How to Create a WhatsApp Link With a Pre-Filled Message

A WhatsApp link lets someone start a conversation with you without first saving your phone number. Add a pre-filled message, and the chat opens with ready-to-edit text in the message field.

The basic format is:

https://wa.me/your-number

A WhatsApp link with a pre-filled message uses:

https://wa.me/your-number?text=your-encoded-message

Your phone number must include the international country calling code. Remove the plus sign, spaces, brackets, hyphens and local dialing zero. WhatsApp calls this feature Click to Chat.

What Is a WhatsApp Click-to-Chat Link?

A WhatsApp Click-to-Chat link is a URL that opens a conversation with a specific WhatsApp number.

Instead of asking someone to:

1. Copy your phone number.
2. Save it as a contact.
3. Open WhatsApp.
4. Search for the saved contact.
5. Start a conversation.

You can send them directly to the chat with one link.

The link does not automatically send a message. It opens WhatsApp and places the optional pre-filled text in the message field. The user can review, change or send the message.

Click-to-chat links are useful for:

• Customer support
• Product enquiries
• Appointment requests
• Sales conversations
• Event registrations
• Website contact buttons
• Social media profiles
• Email signatures
• Digital brochures
• QR codes

What Is the Correct WhatsApp Link Format?

A basic WhatsApp phone number link follows this structure:

https://wa.me/15551234567

The number must be written in full international format.

For example, a US number displayed as:

+1 (555) 123-4567

Should appear in the link as:

15551234567

Do not include:

• The + symbol
• Spaces
• Parentheses
• Hyphens
• Full stops
• A local dialing prefix

Example for a UK Number

A UK mobile number may be written locally as:

07700 900123

Its international display format is:

+44 7700 900123

Inside a wa.me URL, it becomes:

447700900123

The final link is:

https://wa.me/447700900123

The local leading zero is removed because the international country calling code has been added.

How to Create a WhatsApp Link With a Pre-Filled Message Manually

You can build a WhatsApp link manually when you understand the phone number and message formats.

Step 1: Write the Number in International Format

Start with the country calling code followed by the complete phone number.

For example:

15551234567

Check that you have removed all spaces, symbols and punctuation.

Step 2: Add the Number to the wa.me URL

Place the number directly after https://wa.me/.

Example:

https://wa.me/15551234567

This creates a direct WhatsApp chat link without a message.

Step 3: Add the Text Parameter

To include a pre-filled message, add ?text= after the phone number.

The structure becomes:

https://wa.me/15551234567?text=your-message

The ?text= parameter tells WhatsApp which text should appear in the chat field.

Step 4: Encode the Message

Spaces and some special characters cannot be added to a URL as ordinary text. They need to be converted into a URL-compatible format called URL encoding or percent encoding.

For example:

• A space becomes %20
• A comma becomes %2C
• An ampersand becomes %26
• A question mark inside the message becomes %3F
• A line break may be represented as %0A

Suppose your message is:

Hello, I would like pricing details.

The encoded version is:

Hello%2C%20I%20would%20like%20pricing%20details.

The complete WhatsApp link is:

https://wa.me/15551234567?text=Hello%2C%20I%20would%20like%20pricing%20details.

When someone opens the link, the message appears as normal readable text inside WhatsApp.

Create the Link Without Manual Formatting

Manual links are manageable when the message is short. Longer messages become harder to encode correctly, especially when they include punctuation, line breaks or special characters.

TheFree WhatsApp Link Generator lets you select a country calling code, enter your number and add an optional message. It then creates the formatted wa.me URL for you.

To use it:

1. Select the correct country calling code.
2. Enter the WhatsApp phone number.
3. Add a pre-filled message.
4. Generate the WhatsApp link.
5. Copy the completed URL.
6. Open it once to confirm that the number and message are correct.

The tool creates the required link structure and converts the message into a URL-compatible format. It does not send the message on the visitor’s behalf.

WhatsApp Link Examples for Different Uses

A useful pre-filled message should give the recipient enough context to understand why the person is contacting them.

Avoid using the same vague message for every page and campaign. Match the text to the user’s likely goal.

General Business Enquiry

Message:

Hello, I would like more information about your services.

Link:

https://wa.me/15551234567?text=Hello%2C%20I%20would%20like%20more%20information%20about%20your%20services.

Product Enquiry

Message:

Hello, is this product currently available?

Link:

https://wa.me/15551234567?text=Hello%2C%20is%20this%20product%20currently%20available%3F

For better context, mention the product name:

Hello, is the Classic Leather Backpack currently available?

Appointment Request

Message:

Hello, I would like to book an appointment.

