How to create a WhatsApp template message
Draft, submit, and get a WhatsApp message template approved by Meta so you can send broadcasts outside the 24-hour window.
Why templates exist
WhatsApp only lets a business start a conversation with a pre-approved message template. Free-form replies are allowed only inside the 24-hour service window after a customer writes to you. Every broadcast campaign in AiConva therefore starts from an approved template.
Templates belong to one of three Meta categories, and the category sets the per-message price: marketing (offers, promotions), utility (order updates, reminders), and authentication (one-time passcodes).
Create and submit a template
- Go to Templates in the sidebar and choose New template.
- Give it a lowercase name with underscores, e.g. festive_offer_20 — Meta rejects spaces and capitals.
- Pick the category honestly. Meta re-categorises (and re-prices) templates that look like marketing but were submitted as utility.
- Write the body text. Use numbered variables like {{1}} or named ones like {{name}} for anything personalised.
- Submit. The status moves to pending; Meta usually reviews within minutes to a few hours.
Track approval and sync
The Templates page shows each template's status: draft, pending, approved, or rejected (with Meta's rejection reason). If you manage templates directly in Meta Business Manager too, use Sync templates to pull the latest statuses into AiConva.
Common rejection reasons
Vague variables Meta can't preview (add example values), forbidden content (crypto, gambling, adult), URL shorteners like bit.ly, and mismatched categories. Fix the body and resubmit — there is no penalty for a rejected template.
This guide maps directly to a screen in AiConva.