A message template is a message you write in advance and Meta approves. You need one for every broadcast, and to message a customer whose 24-hour window has closed. Why WhatsApp works this way is explained in WhatsApp auto replies and the 24-hour window; this page is only the steps.
1. Open the template editor
- In Karobar, go to Marketing → WhatsApp and open the Templates tab.
- Choose the WhatsApp number the template is for. Each number has its own templates.
- Click Create Template.
The Presets tab has ready-made templates you can filter by industry. Pick one to start from it, or stay on Custom to write your own.
2. Fill in the details
| Field | What to put in it |
|---|---|
| Template Name | A short name only you and Meta see, such as order_shipped. Karobar turns it into lowercase with underscores. |
| Category | Marketing for offers, launches and reminders to buy. Utility for updates about something the customer already has, such as an order or a booking. |
| Language | The language the message is written in. |
| Header (optional) | A short title in text, or a photo, video or document. Enter the template name first: Meta ties the upload to it. |
| Body | The message itself, up to 1,024 characters. |
| Footer (optional) | A small line under the message, for example "Reply STOP to unsubscribe". |
| Buttons (optional) | Call to Action: a button that opens a link, plus a call button if you add a phone number. Quick Reply: buttons the customer taps to answer, typed with commas between them, such as "Yes, No". |
3. Add placeholders for the parts that change
Write {{1}}, {{2}} and so on where a detail changes for each customer, such as a name or an order number. For example: "Hi {{1}}, your order {{2}} is on its way."
Karobar then asks for a sample value for each placeholder. Give a realistic example, such as "Ayesha" and "#1042": Meta reviews the template against these samples.
4. Check the preview and submit
The preview beside the form shows the message the way a customer will see it. When it reads well, click Save Template. Karobar sends it to Meta for review, and it shows as pending until Meta decides.
After Meta reviews it
- Approved: the template appears when you create a broadcast, when you message a customer whose window has closed, and when you notify a customer about an order.
- Rejected or paused: Karobar will not send it. Change the wording and submit it again as a new template.
Ready to send one? See WhatsApp broadcasts and templates: a practical guide for shops.