How to send a WhatsApp offer to your customers
Send offers only to customers who agreed to hear from you on WhatsApp, using an approved marketing template if you're on the WhatsApp Business Platform. Keep it short, personal and specific, with one clear action, a real reason to act now and an easy way to opt out. Send rarely enough that people still look forward to them.
Why it matters
WhatsApp messages tend to be opened quickly, often far more readily than email. For shops, restaurants and services with loyal customers, a well-timed offer can fill a quiet day.
That attention is fragile. Messages people didn't ask for get blocked and reported, and Meta limits or restricts numbers that receive too many blocks. Respecting consent and frequency protects the channel.
On the WhatsApp Business Platform, marketing messages are charged per message in most countries, so sending only to engaged, opted-in customers also keeps costs down.
How to do it by hand
Collect clear opt-in
Ask customers at checkout, on your website or in chat whether they'd like offers on WhatsApp, and record the yes. A phone number on an invoice is not consent to marketing.
Pick the right audience
Not everyone needs every offer. Choose the group it suits: recent buyers of a category, regulars, people near a branch, or customers who haven't visited lately.
Write a short message
Start with the person's name and the offer, add one line on why it's good, the end date, and one button or link. Under about 60 words works well on a phone screen.
Get the template approved
On the WhatsApp Business Platform, marketing messages outside a 24-hour chat window must use a template approved by Meta. Submit it in advance, with variables for the name and details.
Send at a sensible time
Avoid early mornings and late nights, and be careful around prayer times or local holidays. Send a small test first, then the rest.
Measure and limit frequency
Track replies, clicks, sales and opt-outs. If opt-outs or blocks rise, send less often or target more tightly. For most businesses, a few offers a month is plenty.
How to do it in Wirk
- Integrations → WhatsApp Business: add your WhatsApp Cloud API details.
- Contacts → Segments → New segment → Add condition → Channel consent → WhatsApp → agreed and can be reached → Save audience.
- Campaigns → New campaign → Send by: WhatsApp → Continue.
- Under Who gets it, pick the segment and an approved WhatsApp template. People who opted out are always left out.
- An admin clicks Send or Schedule (others ask an admin to approve). Results show in Analytics → Campaigns.
Example output
Example for a sample business
WhatsApp offer template
Thread & Loom, a women's fashion boutique in Lahore
A pre-Eid offer for customers who opted in and bought from the formal-wear range in the past year.
Hi {{1}}, our Eid formal collection has just arrived 🌙 As one of our regular customers, you get 15% off any formal suit until Thursday, plus free alterations if you collect in store. See the new pieces: {{2}} Reply STOP to stop offers on WhatsApp.
Hi Sana, our Eid formal collection has just arrived 🌙 As one of our regular customers, you get 15% off any formal suit until Thursday, plus free alterations if you collect in store. See the new pieces: threadandloom.example/eid Reply STOP to stop offers on WhatsApp.
| Item | Choice |
|---|---|
| Audience | Opted in to WhatsApp, bought formal wear in the last 12 months |
| Send time | Monday 11:00, test to 50 people first, rest at 12:00 |
| Offer ends | Thursday 23:59 |
| Success measure | Sales with the code, replies and opt-out rate |
Written by our team for a sample business, not generated by Wirk
Template to copy
WhatsApp offer
Hi [first name], [the offer in one line]. [Why it's good or why them: as a regular / new arrival / for your next visit]. [End date.] [Link or 'Reply YES to reserve'] Reply STOP to stop offers on WhatsApp.
Common mistakes
Messaging people who never opted in
It leads to blocks and reports, which can get your number limited. Only send marketing to people who said yes.
Sending too often
Daily offers turn a welcome message into noise. Fewer, better offers keep people reading.
Long messages with many links
One offer, one action. Several links and paragraphs of text get skimmed or ignored.
No way to opt out
Make stopping easy. People who can't opt out simply block you, which hurts your number's quality rating.
Questions and answers
Can I send bulk WhatsApp messages from the Business app?
The app's broadcast lists only reach people who have saved your number, and are limited in size. For larger, regular campaigns, businesses use the WhatsApp Business Platform with approved templates.
Do I need customers' permission to send WhatsApp offers?
Yes. WhatsApp's policies require opt-in before you send marketing messages, and many countries' privacy laws do too. Keep a record of how each person agreed.
How much does a WhatsApp marketing message cost?
On the WhatsApp Business Platform, Meta charges per marketing message, with rates that vary by the recipient's country. Check Meta's current pricing page or your provider for exact rates.
How often can I send WhatsApp offers?
There's no fixed rule, but most businesses do best with a few well-targeted offers a month. Watch your opt-outs and blocks: if they rise, send less.