{"meta":{"page":"blog/whatsapp-business-api-templates-how-to-create-use","language":"en","url":"https://spoki.com/en/blog/whatsapp-business-api-templates-how-to-create-use","generated_at":"2026-04-18T20:30:40.151Z","formats":{"html":"https://spoki.com/en/blog/whatsapp-business-api-templates-how-to-create-use","markdown":"https://spoki.com/en/blog/whatsapp-business-api-templates-how-to-create-use.md","json":"https://spoki.com/en/blog/whatsapp-business-api-templates-how-to-create-use.json","xml":"https://spoki.com/en/blog/whatsapp-business-api-templates-how-to-create-use.xml"}},"content":{"title":"WhatsApp Business API Templates: How to Create and Use Them","sections":[{"heading":"WhatsApp Business API Templates: How to Create and Use Them","level":1,"text":"**Author:** Spoki | **Published:** 2/12/2026\n\n*Create, submit, and use approved WhatsApp Business API templates with Spoki. Template rules, 24-hour session, and best practices for compliant messaging.*\n\n---\n\n**WhatsApp Business API templates** are pre-approved message formats you use for the first message to a contact or when the **24-hour session** has expired. With **Spoki**, you create, submit, and send **templates** so your **WhatsApp** messaging stays compliant with the **API** rules.\n\nThis guide explains **how to create and use** **WhatsApp Business API templates**: what they are, when you need them, **session** rules, and **best practices**. You will find links to [registration](https://spoki.io/registration), [pricing](https://spoki.io/pricing), [support](https://spoki.io/support), [book](https://spoki.io/book), and the [ROI calculator](https://spoki.io/roi-calculator)."},{"heading":"What Are WhatsApp Business API Templates?","level":2,"text":"**Templates** are message formats that **WhatsApp** approves before you can send them. They have a fixed structure with optional variables (e.g. {{1}}, {{2}}). You use **templates** when:\n\n- You send the **first** message to a contact (they have not messaged you in the last **24 hours**), or\n\n- The **24-hour session** has **expired** (no message from the user in the last **24 hours**).\n\nInside the **24-hour session** (i.e. the user has sent you a message in the last **24 hours**), you can send **session** messages—free-form text that does not need **template** approval. **Spoki** helps you manage **templates** and **session** logic so you always send the right type of message. See [registration](https://spoki.io/registration) and [support](https://spoki.io/support).\n\n**Why templates exist:** The **WhatsApp Business API** limits unsolicited messaging. **Templates** ensure that outbound messages (when you start the **conversation** or after **24h**) are clear and approved. **Spoki** guides you through **template** creation and submission so your **campaigns**, **reminders**, and **support** flows stay within the rules."},{"heading":"When You Must Use Templates vs Session Messages","level":2,"text":"**Use a template when:**\n\n- Sending the first message to a contact (e.g. **booking** confirmation, **campaign**, **reminder**).\n\n- Reaching out after the **24-hour session** has **expired** (e.g. follow-up **reminder**, new **offer**).\n\n**Use session messages when:**\n\n- The contact has sent you a message in the last **24 hours**. You can reply with free-form text, **images**, or **buttons** (within **API** limits). No **template** needed.\n\n**Spoki** keeps **session** and **template** logic clear: when you try to send, **Spoki** uses a **template** if required and **session** messages when allowed. Use [pricing](https://spoki.io/pricing) and [book](https://spoki.io/book) to plan **template** and **session** volume."},{"heading":"How to Create and Submit Templates with Spoki","level":2,"text":"**1. Define the message:** Choose the **template** purpose (e.g. **booking** confirmation, **order** update, **reminder**, **campaign**). Write the text and add variables ({{1}}, {{2}}) where you need personalisation (name, date, **order** ID). Keep the text clear and compliant (no spam, no misleading content). **Spoki** and [support](https://spoki.io/support) can help with wording.\n\n**2. Submit for approval:** **WhatsApp** reviews **templates** before they go live. **Spoki** guides you through submission; approval can take from hours to a few days. Use **Spoki** to track status and use **approved** **templates** only. See [registration](https://spoki.io/registration) and [support](https://spoki.io/support).\n\n**3. Send with variables:** Once **approved**, send the **template** via **Spoki** by passing the variable values (e.g. name, date, link). **Spoki** handles delivery and **24-hour** rules. If the contact replies, you enter the **session** and can send **session** messages. The [ROI calculator](https://spoki.io/roi-calculator) helps you plan **template** volume and cost.