WhatsApp Message Templates

WhatsApp message templates are pre-approved message formats that allow businesses to proactively send messages to customers. Templates must be approved by Meta before they can be used.

Why Use Templates?

• Proactive messaging — Message customers first (outside the 24-hour window)
• Consistent branding — Maintain consistent message formatting
• Faster approval — Approved templates have higher deliverability
• Rich interactions — Support buttons, calls-to-action, and media

Template Categories

Category	Description	Use Case
Marketing	Promotional content, offers, announcements	Campaigns, newsletters
Utility	Account updates, order confirmations, reminders	Transactional messages
Authentication	OTPs, verification codes	Login, 2-step verification
Service	Customer support updates	Issue resolution

Creating a Template

Via Dashboard

1. Log in to the Galatext Dashboard
2. Navigate to WhatsApp → Templates
3. Click Create Template
4. Fill in template details:
   • Name — Unique identifier (e.g., order_confirmation)
   • Category — Select appropriate category
   • Language — Template language (e.g., en, sw)
   • Content — Message body with placeholders
   • Header — Optional: text, image, document, or video
   • Footer — Optional: small text footer
   • Buttons — Optional: call-to-action or quick reply buttons
5. Submit for review

Via API

curl -X POST https://api.galatext.com/api/whatsapp/templates \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -H "x-api-key: YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -d '{
    "name": "order_confirmation",
    "category": "UTILITY",
    "language": "en",
    "components": [
      {
        "type": "HEADER",
        "format": "TEXT",
        "text": "Order Confirmation"
      },
      {
        "type": "BODY",
        "text": "Hi {{1}}, your order {{2}} has been confirmed. Total: {{3}}. Thank you for shopping with us!"
      },
      {
        "type": "FOOTER",
        "text": "Need help? Reply HELP"
      },
      {
        "type": "BUTTONS",
        "buttons": [
          {
            "type": "URL",
            "text": "Track Order",
            "url": "https://your-app.com/orders/{{4}}"
          },
          {
            "type": "QUICK_REPLY",
            "text": "Contact Support"
          }
        ]
      }
    ]
  }'

Response

{
  "success": true,
  "data": {
    "id": "tpl_abc123def456",
    "name": "order_confirmation",
    "status": "PENDING",
    "category": "UTILITY",
    "language": "en",
    "createdAt": "2025-06-15T10:30:00Z"
  }
}

Template Content Structure

Body

Required for all templates. Supports text with placeholders.

• Max 1024 characters
• Variables numbered 1, 2, etc.
• Up to 25 variables per template

Header (Optional)

Format	Description	Max Size
TEXT	Text header (max 60 characters)	60 chars
IMAGE	Image media header	5 MB
DOCUMENT	Document header	100 MB
VIDEO	Video header	16 MB

Footer (Optional)

Small text at the bottom of the template. Max 60 characters.

Buttons (Optional)

Button Type	Description	Max
QUICK_REPLY	Static reply buttons	3
URL	Call-to-action URL buttons	2
PHONE_NUMBER	Call a phone number	1
COPY_CODE	Copy code to clipboard	1 (authentication only)
OTP	One-time password button	1 (authentication only)

Approval Process

Step	Description	Timeframe
1	Template submitted	Instant
2	Automated review	1–2 hours
3	Meta review	1–5 business days
4	Approved/Rejected	Final status

Checking Template Status

curl -X GET https://api.galatext.com/api/whatsapp/templates/order_confirmation \
  -H "x-api-key: YOUR_API_KEY"

{
  "success": true,
  "data": {
    "id": "tpl_abc123def456",
    "name": "order_confirmation",
    "status": "APPROVED",
    "category": "UTILITY",
    "language": "en",
    "rejectedReason": null,
    "createdAt": "2025-06-15T10:30:00Z",
    "approvedAt": "2025-06-16T14:00:00Z"
  }
}

Possible statuses: PENDING, APPROVED, REJECTED, PAUSED, DISABLED

Common Rejection Reasons

• Incomplete or misleading variable names
• Missing opt-out instructions for marketing templates
• Prohibited content (cryptocurrency, adult, tobacco, etc.)
• Grammar or formatting issues
• URLs that don't match business verification

Sending a Template Message

Once approved, send template messages via the WhatsApp API:

curl -X POST https://api.galatext.com/api/whatsapp/messages \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -H "x-api-key: YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -d '{
    "phoneNumber": "+254712345678",
    "type": "template",
    "template": {
      "name": "order_confirmation",
      "language": {
        "code": "en"
      },
      "components": [
        {
          "type": "header",
          "parameters": []
        },
        {
          "type": "body",
          "parameters": [
            { "type": "text", "text": "Alice" },
            { "type": "text", "text": "ORD-12345" },
            { "type": "text", "text": "KES 2,500" }
          ]
        }
      ]
    }
  }'

Managing Templates

List All Templates

curl -X GET https://api.galatext.com/api/whatsapp/templates \
  -H "x-api-key: YOUR_API_KEY"

Update a Template

To update a template, you must create a new version. Previous versions remain active until the new version is approved.

Delete a Template

curl -X DELETE https://api.galatext.com/api/whatsapp/templates/order_confirmation \
  -H "x-api-key: YOUR_API_KEY"

Best Practices

• Clear variable names — Use descriptive variable labels for reviewers
• Test in sandbox — Verify template renders correctly before submission
• Keep it concise — Shorter templates get approved faster
• Follow WhatsApp policy — Review Meta's Commerce Policy
• Multiple languages — Create separate templates for each language
• Version control — Keep track of template versions and changes