How to create a WhatsApp link with a ready-made message (and where to put it to sell more)

The WhatsApp link is the shortest bridge between someone who saw your product and a conversation with you. One tap and the chat opens, with your number already filled in and, if you want, a ready-made message for the person to just hit send.

It seems like a detail, but it makes a difference: every step removed means fewer people giving up along the way. And the ready-made message also tells you where the customer came from and what they want.

How to create a WhatsApp link

WhatsApp accepts an address in the format https://wa.me/ followed by your number with the country code and area code, digits only. For a US mobile number:

https://wa.me/15551234567

No spaces, parentheses, dashes or leading zeros. The 1 is the country code for the United States and 555 is the area code.

How to add a ready-made message to the link

After the number, add ?text= and the message. Spaces become %20:

https://wa.me/15551234567?text=Hi!%20I%20saw%20the%20catalog%20and%20want%20to%20place%20an%20order

When the person taps it, the chat opens with "Hi! I saw the catalog and want to place an order" already typed. They can edit it or just send it.

If you don't want to build it by hand, you can generate a free WhatsApp link with any link generator: you type the number and the message and it gives you the finished address. The important thing is to test the link on your own phone before sharing it.

Can you shorten the WhatsApp link

Yes, with any link shortener, and it's useful when the link goes on print or is said out loud. In your bio and stories you don't need to: Instagram shows only the link's name.

Messages to put in your WhatsApp link

A good message is short, sounds like the customer would say it and tells you where they came from. Some templates:

• For your Instagram bio: "Hi! I came from Instagram and want to know more about your products."
• For a specific product: "Hi! I'm interested in the linen midi dress. Do you still have it in size M?"
• For food orders: "Hi! I'd like to order for delivery."
• For appointments: "Hi! I'd like to book a time. Which days are available?"
• For Google: "Hi! I found you on Google and would like a quote."

Using a different message in each place has a hidden advantage: you find out which channel brings in the most customers just by reading the first messages.

Where to put the link to sell more

How to add your WhatsApp link to Instagram

On your profile, tap Edit profile, then Links and Add external link. Paste your WhatsApp link and give it a title, such as "Orders on WhatsApp". On a business profile you can also use the WhatsApp contact button, under Edit profile, Contact options. If your bio only takes one link and you also want to show your catalog, use the catalog link: customers see the products, buy right there and can still ask you questions on WhatsApp.

In your stories

Use the link sticker with your wa.me link and a clear call to action: "Tap to order". It works very well in stories about a new product or the deal of the day.

On your Google Business Profile

People who find you on Google Maps want to sort things out quickly. Put your WhatsApp or catalog link in the website or orders field.

On a printed QR code

Turn the link into a QR code and put it at the counter, on the packaging, on the bag and on your business card. The person points the camera and lands right in the chat.

In your email signature and ads

Every place where someone might be interested in your product deserves a one-tap path to you.

Automatic WhatsApp message with your business hours

People who tap the link expect a reply. In WhatsApp Business, open Business tools and set up the greeting message (for people writing for the first time) and the away message, which you can schedule to go out outside your business hours. With WhatsApp Business labels, such as "New order" and "Paid", you can also organize who came in through the link. A reply like "Hi! I've seen your message. We're open Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. In the meantime, here is our full catalog:" plus the link keeps the customer around until you can reply.

One step beyond the link: the catalog

The WhatsApp link opens the conversation, but the customer will still ask what you have and how much it costs. With an online catalog along the way, they choose and pay on their own, and the chat is just for questions.

That's what Trily does: you add your products, get an address like yourstore.trily.shop to use in place of the link, customers pay by Pix or card, and orders show up in your dashboard. On the Free plan, with no monthly fee.