Sending Messages
What is Sending Messages?
Beyond campaigns, you can send individual messages to contacts directly from the Waplify inbox. This is perfect for one-on-one conversations, customer support, or following up on campaign replies.
How to use it
Sending a text message
- Go to Chat from the sidebar
- Click on a conversation, or start a new one
- Type your message in the message input at the bottom
- Press Enter or click the Send button
You can only send free-form text messages within the 24-hour window after the customer's last message. If the window has closed, you will need to send a template message instead.
Sending a template message
- In the message input area, look for the template option
- Select an approved template from the list
- Fill in any variable values if required
- Send the template message
This is useful when the 24-hour window has closed and you need to re-engage the contact.
Sending media
- In the message input area, click the attachment icon
- Select the file you want to send (image, video, document, or audio)
- The file will be uploaded and sent to the contact
Understanding message status indicators
Each message shows a delivery status:
| Indicator | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Single check | Message sent to WhatsApp servers |
| Double check | Message delivered to the contact's phone |
| Blue double check | Message has been read by the contact |
Tips & best practices
- Respond quickly to customer messages while the 24-hour window is open — this is your best opportunity for free-form conversation
- Use Quick Responses for frequently sent replies to save time
- Keep messages professional but friendly — WhatsApp is a personal messaging platform
- If a conversation window is closed, send a relevant template message to restart the conversation rather than waiting
- Messages are time-stamped with the actual send time, adjusted for your timezone
Frequently asked questions
Can I send messages to contacts who haven't messaged me first?
Yes, but only using an approved template message. Free-form messages can only be sent within the 24-hour window after the contact's last message.
Is there a character limit for messages?
WhatsApp supports messages up to 4,096 characters. However, shorter messages tend to get better engagement.
Can I send voice messages?
You can send audio files through the attachment feature. Real-time voice recording is not currently supported.
What file types can I send?
You can send images (JPG, PNG), videos (MP4), documents (PDF, DOC), and audio files. WhatsApp has file size limits for each type.
Can I delete a sent message?
Once a message is sent, it cannot be deleted or recalled from within Waplify.