Create WhatsApp message templates
Write a template, submit it to Meta for approval and keep your templates in sync.
A message template is a message that Meta has approved in advance. You need one to:
- send a broadcast to many customers, and
- message a customer when the 24-hour window has closed.
Templates belong to your WhatsApp Business account. Every number on that account can use them.
Choose the right category
Meta sorts every template into a category. Pick the one that matches the message, or Meta may reject it or change the category.
| Category | Use it for | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Marketing | Promotions, offers, new products, event invites | "Our Raya sale starts tomorrow. 20% off all items." |
| Utility | Updates about something the customer already asked for or bought | "Your order #1043 is ready for pickup." |
| Authentication | One-time login or verification codes | "Your code is 482913." |
Meta charges per template message, and marketing messages cost more than utility ones.
Create a template
- Open templates. Go to Settings → Templates and click New Template.
- Choose where it belongs. If you have more than one WhatsApp account, pick it under Submit to.
- Name it. Use lowercase letters, numbers and underscores only, for example
order_readyorraya_promo_2026. You can't change the name later. - Pick the category and language. Enter the language code exactly as Meta uses it, for example
en_USfor English (US),msfor Malay orzh_CNfor Chinese (simplified). - Add a header (optional). Choose text, an image, a video or a document. Images must be JPEG or PNG, up to 5 MB.
- Write the body. Use
{{1}},{{2}}and so on for parts that change for each customer, for example:Hi {{1}}, your order {{2}} is ready for pickup. - Add sample values. For each variable, type an example such as "Aisyah" and "#1043". Meta uses these to review the template.
- Add a footer and buttons (optional). Buttons can be quick replies, a website link, a phone number or a copy-code button.
- Submit. Check the preview on the right, then click Submit for Approval.
Wait for approval
The template shows PENDING while Meta reviews it. Most are approved within minutes, some take up to 24 hours. The status updates by itself.
| Status | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| PENDING | Meta is reviewing it | Wait |
| APPROVED | Ready to use | Use it in a broadcast or the Inbox |
| REJECTED | Meta didn't accept it | Click Resubmit, fix the wording, and submit again |
| PAUSED | Too many customers blocked or reported it | Improve the message, then Resubmit |
Templates made in Meta Business Manager
If you created templates directly in Meta, click Sync from Meta on the Templates page. NexusBot imports them and links each one to the right number.
Edit or delete a template
- Edit sends the template back to Meta for review, so it goes to PENDING again.
- Delete removes it from Meta and NexusBot. Broadcasts that use it will stop working.