In our previous few chapters, we discussed using WhatsApp links and click-to-chat ads to get more consumers to start conversations on the messaging platform. But the trick to getting the most out of these triggered conversations, is a timely response. That is where having a WhatsApp automation setup with automated message templates becomes crucial.

What is a WhatsApp Business greeting message?

When you receive a message from a customer for the very first time you can send an automated WhatsApp greeting message in response to them. Greeting messages act as a powerful tool to create a strong first impression with customers. They are a great way to welcome new customers and to introduce your business to them, hooking their attention a little more.

To put things in further perspective, a greeting message is basically a WhatsApp template. This is a highly structured message that has to be pre-approved by WhatsApp before being shared with customers.

To make things even simpler and give you a head start, we have listed down 15 must-have WhatsApp greeting messages to serve different objectives.

15 must-have WhatsApp greeting Messages

• To welcome new customers 

Here is a great opportunity to impress customers who have gotten in touch with your business for the very first time. Here are two sample messages of how you could welcome new customers:

Hi! Welcome to [company name] we are stoked to have you with us. We have received your message and someone from our team will reach out to you shortly. 

Hi there, ? Welcome to our store. We are glad you’re here. Please ask us anything. We’re here to help.

• For the holiday season 

The holiday seasons are the busiest. If a customer has reached out to you during public or religious holidays when you are operating with limited capacity, send them the following personalized messages.

Hi! [Your company name] wishes you a very Happy Diwali. Unfortunately, we are unable to attend to your request during holiday hours. Please drop us a message again during our regular working hours ( Monday to Friday, 9 am to 7 pm IST) and we will get back to you asap! 

Hi there, ? Merry Christmas! Thank you for your message. As all of our agents are currently busy, we will get back to you at the earliest possible time. Thank you for your patience.

• To get customers to Opt-In 

Opted in customers are those who agree to receive messages from your business. You may use the below WhatsApp template message to greet customers and encourage them to opt-in to your content.

Hi! We appreciate your interest. If you would like to receive information about our latest products and discounts, type YES. 

Hi there! We are so glad you are here. Thank you for checking out [ product name] it’s one of our top selling products. Would you like to hear from us about similar products? Type YES to confirm or NO if it is not your cup of tea.

• For those who have subscribed to your service 

Personalized greeting messages for new customers are a great way to show that you care. This will improve customer loyalty remarkably. Here are two samples of WhatsApp Business templates that you can use for this purpose.

Hi [customer name], thank you for signing up for our newsletter. We will do our best to notify you about (useful and relevant content). Feel free to drop us a message if you have any questions for us. We would love to hear from you.  

Hi there, thank you for subscribing to our channel. If you need any assistance, we are here. Send us a message and someone from our team will get back to you.

• For contests and events

As a business, you may conduct several promotional events. By sending out customized greeting messages, you have a better chance of acquiring new customers. Here are two WhatsApp message templates that you can use:

Hi [customer name]! Thank you for your interest in our end of season sale. We will be sharing some of the best offers that we have in store for you. 

Hi there, ? thank you for participating in our Diwali lucky draw. We will put up the results of the draw in two days. Meanwhile, check out our most popular products at [link]. 

• Referral greeting messages 

Customer referrals are one of the most effective marketing tools out there and they are one of the most significant targets for any business. Here are two WhatsApp Business message templates that you can use for this purpose:

We sincerely appreciate your kind referral and positive reviews. We cherish your support. As a token of our gratitude, we would like to offer you a special discount on your next purchase.

Thanks a ton for sharing your love for our brand with your friends and family. As a token of our appreciation, we have credited your account with [amount] cash points which you can redeem on your next purchase.

• Out of Office greeting messages 

If a customer has reached out to you beyond your business hours you may use the below WhatsApp message templates to respond to them:

Thank you for your message. Unfortunately, we are out of the office at the moment and we will get back to you as soon as possible.  Meanwhile, please check out our FAQs for quick answers. 

Hi [Customer Name], thank you for reaching out to us. We are currently unavailable and will reach out to you as soon as we are back online! 

Hi [Customer Name], thank you for your message! We are closed today. We will get back to you within 24 hours. Thank you for your patience.

Getting started with WhatsApp message templates

WhatsApp message templates are a must-have to keep consumers engaged. They make the interaction more automated, seamless and faster. But to be able to use them, you need to first create and then get them approved by WhatsApp.

This is where using a WhatsApp Business API Platform like Interakt comes in to ease things. Now that you know how to use greeting messages on WhatsApp for Business, let’s look at how you can capture more consumer details on the messaging platform using other features.

In our next lesson, we’re going to look into how you can use interactive messages after a consumer has opted in to collect more details about their needs and preferences.