The first reply sets the tone for every conversation. Here are 25 WhatsApp greeting and auto-reply messages you can copy, paste and adapt. Replace the words in brackets with your own details.
Welcome and greeting messages
- Hi, thanks for messaging [Business]. How can we help you today?
- Welcome to [Business]. Tell us what you are looking for and we will help you right away.
- Hello, and thanks for reaching out. Reply 1 for orders, 2 for products, 3 to talk to our team.
- Hi, this is [Business]. Our team usually replies within [time]. Meanwhile, you can browse our catalogue here: [link].
- Thanks for contacting [Business]. Please share your order number if your question is about an order.
Away and after-hours messages
- Thanks for your message. We are closed right now and will reply when we open at [time].
- Hi, our team is offline for the day. Leave your question here and we will get back to you in the morning.
- We are away for [holiday] and back on [date]. We will reply as soon as we return.
- Thanks for writing in. Our hours are [days, time]. We will reply during these hours.
- Our team is busy helping other customers. We will reply in a few minutes. Thanks for waiting.
Orders and support
- Thanks for your order. We will send you an update as soon as it ships.
- Please share your order number and we will check the status for you.
- Sorry to hear about the trouble. Please tell us what happened, and add a photo if you can.
- Your request is with our support team. We will update you here.
- Thanks for your patience. Your issue has been resolved. Is there anything else we can help with?
Sales and enquiries
- Thanks for your interest in [product]. May I know what you need it for, so I can suggest the right option?
- Thanks for your enquiry. Could you share your requirement and preferred budget range?
- Great question. Here are the details: [details]. Would you like a quick call?
- Thanks for visiting our store. Here is the link to what you were looking at: [link].
- Thanks for reaching out from our ad. Tell us what caught your eye and we will share the details.
Thank you and follow-up
- Thank you for choosing [Business]. We hope to see you again soon.
- How was your experience with us? Reply with a rating from 1 to 5.
- Thanks for your feedback. It helps us get better.
- Just checking in. Did you get a chance to look at the details we shared?
- Happy [festival] from all of us at [Business]. Thank you for being with us.
Tips for better auto-replies
- Keep it short. Two lines are better than five.
- Set expectations: when will a person reply?
- Give a next step: a menu, a link or a question.
- Write like your brand speaks, warm and clear.
How to set them up
On the WhatsApp Business app, use Greeting message and Away message in Business tools. On the WhatsApp Business API, set an automation that sends the welcome message when a new contact writes in, or build a menu with a flow. An AI agent can go further and answer the actual question. Note that service replies are charged beyond a monthly free allowance since 1 October 2026, so keep automated replies purposeful.
Greeting, away and quick replies: what is the difference?
| Type | When it is sent | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Greeting message | When a new customer writes in, or after a long gap | Welcoming people and offering a next step |
| Away message | Outside your business hours | Setting expectations about when you will reply |
| Quick reply | When an agent picks a saved answer | Fast, consistent answers to common questions |
| Automation or flow | When a trigger fires on the API | Menus, routing and lead capture |
How to personalise without extra work
- Use the customer's name where your platform supports it.
- Write separate greetings for your website, ads and packaging QR codes, so each one fits where the customer came from.
- Mention the product or ad the customer clicked when you know it.
- Change your away message for festivals and holidays.
Mistakes to avoid
- A greeting so long that the customer has to scroll.
- Promising a reply time your team cannot keep.
- A menu with no option to reach a person.
- The same greeting every time a regular customer writes in.
- Asking for details you already have, such as their phone number.
Test your auto-replies
Before you switch them on, message your business from a personal number. Try a first message, a message at night, a message during a holiday and a reply to the menu. Check that every path ends with an answer or a person. Ask a colleague who did not write the messages to try it too. They will spot confusing words faster than you will.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good WhatsApp greeting message for business?
A short message that thanks the customer, says when they will get a reply and offers a next step, such as a menu or a link.
How do I set an auto-reply on WhatsApp Business?
In the WhatsApp Business app, use Greeting message and Away message in Business tools. On the API, use an automation or a flow.
Can I send different replies outside business hours?
Yes. Use an away message on the app, or an automation with business hours on the API.
Can an AI agent replace auto-replies?
An AI agent can answer the customer's actual question from your business information, which goes further than a fixed auto-reply.
How long should a WhatsApp greeting message be?
Two or three short lines: a thank-you, when they will hear back and a next step such as a menu or a link.
What is the difference between a greeting and an away message?
A greeting welcomes new customers when they first write in. An away message replies outside business hours and says when you will be back.
Do auto-replies on the WhatsApp API cost money?
Replies to customers who wrote to you are service messages. Since 1 October 2026, they are charged after a monthly free allowance.