You can make it more useful by asking for relevant details:

Hello, I would like to book an appointment. Please share your available times.

Customer Support

Message:

Hello, I need help with my order.

A more structured version could be:

Hello, I need help with order number ____.

The blank space reminds the customer to add the information your support team needs.

Quote Request

Message:

Hello, I would like a quote for website maintenance.

This is more useful than a generic “Hello” because the business immediately knows which service the visitor is asking about.

Instagram Enquiry

Message:

Hello, I found your business on Instagram and would like more information.

Using a source-specific message can help your team understand where the conversation started, even when the basic WhatsApp link does not provide detailed campaign reporting.

Where to Add Your WhatsApp Link

A direct WhatsApp link can be used anywhere that supports a clickable URL.

Add a WhatsApp Link to an Instagram Bio

Create the link, copy it, and add it to the links section of your Instagram profile.

Use a clear description such as:

• Chat with us on WhatsApp
• Ask about availability
• Book through WhatsApp
• Get product information

A source-specific pre-filled message can help distinguish Instagram enquiries from contacts coming through your website or email signature.

Add a WhatsApp Link to a Website

A website WhatsApp link can be placed inside:

• A contact button
• The website header
• The footer
• A product page
• A service page
• A contact page
• A floating chat button
• A checkout support section

Use button text that explains what will happen.

Good examples include:

• Chat on WhatsApp
• Ask About This Product
• Check Availability
• Contact Customer Support
• Request Appointment Times

Avoid unclear labels such as “Go,” “Open” or “Learn More” when the button opens a WhatsApp conversation.

A basic HTML link looks like this:

<a href="https://wa.me/15551234567?text=Hello%2C%20I%20need%20more%20information.">

Chat with us on WhatsApp

</a>

Consider opening the link in a new browser tab so visitors do not completely leave your website:

<a

href="https://wa.me/15551234567?text=Hello%2C%20I%20need%20more%20information."

target="_blank"

rel="noopener"

>

Chat with us on WhatsApp

</a>

Add a WhatsApp Link to an Email Signature

Place the link behind descriptive text such as:

Message me on WhatsApp

This gives email recipients a faster contact option when a live conversation is more suitable than another email.

Use a business contact number rather than a personal number when the signature is shared publicly.

Add the Link to Digital Documents

WhatsApp links can also be added to:

• PDF brochures
• Proposals
• Invoices
• Digital menus
• Price lists
• Event invitations
• Online catalogues
• Downloadable guides

A normal clickable link works for digital documents. For printed material, convert the URL into a QR code that people can scan with a phone.

WhatsApp Link vs Short Link vs QR Code

These options can lead users to a WhatsApp conversation, but they suit different situations.

Option	Best use	Main advantage	Limitation
wa.me link	Websites, social profiles and emails	Simple and widely shareable	The phone number appears in the URL
WhatsApp Business short link	Sharing from a WhatsApp Business account	Can be managed from the Business app	Availability and controls depend on WhatsApp Business
WhatsApp QR code	Posters, packaging and printed materials	Easy to scan offline	Users need a camera or QR scanner
Text-only WhatsApp share link	Sharing text without choosing one fixed number	Lets the user select a recipient	Does not open a chat with a specific business

WhatsApp Business users can create and manage short links with an optional default message from the Business tools area.

WhatsApp also supports a text-only format:

https://wa.me/?text=urlencodedtext

This version includes a pre-filled message without specifying a phone number. The user chooses which WhatsApp contact or chat receives the text.

Best Practices for Pre-Filled WhatsApp Messages

A good pre-filled message reduces effort without making the conversation feel automated or confusing.

Keep the Message Specific

Give the business enough context to respond.

Weak:

Hi

Better:

Hello, I would like to check availability for the blue travel bag.

Keep It Editable

Do not write the message as though the customer has already agreed to something.

Avoid:

I confirm my purchase of this product.

Use:

Hello, I would like more information about purchasing this product.

The second version supports the conversation without making a decision for the user.

Match the Message to the Page

A visitor clicking from a pricing page may need a different starting message from someone clicking from a support page.

For example:

Pricing page:
Hello, I would like pricing information for the Pro plan.

Support page:
Hello, I need help using my account.

Appointment page:
Hello, I would like to check your available appointment times.

Tell Users What the Button Does

A clear call to action improves trust and prevents surprises.

Use:

Ask on WhatsApp

Instead of:

Submit

The visitor should know that the link will open WhatsApp rather than submit a website form.

Test the Link Before Publishing

Open the link on both a phone and a desktop browser when possible.

