A customer who messages you and hears nothing usually messages someone else. WhatsApp Business has three free tools that make sure nobody waits in silence. Below are 25 messages you can copy straight into them, sorted by when you would use each one.
Why auto-replies matter
When someone messages a business on WhatsApp, they expect a conversation, not an inbox. If the first reply comes hours later, the moment has often passed. They have called the next shop on the list, or simply moved on.
An auto-reply does not close the sale on its own. What it does is buy you time honestly: it tells the customer they have been heard, when they will get a real answer, and what to do next.
The three free tools in WhatsApp Business
- Greeting message: sent automatically when someone messages you for the first time, or after 14 days without a conversation.
- Away message: sent automatically when a message arrives outside your business hours, or whenever you switch it on.
- Quick replies: saved answers you send yourself by typing “/” and a shortcut, like /price or /location.
The first two run on their own. The third saves you typing the same answer fifty times a day. All three are free in the WhatsApp Business app.
Greeting messages
Keep greetings short. Say who you are, set an expectation, and give the customer something useful to do.
Hi! Thanks for messaging [Business name]. We usually reply within [30 minutes] during business hours. How can we help you today?
Hello and welcome to [Business name]! 👋 To help you faster, tell us what you need: 1. Prices 2. Book an appointment 3. Location and timings Just reply with a number.
Hi there! Thanks for reaching out to [Business name]. Could you share your name and what you are looking for? We’ll get back to you with the details shortly.
Welcome to [Business name]! You can see all our services and prices at [website]. Have a question? Ask here and we’ll reply soon.
Hi! This is [Your name] from [Business name]. Thanks for getting in touch 😊 I’ll reply personally within the hour.
Away messages
A good away message does three things. It says you are closed, says when you will reply, and asks for what you need so your first real reply can be useful straight away.
Thanks for your message! We’re closed right now. Our hours are [10 AM to 7 PM, Monday to Saturday]. We’ll reply as soon as we open.
Hi! We’re closed at the moment, but we don’t want you to wait. Please share your name and what you need, and we’ll reply first thing tomorrow morning.
We’re closed right now and will reply when we open at [time]. If it’s urgent, please call [phone number].
Thanks for messaging [Business name]! We’re closed for the weekend and back on Monday at [time]. Your message is safe with us, and we’ll reply then.
Thanks for your patience! We’re helping other customers right now and will reply within [20 minutes].
Holiday and leave messages
Happy [festival]! 🎉 We’re closed from [date] to [date] and back on [date]. Leave your message and we’ll reply as soon as we’re back.
We’re away on [date] and back on [date]. For anything urgent, please contact [name] on [number].
Heads up: during [period] we’re open from [time] to [time]. Messages after that will be answered the next morning.
Quick replies for common questions
These are the answers you find yourself typing again and again. Save each one as a quick reply with a short shortcut, then type “/” in any chat to send it.
Here are our prices: [price list or link]. They include [what’s included]. Would you like to book?
We’re at [address]. Here’s the map: [Google Maps link]. Parking is available [where].
We’re open [days], [time] to [time]. On Sundays we are [closed / open from time to time].
Happy to book you in! Which day and time works best? We have slots at [time 1] and [time 2].
You can pay by [UPI / card / bank transfer]. Here are the details: [payment details or link]. Please share a screenshot once it’s done.
Thanks for checking! Your order [order number] is [status] and should be [delivered / ready] by [date].
Follow-up and thank-you messages
Hi [name], just checking in on your enquiry about [service]. Do you have any questions I can help with?
Thank you for choosing [Business name], [name]! We hope you’re happy with [service or product]. If you have a minute, a review would mean a lot: [review link].
Hi! Sorry we missed your call. How can we help? Reply here and we’ll get back to you right away.
Industry examples
Thanks for your interest in [project name]! Could you share your budget, preferred location and when you plan to move? I’ll send matching options and site visit slots.
Thank you for contacting [clinic name]. For appointments, please share the patient’s name and a preferred day. For emergencies, please call [number] right away.
Thanks for your interest in [course name]! Could you tell us the student’s class and the exam they’re preparing for? We’ll share the batch timings and fees.
How to set them up
Greeting and away messages
- 1Open the WhatsApp Business app and go to Settings. On Android, tap the three dots first.
- 2Tap Business tools.
- 3Choose Greeting message or Away message, and switch it on.
- 4Paste your message. Choose who receives it and, for an away message, when it sends: outside business hours, on a custom schedule, or always.
- 5Tap Save.
Quick replies
- 1Go to Settings, then Business tools, then Quick replies.
- 2Tap the + button.
- 3Type your message and give it a shortcut, such as /price.
- 4In any chat, type “/” to see your saved replies and pick one.
Go one step further: keyword replies
The free app sends the same greeting or away message to everyone, whatever they wrote. If you want the reply to depend on the question, so “price” gets your price list and “where” gets your location, you need a chatbot on the WhatsApp Business API.
Where auto-replies stop working
Auto-replies are a promise, not an answer. They are great for the first few seconds of a conversation, but they cannot:
- answer the specific question the customer asked,
- check your calendar and offer a real slot,
- follow up when the customer goes quiet,
- tell a serious buyer from someone just browsing.
That is where an AI assistant comes in. It reads the message, answers from your own prices and policies, books the appointment, and hands the conversation to you when a person is needed.
Frequently asked questions
Can I set an auto-reply on a personal WhatsApp account?
No. Greeting messages, away messages and quick replies are only in the WhatsApp Business app. The app is free, and you can switch your existing number to it.
Is WhatsApp auto-reply free?
Yes. All three tools in the WhatsApp Business app are free. Automated replies sent through the WhatsApp Business API can carry per-message charges from Meta, plus whatever your provider charges.
How many quick replies can I save?
Up to 50 in the WhatsApp Business app. Give each one a short shortcut, like /price or /location, so it is easy to find.
Can an auto-reply use the customer’s name?
Not in the free app: every customer gets the same text. Personalised replies need the WhatsApp Business API with a chatbot or an AI assistant.
Will an away message annoy regular customers?
You can choose who receives it. For example, send it only to people who are not in your contacts, so regular customers do not see it every time.