When you send a WhatsApp message to a phone number belonging to an end user's device, you are sending an outbound WhatsApp message. There are various types of outbound WhatsApp messages:
- Template message: When initiating a conversation with a customer, WhatsApp requires you to use a pre-approved Message Template for sending text, images, videos, sharing location, documents, and attaching interactive buttons. These templates fall into three categories: Authentication, Marketing, and Utility.
- Free-form text or media: use this option only when contacted by the end user or when you already have sent them a template message within a certain timeframe (there's an active conversation between you and the end user) to send text, images, audio, video, stickers, share location, or contacts.
- Interactive messages: Send messages that allow your end user to interact through features such as interactive buttons and lists. This option can also be used when there's an active conversation between you and the end user.
You can schedule the sending of any outbound message type to a later time, enabling you to plan and automate message delivery according to your communication strategy.
Free-form text, media, and interactive messages can only be sent when there is an active conversation with the end user.
- These messages must be sent within 24 hours of the user's last message (the 24-hour conversation window).
- If you need to start a new conversation with an end user or if more than 24 hours have passed since their last message, you must use a pre-approved Template Message.
to learn more about conversations on WhatsApp, please click here.