A Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up Click to WhatsApp Ads

Digital marketing is evolving, and businesses need smarter, faster ways to connect with customers. Consumers today expect seamless interactions, instant engagement, and a frictionless path to communication—especially on the platforms they already use daily. That’s where click to WhatsApp ads come in.

These ads bridge the gap between interest and action, allowing businesses to start real-time conversations with potential customers at the click of a button. Whether it’s answering queries, driving sales, or providing support, click to WhatsApp ads make customer interactions simpler, faster, and more effective.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know—from setting up your first click-to-WhatsApp ad to optimizing performance for better conversions. Plus, we’ll cover common challenges and expert tips to help you get the most out of your campaigns. 

What Are Click-to-WhatsApp Ads?

Click to WhatsApp ads (CTWA) are a powerful advertising format that enables businesses to drive instant conversations with potential customers on WhatsApp. These ads appear on Facebook and Instagram and include a “Send Message” CTA that, when clicked, opens a direct chat in WhatsApp.

Here’s an example. 

Instead of leading users to a landing page or website, click to WhatsApp ads remove friction by allowing customers to connect with businesses in real-time. Whether it’s for product inquiries, customer support, or purchases, these ads provide a seamless, highly interactive experience—right inside WhatsApp.

What Makes These WhatsApp Ads Unique?

Click to WhatsApp ads stand out because they prioritize instant engagement and personalized interactions. Unlike traditional ads that rely on static landing pages or lengthy contact forms, these ads create a direct, two-way communication channel between businesses and customers. 

Here’s what makes them unique:

• ✅ Real-Time Conversations: Customers can reach out instantly, leading to higher engagement and conversion rates.

• ✅ Personalized Interaction: Businesses can use WhatsApp’s messaging capabilities, including quick replies, images, videos, and automated responses, to enhance the experience.
• ✅ Seamless User Experience: No need to fill out forms or browse websites—just tap and chat.

• ✅ Better Lead Qualification: Since the interaction happens in chat, businesses can ask the right questions upfront and filter high-intent leads.

Why Are They Effective for Businesses Using WhatsApp API?

For businesses leveraging the WhatsApp Business API, click-to-WhatsApp ads are a game-changer. They don’t just drive engagement—they integrate seamlessly with advanced automation, CRM tools, and chatbots to scale customer interactions without losing the personal touch.

Bonus Read 📚: The Benefits of Using WhatsApp AI Chatbots for Your Business

Prerequisites for Setting Up Click-to-WhatsApp Ads

Before diving into the setup of click-to-WhatsApp Ads, it’s essential to ensure you have the necessary prerequisites in place. These foundational steps will streamline the ad creation process and enhance the effectiveness of your campaign.

1. Using a Verified WhatsApp Business Account

A verified WhatsApp Business Account (WABA) lends credibility to your business and unlocks advanced features beneficial for advertising. Verification enhances customer trust, indicating that your business is authentic and recognized by WhatsApp.

Steps to Verify Your WhatsApp Business Account:

1. Register for a WhatsApp Business Account: Depending on your business needs, download the WhatsApp Business app or integrate the WhatsApp Business API.

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2. Complete Your Business Profile: Provide accurate business information, including your business name, logo, contact details, and a brief description.

3. Apply for Official Business Account Status: Submit a request for verification through the WhatsApp Business Manager. Approval is based on factors like brand reputation and adherence to WhatsApp’s commerce policies.

Having a verified account not only boosts customer confidence but also provides access to features like message statistics and the ability to manage messages across multiple devices.

Related Read 📘: WhatsApp Blue Tick: Get Verified Today!

Linking Your WhatsApp Number to Your Facebook Page

Integrating your WhatsApp number with your Facebook Page is crucial for running WhatsApp Ads. This connection allows potential customers to initiate conversations with your business directly from Facebook or Instagram ads.

