# Create a message template & get it approved

> Build a template, submit it to Meta, and track its status.

_Source: https://hexafloww.com/docs/whatsapp/whatsapp-templates_

---

WhatsApp requires every message you start to a customer to use a **template** that Meta has approved in advance. You build templates at `/admin/whatsapp/templates` and submit them for review.

## Template categories

- **Marketing** — promotions, offers, announcements, re-engagement. Subject to opt-in and frequency limits, and priced as marketing messages.
- **Utility** — updates about an existing order, appointment, or account (e.g. "your order has shipped"). Cheaper, and exempt from marketing frequency caps.
- **Authentication** — one-time passcodes only. Fixed layout.

> [!WARNING]
> Pick the honest category. Meta re-categorizes templates that don't match their content, and deliberately mislabelling marketing as utility hurts your quality rating.

## Build and submit a template

1. **Open Templates → New.** Go to `/admin/whatsapp/templates` and click **New template**. You can start from a blank template or one of the built-in starters for Marketing and Utility.
2. **Name it and pick a category and language.** The name must be lowercase with underscores (e.g. `july_sale_2026`). Choose the language you're writing in.
3. **Write the content.** A template can have an optional **header** (text or an image / video / document), a **body**, an optional **footer**, and optional **buttons** (quick replies, a link, a call, or a Flow). Use `{{1}}`, `{{2}}` … as placeholders for values you'll fill in per recipient at send time.

   ![Template builder with header, body, footer and buttons, plus a live phone preview](https://hexafloww.com/docs/whatsapp/template-builder.webp)
4. **Add sample values.** Meta needs an example for every placeholder (and a sample file for a media header) to review the template. HexaFloww checks the rules before you submit and flags problems inline.
5. **Submit for review.** Submit to Meta. Review usually takes minutes to a few hours. You can keep working while you wait.

## Template statuses

- **Pending** — waiting on Meta's review.
- **Approved** — ready to use in campaigns and automations.
- **Rejected** — Meta declined it. HexaFloww emails your admins with the reason. Edit and resubmit.
- **Paused / Disabled** — Meta paused it because of poor quality. Any campaign using it is paused too. Improve the template or switch to another.

### Syncing from Meta

Templates you already created in Meta Business Manager can be pulled in with **Sync from Meta** on the templates page, so you don't have to rebuild them.

> [!TIP]
> **Next steps**
> - [Send a broadcast campaign](https://hexafloww.com/docs/whatsapp/whatsapp-broadcast.md)