> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.hostinger.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.hostinger.com/reach/whatsapp.md). # WhatsApp Send marketing campaigns on WhatsApp from Hostinger Reach — connecting a number through Meta, building and submitting message templates, choosing opted-in recipients, and paying per delivered message WhatsApp campaigns let you broadcast promotions and product updates from your own business number, straight to the chat app your customers already check. They sit alongside email [campaigns](/reach/campaigns.md) and use the same [contacts](/reach/contacts.md) and [segments](/reach/segments.md). Find it under **WhatsApp** in the sidebar. ## Before you start WhatsApp is available on selected Reach plans — see the [Reach product page](https://www.hostinger.com/reach) for which tiers include it. You'll also need: * **A dedicated number** that isn't active in the WhatsApp app. Your everyday chat number stays untouched. A prepaid SIM or a VoIP number works, or you can request a new number during Meta signup. * **Admin access to your Meta business account.** Any personal Facebook account works for signing in — your Facebook page or profile isn't linked to your campaigns. * **Your business name and website.** > **Warning:** Due to Meta's restrictions, WhatsApp marketing messages can't be sent to US phone numbers. The restriction applies to the recipient's number, not your business location. ## Connecting your number Open **WhatsApp** and choose **Connect WhatsApp**. Setup runs in three stages: 1. **Before you start** — confirm you have what's listed above, then choose **Continue**. 2. **Connect number** — choose **Continue with Facebook**. Meta's secure signup opens in its own window, where you log in, pick your business portfolio and WhatsApp account, add and verify your marketing number, and set the display name customers see. Reach never sees your Facebook password. 3. **All set** — Reach registers the number for messaging and shows the connected number and display name. After you connect, Meta reviews new business accounts. Most are approved within minutes, but it can take up to 24 hours. ## The WhatsApp workspace Once connected, **WhatsApp** opens a workspace with two tabs, **Campaigns** and **Templates**, plus two panels: * **Credits** — your available and reserved credit balance, with **Top up** * **Activity** — delivered, read, and opt-out counts across your campaigns ## Templates WhatsApp requires marketing messages to use templates that Meta has approved. You create a template in Reach, submit it, and once Meta approves it you can use it in any number of campaigns. ### Building a template Choose **Create template**. A template has: | Part | What it holds | | ---------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Template name** and **Language** | For your reference; the name can't change after submission | | **Header** | Optional — either text or an image (JPEG or PNG) | | **Body** | The message itself, with bold, italic, strikethrough, and emoji | | **Footer** | A short opt-out line, required on marketing templates | | **Buttons & links** | Quick replies, website links, a phone number, or an offer code customers can copy | Buttons share one limit per message. Within it, you can add up to two links, one phone number, and one offer code. Link buttons must use HTTPS and can't use link shorteners. To personalize a message, add a variable from **Personalization** to the header or body. Each variable needs a fallback value, used when a contact has no value for that field. Meta rejects templates that start or end with a variable or place two variables side by side, so keep text around them. The preview beside the editor shows the message as it will appear in a WhatsApp chat. ### Creating a template with AI The editor also has an AI tab. Describe the message — its purpose, audience, and key details — or pick a starting point such as a limited-time offer, a new product announcement, or a feedback request, and choose **Generate template**. You can then ask AI to refine the draft, for example to make it more concise or strengthen the call to action. AI actions consume [AI credits](/reach/overview.md#plans-and-ai-credits). ### Submitting for approval Choose **Save as draft** to keep working later, or **Submit for approval** to send the template to Meta. Review is handled entirely by Meta and can take 1–48 hours. | Status | Meaning | | -------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------- | | **Draft** | Not submitted yet — the only status you can edit or rename | | **Pending approval** | Meta is reviewing it | | **Approved** | Ready to use in campaigns | | **Rejected** | Meta declined it, with a reason you can fix | A submitted template is read-only. To change one, or to fix and resubmit a rejected template, **Duplicate** it and edit the copy. ## Creating a campaign Choose **Create campaign**. The wizard has three steps, and an unfinished campaign stays a **Draft**: | Step | What you choose | | ----------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | **Template** | One of your approved templates. If none are approved yet, you can finish the campaign once Meta approves one | | **Recipients** | One or more [segments](/reach/segments.md), with a summary of who can receive the message | | **Review & send** | The campaign name (only you see it), the estimated cost, and whether to send now or schedule for later | From **Recipients** you can also send a test to your own WhatsApp number. A test is billed like a normal message. ### Who receives the message The recipient summary breaks your chosen segments down so you know who will be messaged before you pay: * **Opted in to WhatsApp** — these contacts receive the campaign * **No opt-in stored** — skipped, unless you tick the option to include them * **Can't be messaged** — contacts with no phone number or an invalid one Contacts in more than one selected segment are counted once. From each segment you can jump to **View contacts** to check who's in it. > **Warning:** Only include contacts without a stored opt-in if they've agreed to receive WhatsApp messages from you. Anyone who replies with stop, cancel, or unsubscribe is unsubscribed automatically. ## Credits and billing WhatsApp campaigns are paid with **Hostinger Credits** — one balance shared across Hostinger products — not with Reach AI credits. Eligible plans come with a one-time batch of welcome credits for your first campaigns. * **You pay only for delivered messages.** Credits for messages that fail to deliver return to your balance automatically. * **Prices depend on the recipient's country.** The review step shows a per-message breakdown and the estimated total against your available credits before you send. * **The estimate is reserved when you send.** Reserved credits show separately from your available balance in the workspace until the campaign's final cost is settled. * If the estimate exceeds your balance, Reach asks you to **Top up credits** or **Reduce audience** before sending. Recipients that can't be priced — usually because of an invalid phone number — are skipped and not charged. For current rates, see the [Reach product page](https://www.hostinger.com/reach). ## Statuses and reporting | Status | Meaning | | ------------- | ----------------------------- | | **Draft** | Not sent yet — still editable | | **Scheduled** | Waiting for its send time | | **Sending** | Going out now | | **Sent** | Finished | | **Failed** | Couldn't be sent | Filter the **Campaigns** tab by any of these. Open a campaign for its results: * **Sent** and **Delivered** — how many messages went out and how many reached a phone * **Read rate** — read messages as a share of delivered ones * **Credits used** — the final cost, or the estimate while the campaign is still sending Below them are a preview of the message and a **Recipients** list showing each phone number's status: | Status | Meaning | | ------------- | --------------------------------------------------------- | | **Attempted** | Sending was attempted, but delivery hasn't been confirmed | | **Unread** | Delivered, not read yet | | **Read** | The recipient has read the message | | **Failed** | The message couldn't be delivered | Filter the list with **All**, **Delivered**, **Read**, or **Failed**, each showing its count. Select a phone number to open that contact. While a campaign is sending, the figures update as Meta reports delivery events. > **Note:** Customer replies aren't shown in Reach — there's no WhatsApp inbox. Tell customers in the message how else they can reach you if they need to. ## Settings **Settings** in the WhatsApp workspace shows your connected number. Account details live in your Meta Business account, and changes you make there sync to Reach automatically: * **WhatsApp account settings** — display name, profile, and phone numbers. Choose **Open in Meta** to change them * **Business verification** — choose **Check status**. A verified business unlocks higher sending limits * **Disconnect from Reach** — removes the number from Reach so it stops sending campaigns. Your WhatsApp account itself isn't affected, and you can reconnect anytime ## Related pages * [Contacts](/reach/contacts.md) — phone numbers and opt-in * [Segments](/reach/segments.md) — choosing who receives a campaign * [Campaigns](/reach/campaigns.md) — email campaigns *** *Last updated: October 7, 2026*