WhatsApp is one of the most popular communication platforms ever. Used by a wide demographic of smartphone and desktop users, it has quickly become a go-to channel for businesses to reach and engage their target audience.
That’s where WhatsApp marketing messages come in.
WhatsApp marketing messages are texts sent by businesses to their prospects or customers regarding their products/services. This usually includes the announcement of sales, discounts and deals, new product and collection alerts, and similar strategies.
In this post, we’re sharing how to make the most of WhatsApp marketing messages.
Does WhatsApp allow marketing messages?
WhatsApp only allowed transactional messages till September 2021, meaning businesses were only able to share payment receipts, shipping details and customer service-related messages before.
But now businesses are allowed to share WhatsApp marketing messages using the WhatsApp Business App and the WhatsApp Business API, opening a lot of doors for businesses.
What are the types of WhatsApp marketing messages?
You can share three types of WhatsApp marketing messages with your customers:
1. Customer acquisition and outreach
These are WhatsApp marketing messages that try to bring customers into the purchase funnel. This will usually involve providing seasonal and holiday offers, sharing welcome messages, offering first-purchase discounts etc.
2. Conversion
Customers who have already engaged with your messages in the past or have added a product to their cart can be sent WhatsApp marketing messages that can effectively convert them. A few conversion-focused WhatsApp promotional message examples include back-in-stock alerts, abandoned cart reminders, holiday special offer alerts etc.
3. Re-engagement
Re-engagement messages are sent to customers who have already purchased from you in the past, in order to connect with them and nudge them towards repeat purchases. Personalized re-engagement messages are highly effective at nurturing loyal customer relationships, thus benefiting you in the long term.
Ways to send bulk WhatsApp marketing messages
WhatsApp marketing messages can be sent to customers in two different ways, each with its own specific benefits:
1. WhatsApp Business App:
With the WhatsApp Business app, you can share WhatsApp bulk messages with customers. This is ideal for new businesses that are just starting out as it is completely free and simple. You can open the app, go to the menu, and tap on “New broadcast” to create a list and share WhatsApp marketing messages.
However, the WhatsApp Business app only allows you to share messages to 256 contacts at once and there is a higher chance of being marked as spam if you are unable to adhere to the regulations and policies set by Meta.
2. WhatsApp Business API:
Using the WhatsApp Business API is a more scalable way to share WhatsApp promotional messages and is ideal for small, large and enterprise-level businesses. You can use a good WhatsApp Business Solution Provider like Interakt to send bulk promotional messages, without the limitations of using just the WhatsApp Business App.
Here is how you can do it:
Step 1: Start by signing up for an Interakt account.
Step 2: Through your WhatsApp BSP or directly through WhatsApp get WhatsApp Business API approved.
Step 3: Connect your WhatsApp Business Account to Interakt.
Step 4: Create a WhatsApp message template for your promotional message, which complies with WhatsApp’s policies. WhatsApp needs to pre-approve these message templates and with Interakt you can easily create them.
Step 5: Create a broadcast list of customers who have opted into receiving your WhatsApp marketing messages. You can also create custom lists based on customer demography, interests, behaviors, past purchases etc.
Step 6: After your message template and the WhatsApp broadcast list is created you can send your marketing messages to customers on the list.
Step 7: You can now use Interakt’s analytics feature to track the performance of your messages.
Eligibility to send WhatsApp marketing messages
In order to send WhatsApp marketing messages, you need to ensure that you fulfill a few requirements:
Adhere to WhatsApp commerce policy
Make sure that you follow the WhatsApp commerce policy. Your business should not belong to any of the industries that are prohibited from using WhatsApp solutions for marketing.
Gain customer consent through clear ‘opt-in’
Ensure that you explicitly gain customers’ consent by providing an opt-in mechanism that lets customers choose to subscribe to receiving WhatsApp marketing messages from your brand.
Get the template approved by WhatsApp
To ensure that your messages aren’t marked as illegal, provocative or spam, you need to get approval for your WhatsApp message templates before using them. This process becomes easier with tools like Interakt.
Provide an easy way to opt-out
Just as important as the WhatsApp opt-in is, you should also ensure that your customers have a way to easily opt out of receiving WhatsApp marketing messages from your brand.
