This article will explain all General WhatApp information and the requirements to send WhatsApp messages to guests. WhatsApp templates are required by Meta in order to initiate WhatsApp communications with guests.
Duve supports the following message types sent from guests via WhatsApp:
- Messages with Text & Emojis
- Images
- Videos
- Voice Memos
What is a WhatsApp template?
A WhatsApp template is a pre-written message that is used to send your guests automated WhatsApp messages. Templates can be used for a wide range of communications such as check-in/out messages, important information, and much more! The templates can also include placeholders that are replaced with the dynamic parameters from your account.
Why are WhatsApp templates needed?
The templates are required by Meta in order to maintain quality and avoid spam content from being sent to WhatsApp users. Meta will review & approve each template you create before it is able to be sent out.
The templates are needed in order to initiate the conversation and allow your guest to Opt-in to your WhatsApp messages. Opting in is necessary in order to send free text WhatsApp messages. A free text is a WhatsApp message that is not part of a template.
How do guests Opt-in?
Meta requires your guests to opt-in to receive your WhatsApp messages. Once your guest has opted-in, it opens a 24-hour free text period.
To opt-in and start the 24-hour free text period there are 2 options:
- Activation button - Adding a button to the message allows guests to click to opt-in, without needing to reply
- Guest reply - The guest must reply to your message in order for the period to start
Once your guest has opted-in you have 24 hours of free text WhatsApp messaging available, until the guest's next message, when the 24-hour period starts over again. If your guest does not opt-in, or 24 hours have passed since the last message, the next WhatsApp message sent must be a template.
Guidelines for creating WhatsApp templates
- Submitting your templates: Please submit them in Word document with the name of each template and with all translations
- Format: Please add the spacing in the template exactly how you would like it
- Placeholders: Please make sure your template does not start or end with a placeholder (dynamic parameter) or have placeholders next to each other.
- Translations should have the exact same number of placeholders between them to be approved.
- Please add the dynamic parameter exactly how it is written in Duve
- Translations: Please send us a template for every language you would like, auto translations are not supported.
*For example, if you’d like to support both French and English - send your WhatsApp templates in both languages. If your guest's language is neither French nor English, English will be the default.
- Message length: Keep it short, messages are charged per segmentation and are less effective when longer. Use the dynamic parameters to lead guests to your GuestApp or specific post/upsell for the best result.
- URL links: Links must include "https://"
- Bold & Italics: If you would like bold or italic lettering in your template, please show it clearly
- Emojis: We support emojis in our templates! To add an emoji to a template simply copy and paste it into the template. We suggest copying it from a website such as https://getemoji.com/
- Button: If adding a button, please include the text for the button, in all languages
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- *For example, "Activate" or "Continue"
- Editing a template: WhatsApp templates cannot be edited, they can only be recreated, please keep this in mind before submitting a new template
How to send a WhatsApp template
To communicate with a guest via WhatsApp, use the confirmed WhatsApp templates in your account to start the conversation. To find your confirmed WhatsApp templates, select WhatsApp as the communication channel> open canned responses > Select your desired WhatsApp template.
How to use WhatsApp templates in Duve
Once you submit your WhatsApp templates to Duve, they will then be sent to Meta for approval. Upon approval, they will be uploaded to your Duve account to be used in the Communication Hub
The default templates are created in your Duve account by default in the following supported Languages:
- English
- Hebrew
- German
- Dutch
- Polish
- French
If you submit a template directly to our team, it can be created in any language.
Pricing
WhatsApp usage charges are calculated based on Meta's Conversation-based fee and an operational per-message fee.
Meta’s fee per Conversation is listed here (per receiver’s country)
WhatsApp Conversation is a 24-hour messaging window initiated only when a business messages or replies to a user. Businesses and users can exchange any number of messages within a 24-hour conversation session.
The operational fee is €0.012 per-message. This fee is fixed regardless of the sender’s or the receiver’s country, and it applies to any WhatsApp message exchanged.
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