# Send a Message

In this quickstart, you'll learn how to send a template message using the WhatsApp Business API. Template messages allow you to initiate conversations with users when there has been no interaction in the past 24 hours.

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
**Verify Template Availability**

Before sending a template message, using this [endpoint](https://app.gitbook.com/s/-M4sMxKjL6eJRvZn6jeG-887967055/messaging-api/api-reference/templates#get-v1-configs-templates), check that your template is approved and ready to use.

Confirm that your template shows a status of "APPROVED" in the response. Only templates with an active status can be sent to users.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Prepare Your Template Parameters**

Most template messages contain variables (parameters) that need to be filled with specific information for each recipient.

For example, if your template is:

```
Thank you for your order, {{1}}! Your confirmation number is {{2}}.
```

Identify the variables you need to replace:

* `{{1}}` will be the customer's name
* `{{2}}` will be the order number

Make sure you have these values ready before sending your message.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Send Your Template Message**

Use this [endpoint ](https://app.gitbook.com/s/-M4sMxKjL6eJRvZn6jeG-887967055/messaging-api/api-reference/messages#post-messages)to send your template message:

This sends the "order\_confirmation" template to the specified phone number, replacing the variables with "Maria" and "B67890".
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Check The Response**

After sending your request, you'll receive a response containing a message ID:

```json
{
  "messaging_product": "whatsapp",
  "contacts": [
    {
      "input": "15551234567",
      "wa_id": "15551234567"
    }
  ],
  "messages": [
    {
      "id": "wamid.HBgLMTU1NTEyMzQ1NjcVAgARGBI5QTNDQTVCM0Q0Q0Q2RTY3RTcA"
    }
  ]
}
```

Save this message ID to track the delivery status of your message.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Monitor Message Status**

Set up a webhook endpoint in your application to receive message status updates. The webhook will receive notifications when the message is:

* **sent**: Message has been sent from your WABA
* **delivered**: Message has reached the recipient's device
* **read**: Recipient has opened and read the message
* **failed**: Message failed to send

A typical status webhook looks like this:

```json
{
  "object": "whatsapp_business_account",
  "entry": [
    {
      "id": "WHATSAPP_BUSINESS_ACCOUNT_ID",
      "changes": [
        {
          "value": {
            "messaging_product": "whatsapp",
            "metadata": {
              "display_phone_number": "PHONE_NUMBER",
              "phone_number_id": "PHONE_NUMBER_ID"
            },
            "statuses": [
              {
                "id": "wamid.HBgLMTU1NTEyMzQ1NjcVAgARGBI5QTNDQTVCM0Q0Q0Q2RTY3RTcA",
                "status": "delivered",
                "timestamp": "1675175992",
                "recipient_id": "15551234567"
              }
            ]
          },
          "field": "messages"
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}
```

This webhook tells you that the message was delivered to the recipient's device.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

### Common Template Types

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Text Templates" %}
The simplest type of template with only text content and variables:

```json
{
  "messaging_product": "whatsapp",
  "to": "15551234567",
  "type": "template",
  "template": {
    "name": "appointment_reminder",
    "language": {
      "code": "en_US"
    },
    "components": [
      {
        "type": "body",
        "parameters": [
          {
            "type": "text",
            "text": "John"
          },
          {
            "type": "date_time",
            "date_time": {
              "fallback_value": "February 25, 2023"
            }
          }
        ]
      }
    ]
  }
}
```

{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Media Templates" %}
Templates that include images, videos, or documents:

```json
{
  "messaging_product": "whatsapp",
  "to": "15551234567",
  "type": "template",
  "template": {
    "name": "product_update",
    "language": {
      "code": "en_US"
    },
    "components": [
      {
        "type": "header",
        "parameters": [
          {
            "type": "image",
            "image": {
              "link": "https://example.com/product.jpg"
            }
          }
        ]
      },
      {
        "type": "body",
        "parameters": [
          {
            "type": "text",
            "text": "New Summer Collection"
          }
        ]
      }
    ]
  }
}
```

{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Interactive Templates" %}
Templates with buttons for quick replies or actions:

```json
{
  "messaging_product": "whatsapp",
  "to": "15551234567",
  "type": "template",
  "template": {
    "name": "order_feedback",
    "language": {
      "code": "en_US"
    },
    "components": [
      {
        "type": "body",
        "parameters": [
          {
            "type": "text",
            "text": "B67890"
          }
        ]
      },
      {
        "type": "buttons"
      }
    ]
  }
}
```

{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

{% hint style="info" %}
**Best Practices**

* Send template messages at appropriate times based on the recipient's time zone
* Use template parameters to personalize messages for each recipient
* Monitor message delivery rates and adjust your strategy if delivery rates drop
* For marketing templates, focus on making the first 5 lines engaging due to text truncation
  {% endhint %}

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Troubleshooting** If your template message fails to send, check for these common issues:

* Incorrect template name or namespace
* Missing or incorrect parameters
* Template has been paused or disabled due to poor quality rating
* Recipient may have blocked messages from your business
* Per-user marketing template limits may be in effect (error code 131049)
  {% endhint %}

That's it! You've now sent your first template message using the WhatsApp Business API. For more information about template messages, see the Template Messages documentation.