Create a Utility Message Template

Utility message templates are used to send non-promotional, transactional messages based on user actions or requests, which can include:

1. Order confirmations and shipping updates
2. Payment receipts or reminders
3. Feedback requests
4. Opt-ins and opt-out confirmations

In this article, we’ll show you how to create a Utility Message Template in WANotifier to send these types of messages.

Step 1: Open the Message Templates Section

To get started, click Content Library in the left sidebar menu and select Message Templates from the dropdown.

Once you're in the Message Templates dashboard, click the Add New Message Template button in the top-right corner.

Step 2: Select Category and Language

On the Add a Template screen:

• Choose Utility as the template category.
• Select a language for your message. See the list of supported languages.

Step 3: Choose a Template Type

You have 2 types of templates for utility messages to choose from:

• Custom: A standard format with a custom header, body, footer, and buttons. This template is ideal for sending general utility/transactional messages.
• Flow: This template allows you to attach a WhatsApp Flow to your message which can be triggered via a CTA button.

Step 4: Add a Header

Once you’ve selected a template type, add a header to your message template. You can add two types of headers to utility messages:

• Plain Text: Simple text-based header. You can add a variable, like {{1}}, to personalize it. This variable can then be replaced / mapped to actual data when sending the message using a Notification. The header text can be up to 60 characters long.
• Media: You can add an image, video, or document to the header. Note that you can only add one media file per message template. The media you add here acts as a placeholder and can be replaced with unique media for each user when sending a Notification.

Step 5: Add the Body

Next, enter the body text in the language you've selected. Note that you cannot use HTML in the body. If you want to format your text, use the following options:

You can also add variables or placeholders like {{1}}, {{2}}, {{3}}, and so on to personalize the body text.

These placeholders can then be replaced or mapped to actual values, such as name, order ID, or date, when setting up the Notification.

Note that the body text cannot exceed 1,024 characters.

Step 6: Add a Footer (Optional)

You can add a short line of text at the bottom of your message, up to 60 characters. This can include a link to your website, a disclaimer, or any other plain-text note you’d like to highlight.

Step 7: Add Buttons (Optional)

If you want to prompt users to take action, you can add buttons to your template.

tility message templates support two types of buttons:

1. Call-to-Action

You can use this button to prompt your users to:

• Visit your website
• Call a phone number
• View a form
• Copy an offer code

For Visit Website CTA button, you can append one variable, like {{1}} , to the end of the URL to personalize the link.

Note that if you select a Flow template, the CTA button is automatically added to the message.

2. Quick Reply

You can use this button to let users respond to your message with a single tap. When a user interacts with this button, the text is sent back to you in the chat.

You can include up to 10 buttons per template, with each button text limited to 25 characters.

Step 8: Preview and Submit

While editing your Utility Message, we suggest you use the Template Preview tab to see how your message will appear to recipients.

Once you're satisfied with your message, click Submit to send it for WhatsApp's approval. The review process usually takes 30 minutes to 48 hours, depending on the message content.

Next, let’s look at how to create an Authentication Message Template in WANotifier.

Updated on: 25/06/2025