---
title: "WhatsApp Business API Templates: How to Create and Use Them"
language: en
page: blog/whatsapp-business-api-templates-how-to-create-use
url: "https://spoki.com/en/blog/whatsapp-business-api-templates-how-to-create-use"
generatedAt: "2026-03-19T04:01:15.986Z"
category: blog
author: Spoki
publishedAt: "2026-02-12T09:26:35"
version: 1.0.0
---

# WhatsApp Business API Templates: How to Create and Use Them

**Author:** Spoki | **Published:** 2/12/2026

*Create, submit, and use approved WhatsApp Business API templates with Spoki. Template rules, 24-hour session, and best practices for compliant messaging.*

---

**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.

This 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).

## What Are WhatsApp Business API Templates?

**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:

- You send the **first** message to a contact (they have not messaged you in the last **24 hours**), or

- The **24-hour session** has **expired** (no message from the user in the last **24 hours**).

Inside 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).

**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.

## When You Must Use Templates vs Session Messages

**Use a template when:**

- Sending the first message to a contact (e.g. **booking** confirmation, **campaign**, **reminder**).

- Reaching out after the **24-hour session** has **expired** (e.g. follow-up **reminder**, new **offer**).

**Use session messages when:**

- 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.

**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.

## How to Create and Submit Templates with Spoki

**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.

**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).

**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.

**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.

## Template Categories and Examples

**Utility:** Transactional messages (e.g. **booking** confirmed, **order** status). Example: “Hi {{1}}, your **booking** for {{2}} on {{3}} is confirmed. Reply with any question.”

**Marketing:** **Campaigns**, **offers**, **announcements**. Example: “Hi {{1}}, we have a special **offer** for you: {{2}}. Reply STOP to unsubscribe.”

**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.

Use **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.

**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.

## Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

- **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.

- **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.

- **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.

- **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.

## Conclusion

**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.

Ready 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.
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