Brought to you by Social Ninja's — Need help automating or scaling your business? Get Free Audit →
Home Tool About Us Contact Us Blog Guides Privacy Policy Terms of Service
Social Ninja's AI Agency
We build automated client acquisition systems, custom chatbots, and manage high-converting Meta/Google ad campaigns.
Get Free Growth Audit →
Step-by-Step Guide + Templates

How to Set Up WhatsApp Business Auto-Replies (25+ Copy-Paste Message Samples)

By Nazim · Social Ninja's·Updated August 2026·8 min read

Never lose a potential customer to slow response times. Learn how to configure automated greeting messages, after-hours away messages, and fast quick-reply shortcuts on WhatsApp Business — plus 25+ high-converting message templates you can copy and paste immediately.

⚡ Speed Converts Leads: Research shows that leads contacted within 5 minutes are 21 times more likely to convert into paying customers compared to those contacted after 30 minutes. WhatsApp auto-replies ensure 100% instant response rates 24/7.

Table of Contents

1. The 3 Types of Native WhatsApp Business Automations

The standard WhatsApp Business application includes three built-in automation features that require zero coding or third-party bots:

👋

Greeting Messages

Instantly welcomes first-time inquiries and returning customers who haven't messaged you in 14+ days. Perfect for setting expectations, introducing your brand, and sharing website links.

🌙

Away Messages

Automatically responds when someone messages your business outside of official business hours or during holidays. Informs prospects when your team will return.

⚡

Quick Replies

Allows your support and sales team to save reusable response snippets triggered by typing a slash command (e.g. /hours, /payment, /catalog).

2. Step-by-Step: Setting Up Greeting Messages

Welcome every new prospect immediately upon their first outreach:

  1. Open the WhatsApp Business app on your Android or iPhone.
  2. Tap Settings (iOS) or the three dots ⋮ > Business Tools (Android).
  3. Tap Greeting message under the Messaging tools section.
  4. Toggle Send greeting message to ON.
  5. Tap on the message text box to customize your welcome message (or paste one of our samples below).
  6. Under Recipients, select "Everyone not in address book" (recommended so your friends/family don't trigger the auto-greeting).
  7. Tap Save in the top right corner.

3. Step-by-Step: Configuring After-Hours Away Messages

Ensure customers know you received their message even when your office is closed:

  1. Go to Business Tools > Away message.
  2. Toggle Send away message to ON.
  3. Edit your away message text with your operating hours and alternate emergency contact info.
  4. Tap Schedule and choose between:
    • Always send: If you are on vacation or extended leave.
    • Custom schedule: Set exact start and end dates/times.
    • Outside of business hours: Automatically sends whenever someone texts outside the hours configured in your Business Profile.
  5. Select Recipients > Everyone (or Everyone not in address book).
  6. Tap Save.

4. Step-by-Step: Creating Quick Reply Keyboard Shortcuts

Save hours of typing repetitive answers to frequent questions:

  1. Go to Business Tools > Quick replies.
  2. Tap the + button (or Add).
  3. In the Shortcut field, enter your trigger keyword (e.g. pricing or address).
  4. In the Reply message field, write your complete answer with links and formatting.
  5. (Optional) Add up to 3 keywords to make searching easier.
  6. Tap Save. In any customer chat, simply type /pricing and tap send!

5. 25+ Copy-Paste WhatsApp Business Message Samples

Select your category below and copy these battle-tested, high-converting templates directly into your WhatsApp Business app:

A. General Business Welcome & Greeting Samples

Sample #1 · Friendly & Direct
Hi there! 👋 Thank you for contacting *[Business Name]*. How can our team assist you today? We usually reply in under 15 minutes!
Sample #2 · Lead Intake with Options
Hello! 🚀 Welcome to *[Business Name]*. To help us connect you with the right specialist, please reply with your inquiry topic: 1️⃣ Pricing & Retainers 2️⃣ Product Demo 3️⃣ Customer Support Or visit our website: [Website URL]
Sample #3 · Consultation & Agency
Hi [Name]! Thanks for reaching out to *[Agency Name]*. Our growth team has received your message. While an account strategist reviews your note, feel free to check our recent case studies here: [Case Study Link] 📈

B. After-Hours & Weekend Away Message Samples

Sample #4 · Standard Out-of-Office
Hello! Thanks for getting in touch with *[Company Name]*. Our office is currently closed. 🌙 ⏰ *Operating Hours:* Mon–Fri, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM IST We have recorded your inquiry and will reply first thing tomorrow morning!
Sample #5 · Weekend Automated Notice
Happy weekend! 🎉 Our support team is currently offline recharging. We will be back on Monday at 9:00 AM to answer your message. In the meantime, browse our knowledgebase: [FAQ Link]
Sample #6 · Holiday / Festive Closure
Happy Holidays from the *[Company Name]* team! 🎄✨ Our offices are closed from [Date] to [Date]. For urgent inquiries, please email support@[domain].com.

C. E-Commerce & Retail Order Inquiries

Sample #7 · Order Tracking Assistance
Hi! 📦 Thanks for messaging *[Brand Name]*. To check your order status, please reply with your *Order ID* or email address, and our tracking assistant will pull up your delivery details instantly!
Sample #8 · Flash Sale / Promo Greeting
Welcome to *[Brand Name]*! 🛍️ Enjoy 15% OFF your first order with code *WELCOME15* at checkout: [Store URL]. What items can we help you find today?

D. Customer Support & Ticket Acknowledgment

Sample #9 · Support Queue Acknowledgment
Hi there! Your support request has been logged. 🛠️ Our technical team is reviewing your ticket and will respond shortly. Average resolution time: ~30 minutes.
Sample #10 · Urgent Support Escalation
Thank you for reporting this issue. If your system is experiencing critical downtime, please reply with *URGENT* along with your account email to notify our on-call engineer immediately.

6. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I turn on auto reply in WhatsApp Business?

Go to Settings > Business Tools > Greeting message (or Away message), toggle the switch to ON, write your message, and tap Save.

Can I set auto-reply in normal personal WhatsApp?

No. The standard personal WhatsApp application does not support native automated replies. You need to upgrade to the free WhatsApp Business app from Google Play Store or Apple App Store.

Do WhatsApp auto-replies require an active internet connection?

Yes. Because the WhatsApp Business app processes automation directly on your mobile device, your phone must be connected to Wi-Fi or cellular data for auto-replies to be dispatched.

How can I track which campaigns trigger my WhatsApp conversations?

Use LinkWA's Free WhatsApp Link Generator to create trackable links with pre-filled keywords. When users click your link from Facebook ads, Instagram bio, or website buttons, their message contains a custom keyword that identifies the lead source.

Supercharge Your WhatsApp Conversions

Create custom, trackable WhatsApp links with pre-filled message triggers in seconds with LinkWA.

Generate Free WhatsApp Link →

Recommended WhatsApp Growth Guides

How to Create a WhatsApp Link with Pre-Filled Message

Read guide →

How to Add WhatsApp Link to Instagram Bio (Step-by-Step)

Read guide →

WhatsApp Broadcast Best Practices to Avoid Getting Banned

Read guide →
← Back to all articles