How do I set a greeting message in WhatsApp Business?

Open WhatsApp Business, go to Settings, then Business tools, then Greeting message. Turn it on, paste your message and choose who receives it. It goes to people who message you for the first time, or after a long gap.

How do quick replies work?

Save an answer under Business tools, then Quick replies, with a shortcut such as /price. In any chat, type / and pick the reply. It saves typing the same answer every day.

What is the difference between the WhatsApp Business app and the Platform?

The app is free and you reply by hand from your phone. The WhatsApp Business Platform (the "API") is paid per message, works through software from a WhatsApp partner, and is for sending updates and offers to many opted-in customers.

What are template messages on the WhatsApp Business Platform?

Messages you send first, outside the 24 hours after a customer writes to you, must use a template that Meta approves. Each template has a category: Marketing (offers), Utility (order and booking updates) or Authentication (one-time passwords). The parts in brackets on this page become {{1}}, {{2}} and so on.

How much does a WhatsApp marketing message cost in India?

On the WhatsApp Business Platform, about ₹0.86 per delivered marketing message and about ₹0.12 per utility message in 2026, plus your partner's fees and GST. Replies within 24 hours of a customer's message are free. See our WhatsApp marketing guide for details.

Can I send offers to everyone in my contacts?

Only to people who agreed to hear from you. Sending unwanted promotions gets your number blocked and reported, and too many reports can get it restricted.

Free templates

WhatsApp Business message templates, ready to copy.

26 WhatsApp Business messages for shops and service businesses in India: greeting and away messages, quick replies, order updates, payment reminders, review requests and festival offers. Copy one, replace the words in [brackets] and paste it into WhatsApp Business.

Greeting messages

Sent automatically when someone messages you for the first time, or after a long gap. Set it in WhatsApp Business under Business tools, then Greeting message.

Shop

Hi! Thanks for messaging [Business name] 😊 What are you looking for today? Send a photo or the product name and we will reply with price and availability.

Service business

Hello, and thanks for reaching [Business name]. Tell us what you need and your preferred day and time, and we will get back to you shortly.

With a menu

Welcome to [Business name]! Reply with a number: 1. Price list 2. Our location 3. Delivery details 4. Talk to us

Restaurant or bakery

Hi from [Business name]! 🍰 Our menu is in the catalogue above. Send your order and pickup or delivery time, and we will confirm it.

Away messages

Sent when you are closed or busy. Set your hours under Business tools, then Away message.

After hours

Thanks for your message! We are closed right now. Our hours are [10 am to 8 pm, Monday to Saturday]. We will reply first thing when we open.

Holiday

Hi! [Business name] is closed for [festival] from [date] to [date]. We will reply to every message when we are back. Wishing you a happy [festival]!

Busy

Thanks for writing to us. We are with customers right now and will reply within [1 hour].

Quick replies

Saved answers to the questions you get every day. Type / in a chat to pick one. Set them under Business tools, then Quick replies.

/price

Here is our latest price list: [link or attach]. Prices include [GST / delivery within city]. Tell us what you would like and we will confirm availability.

/location

We are at [address]. Google Maps: [link]. Open [days and hours]. Parking is available [nearby].

/delivery

We deliver across [city] in [1 to 2] days. Delivery is free above ₹[amount], otherwise ₹[amount]. Outside [city], [courier details].

/payment

You can pay by UPI to [UPI ID], by card at the shop, or cash on delivery for orders up to ₹[amount]. Please share a screenshot after paying by UPI.

/thanks

Thank you so much for choosing [Business name] 🙏 We hope to see you again soon!

Order and booking updates

Updates a customer is waiting for. On the WhatsApp Business Platform these are Utility messages, the cheaper category. Platform category: Utility.

Order confirmed

Hi [Name], your order [number] is confirmed ✅ Items: [items]. Total: ₹[amount]. We will message you when it is on the way.

Out for delivery

Hi [Name], your order [number] is out for delivery 🚚 Expected by [time]. Track it here: [link].

Ready for pickup

Hi [Name], your order is ready for pickup at [Business name], [address]. We are open till [time] today.

Appointment reminder

Hi [Name], a reminder of your appointment at [Business name] on [date] at [time]. Reply 1 to confirm or 2 to change the time.

Payment reminder

Hi [Name], a gentle reminder that ₹[amount] for [invoice or order number] is due on [date]. You can pay by UPI to [UPI ID]. Please ignore this if already paid. Thank you!

Reviews and feedback

Ask happy customers for a Google review a day or two after delivery or a visit, with a direct link.

Review request

Hi [Name], thank you for shopping with [Business name]! If you liked it, would you leave us a quick Google review? It really helps a small business like ours 🙏 [review link]

Feedback check

Hi [Name], how was your [product or service]? Reply with a number from 1 to 5. If anything was not right, tell us and we will fix it.

Thank you for the review

Thank you so much for your review, [Name]! It made our day. We look forward to serving you again 😊

Offers, new arrivals and festivals

Send only to customers who agreed to hear from you. On the WhatsApp Business Platform these are Marketing messages, the costliest category, so keep them occasional and useful. Platform category: Marketing.

Festival offer

Happy [festival] from [Business name]! 🪔 Enjoy [20% off] on [range] till [date]. Visit us at [address] or reply to this message to order.

New arrivals

New in at [Business name] ✨ [short description]. See the full collection here: [link]. Reply "SHOW" and we will send photos and prices.

Weekend sale

This weekend only: [offer] at [Business name]. [Saturday and Sunday], [hours]. Show this message at the counter for an extra [gift].

Back in stock

Good news, [Name]! [Product] you asked about is back in stock. Shall we keep one aside for you?

We miss you

Hi [Name], it has been a while! Here is [10% off] your next visit to [Business name], valid till [date]. Hope to see you soon 😊

Stop messages

Reply STOP and we will not send you offers again.

Tips for business messages that get replies

Reply fast. When a customer messages several shops, the first clear answer usually wins.
Use their name and the exact product or order they asked about.
One message, one step: reply with a number, tap a link or visit the shop.
Keep offers occasional. Customers block numbers that send too much.
Label every chat as New enquiry, Order placed, Paid or Delivered, so no one is forgotten.

More on costs, broadcasts and the Platform in our WhatsApp marketing guide for businesses.

Questions

Let your offers and posts be made for you

Nebulaa plans your month and makes your festival offers, posts and short videos in your brand style, ready to share on Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp. Replies to WhatsApp enquiries are coming soon. Start with a free Brand Growth Blueprint and 3 free sample posts.

Get your free Blueprint