---
title: "WhatsApp Auto-Reply Messages for Business: Examples and How-To"
language: en
page: blog/whatsapp-auto-reply-messages-business-examples-how-to
url: "https://spoki.com/en/blog/whatsapp-auto-reply-messages-business-examples-how-to"
generatedAt: "2026-03-19T05:20:29.491Z"
category: blog
author: Spoki
publishedAt: "2026-02-18T16:49:52"
version: 1.0.0
---

# WhatsApp Auto-Reply Messages for Business: Examples and How-To

**Author:** Spoki | **Published:** 2/18/2026

*WhatsApp auto-reply for business: when to use templates, examples, and best practice. Comply with the Business API and improve response time with Spoki.*

---

**WhatsApp** **auto-reply** messages let your business acknowledge **customer** messages quickly, set expectations, and stay **compliant** with the **WhatsApp Business API**. The first message to a **customer** (or the first after the **24-hour session** ends) must be an **approved template**—so **auto-reply** on **WhatsApp** is not free-form text; it is a **template** that you choose and that **WhatsApp** has approved.

This guide explains **WhatsApp** **auto-reply** for **business**: when and how to use **templates**, **examples** of **auto-reply** **message**s, and **best practice** for **response** time and **compliance**. For **solutions** that support **WhatsApp** **templates** and **automation**, see [Spoki solutions](https://spoki.com/en/solutions), [features](https://spoki.com/en/features), and [customer support](https://spoki.com/en/customer-support).

## Why Use Auto-Reply on WhatsApp?

**Customer**s expect fast **response**s. **Auto-reply** on **WhatsApp** helps you:

- **Acknowledge immediately:** Send an **approved template** as soon as a **customer** writes (e.g. “We’ve received your message”) so they know they were heard.

- **Set expectations:** Include a time frame in the **template** (e.g. “We’ll reply within 2 hours”) so **customer**s know when to expect a full **response**.

- **Stay compliant:** The **WhatsApp Business API** requires **templates** for the first touch and after **session** expiry. **Auto-reply** with a **template** keeps you within policy and avoids restrictions.

**Auto-reply** does not replace **agent**s—it buys time and keeps **customer**s informed. You can combine it with a **chatbot** for FAQs and **handoff** to a human when needed. For [use cases](https://spoki.com/en/use-cases) and [artificial intelligence](https://spoki.com/en/artificial-intelligence), see the links.

## When You Must Use a Template (Not Free-Form)

On the **WhatsApp Business API**:

- **First message to a customer:** If the **customer** starts the **conversation**, your first **response** must be an **approved template**. You cannot send **free-form** text as the very first message.

- **First message after the 24-hour session:** If more than 24 hours have passed since the **customer**’s last message, your next message must again be an **approved template**. After that, you are in **session** and can send **free-form** messages for 24 hours.

So **auto-reply** for “first touch” or “after **session**” is always a **template**. Create **templates** in Meta Business Manager (or via your **BSP**), get them approved, and use your **platform** (e.g. Spoki) to send the right **template** when a **customer** messages. For [registration](https://spoki.com/en/landing-registration) and [pricing](https://spoki.com/en/pricing), see the links.

## WhatsApp Auto-Reply Message Examples

**Examples** of **approved** **template**s you can use for **auto-reply**:

- **Simple acknowledgment:** “Hi {{1}}, we’ve received your message. We’ll get back to you within {{2}} hours.” Use variables for **customer** name and **response** time.

- **Support options:** “Hi {{1}}, thanks for contacting us. Reply with: 1 = Order status, 2 = Returns, 3 = Speak to an agent.” This sets expectations and can feed a **chatbot** flow or **handoff**.

- **Out-of-hours:** “Hi {{1}}, we’re currently closed. We’ll reply during business hours (e.g. 9am–6pm). For urgent matters, reply with ‘agent’ to leave a request.” Use after **session** or when **agent**s are offline.

