How to create a template message on Wati? (A Quick Guide)

You buy Wati's subscription (upwards of INR 2,499 to INR 16,999, and even higher). Your bulk messaging campaign is ready, but nothing goes out until your WhatsApp template is approved. Most teams get stuck on Pending and lose a day of paid time. Use this guide to create a Wati template that passes on the first try and keeps costs in check. Lets also look at how we make this way easier for you at Heltar.

Quick take

• Templates are required for outreach outside the 24 hour window.

• Keep names unique, use underscores, and stay within 1024 characters.

• Once you submit, the template is read only until Meta decides. Meta Approval is mandatory for a template being sent by any business.

• Rich media and buttons are allowed. Plain text cannot include live links. Use buttons for links.

Steps to create a template

1) Go to the template section

1. Open Broadcast

2. Click Template Messages

3. Click Your Templates

4. Click New Template Message

2) Make a text only template

1. Template Name, use underscores, for example order_update_v1

2. Category, pick the right one for your use case

3. Language, choose your send language

4. Message Body, write the copy and insert variables like { {name} }. These variables must map to contact attributes at send time

5. ​Save

   

   • Save as draft to edit later

   • Save and submit to send for approval

   • Limit, body including variable values must be within 1024 characters

3) Make a rich media template

1. Template Name, underscores only

2. Category and Language

3. Broadcast Title (optional)

   • None

   • Text

   • Media title with image, video, or document

     • Images, JPEG, PNG

     • Videos, MP4

     • Documents, valid MIME types

4. Message Body, add variables with Add Variable

5. Footer (optional), short line at the bottom

6. Buttons (optional)

   • Call to Action

     • Visit Website, set button text, choose Static or Dynamic URL. Dynamic can use variables like { {order_id} }

     • Call Phone, set button text and phone number without the plus sign

   • Quick Reply, up to 3 buttons for fast responses

7. Save as draft or Save and submit

4) Make a carousel marketing template

1. Template Name, underscores only

2. Category, set to Marketing

3. Language

4. Choose Marketing Template → Carousel

5. Message Body

6. Add Carousel Cards, up to 5

   • Click + to add each card and fill its content

   • Note, media card links open in the browser. If you want to keep users inside WhatsApp, use product cards, not standard media cards.

   • Turn on sample cards if you want to see layout

How to Submit, Track, and Edit Templates?

Submit for approval

• Click Save and submit

• Status becomes Pending and the template is read only

• Meta review can take 30 minutes to 24 hours

Edit or replace

• You can Edit only when the template is a Draft

• If Rejected, read the reason, clone the text into a new template, and Submit again

• Remove deletes a template. You cannot reuse the same name later

Search and filter

• Use the search bar to find by keyword

• Use Filter to view by status, Draft, Pending, Approved, Rejected

Plan rule you should not ignore

If you use Wati CRM, submit templates from Wati, not from WhatsApp Manager. Templates created only in WhatsApp Manager do not show up in your Wati account.

FAQs Answered

What is a template message?
A pre approved message WhatsApp lets you send for alerts, updates, and other outreach, even after 24 hours.

Why does it need approval?
Meta checks copy quality and spam risk before it allows proactive sends.

How long does approval take?
Usually 30 minutes to 24 hours.

Can I edit after submitting?
No. While Pending, it is read only. Change requires a new template.

Can I put a link in the text body?
Clickable links in plain text are not supported by Meta. Use a button with a URL.

What is the body limit?
1024 characters including resolved variables.

Can I use variables?
Yes, in { {parameter} } format. They must map to contact data when you send.

Which media types are allowed?
Images JPEG or PNG, videos MP4, documents with valid MIME type.

Where do I check status?
In your Wati account under Template Messages. If you used WhatsApp Manager directly, it will not sync to Wati.

What to do if a template gets rejected? 
Meta gives a reason. Fix the issue and resubmit with a new name.

Why Choose Heltar Over Wati?

Unless you want your marketing budget to get over before you acquire any customers, Heltar's the way to go. Here's why!

Lower Platform F​ees and Markups

• Wati: Wati’s pricing plans start from ₹2,499 per month, scaling up to  ₹16,999 per month for the business plan. The multiple packages and tiered features make it expensive, especially for small and medium-sized businesses. The incremental costs for unlocking advanced features force businesses to either commit to higher-tier plans or compromise on functionality.

• Heltar: In contrast, Heltar offers lower subscription fees with a base plan starting at a more affordable monthly rate. It is designed to be budget-friendly for businesses of all sizes, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs) looking to minimize upfront costs, along with a simplified and transparent conversation pricing model, charging a flat 5% markup across all conversation types. 

No Extra/Hidden Charges for Integrations

• Wati: While Wati provides robust features, many advanced capabilities are locked behind higher-priced plans. Essential features like advanced analytics, automated workflows, and API integrations are only available in the more expensive plans. Apart from that, Wati charges extra fees for employing integrations, like an additional USD 5 per month for a shopify integration, and additional charges for extra users.

• Heltar: Heltar includes advanced features—automation, analytics, customer segmentation. Businesses benefit from unrestricted access to essential tools allowing them to leverage full functionality of the platform.

Intuitive and User-Friendly Interface

• Wati: Wati offers a variety of features, but the interface could be difficult to learn for inexperienced users. The tiered functionality makes it hard to locate important tools within the complex menu structure it offers. It may be a real pain for people who are not familiar with navigating multi-tiered software ecosystems. 

• Heltar: Heltar’s platform is designed with ease of use in mind. It features an intuitive interface, making it simple to navigate, even for those new to such systems. The user-friendly dashboard provides easy access to key tools, reducing the learning curve and allowing businesses to get up and running quickly without sacrificing functionality or efficiency.

Well Rounded Customer Support: While Wati does not provide even setup support in the growth plan, in Heltar, End-to-End Customer Support is made available to all customers, irrespective of their subscription plans. For us, at Heltar, Our Customers are our biggest priority, and we ensure they are well served through a comprehensive knowledge transfer of our platform and continued assistance.