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Getting StartedSend Your First Message

Send Your First Message

Once your WhatsApp channel is connected, you can verify everything is working by sending a test message.

Start a Conversation

WhatsApp requires that customers message you first before you can reply freely (this is called a user-initiated session). To test your connection:

  1. Open WhatsApp on your personal phone
  2. Send a message to your connected business number (e.g., “Hello”)
  3. The message will appear in your Live Chat inbox

Reply from Live Chat

  1. In the sidebar, click Live Chat to open the chat application
  2. You’ll see the incoming conversation in the left panel
  3. Click on the conversation to open it
  4. Type a reply and press Send

Your customer (in this case, you) will receive the reply on WhatsApp.

The first time a customer messages you, a new contact is automatically created in your Customers section. You don’t need to add contacts manually.

Send a Template Message

To send a message to a customer without them messaging you first, you need to use an approved message template. This is useful for sending the first outreach message.

  1. First, create a message template and wait for it to be approved by Meta
  2. In Live Chat, open a conversation and click the template icon
  3. Select your approved template and send it

You can only send free-form messages within 24 hours of the customer’s last message. After the 24-hour window closes, you must use an approved template to restart the conversation.

What’s Next?

Now that you’ve verified your connection works:

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