How to create a WhatsApp link (wa.me) with a pre-filled message

Every time a customer has to save your number before messaging you, some of them give up. A WhatsApp click-to-chat link fixes that: one tap and the chat opens, often with the first message already typed.

Here's how to make one in under a minute, what to write in it, and where to use it.

What is a wa.me link?

wa.me is WhatsApp's own short link for opening a chat with any number. It's free, official and never expires, and it works with both WhatsApp and WhatsApp Business.

The format is simple:

https://wa.me/918796925824
https://wa.me/918796925824?text=Hi%2C%20I%20want%20to%20know%20the%20price

• Write the number in international format: country code first (91 for India), then the number. Leave out the +, spaces, dashes and the leading zero.
• Everything after ?text= becomes the pre-filled message. It has to be URL-encoded, so spaces become %20. You don't need to do that by hand; the tool does it for you.

Make your link in 3 steps

1. Open our free WhatsApp Link & QR Generator.
2. Enter your number and an optional message.
3. Copy the link, or download the QR code to print.

That's it. Tap Test the link to check that it opens the right chat.

What to write in the pre-filled message

The pre-filled message does two jobs: it gets the customer typing, and it tells you where they came from. Use a different message for each place you share the link:

• Instagram bio: "Hi! I saw your Instagram and want to know more about…"
• Google Business Profile: "Hi, I found you on Google. Are you open today?"
• Facebook or Instagram ads: "Hi, I'm interested in the Diwali offer."
• Website: "Hi, I have a question about your services."
• Restaurant table QR: "Hi, I'd like to order from table __"

When a chat starts with "I found you on Google", you know your Google profile is working.

Keep it short. One line is best. Customers can change the text before sending, so it's only a starting point.

Where to use your WhatsApp link

• Instagram bio (as a link) and Story link stickers.
• Google Business Profile: add it as your website link or in posts.
• Your website: a floating WhatsApp button on every page.
• Facebook page "Send WhatsApp message" button.
• Email signature and Linktree.
• Ads: click-to-WhatsApp ads on Meta can use your number directly.
• Printed material: use the QR code, since nobody types a link off paper (more in our guide to WhatsApp QR codes for shops).

Common mistakes

• Adding + or 0. wa.me/+91… or wa.me/0987… won't work. Use wa.me/91987….
• Using a personal number for business. Use WhatsApp Business. It's free, and you get a catalogue, labels, a greeting and an away message.
• A link nobody answers. A link brings more chats. If replies take hours, you lose those customers anyway. Set up a greeting and away message at the very least, or let an AI assistant reply 24×7.

The bottom line

A wa.me link is the easiest growth hack for any Indian business: free, instant and trackable. Make yours now with the free WhatsApp Link & QR Generator, then put it everywhere your customers already are.

Getting more chats than you can answer? Message us on WhatsApp. We build AI assistants that reply in seconds, in Hindi, English or Hinglish.