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Creating a Simple Template

This guide will walk you through the process of creating and testing your first WhatsApp template in Flowella.

CREATING A SIMPLE TEMPLATE

 

 

WhatsApp templates are pre-approved message formats that allow you to send structured messages to your customers. They're essential for sending notifications, updates, and marketing messages outside of the 24-hour customer service window. Once created and approved by Meta, these templates become powerful tools for automated customer engagement.

Templates can include rich media like images and videos, dynamic text variables, and interactive buttons. This makes them perfect for order confirmations, appointment reminders, promotional offers, and much more. The approval process ensures that messages maintain quality standards and comply with WhatsApp's business policies.

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

STEP 1: NAVIGATE TO TEMPLATES
Click on "Templates" in the sidebar menu.
 

Tip: This is where you'll manage all your WhatsApp message templates. You can view, edit, and track the approval status of all your templates from this central location.


STEP 2: START A NEW TEMPLATE
Click on the "New Template" button to begin creating your template.
 
Hint: Before starting, have a clear idea of your template's purpose. Is it for order confirmations, appointment reminders, or promotional messages? This will help you design it more effectively.
 
STEP 3: NAME YOUR TEMPLATE

Enter a valid template name. Choose a descriptive name that reflects the purpose of your template.
 

Tip: Use lowercase letters, numbers, and underscores only. Good examples: "order_confirmation", "appointment_reminder", "welcome_message". Avoid spaces or special characters as they're not allowed by Meta.


STEP 4: ADD A VISUAL HEADER

Add a visual to your template by adding an Image or Video as Template Header.

This helps make your message more engaging and visually appealing.
 

Hint: Header media is optional but highly recommended. Images should be high quality and relevant to your message. Videos should be short (under 60 seconds) and start with an engaging frame. Ensure your media meets WhatsApp's size requirements: images under 5MB, videos under 10MB.


STEP 5: WRITE YOUR MESSAGE

Enter your template body text. This is the main content of your WhatsApp message.

Keep it clear, concise, and relevant to your audience.
 

Tip: You can use variables in your message by using double curly braces like 1, 2, etc. These will be replaced with dynamic content when you send the message. For example: "Hi 1, your order 2 is ready for pickup!"

 
Hint: Keep your message focused and actionable. Avoid overly promotional language that might get rejected during Meta's approval process. Be clear about the value you're providing to the recipient.

STEP 6: ADD A BUTTON

Click "Add a button to your template" to include an interactive element.
 

Tip: Buttons significantly increase engagement rates. They provide clear next steps for your customers and make it easier for them to take action.


STEP 7: SELECT BUTTON TYPE

Choose the appropriate button type for your use case:
  • Call-to-action button: Direct users to a website or phone number
  • Quick reply button: Let users respond with predefined text
  • URL button: Send users to a specific web page

Hint: You can add up to 3 buttons per template. Mix different button types to give users multiple options. For example, combine a URL button ("View Order") with a quick reply button ("Contact Support").

 
STEP 8: SET BUTTON VALUE
 
Enter your button value. This is the action or destination for the button.
 
For example, a phone number for call buttons or a URL for link buttons.
 

 

STEP 9: ADD BUTTON TEXT
 
Enter your button text. This is the label that will appear on the button.
 
Make it action-oriented and clear (e.g., "Learn More", "Contact Us", "Get Started").
 

Hint: Keep button text short and compelling. Use action verbs and make it obvious what will happen when clicked. Character limit is 25 characters per button.

 
 
STEP 10: CREATE THE TEMPLATE
 
Click on the "Create Template" button to save your template.
 

Note: Your template will be submitted to Meta for approval, which typically takes 24-48 hours.

Tip: During the approval process, Meta reviews your template for compliance with their policies. Common rejection reasons include promotional language, misleading content, or poor grammar. Make sure your template provides clear value to recipients.

 
 
STEP 11: PREPARE FOR TESTING
 
Enter a valid WhatsApp number to test your template on a device.
 
Make sure you have access to this WhatsApp account to receive the test message.
 

Hint: Use your own phone number or a test device for this step. The number must be in international format with country code (e.g., +44123456789).

 
STEP 12: SEND TEST MESSAGE
 
Click on the "Send Test" button to dispatch the template to your device.
 

Tip: Testing allows you to see exactly how your template will appear to customers before using it in production. You can test even while the template is pending approval from Meta.

 
STEP 13: VERIFY ON DEVICE
 
Check the template on your device to ensure it appears correctly.
 
Verify that:
  • The header image or video displays properly
  • The body text is formatted correctly
  • The button appears and functions as expected
  • The overall message looks professional

Hint: View your template on different devices if possible. Check how it looks on both iOS and Android. Pay attention to text length - if it's too long, it might get truncated on smaller screens.

 
 
CONGRATULATIONS!
 
You have successfully created and tested your first WhatsApp template.
 
Your template is now ready to be used in your messaging flows once approved by Meta. Remember that approved templates can be used immediately in your automation workflows, chatbots, and manual messaging campaigns. You can track the delivery and engagement metrics for each template directly from your Flowella dashboard.
 
As you become more familiar with template creation, you'll discover best practices for your specific use case. Experiment with different combinations of media, text, and buttons to find what resonates best with your audience. You can always create variations of successful templates to A/B test different approaches.
 
Keep in mind that templates must maintain their approved format - any changes to the structure will require resubmission and approval. However, the dynamic variables allow you to personalize each message without needing additional approvals. This gives you flexibility while maintaining compliance.
 
 

Pro tip: Create a library of templates for different customer journey stages - welcome messages, order updates, support follow-ups, and re-engagement campaigns. Having these ready will enable you to build sophisticated automation flows quickly and efficiently.