How to Link Your WhatsApp Number:

1. Access Your Facebook Page Settings: Navigate to your Facebook Page and click on ‘Settings.’

2. Select the ‘WhatsApp’ Tab: In the left-hand menu, find and click on ‘WhatsApp.’

3. Choose Your Country Code and Enter Your WhatsApp Number: Select your country code, input your WhatsApp business number, and click ‘Send Code.’

4. Verify the Number: Enter the verification code sent to your WhatsApp, and click ‘Confirm.’

This integration ensures that a WhatsApp chat with your business is initiated seamlessly when users click on your ad’s call-to-action button. 

Understanding Your Target Audience

A deep understanding of your target audience is fundamental to the success of your click-to-WhatsApp Ads. Tailoring your ads to resonate with your audience’s preferences and behaviors increases engagement and conversion rates.

By comprehensively understanding your target audience, you can create ads that are more likely to attract clicks and initiate meaningful conversations on WhatsApp.

Step-by-Step Process to Create Click-to-WhatsApp Ads

Creating effective click to WhatsApp ads involves a series of strategic steps to ensure seamless integration between your advertising platforms and WhatsApp. This section will walk you through each stage, providing insights to optimize your campaign’s performance.

Step 1: Accessing Facebook Ads Manager

To initiate your WhatsApp ads campaign, log into your Facebook Ads Manager. This platform serves as the central hub for creating, managing, and analyzing your ads on Facebook and Instagram.

Steps to Access Ads Manager:

• Log In 🔑: Navigate to Facebook Ads Manager and sign in with your business account credentials.
• Navigate to Campaigns 📂: Once logged in, click on the “Campaigns” tab to view your existing campaigns or to start a new one.
• Create a New Campaign 🚀: Click the “Create” button to initiate the process of setting up a new ad campaign.

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Step 2: Selecting the Campaign Objective: Messages

Choosing the right campaign objective is crucial for directing your ads toward meaningful customer interactions. For click to WhatsApp ads, the “Messages” objective is ideal as it encourages users to initiate conversations with your business.

Side note: If your goal is to maximize ad interaction first and then funnel users into a conversation, starting with “Engagement” as the objective could be strategic.

How to Select the Messages Objective:

• Choose Objective 🎯: In the campaign creation window, select “Messages” from the list of available objectives.

• Set Conversion Location 📍: Under the “Conversion Location” section, select “Messaging Apps.”

• Select WhatsApp 📱: Within the messaging apps options, choose “WhatsApp” as the desired platform for user interactions.

Bonus Read 👉:  Quick and Simple Ways for WhatsApp Login: A Step-by-Step Guide

Step 3: Setting Up Your Ad Budget and Schedule

Allocating an appropriate budget and scheduling your ads effectively are pivotal for maximizing reach and engagement.

Steps to Configure Budget and Schedule:

• Budget Allocation 💰: Decide between a daily or lifetime budget. A daily budget sets a specific amount to be spent each day, while a lifetime budget sets a total amount to be spent over the entire campaign duration. 

• Schedule ⏳: Define the start and end dates for your campaign. It’s advisable to run your ads for at least seven days to gather sufficient performance data.

• Ad Scheduling 📆: If you’ve selected a lifetime budget, you can specify the hours and days of the week when your ads will be active, ensuring they run during peak engagement times.

Step 4: Crafting an Engaging Ad Copy

Your ad copy plays a significant role in capturing attention and encouraging users to engage.

Step 5: Adding the Click-to-WhatsApp CTA

Integrating a Click-to-WhatsApp call-to-action button facilitates direct communication between potential customers and your business.

How to Add the CTA:

• Select Ad Format 🖼️: Choose your preferred ad format, such as a single image, video, or carousel.
• Add Media and Copy ✏️: Upload your visuals and input the ad copy crafted in the previous step.
• Configure the CTA Button 🔘: In the “Call to Action” section, select “Send Message” as the CTA.
• Set Up Messaging Template 💬: Under the “Message Template” section, choose “Create New” to set up a welcome message that users will see when they initiate a chat.

• Finalize WhatsApp Setup ✅: Ensure that your WhatsApp Business number is correctly linked and selected for the ad.

