The pre-filled message in your WhatsApp link is the first thing your customer says to you. Write it well and you get qualified leads. Write it poorly and you get “Hi” messages with no context.
What is a pre-filled message?
When you add ?text= to a wa.me link, WhatsApp opens with that message already typed in the chat box. The customer just taps send.
https://wa.me/923001234567?text=Hi%2C%20I%27d%20like%20a%20free%20quoteThe customer sees: “Hi, I’d like a free quote” — ready to send.
Why pre-filled messages matter
- Reduce friction — Customer doesn’t have to think about what to type
- Qualify leads — Message tells you what they want before they send it
- Track sources — Different messages per channel reveal where leads come from
- Increase conversions — Specific CTAs outperform generic “Hi” messages
Formula for effective messages
Greeting + Intent + Context (optional)
Examples:
- “Hi, I’d like to book an appointment” (intent)
- “Hi, I saw your Instagram ad and want a quote” (intent + context)
- “Hi, I need help with order #12345” (intent + specific context)
Templates by business type
Service businesses
- “Hi, I’d like a free consultation”
- “Hi, I’d like to get a quote for [service]“
E-commerce
- “Hi, I have a question about a product”
- “Hi, I’d like to check if [product] is in stock”
Real estate
- “Hi, I’m interested in properties in [area]”
- “Hi, I’d like to schedule a viewing”
Restaurants
- “Hi, I’d like to place an order”
- “Hi, I’d like to book a table for [date]“
Freelancers
- “Hi, I’m interested in hiring you for a project”
Channel-specific messages
Create a unique message for each marketing channel:
| Channel | Message |
|---|---|
| Website homepage | ”Hi, I visited your website and have a question” |
| Product page | ”Hi, I’m interested in [product name]“ |
| Instagram bio | ”Hi, I found you on Instagram” |
| Google Business | ”Hi, I found you on Google Maps” |
| QR code (store) | “Hi, I scanned your QR code in store” |
| Email signature | ”Hi, I got your email and have a question” |
Common mistakes
- Too long — Keep under 100 characters
- Too vague — “Hello” tells you nothing about intent
- Special characters — Use URL encoding for apostrophes and spaces
- Same message everywhere — Misses the chance to track sources
How to create pre-filled messages
Use the WhatsApp Link Generator — type your message in plain text and we handle the URL encoding automatically.
Or the Click-to-Chat Generator for a quick preview of how the message will look.
A/B testing messages
Try two versions of your link on different pages:
- Version A: “Hi, I’d like a free quote”
- Version B: “Hi, I need help choosing the right product”
Track which generates more conversations and higher-quality leads over 2 weeks.