A WhatsApp Business greeting message is the first thing a new customer sees after messaging you, and it keeps working while you're with a client, on a job or asleep. Setting it up is free in the WhatsApp Business app, which has three tools for this: a greeting message, an away message and quick replies you send with a tap.
A good auto reply does three things: it confirms the message arrived, says when the customer will hear back, and gives them something useful to do in the meantime. Below are 25 ready-to-use WhatsApp Business auto-reply examples by business type, the setup steps as WhatsApp documents them in November 2026, and the mistakes that make customers stop replying.
How to set up auto replies in WhatsApp Business
All three tools live in the app's Tools tab (in some versions you reach it through Settings, then Business tools). Meta describes them on its Business app features page as an automatic welcome for new customers, automatic replies outside business hours, and shortcuts for messages you send often.
| Tool | When it's sent | Main settings |
|---|---|---|
| Greeting message | When a customer messages you for the first time, or again after 14 days with no activity in the chat | Text, and recipients: everyone, everyone not in your address book, everyone except selected contacts, or only selected contacts |
| Away message | On a schedule you choose | Always, a custom schedule, or outside business hours (only if hours are set in your business profile), plus the same recipient options |
| Quick replies | Only when you choose to send one | A shortcut and a message, optionally with an image or video. Type "/" in a chat to pick one. Up to 50 saved |
Three things to do before you write:
- Fill in your business hours in the profile. Then the away message can run "outside of business hours" without you switching it on and off. Completing the profile also gives you default quick replies for your hours and address.
- Decide who shouldn't get it. Suppliers, family and regulars don't need "Hi, welcome!" every two weeks. Use "everyone not in address book" or "everyone except...".
- Have your links ready. A booking link, catalog or price list turns a polite auto reply into a useful one.
Two technical notes. Greeting and away messages are sent from your phone, so it needs an internet connection. And if your number runs on the WhatsApp Business Platform (API) through a provider, these app tools don't work the same way: automatic replies are built in the provider's system or a bot. The differences between the app and the API are covered in WhatsApp marketing for small business.
10 WhatsApp Business greeting message examples
A good greeting is short enough to read without scrolling and tells the customer what to send so you can answer fast. Square brackets are where your details go.
1. Physiotherapy or massage clinic "Hi, thanks for messaging [clinic name]. We'll reply by the end of the day. To help us help you faster, tell us briefly what you'd like treated and which days suit you. You can also book directly here: [link]"
2. Barbershop or hair salon "Hey, this is [salon name]. The quickest way to book is here: [link]. Got a question? Ask away and we'll answer between clients."
3. Nail technician or beautician "Hi, thanks for getting in touch! I'm probably with a client right now and will reply at my next break. To save time, let me know which treatment you're after and whether it's your first visit. Prices are here: [link]"
4. Gym, Pilates or yoga studio "Welcome to [studio name]! Want to try a class? Send your name and the class you're interested in, and we'll send this week's free spots. Timetable: [link]"
5. Plumber, electrician or handyman "Hi, you've reached [name]. For a quick estimate, please send: your town, the type of job, and 2 or 3 photos. I go through messages every evening and reply with a price or a time to come and look."
6. Online store "Hi, thanks for messaging [store name]. Question about an order? Send your order number. Question about a product? Send its name or a screenshot. We reply Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm."
7. Restaurant or takeaway "Hi, this is [restaurant name]. To order delivery: [link]. To book a table, send the date, time and number of people and we'll confirm shortly. Full menu: [link]"
8. Accountant or bookkeeper "Hello, thanks for contacting [firm name]. We'll get back to you within one working day. If you're a new client, tell us whether you're a sole trader, a partnership or a company, and what you need help with. Please don't send sensitive documents here until we've spoken."
