Build WhatsApp templates and keep an eye on your number's status
If you message a customer first — or their last message is older than 24 hours — WhatsApp only allows templates approved by Meta. In The-Y CRM you build them in the builder with a live preview, take a ready-made one from the gallery and see the status in plain language. On top of that, WhatsApp status shows whether everything is fine with your number.
⏱ First template approx. 5 min · Requirement: WhatsApp connected · Applies to Free & Paid · As of version 1.1.24
1. Which category fits?
Category
What for
Examples
Service
Information about something the customer already asked for or bought — no advertising. Cheaper than marketing.
Anything meant to sell or promote. Costs the most and only goes to contacts with consent.
Welcome, offer of the week, coupon, review request
Verification code
One-time code for sign-in or confirmation. Meta sets the text.
“123456 is your verification code.”
Meta checks the content: if a “Service” template sounds like advertising, it is approved as marketing (more expensive) or rejected. The builder warns you beforehand if a Service template contains promotional words, percentages or codes.
2. Use a template from the gallery
Templates (sidebar) → section WhatsApp templates → “Choose from gallery”.
14 ready-made templates for typical occasions in German, English and Turkish — e.g. appointment confirmation, appointment reminder, appointment moved, job done, ready for pickup, quote, invoice, payment reminder, missed call, review request, welcome, offer of the week, verification code.
“Use” opens it in the builder. There you adjust text and buttons and submit.
3. Your own template in the builder
On the left the form, on the right the live preview on a phone in WhatsApp style. On a phone the builder opens full screen with the “Edit / Preview” switch.
Choose a category (see above).
Name and language. The name is just for you; it is automatically made Meta-compliant (lowercase letters, digits, _).
Header (optional): none, text (at most one variable), image, video or document (PDF). You upload the sample media directly; The-Y stores a copy and later sends it along automatically.
Text with variables. “+ Variable” inserts e.g. first name, company, date, time, amount or number and pre-fills a sample value. Every variable needs a sample value — that way Meta's reviewer sees the finished message. “Fill automatically when sending with” makes sure that, for example, the first name is already filled in when you send from the inbox. You write variables as numbers {{1}} or as names {{first_name}}. Formatting: bold, italic, strikethrough.
Footer (optional), e.g. “Reply STOP to stop receiving messages”.
Buttons (optional): quick reply, website link (also with a variable at the end), call, copy code. Meta's limits are counted visibly as you go.
Check before submitting: The-Y checks the most common reasons for rejection (variable at the start or end, gaps in the numbering, missing sample values, lengths, button rules …). When it says “Ready to submit”, click Submit.
Meta usually reviews within a few minutes, sometimes up to 24 hours. You get a notification in the CRM as soon as the template is approved or rejected.
4. Status, rejection, fixing
The list shows all languages of each template with their status in plain language:
Status
Meaning
Approved
Can be sent — in the inbox, in campaigns and automations.
In review
Meta is reviewing it; usually minutes, at most 24 hours.
Rejected
With the reason translated and “How to fix it”.
Paused / Disabled
Meta has paused or switched off the template because of poor feedback — with tips.
Category changed
“Meta changed the category from … to …” — this affects the cost.
One click each: “Fix and resubmit”, “Duplicate”, “Add language”, delete per language or “Delete all languages”. According to Meta, the category of an approved template can no longer be changed — duplicate it instead. According to Meta, an approved template may be edited at most 10 times in 30 days (once per 24 hours).
The status arrives in real time via Meta notifications; as a safety net, the CRM also checks regularly by itself.
5. Send a template
In the Inbox, in the WhatsApp conversation, click “Send template”.
Search for the template — the language adapts to the contact, first name & co. are already filled in, and the preview shows the real values.
Send. Images, documents, links with a variable and offer codes from the template are sent along automatically — also in campaigns and automations.
Marketing templates in campaigns only go to contacts with explicit consent for WhatsApp. If someone writes “STOP”, they are unsubscribed — see Consent & STOP.
6. WhatsApp status: are there problems with my number?
Settings → Channels → card “🩺 WhatsApp status” → “Details”. For each number a traffic light with one sentence in everyday language, below it every value with an explanation and the next step — often with a direct link into WhatsApp Manager.
Value
What it means
Connection
Whether the number is active on WhatsApp (connected, restricted, banned …).
Quality
How customers reacted over the last 7 days — blocking or reporting lowers it.
Messaging limit
How many different customers you may message with templates in 24 hours. Rises with good quality.
Display name
The name customers see — Meta reviews it; if it is rejected, with the reason translated.
Payment method
Meta bills messages you start directly to you. Without a payment method, templates don't go out.
Account review, business verification
Meta's review of your account and the confirmation of your business (needed for higher limits).
Receiving, access
When a notice from Meta last arrived, and what The-Y uses to send on your behalf.
Sending errors (7 days)
Undelivered messages, grouped by reason — in plain language.
Dashboard: briefly “WhatsApp: all good” or “1 notice”.
Warnings: if the quality drops, the number is restricted or the limit is lowered, all admins get a notification in the CRM and an email — only once per event.
“Check now” asks Meta immediately (at most once per minute). Meta does not provide some values (e.g. the two-step PIN) — then a note with a link is shown instead.
Frequently asked questions
What do templates cost?
The-Y doesn't charge anything for them. Meta bills messages you start directly to you — marketing is the most expensive, service is cheaper. Prices per country: cost page with calculator.
My template was rejected — what now?
Open it in the list: the reason is shown there in plain language with “How to fix it”. Often it helps to have more fixed text, no variable at the start or end, and the right category. Then “Fix and resubmit”.
Can I try templates without sending anything to Meta?
Yes, in the demo: submitting is only simulated there. The sample company shows approved, rejected and paused templates and a yellow status “Display name in review”.
Why can I only message 250 people per day?
That is Meta's starting limit for new numbers without a verified business. You see the current value in WhatsApp status under “Messaging limit”; more on this in Connect WhatsApp.
