When a customer messages you for the first time, they want to know one thing: will someone answer? A good WhatsApp Business greeting message tells them yes, tells them when, and gives them one easy next step.
What is a greeting message?
It is an automatic reply sent when someone messages you for the first time. In the WhatsApp Business app, it is also sent again after 14 days of no chat. On the official API, the same idea is called a welcome message, and you can add keyword replies and an away message too.
5 things a good greeting has
- Your name — so they know they reached the right place.
- A warm hello — one short line, not a speech.
- When you will reply — "within 30 minutes" or "by 10 am tomorrow".
- One next step — share an order number, pick an option or see a link.
- Another way to reach you — a phone number for urgent cases.
Greeting message examples you can copy
For a shop
1. "Hi! Thanks for messaging Sharma Sarees. Tell us what you are looking for, and we will send photos within 30 minutes."
2. "Namaste! Welcome to Gupta Electronics. For an order update, please share your order number. For a new product, type the model name."
For a clinic
3. "Hello, this is City Dental Clinic. To book a visit, send your name and a preferred day. For emergencies, please call 98xxxxxx10."
4. "Thanks for reaching Care Clinic. Our team replies between 9 am and 7 pm. Please do not share reports here — we will guide you."
For a coaching centre
5. "Hi! Welcome to Bright Classes. Reply 1 for fees, 2 for batch timings, 3 to talk to a counsellor."
6. "Thanks for your interest. Our counsellor will call you today. Meanwhile, see our batches here: [link]"
For a hotel or homestay
7. "Welcome to Hotel Shree! Share your dates and number of guests, and we will send room options and rates."
8. "Hi! Thanks for choosing us. For directions, reply MAP. For check-in time, reply TIME."
For a restaurant or bakery
9. "Hello from Rasoi Kitchen! Today's menu is here: [link]. Tell us your order and address."
10. "Hi! Cake orders need 24 hours. Share the date, flavour and weight, and we will confirm."
Away message examples
An away message goes out when you are closed. Keep it short and give a time.
11. "Thanks for your message! We are closed now and will reply after 10 am tomorrow."
12. "We are away for Diwali till 3 November. Orders placed now will ship on 4 November. Thank you!"
Common mistakes
- A long paragraph nobody reads.
- Promising a reply "soon" with no time.
- Asking for card details or passwords — never do this.
- Too many emojis and capital letters.
Setting it up
In the WhatsApp Business app, go to Business tools and turn on the greeting and away messages. On our API platform, the welcome, keyword and away replies are part of the auto-reply bot on the Growth and Pro plans, and the whole team answers from one inbox.
See how the WhatsApp auto-reply bot works or our plans from ₹790 a month.
Sources: WhatsApp Business app help pages and 2026 business messaging guides.
FAQs
What is a WhatsApp Business greeting message?
An automatic reply sent when a customer messages you for the first time, or again after 14 days of no chat in the WhatsApp Business app.
What should a good greeting message include?
Your business name, a short hello, when you will reply, one clear next step and another way to reach you for urgent cases.
What is the difference between a greeting and an away message?
A greeting welcomes new chats. An away message is sent when you are closed and tells the customer when you will reply.
Can the WhatsApp Business API send welcome messages?
Yes. On our Growth and Pro plans, the auto-reply bot sends welcome, keyword and away replies automatically.
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