First reply to a new chat with menu options
A friendly first reply when someone messages you for the first time, with three tap options so the chat moves past a bare "Hi".
Sent as a reply to a customer who messaged you first, it is a free-form message inside the 24-hour window and costs nothing. If you saved it as a template and sent it to people who had not written in, Meta would read a welcome with a service menu as promotional and bill it as marketing.
Variables
| Variable | What goes in | Example |
|---|---|---|
| {{1}} | customer name | Ritu |
| {{2}} | business name | Sharma Home Services |
When to use it
Set this as the automatic reply to the first message from any new number. Most people open a business chat with "Hi" or "Price?" and then wait, so giving them three obvious next steps keeps the conversation going. Pick button labels that match the three questions you get most often.
Best time to send. Instantly, within a few seconds of the customer's first message, since a fast first reply is what keeps them from messaging your competitor next.
Quick reply for the WhatsApp Business app
No variables in the app: replace the [bracketed] parts before you send.
Hi [customer name], thanks for messaging [business name]! 👋
How can we help you today? Tap one of the options below, or just type your question in your own words.
A real person from our team reads every chat and usually replies within 15 minutes between 10 am and 7 pm.
/firstreply
Meta template-ready version
For WhatsApp Manager or any WhatsApp Business API tool. Checked against Meta's limits.
| Category | MARKETING |
|---|---|
| Language | English (en) |
| Header | None |
| Body | 252/1024 characters, 2 variables |
| Footer | None |
| Buttons | See pricesQuick reply, 10/25 Book a visitQuick reply, 12/25 Talk to a personQuick reply, 16/25 |
Tips
- Look at your last 50 chats and make the three buttons the three questions people actually asked, not the services you wish they asked about.
- Only state a reply time you can keep. "Within 15 minutes" that turns into three hours does more damage than saying "within the day".
- In Kredoo each button can start its own flow, so "See prices" can send your rate card straight away without anyone typing.
Variations
Shorter or warmer versions of the same message.
Hello Ritu, welcome to Sharma Home Services! Are you looking for plumbing, electrical or painting work? Reply with one word and we will take it from there.
Hi Ritu, thanks for reaching out. Tell us what you need and the area you are in, and we will reply with a price and the earliest slot.
Reply in seconds, at any hour
Kredoo's AI agent and auto replies answer new chats with messages like this one, then hand over to your team when a person is needed. Free-form replies inside the 24-hour window cost nothing on WhatsApp.
Related templates
All welcome and first reply- Welcome messageEnglishThank you and welcome after a first purchaseA warm welcome for a first-time buyer that confirms the order, says what happens next and invites them to reply if anything is wrong.
- Welcome messageEnglishAway message when the business is closed for a holidayAn away message for days your business is shut, with the dates you are closed, when you are back, and a number for urgent order issues.
- Welcome messageHindiAfter-hours auto reply in HindiAn after-hours auto reply in Hindi that tells the customer the shop is closed, when you will reply, and asks them to leave their question.
- Welcome messageTeluguWelcome reply for store QR code scans in TeluguA Telugu welcome for walk-in customers who scan the QR code at your counter, inviting them to send product photos and check stock on WhatsApp.
- Festival greetingEnglishEid Mubarak greeting for customersA simple, warm Eid Mubarak message for customers and clients that thanks them for their support, suitable for any kind of business.
- Festival greetingEnglishMerry Christmas greeting for customersA cheerful Christmas message that wishes customers well, thanks them for the year and mentions your holiday hours in one line.
In other languages: After-hours auto reply in Hindi · Welcome reply for store QR code scans in Telugu
More free WhatsApp tools
No sign-up needed.