Check that:

• The correct chat opens.
• The country code is correct.
• The message is readable.
• Spaces and punctuation appear properly.
• The button or link is clickable.
• The link does not contain accidental extra characters.

Use a Public Business Number Carefully

Your phone number is visible inside a standard wa.me link. Anyone who can access the link may be able to copy the number.

Use a dedicated business number when publishing the link on public pages, advertisements or social profiles. ConvixPro’s tool page also notes that a generated link does not verify ownership of the number or confirm that it is registered with WhatsApp.

Common WhatsApp Link Mistakes

Most broken WhatsApp links are caused by number formatting or message-encoding errors.

Including the Plus Sign

Incorrect:

https://wa.me/+15551234567

Correct:

https://wa.me/15551234567

The plus sign is commonly used when displaying an international number, but it should not appear inside the wa.me phone number.

Adding Spaces or Hyphens

Incorrect:

https://wa.me/1-555-123-4567

Correct:

https://wa.me/15551234567

The number should be one continuous string of digits.

Keeping the Local Leading Zero

Incorrect UK example:

https://wa.me/4407700900123

Correct:

https://wa.me/447700900123

Do not keep the local leading zero after adding the country calling code.

Adding the Country Code Twice

If the country code is selected separately in a link generator, do not type it again in the local number field unless the tool specifically asks for the complete international number.

A duplicated country code directs the link to the wrong number or causes it to fail.

Using a Number Without WhatsApp

The link format can be correct even when the destination number does not have an active WhatsApp account.

A link generator creates the URL. It cannot guarantee that the number is registered, active or owned by the person creating the link.

Leaving the Message Unencoded

A message containing spaces, ampersands, question marks or line breaks may not display correctly when inserted into a URL as plain text.

Use URL encoding or a WhatsApp link generator instead of manually replacing every special character.

Assuming the Message Is Sent Automatically

A pre-filled message appears in the chat field, but the visitor still chooses whether to edit or send it.

This gives the user control and prevents the link from sending messages without an intentional action.

Why Is My WhatsApp Link Not Working?

Check the link in this order:

1. Confirm that it begins with https://wa.me/.
2. Check that the phone number includes the correct country code.
3. Remove the plus sign, spaces, brackets and hyphens.
4. Remove the local leading zero when required.
5. Confirm that the number is registered with WhatsApp.
6. Check that ?text= appears only once.
7. Re-encode the pre-filled message.
8. Test the link in another browser or device.
9. Confirm that WhatsApp or WhatsApp Web is available.
10. Generate a fresh link if the problem continues.

On desktop, the link may lead to WhatsApp Web or an installed WhatsApp application. The user may need to sign in before the chat can open. WhatsApp provides a dedicated web service for accessing messages from a desktop browser.

Create a Working WhatsApp Link

A working WhatsApp link needs three things: the correct wa.me structure, a phone number in international format and properly encoded message text.

You can build a simple link manually, but formatting errors become more likely as the message gets longer. Use theConvixPro WhatsApp Link Generator to create a direct chat link with an optional pre-filled message, then test the result before adding it to your website, social profile or email signature.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I create a WhatsApp link without saving the number?

Yes. WhatsApp Click to Chat lets you open a conversation with a valid WhatsApp number without saving it to your contacts first. The number must be included in the link using the correct international format.

Can I add a custom message to a WhatsApp link?

Yes. Add ?text= after the phone number and place the URL-encoded message after it.

Example:

https://wa.me/15551234567?text=Hello%20there

Can I create a WhatsApp link without a phone number?

Yes. Use:

https://wa.me/?text=urlencodedtext

This creates a share link containing a message but no fixed recipient. The user selects the WhatsApp contact or conversation where the text should be shared.

Does a pre-filled WhatsApp message send automatically?

No. The message appears in the chat field. The user can review, edit or send it.

Do WhatsApp links work with WhatsApp Business?

A standard wa.me link can direct users to a number used with WhatsApp Business. The WhatsApp Business app also provides its own short-link feature with an optional default message.

Can I put a WhatsApp link in my Instagram bio?

Yes. Copy the completed link and add it to the links section of your Instagram profile. Use a pre-filled message that identifies Instagram as the source when that information would help you manage enquiries.

Is it safe to publish a WhatsApp link?

A standard WhatsApp link displays the destination phone number inside the URL. Use a business number if the link will be publicly available, and avoid placing private or confidential information in the pre-filled message.

Is a WhatsApp link generator better than creating the link manually?

Both methods create the same type of link. Manual creation works for short, simple messages. A generator is more convenient when you need to format an international number or encode a longer message containing spaces and punctuation.