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Templates are WhatsApp-approved messages you can use to write to a customer, for example when more than 24 hours have passed since their last message. In this guide you’ll learn how to create a template step by step, including its header, its body with variables and its footer, and how to submit it for approval.

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Demo video

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Before you start

  • You’ll need a connected WhatsApp Business account.
  • Keep the text simple and clear. WhatsApp (Meta) reviews templates before approving them.

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The parts of a template

A template is built from several parts (only the body is required; the rest is optional):
  • Header: the title at the top, in bold. It can be text or a file (image, video or document).
  • Body: the main message. Here you can use variables that get filled in on each send.
  • Footer: a small gray line below the message, ideal for a signature or a note.
  • Buttons: action buttons below the message (quick reply, a link or a phone number).

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Steps to create the template

1

Go to Official WhatsApp Templates

From Campaigns, open the official templates section. You’ll see the list of your templates and, at the top right, the Create template button.
Template list with the Create template button
2

Tap Create template and choose the type

When you tap Create template, two options appear:
  • Custom Template: you build it from scratch (Marketing or Utility).
  • Template Library: you pick one already pre-approved by Meta.
In this example we choose Custom Template.
Custom Template and Template Library options
3

Fill in the basic information

Give it a name (lowercase, numbers and underscores only, for example promo_bienvenida) and choose the category (Utility or Marketing). On the right, the Preview shows you live how the message will look on WhatsApp.
Basic template information with preview
4

Add a header (optional)

Turn on the Header switch and choose the type:
  • Text: a short title (up to 60 characters), for example “Welcome!”.
  • Image, Video or Document: if you want the message to start with a file.
The header appears in bold at the very top of the message.
Template header configuration
5

Write the body, add variables and the footer

In Message Body, write the main text. If you want a part to be filled in later (like the customer’s name), tap the Variable button: a {{1}} is inserted and an Example field appears where you must enter a sample value (for example “Juan”), which WhatsApp uses to review the template.Further down, turn on the Footer and write its text (for example “Mindo Team”). It’s a small line that appears in gray at the end of the message.
Message body with variable and footer
6

Add buttons (optional)

Turn on the Buttons section and tap Add Button. For each button you choose the type:
  • Quick Reply: the customer replies with a tap (for example, “See deals”).
  • Link: opens a web page (you set the text and the URL).
  • Phone: calls a number.
Write the button text and, when everything’s ready, tap Create Template Draft.
Template button configuration
7

Done! Your template is saved as a draft

The template is saved with the Draft status. In the preview you’ll see the header in bold at the top, the body in the middle, the footer in gray at the bottom and the button at the end. From here you can Edit it or, when it’s ready, tap Submit for Review to send it to WhatsApp. Once Meta approves it, you’ll be able to use it in your chats and campaigns.
Template created with Draft status

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How do I know it worked?

You’ll see the template with the Draft label and its preview with all its parts. After submitting it for review, its status changes to Pending and, once WhatsApp approves it, to Approved.

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Frequently asked questions

When you want the message to be eye-catching: a product photo, a promotion banner or a document (for example, a PDF with an invoice or catalog).
Three: Quick Reply (the customer replies with a tap), Link (opens a web page) and Phone (calls a number). Buttons are also optional.
They’re parts that change on each send (a name, a date, an amount). You insert them with the Variable button and, for each one, you load an example so WhatsApp understands what it’s about.
All templates are reviewed by WhatsApp (Meta) before they can be used, to prevent spam. It usually takes from a few minutes to a few hours.
No. It stays saved as a Draft and you can keep editing it. You submit it for review only when it’s ready.

Go to Official WhatsApp Templates

Create your WhatsApp templates from the Mindo platform.