On the WhatsApp Business API, you cannot start a conversation with a customer using any message you like. You first send a message template that Meta has approved. Good templates get approved quickly, get read and save your team hours of typing. Below are 20 templates Indian businesses use every day, grouped by purpose, with the Meta category for each. Text in {{curly brackets}} is a variable that changes for every customer.
Lead and Enquiry Templates
1. New enquiry reply (Utility)
Hi {{1}}, thank you for your enquiry about {{2}} on {{3}}. Our team will call you within 30 minutes. Reply here if you would like a quotation on WhatsApp.
2. Quotation sent (Utility)
Hi {{1}}, your quotation {{2}} for {{3}} is attached. It is valid until {{4}}. Reply YES to confirm or ask us any question here.
3. Follow-up after quotation (Marketing)
Hi {{1}}, just checking if you had a chance to review our quotation for {{2}}. We can schedule a quick call at a time that suits you.
4. Demo or site-visit booking (Utility)
Hi {{1}}, your {{2}} is booked for {{3}} at {{4}}. Location: {{5}}. Reply 1 to confirm or 2 to reschedule.
Order and Delivery Templates
5. Order confirmation (Utility)
Hi {{1}}, your order {{2}} for ₹{{3}} is confirmed. We will share dispatch details soon. Thank you for choosing {{4}}.
6. Dispatch update (Utility)
Hi {{1}}, your order {{2}} has been dispatched via {{3}}. Tracking number: {{4}}. Expected delivery: {{5}}.
7. Delivered (Utility)
Hi {{1}}, your order {{2}} was delivered today. If anything is missing or damaged, reply here with a photo within 48 hours.
More order messages are in our 13 WhatsApp order templates post.
Payment Templates
8. Invoice shared (Utility)
Hi {{1}}, invoice {{2}} for ₹{{3}} is attached. Due date: {{4}}. You can pay by UPI or bank transfer using the details on the invoice.
9. Payment reminder (Utility)
Hi {{1}}, a gentle reminder that ₹{{2}} for invoice {{3}} was due on {{4}}. Please ignore this if already paid. Reply here for any help.
10. Payment received (Utility)
Hi {{1}}, we have received ₹{{2}} against invoice {{3}}. Thank you for the payment.
Appointment and Service Templates
11. Appointment reminder (Utility)
Hi {{1}}, reminder of your appointment with {{2}} tomorrow at {{3}}. Reply 1 to confirm or 2 to reschedule.
12. Service visit booked (Utility)
Hi {{1}}, our technician {{2}} will visit on {{3}} between {{4}} for your {{5}} service. Contact: {{6}}.
13. Service completed and feedback (Utility)
Hi {{1}}, your service request {{2}} is complete. How was your experience? Reply with a rating from 1 to 5.
14. Complaint registered (Utility)
Hi {{1}}, your complaint {{2}} has been registered. {{3}} from our team will update you by {{4}}.
Marketing Templates
15. Festival offer (Marketing)
Happy {{1}} from {{2}}! Get {{3}}% off on {{4}} till {{5}}. Reply OFFER to know more.
16. New product launch (Marketing)
Hi {{1}}, we have just launched {{2}}. See photos and prices here: {{3}}. Reply for a price list.
17. Re-engage an old lead (Marketing)
Hi {{1}}, you had enquired about {{2}} earlier. We now have {{3}}. Would you like an updated quotation?
18. Event or webinar invite (Marketing)
Hi {{1}}, join our free session on {{2}} on {{3}} at {{4}}. Register here: {{5}}.
Account and Login Templates
19. OTP (Authentication)
{{1}} is your verification code. Do not share this code with anyone.
20. Account created (Utility)
Hi {{1}}, your account with {{2}} is ready. Log in here: {{3}}. Reply here if you need help.
How to Get WhatsApp Templates Approved Faster
- Pick the right category. Order, payment and appointment updates are utility; offers are marketing. Meta can change a wrong category, which also changes the price.
- Add text around variables. A template that is only {{1}} will be rejected. Explain what the variable is.
- Use sample values when submitting, so Meta sees a real example.
- Keep payment reminders polite. No threats, no legal warnings, no pressure.
- Never ask for card numbers, OTPs or passwords in a template.
- Add an opt-out line to marketing templates, such as “Reply STOP to unsubscribe.”
How Much Does Each Template Cost?
Meta charges per delivered template message. In India (rates effective 1 October 2026, before GST), a marketing template costs ₹0.8631, and utility and authentication templates cost ₹0.115 each. See the full breakdown on our WhatsApp Business API pricing page.
With Sukam Apps WhatsApp Business API, templates are sent automatically from Sukam Apps CRM: a new IndiaMART or TradeIndia lead gets the enquiry reply, a saved quotation triggers the quotation template, and an overdue invoice triggers the payment reminder.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a WhatsApp message template?
A template is a pre-approved message format that a business uses to start a conversation on the WhatsApp Business API, or to message a customer after the 24-hour reply window has closed. Meta reviews each template before you can use it.
How long does WhatsApp template approval take?
Most templates are reviewed within minutes to a few hours. Some take up to 24 hours or longer if Meta needs a manual review.
Why does Meta reject WhatsApp templates?
Common reasons are unclear or misleading content, variables with no surrounding text, wrong category, spelling mistakes, threats or pressure in payment reminders, and asking for sensitive data like card numbers.
What are marketing, utility and authentication templates?
Marketing templates promote offers or products. Utility templates update customers about something they already did, like an order or payment. Authentication templates send one-time passwords. Each category has a different Meta price.
Can I use templates on the free WhatsApp Business App?
The app has quick replies, greeting and away messages, which work like simple templates. Meta-approved message templates are only used on the WhatsApp Business API.
Talk to Sukam Apps: Call 99142 49191 or message us on WhatsApp. We have helped Indian businesses since 2011, with on-site training in Punjab, Chandigarh, Haryana, Delhi NCR and Himachal and online setup across India.
