WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps, used by over 2 billion people worldwide. It offers various features to enhance messaging, including template messages and session messages.
Introduction to WhatsApp Template Messages
WhatsApp template messages allow users to pre-write and store messages that can be quickly sent to contacts. They are customized messages that can include text, images, video, and other media. Once created, template messages are accessed from the WhatsApp menu and can be sent instantly to individuals or groups.
Some key features of WhatsApp template messages:
- Saves time – Template messages can be prepared in advance and reused when needed. This saves having to retype messages frequently.
- Customizable – Users can create tailored templates for different purposes with personalized content.
- Media inclusion – Images, videos, GIFs, documents can be added to template messages.
- Scheduling – Messages can be scheduled to send at specific dates and times.
- Bulk sending – Template messages can be efficiently sent to multiple recipients.
Template messages are very useful for businesses and organizations to share updates, promotions, reminders and other standardized content. The ability to pre-prepare and bulk send messages makes WhatsApp communication more efficient.
Introduction to WhatsApp Session Messages
WhatsApp session messages allow businesses to offer quick automated responses to frequently asked questions from customers. When enabled, they provide an instant predefined reply when users message a business account.
Some key features of WhatsApp session messages:
- FAQ responses – Businesses can set up session messages to instantly answer common questions from customers.
- 24/7 availability – Session messages provide quick answers even when a business is closed.
- Customer satisfaction – Quick answers improve customer experience and satisfaction.
- Structured messaging – Session messages allow conversations to be structured based on topics.
- Scalability – Businesses can handle more conversations without additional staffing.
Session messages help businesses engage customers by providing rapid responses. They allow conversations to progress efficiently by answering common inquiries instantly 24/7.
Differences Between Template Messages and Session Messages
Although both designed to enhance WhatsApp messaging, template messages and session messages have some key differences:
| Template Messages | Session Messages |
|---|---|
| Sent directly by user | Auto reply generated by business account |
| Can include rich media | Text-only responses |
| Scheduled or sent instantly | Instant automated replies |
| Customized content | Predefined responses |
| Personal or bulk messages | Structured business messaging |
In summary, template messages are manually-sent custom messages created by users. Session messages are automated text-only responses generated by business accounts to answer common questions.
Benefits of WhatsApp Template Messages
WhatsApp template messages provide various benefits:
- Time savings – Creating pre-written templates saves having to type the same messages repeatedly.
- Convenience – Templates can be accessed and sent quickly whenever needed.
- Customization – Users can create tailored templates for specific purposes and recipients.
- Enhanced engagement – Adding visual media increases interest and interactivity.
- Planning – Messages can be scheduled for future delivery at optimal send times.
- Organization – Templates allow businesses to save and organize messages effectively.
- Analyzing performance – Businesses can track the effectiveness of different templates.
Overall, WhatsApp template messages allow efficient, customized, and engaging messaging at scale across personal and business use cases.
Benefits of WhatsApp Session Messages
Major benefits of using WhatsApp session messages for businesses include:
- Immediate responses – Customers get instant answers without waiting for a business to reply manually.
- 24/7 availability – Questions can be answered after working hours, improving customer experience.
- Increased efficiency – Businesses save time by automating common inquiries.
- Scalability – Session messages allow small teams to handle more conversations.
- Reduced costs – Automated responses reduce staffing requirements.
- Structured messaging – Conversations can be structured around topics.
- Analytics – Businesses can identify frequently asked questions and optimize responses.
By leveraging session messages, businesses can have more automated, efficient conversations that improve customer satisfaction at lower costs.
Use Cases
Template Message Use Cases
Some examples of how WhatsApp template messages can be used:
- Personal – Birthday greetings, event invitations, keeping in touch with friends and family.
- Small business marketing – Promotions, new product announcements, coupons.
- Appointment reminders – Doctors, salons, mechanics can remind customers of upcoming appointments.
- Scheduling – Yoga studios, sports coaches can send class/session details.
- Order updates – Restaurants, delivery services can share order and delivery status.
- Alerts – Schools can inform parents and students of closures, schedule changes etc.
- Travel – Airlines, railways can send booking confirmations, check-in reminders, boarding passes.
Session Message Use Cases
Common use cases for WhatsApp session messages by businesses:
- FAQs – Instantly answer frequently asked customer questions like store locations, business hours etc.
- Orders – Share quick updates on order status and delivery tracking.
- Support – Provide guidance for common troubleshooting issues or how to use a product/service.
- Reservations – Message customers to confirm appointments booked via chat.
- Shopping assistance – Help customers with size/color/product recommendations.
- Lead generation – Send links to demos, trials or contact sales as a call to action.
- Event registration – Registration confirmations, payment receipts, event details.
Best Practices
Best Practices for Template Messages
Some best practices for creating effective WhatsApp template messages:
- Keep messages concise and scannable using formatting like line breaks and bullet points.
- Personalize messages with names, dates, and other custom details whenever possible.
- Ensure correct spelling and grammar – proofread templates before saving.
- Use visual media like images, videos and GIFs sparingly to maximize impact.
- Test how templates appear on both Android and iOS devices before sending.
- For businesses, include useful links for users to easily get more information.
- Keep an organized library of categorized templates for easy access and reuse.
Best Practices for Session Messages
Some best practices for implementing WhatsApp session messages effectively:
- Provide responses formatted as conversational text rather than robotic keywords.
- Aim for relevant 1-3 sentence responses to keep conversations focused.
- Match session message topics to the most common customer inquiries.
- Refresh session messages regularly to update changing business information.
- Let customers opt out of session messages if desired.
- Use session messages to direct customers to more in-depth help resources.
- Monitor performance data to identify popular session messages for further optimization.
Conclusion
WhatsApp template messages allow creating and storing pre-written customizable messages for convenient reuse. WhatsApp session messages provide instant automated replies to common questions for businesses. While templates offer more flexibility and media options, session messages enable efficient scalable conversations. Using both strategically as suited can optimize WhatsApp messaging for personal and business needs.