functionality is enabled by default for all new projects as of June 2021. For previous projects, it is disabled by default and you can request to enable it through the support center.
Feel free to visit our Help Center for further information
Written by: Botmaker Team
Updated: 09/29/2021