\n\n**Best practices:** Use one **template** per use case (e.g. one for **booking** confirmation, one for **reminder**). Keep **templates** short and **bold** key info. Include an **opt-out** option (e.g. “Reply STOP to unsubscribe”) where relevant. **Spoki** helps you manage **opt-in** and **opt-out** so **templates** stay compliant."},{"heading":"Template Categories and Examples","level":2,"text":"**Utility:** Transactional messages (e.g. **booking** confirmed, **order** status). Example: “Hi {{1}}, your **booking** for {{2}} on {{3}} is confirmed. Reply with any question.”\n\n**Marketing:** **Campaigns**, **offers**, **announcements**. Example: “Hi {{1}}, we have a special **offer** for you: {{2}}. Reply STOP to unsubscribe.”\n\n**Authentication:** One-time codes or verification (if supported by your **API** provider). **Spoki** and [support](https://spoki.io/support) can guide you on **template** categories and approval.\n\nUse **Spoki** to create and send **templates** in each category. Always collect **opt-in** before sending **marketing** **templates**; **utility** **templates** (e.g. **booking** confirmation) should still go only to users who have agreed to **WhatsApp** messages. See [book](https://spoki.io/book) and [pricing](https://spoki.io/pricing) for **template** strategy.\n\n**Keeping templates organised:** As you add more **templates** (e.g. for different **campaigns**, **reminders**, or **support** flows), name them clearly in **Spoki** and document which **template** to use for which use case. This avoids sending the wrong **template** or free-form text when a **template** is required. **Spoki** and [support](https://spoki.io/support) can help you organise **templates** as you scale. Reuse **approved** **templates** across **campaigns** where the message fits so you do not duplicate work. Check **template** status in **Spoki** before scheduling **campaigns** so only **approved** **templates** are sent. If a **template** is rejected, adjust the wording and resubmit; **Spoki** and [support](https://spoki.io/support) guide you through revisions. Keep **utility** and **marketing** **templates** distinct to speed approval."},{"heading":"Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them","level":2,"text":"- **Sending free-form when a template is required:** If the **session** has **expired** or you are sending the first message, you must use an **approved template**. **Spoki** helps you choose the right **template** and blocks invalid sends so you stay compliant.\n\n- **Rejected templates:** **WhatsApp** can reject **templates** that are unclear, promotional in a **utility** category, or violate policies. **Spoki** and [support](https://spoki.io/support) help you adjust wording and resubmit.\n\n- **Wrong variables:** Make sure you pass the correct number and order of variables ({{1}}, {{2}}, …) when sending. **Spoki** validates **template** parameters so messages send correctly.\n\n- **Ignoring the 24-hour window:** After the user’s last message, you have **24 hours** to send **session** messages. After that, use a **template**. **Spoki** keeps **session** and **template** logic clear so you do not miss the window or break the rules. Use the [ROI calculator](https://spoki.io/roi-calculator) to plan **template** and **session** volume."},{"heading":"Conclusion","level":2,"text":"**WhatsApp Business API templates** are required for the first message and after the **24-hour session**. With **Spoki**, you create, submit, and send **templates**, and use **session** messages when the **conversation** is active. **Opt-in** and **opt-out** stay in **Spoki** so your **WhatsApp** messaging is effective and compliant.\n\nReady to master **WhatsApp** **templates**? Visit [Spoki](https://spoki.io) for the **WhatsApp Business API**, [registration](https://spoki.io/registration), and [pricing](https://spoki.io/pricing). Use [support](https://spoki.io/support) and [book](https://spoki.io/book) for **template** creation and the [ROI calculator](https://spoki.io/roi-calculator) to plan your messaging volume."},{"heading":"Categories","level":3,"text":"- Blog-en"},{"heading":"Tags","level":3,"text":"- WhatsApp API\n\n---"},{"heading":"About Spoki","level":2,"text":"Use Spoki's simple, fast and intuitive platform to drive conversions, automate tasks and grow your business."},{"heading":"Solutions","level":3,"text":"- Marketing\n- Sales\n- Customer Care\n- Developers"},{"heading":"Special Programs","level":3,"text":"- Agencies\n- Affiliation\n- Reseller\n- Start up"},{"heading":"Quick Links","level":3,"text":"- [Features](https://spoki.com/en/features)\n- [Pricing](https://spoki.com/en/pricing)\n- [About](https://spoki.com/en/about)\n- [FAQ](https://spoki.com/en/faq)\n- [Blog](https://spoki.com/en/blog)\n- [Case Studies](https://spoki.com/en/case-studies)\n- [Integrations](https://spoki.com/en/integrations)\n\n© 2026 Spoki. All rights reserved."}]}}