9. Tutor or kids' activity "Hi, you've reached [name]. So we can suggest the right group, let us know your child's age or school year and where you're based. Details and this term's prices: [link]"
10. Wedding or event photographer "Hi, thanks for reaching out! To check availability, send the date, type of event and location, and I'll come back with an answer and a quote. Portfolio: [link]"
8 WhatsApp away message examples
11. After hours "Thanks for your message. Our hours are Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm, and we'll reply tomorrow morning. You can book an appointment any time here: [link]"
12. Weekend "Thanks for getting in touch. We're closed at weekends and reply from Monday at 9am. Your message has arrived and we'll answer in order."
13. Vacation "I'm on holiday until [date] and not replying to messages until then. To book for after I'm back: [link]. For anything urgent, please contact [name] at [number]."
14. Public holiday "Happy holidays! We're closed from [date] to [date] and back to normal hours on [date]. We'll answer every message in the order it came in."
15. On a job "I'm on a job right now and can't reply. I'll get back to you by 7pm. If it's a leak or an urgent fault, write 'URGENT' and I'll see it sooner."
16. Busy period "We're getting a lot of messages right now, so replies may take up to 24 hours. If you're asking about prices, the full list is here: [link]"
17. Therapist or counselor in session "I'm in a session and reply to messages between appointments. If you're in crisis or need urgent help, please call your local emergency number (911 in the U.S., 999 in the UK) rather than messaging here."
18. Out sick or family emergency "I'm away unexpectedly for a few days, so replies will be slower than usual. Your message has arrived. To reschedule or for anything urgent, please contact [name] at [number]."
7 WhatsApp Business quick replies examples
You send quick replies yourself by typing "/" and the shortcut. These are the ones small businesses use most:
19. /price "[Service] is [price], which includes [what's included]. Would you like me to check the next available slot?"
20. /address "We're at [full address]. Parking: [details]. Directions: [map link]"
21. /book "Great! Here are this week's available times: [times]. Which one works for you?"
22. /confirm "You're booked: [day] at [time], [address]. If anything changes, just let us know at least 24 hours before."
23. /pay "You can pay by card, Apple Pay or bank transfer. Payment link: [link]. We'll send a receipt once it's through."
24. /review "Thanks for coming in! If you enjoyed it, a short Google review would really help a small business like ours: [link]"
25. /update "I'm checking this now and will update you by [time]. Thanks for your patience."
A note on the review message: send it as a simple request with no discount or reward attached, since Google's review policy bans incentives for reviews.
Mistakes that make customers stop replying
- Too long. Beyond four or five lines, people stop reading. Everything else can wait for the conversation.
- A promise you don't keep. "We'll reply within minutes" when you actually reply in the evening does more harm than saying nothing. Write a time you can meet.
- No next step. "We've received your message" on its own leaves the customer waiting. Add a link, a question or useful information.
- Sending to everyone. A supplier who messages you daily and gets "Welcome!" every time will notice you never looked at the settings.
- A promotion as the greeting. Someone who asked a question didn't ask for an ad. Keep the automatic message about service, and mention offers in the conversation when they're relevant. Promotional messages you send first follow stricter rules, covered in WhatsApp broadcast rules.
- Forgetting to switch it off. An "I'm on holiday" message still running two weeks after you're back. Use the custom schedule, or put a reminder in your calendar.
When to move to a bot or AI agent
An auto reply is enough when messages vary and you can reply the same day. It's worth looking at more advanced automation when:
- More than half your messages are the same three or four questions (price, availability, location).
- Customers go to a competitor because nobody replied in the evening.
- You get messages from ads and want to qualify them before you call. What makes an enquiry worth a callback is covered in what are leads.
Options range from a simple menu bot to an AI agent that handles free conversation, and Meta now offers its own agent for business accounts. The full comparison, including costs, is in WhatsApp AI agents for small business.
Want wording that fits your business rather than a template? You can message PowerAds.ai on WhatsApp with what your business does, your hours and the questions customers ask most, and get a greeting message, an away message and a set of quick replies written in your tone.