Keep **templates** short, clear, and **compliant**. Avoid **marketing** language in **support** **templates** unless the **customer** has **opt-in**. You can create several **templates** for different scenarios (e.g. business hours vs out-of-hours, or by department) and let your **platform** choose the right one based on time or **customer** segment. For [customer support](https://spoki.com/en/customer-support) and [FAQ](https://spoki.com/en/faq), see the links.

## Best Practice for Auto-Reply and Response Time

- **Send auto-reply as soon as possible:** Use **webhook**s and **automation** so the **template** is sent within seconds of the **customer**’s message. That improves **customer** experience and **response** time metrics.

- **Match the template to the scenario:** Use one **template** for general **support**, another for out-of-hours, and optionally one per product or department if you have many **templates** approved.

- **Follow up with a real response:** **Auto-reply** is the first step. Ensure **agent**s or a **chatbot** reply within the promised time. **Handoff** to an **agent** when the **conversation** needs a human.

Platforms like Spoki let you manage **templates** and **automation** so **auto-reply** is sent automatically and **agent**s see the **conversation** in one **support** inbox. For [solutions](https://spoki.com/en/solutions) and [features](https://spoki.com/en/features), see the links.

## Combining Auto-Reply with Chatbot and Handoff

**Auto-reply** can be the first step in a longer flow:

- **Customer** sends a message → **auto-reply** **template** (e.g. “Reply 1 for order status, 2 for returns, 3 for agent”).

- **Customer** replies with 1, 2, or 3 → **chatbot** or **agent** handles: order lookup, returns info, or **handoff** to a human.

- **Agent** receives the **conversation** in the same **WhatsApp** thread with full context.

This keeps **compliance** (first message = **template**), improves **response** time (instant **auto-reply**), and **reduce**s load with **chatbot** or clear **handoff**. For [artificial intelligence](https://spoki.com/en/artificial-intelligence) and **chatbot** options, see the Spoki page.

## Common Mistakes to Avoid

- **Sending free-form first:** Never send a **free-form** message as the first **response** or after **session** expiry. Always use an **approved template**; otherwise **WhatsApp** may restrict or block your number.

- **Overly long or vague templates:** Keep **templates** short and actionable. Avoid **marketing** or promotional language in **support** **auto-reply** unless the **customer** has given **opt-in** for **marketing**.

- **No follow-up:** **Auto-reply** alone is not enough. Ensure **agent**s or a **chatbot** actually reply within the time you promised. Track **response** time and **handoff** rate to improve. For [customer support](https://spoki.com/en/customer-support) and [contact](https://spoki.com/en/contact), see the links.

## Measuring Auto-Reply and Response Performance

Monitor how **auto-reply** and full **response** perform: time from **customer** message to **auto-reply** (should be seconds), time to first full **response** by **agent** or **chatbot**, and **customer** satisfaction. Use this data to refine **templates** and **automation**. A **platform** that centralises **WhatsApp** **conversation**s and **automation** (like Spoki) makes it easier to measure and improve. For [solutions](https://spoki.com/en/solutions) and [features](https://spoki.com/en/features), see the links.

## Conclusion

**WhatsApp** **auto-reply** for **business** means sending an **approved template** as the first **response** (or first after **session** expiry) so you acknowledge **customer**s quickly, set expectations, and stay **compliant**. Use **examples** like acknowledgment, support options, and out-of-hours **templates**, and combine **auto-reply** with **chatbot** and **handoff** for a full **support** flow. A platform like Spoki supports **templates** and **automation** so you can implement **WhatsApp** **auto-reply** and improve **response** time.

Ready to set up **WhatsApp** **auto-reply** for your **business**? Explore [Spoki features](https://spoki.com/en/features) and [solutions](https://spoki.com/en/solutions), [register](https://spoki.com/en/landing-registration), or [book a demo](https://spoki.com/en/book).
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