Key takeaways:
- A WhatsApp link for your business is https://wa.me/ followed by your number in international format, with no leading zero, plus sign or spaces.
- Add a pre-filled message with ?text= after the number, and use a different message for each placement so you know where each customer came from.
- Turn the link into a QR code for menus, counters, boxes, invoices and bios, and make sure someone answers the chats it brings.
“I want customers to tap a button and open WhatsApp straight to my number, without saving it.” That is exactly what a wa.me link does. Write your number in international format after https://wa.me/ and anyone who taps it starts a chat with you. Turn it into a QR code and customers just point their camera at it.
The link is free and works with both the WhatsApp Business app and the official platform (API). This guide covers how to build it correctly, how to add a pre-filled message, where to place it, and what replies cost after Meta’s October 2026 pricing update.
How do I create a WhatsApp link for my business number?
- Take the mobile number registered on your business WhatsApp, for example 05XXXXXXXX.
- Drop the leading zero and add Saudi Arabia’s country code 966, so it becomes 9665XXXXXXXX.
- Don’t include a plus sign, 00, spaces, dashes or brackets.
- Build the link: https://wa.me/9665XXXXXXXX
- Test it from another phone before printing or posting, and confirm it opens a chat with your business number.
This format comes from WhatsApp’s official help page. The most common mistake is keeping the leading zero or a plus sign in the link, which breaks it.
How do I add a pre-filled message?
Add ?text= after the number, then your message. When the customer opens the link, the text is already in the typing box and they just tap send. Spaces become %20. Most browsers encode Arabic text automatically, but it is safer to run the message through any URL encoder before printing.
Example: https://wa.me/9665XXXXXXXX?text=Hi%20menu
The smart move is a different message for each placement:
- Instagram bio link: “Hi, I found you on Instagram.”
- QR on restaurant tables: “I’d like to see the menu and order.”
- QR in shipping boxes: “I have a question about my order.”
- Property sign: “I’d like details on listing 12.”
Now the first message tells you what the customer wants and where they came from, with no tracking tool.
For a link without a number, like a “Share with a friend” button, use https://wa.me/?text= with your message, and the customer picks who to send it to.
What is the difference between a wa.me link, a short link and a QR code?
| Type | Looks like | Upside | Watch out |
|---|---|---|---|
| wa.me link with number | wa.me/9665XXXXXXXX | Free and takes a minute to make | Your number is visible in the link |
| Link with pre-filled message | wa.me/9665XXXXXXXX?text=… | The first message shows the source | Customers can edit the text before sending |
| WhatsApp short link | wa.me/message/… | Hides the number, and you can change the message later | On the official platform: up to 2,000 links and QR codes per number |
| QR code | A square printed on a menu or box | Customers scan with the camera and the chat opens | Print it large enough and test before a big print run |
According to Meta’s platform documentation, the pre-filled message on short links and QR codes can be up to 140 characters, codes don’t expire, and Meta provides no scan analytics, to protect user privacy. In the WhatsApp Business app, you’ll find the short link and QR code under business tools.
Where should I place my WhatsApp link to get customers?
- Store and website: a fixed WhatsApp button on product and checkout pages.
- Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok: in the bio and in comment replies.
- Restaurants and cafes: QR on tables, menus and delivery bags.
- Salons and clinics: QR at reception for the next booking.
- Online stores: QR inside the shipping box for questions or reviews.
- Real estate: QR on the property sign with the listing number in the message.
- Invoices and email: in your signature and at the bottom of invoices.
WhatsApp is also rolling out usernames gradually. See what that means for you in our guide to WhatsApp usernames.
What does it cost when a customer messages me from the link?
Incoming customer messages are always free. The WhatsApp Business app has no per-message fees. On the official platform, your replies inside the 24-hour window are service messages: the first 1,000 a month per number carry no fee, then about SAR 0.04 each under Meta’s current rate card.
Example: if you send 3,000 replies in a month, the first 1,000 have no fee, and the other 2,000 × 0.0401 = about SAR 80. If the customer came from a click-to-WhatsApp ad and you reply within 24 hours, a free window opens that can last up to 7 days under Meta’s current pricing page; see our click-to-WhatsApp ads guide. You can model your own numbers with the WhatsApp cost calculator.
How Watsio helps
The link brings the chat, but customers expect a fast reply even when they scan at midnight. Watsio doesn’t generate links or QR codes; you make those with the steps above. What it does: an AI assistant replies to everyone who messages you from the link, in the customer’s Saudi dialect, around the clock. It reads the pre-filled message, completes the booking or order, and hands off to a staff member when needed, while your team works from one shared inbox. The Lite plan starts at SAR 79 a month before VAT.
Related reading: AI auto replies on WhatsApp and WhatsApp for restaurants. You can also see Watsio plans and pricing and try it free for 14 days, no card needed.
Frequently asked questions
How do I write my number in a WhatsApp link?
Use the country code 966 followed by your number without the leading zero, with no plus sign, 00, spaces or dashes. For example, 05XXXXXXXX becomes wa.me/9665XXXXXXXX.
Is a wa.me link free?
Yes. The link itself is free and you can make it yourself. Incoming customer messages are free, and on the official platform your replies count as service messages under Meta’s rate card.
Can I change the pre-filled message after printing a QR code?
If the QR code is built from a wa.me link that contains the text, changing the message needs a new code. WhatsApp short links let you change the pre-filled message without changing the code.
Does the link work with a number on the official platform?
Yes. A wa.me link works with any WhatsApp number, whether it is on the app or on the official platform.
How do I know which link a customer came from?
Use a different pre-filled message for each placement, such as found you on Instagram or from the menu, so the first message tells you the source.
Sources
- WhatsApp Help Center: How to use click to chat
- Meta for Developers: QR codes and short links
- Meta for Developers: WhatsApp Business Platform pricing
Last updated: November 2026 · Watsio team.