Tips to follow to send WhatsApp marketing messages without getting blocked
Sending WhatsApp marketing messages without getting blocked, requires you to keep a few things in mind, which ensures that your communications are legal, relevant, consensual and compliant.
Preparing to send marketing messages on WhatsApp
Before you begin sending WhatsApp marketing or promotional messages, onboard your business on a good BSP like Interakt. You also need to secure proper opt-in from customers by following opt-in best practices and ensure that you avoid any penalties that might arise from not complying with regulations and rules.
Verifying user accounts
You can use WhatsApp Business Platform features like multi-factor authentication and OTPs to verify accounts and users, thus reducing the chances of fraud and gaining customer trust. You can double the security and put the customer at ease by using WhatsApp Business solutions and leverage API to verify end users, transactions, accounts etc. without any friction.
Develop creative assets
Leverage all the rich features of WhatsApp when you develop creative assets. Media message templates, interactive buttons, catalogs etc. can all enhance your WhatsApp message in terms of its capacity to engage and capture customer interest. Buttons, links and CTAs can help suggest the next course of action that the customers can take after receiving your promotional message.
Let customers reach you
WhatsApp can act as a crucial part of your omnichannel marketing strategy. Multiple entry points to your WhatsApp allow customers to reach you on WhatsApp easily. For example, click-to-WhatsApp ads are a great way to organically gain opt-ins. Similarly, you can create WhatsApp entry points in other marketing materials to facilitate customer conversations.
Personalize
Beyond addressing customers with their first names, personalize WhatsApp marketing messages by tailoring discounts, recommendations, sales notifications etc. based on the customer’s past purchases, interests, browsing behaviors etc.
Iterate and optimize
Regularly track your campaign performance and conduct A/B testing on multiple approaches to engaging customers at different stages of the funnel to find the best strategies. Interakt’s analytics can help you understand how your marketing messages on WhatsApp are being received by customers and thus help you optimize your WhatsApp marketing efforts for positive results.
Top WhatsApp Marketing Templates in 2025
Here are a few WhatsApp marketing message templates suitable for different phases or stages of the customer journey:
1. Welcome and first purchase offer
In the customer acquisition stage where you are trying to engage with the prospect, your WhatsApp marketing message should aim to entice and make the customer feel welcome.
“Hey [CUSTOMER NAME]!
Welcome aboard to [BRAND NAME]. We are happy to see you and to express our happiness, here is a 30% discount on your first purchase!
Use [CODE] at checkout!
Enjoy!” 2. Product recommendation
Product recommendation messages are a great way to nurture a new customer and display your best offerings to pique interest while maintaining engagement.
“Hey [CUSTOMER NAME].
Here’s something that you might want to take a look at based on your recent interest: [PRODUCT LINK].
Shop now and get free shipping on your order!” 3. Abandoned cart reminder
At the conversion stage, abandoned carts often get in the way for various reasons. Share engaging abandoned cart reminders along with incentives to bring back customers and convert them.
“Hello [CUSTOMER NAME].
There are some exciting products left unattended in your cart.
Complete your purchase now and get 20% off instantly at checkout.
Use [CODE].” 4. Order confirmation and cross-sell
You can share order confirmation and delivery updates with customers and use this opportunity to engage them further and cross-sell complimentary products.
“Hey [CUSTOMER NAME].
Thank you for shopping with us. Your product will be reaching your doorstep soon.
While you wait, here are a few complimentary products that would go well with [PRODUCT].” 5. Re-engagement after purchase
Your WhatsApp promotional messages don’t necessarily have to stop after a customer finishes a purchase. Send post-purchase follow-up messages to re-engage customers, request feedback and encourage brand loyalty and repeat purchases.
“Hey [NAME].
How are you loving our [PRODUCT]?
For being a delightful and awesome customer we have something for you.
Get a 20% discount on your next order with [CODE].
Happy shopping!” Conclusion
WhatsApp marketing is effective, highly impactful and can bring you the results you wish to see from your marketing campaigns. But it is all about following timelines and perfect execution. This is where you require the WhatsApp Business API.
Leverage the WhatsApp Business API for effective marketing messages using Interakt.