Bonus Resource 🔽

Best Practices to Optimize Click-to-WhatsApp Ads

To maximize the effectiveness of your click-to-WhatsApp ads, it’s crucial to optimize every element, from messaging to media and performance tracking. Here are the best practices to help you achieve better engagement and conversions.

A. Keeping Your Message Templates Customer-Centric

Your WhatsApp message templates should prioritize customer needs, offering value while maintaining a conversational and friendly tone. Personalized messages significantly boost engagement and conversion rates.

Tips for Customer-Centric Templates:

• Personalization Matters ✨: Use customer names and relevant details to make messages feel tailored. Companies that excel at personalization generate 40% more revenue from those activities than average players. 
• Clear and Direct Communication 🗣️: Avoid unnecessary fluff and get straight to the point while keeping the message warm and engaging.
• Add Quick Reply Options ⚡: Use interactive buttons to make it easy for customers to respond or take the next step.
• Stay Compliant with WhatsApp Policies ✅: Ensure that all message templates follow WhatsApp’s Business Policy to prevent rejections or restrictions.

B. Using Rich Media to Enhance Engagement

Rich media—such as images, videos, and carousels—helps grab attention and increase interaction rates on WhatsApp ads. Visual content is processed 60,000x faster by the brain than text, making it an essential element for engagement.

Best Ways to Use Rich Media:

• Product Images & Videos 🎥: Showcase products with high-quality visuals that highlight features and benefits.
• GIFs & Stickers 🎭: Use fun and engaging GIFs or stickers to create a more casual and interactive experience.
• Carousel Ads 📲: If you have multiple products, use carousel ads to display different options and increase engagement.
• Clickable Buttons 🔘: Add CTA buttons that allow users to browse more, book a demo, or place an order effortlessly.

C. Analyzing Ad Performance Metrics

Regularly monitoring your ad performance ensures that your click-to-WhatsApp campaigns remain effective and cost-efficient. 

Benefits of Using WhatsApp Business API with Click-to-WhatsApp Ads

Integrating WhatsApp Business API with click-to-WhatsApp ads enhances customer engagement, streamlines communication, and improves conversion rates. Here’s how it adds value to your campaigns.

• Streamlined Customer Interaction: With WhatsApp Business API, businesses can manage high volumes of customer inquiries efficiently. Automated responses, chat routing, and a shared team inbox ensure quick and seamless interactions, reducing wait times and improving customer satisfaction.

• Improved Personalization with Message Templates: The API allows businesses to send structured, pre-approved message templates tailored to customer needs. These templates enable personalized communication at scale, helping brands maintain consistency while delivering relevant and engaging transactional messages.

Conclusion 

Click to WhatsApp ads, when combined with WhatsApp Business API, offer a powerful way to drive customer engagement and conversions. By streamlining interactions, leveraging automation, and personalizing communication, businesses can create a frictionless experience that encourages meaningful conversations.

As customer expectations continue to rise, optimizing your ads with best practices—like using rich media, analyzing performance metrics, and keeping messages customer-centric—will set your brand apart. Ready to get started? Take the first step by setting up your click to WhatsApp ads with Wati and watch your customer engagement grow!

FAQs 

1. What campaign objective should I choose for click-to-WhatsApp ads?

Select the “Messages” campaign objective in Facebook Ads Manager. This ensures your ad encourages users to start a WhatsApp conversation with your business.

2. Can I customize the pre-filled message in click-to-WhatsApp ads?

Yes, you can set a pre-filled message that appears when users open a WhatsApp chat from your ad. This helps guide conversations and makes it easier for customers to engage.

3. What is the role of the WhatsApp Business API in click-to-WhatsApp ads?

The WhatsApp Business API allows businesses to automate responses, manage high message volumes, and use message templates for better engagement and customer support.

4. How can I measure the success of my click-to-WhatsApp ads?

Track key metrics like click-through rates (CTR), message response rates, conversion rates, and customer engagement within Facebook Ads Manager and WhatsApp Business insights.