FlowBot WhatsApp Templates

What are WhatsApp Templates?

WhatsApp Templates are pre-approved message formats that businesses can use to initiate conversations with customers. Unlike regular messages, templates allow you to contact customers who haven't messaged you first, making them essential for marketing campaigns, notifications, and proactive customer communication.

Templates must be approved by Meta before use and follow specific formatting guidelines.

Creating a WhatsApp Template

Step 1: Access Templates

Navigate to the WhatsApp section in the sidebar
Click on the Templates tab
Click Create to open the Template Builder

Step 2: Basic Information

Fill in the required basic information:

Template Name: A unique identifier (lowercase letters, numbers, and underscores only, max 512 characters)
- Example: welcome_message, order_confirmation, appointment_reminder
Category: Choose from:
- Marketing: Promotional content, offers, announcements
- Utility: Account updates, order information, notifications
- Authentication: OTP codes, verification messages
Language: ISO language code (e.g., en, en_US, fr, es, pt_BR)

Step 3: Build Your Template

Templates consist of several optional sections:

Header (Optional)

The header appears at the top of your message. You can choose:

Text Header: Plain text header
Image Header: Image with optional caption
Video Header: Video with optional caption
Document Header: Document attachment

Body Text (Required)

The main message content. You can:

Use variables (e.g., {{1}}, {{2}}) for dynamic content
Include formatting with line breaks
Maximum length varies by category

Example:

Hello {{1}}, your order #{{2}} has been confirmed!

A short text that appears at the bottom of the message (max 60 characters).

Example:

Thank you for shopping with us!

Buttons (Optional)

Add up to 3 buttons or 1 quick reply button:

URL Button: Link to a website
Phone Number Button: Call-to-action button
Quick Reply Button: Pre-defined response options

Step 4: Preview and Submit

Preview: Review your template to ensure it looks correct
Save: Save your template draft
Submit: Submit to Meta for approval

Note: Template approval can take 24-48 hours. You'll be notified once approved.

Using Templates in Workflows

Once your template is approved, you can use it in workflows:

Add a Template Message node to your workflow
Select your approved template from the dropdown
Fill in template variables (e.g., customer name, order number)
Configure additional settings (language, recipient)
Connect to other nodes in your workflow

Template Variables

Variables allow you to personalize templates:

Use {{1}}, {{2}}, etc. in your template body
Provide variable values when sending the template
Variables are replaced with actual content when the message is sent

Example Template:

Body: Hello {{1}}, your appointment on {{2}} is confirmed!

Variables when sending:
{{1}} = "John"
{{2}} = "March 15, 2024 at 2:00 PM"

Template Status

Templates can have different statuses:

Pending: Submitted but not yet reviewed by Meta
Approved: Approved and ready to use
Rejected: Rejected by Meta (check rejection reason)
Paused: Temporarily paused (can be reactivated)

Best Practices

Keep it concise: Templates should be clear and to the point
Use variables wisely: Personalize messages without making them too complex
Follow guidelines: Ensure compliance with Meta's template policies
Test before submitting: Preview templates to catch errors early
Use appropriate categories: Choose the right category for your message type
Include clear CTAs: Use buttons to guide user actions
Localize content: Create templates in multiple languages for global audiences

Template Limitations

Templates must be approved before use
Some content types are restricted (e.g., promotional content in utility templates)
Variable count and message length limits apply
Templates cannot be edited after approval (create a new version instead)

Managing Templates

View all templates: See all your templates in the templates table
Filter by status: Filter by approval status, category, or language
Edit drafts: Modify templates before submission
Delete templates: Remove unused templates
Import/Export: Download template JSON or import existing templates

Template Examples

Marketing Template

Name: product_promotion
Category: Marketing
Body: 🎉 Special Offer! Get 20% off on {{1}} today only. Use code: {{2}}
Footer: Limited time offer
Button: [Shop Now] → URL

Utility Template

Name: order_update
Category: Utility
Body: Hi {{1}}, your order #{{2}} has been shipped! Track it here: {{3}}
Footer: Thanks for your order

Authentication Template

Name: verification_code
Category: Authentication
Body: Your verification code is: {{1}}. Valid for 10 minutes.
Footer: Do not share this code

WhatsApp Templates