Marketing on WhatsApp: How to automate the first contact

Published in July 2026 • 8 min read

WhatsApp is, without a shadow of a doubt, the most powerful communication platform in Brazil. With more than 170 million active users, the application is present on practically all smartphones in the country and has become Brazilians' favorite channel for communicating — not only with friends and family, but also with companies. Recent studies show that 76% of Brazilians have already used WhatsApp to communicate with brands, and 66% prefer to buy from companies that offer service through the app.

But here's the problem every entrepreneur faces: you're not available 24/7. And it's exactly between 10pm and 7am — when most salespeople are asleep — that many potential customers browse social media, discover products and decide to get in touch. If your WhatsApp link leads to an empty conversation that will only be responded to 8 hours later, the chances of losing that sale are huge.

What are WhatsApp Links with Pre-filled Message?

WhatsApp offers native functionality that allows you to create direct links to start a conversation with a specific number — and, crucially, with a pre-typed message for the customer. When the customer clicks on the link, WhatsApp automatically opens with the message ready. Just click "Submit".

This is the first step towards automation: instead of the customer needing to think about what to write ("Hi, I saw your product on Instagram, how much does it cost?"), the message is already formatted with context, product identification and even campaign tracking data.

With Free Conversion WhatsApp Link Generator, you can create these links in seconds, without having to memorize WhatsApp API syntax or deal with special character encoding.

Why is the pre-populated message so important?

The pre-populated message solves three critical problems at once:

1. Reduces first contact friction

Many people give up contacting a company simply because they don't know what to write. The pre-populated message eliminates this psychological barrier — the customer just needs to press a button.

2. Provides immediate context to the seller

When you receive "Hello! I saw the Nike Air Max 90 Sneakers on Instagram (Ref: PROMO-INSTA-23) and would like to know more about availability and price", you know exactly which product the customer wants, which campaign it came from and can respond in a personalized and quick way.

3. Allows campaign tracking

By including identifiers in the pre-populated message (like "I saw it on Instagram", "I saw it on Google", "I saw it in the flyer for store X"), you can track which marketing channels are generating the most leads, even without sophisticated analytics tools. Just count how many messages arrive with each identifier.

Automation strategies for the first contact

Although the WhatsApp link with pre-filled message is the first step, there are ways to go further:

Out of Office Messages

Set up automatic out-of-office messages in WhatsApp Business for non-working hours. Example: "Hello! Thank you for getting in touch. We are outside opening hours, but we received your message and will respond as soon as possible, tomorrow from 8am. In the meantime, check out our catalogue: [link]".

Greeting messages

Set up an automatic greeting message for new contacts: "Welcome to [Company Name]! 😊 How can we help you today? 1️⃣ View catalog 2️⃣ Place an order 3️⃣ Speak to a customer service representative."

Quick responses

Create shortcuts to frequently asked questions (price, payment methods, delivery time, exchange policy). On WhatsApp Business, simply type "/" to access registered quick replies.

Where to use WhatsApp links

Distribute your WhatsApp links strategically across the following channels:

• Instagram Bio: The most visited place by potential customers. Use a different link to track which leads came from Instagram.
• Stories and Reels: Add link stickers with calls like “Contact Us” or “Get Yours.”
• Google My Business: Add the WhatsApp link as a contact button.
• Paid ads: Use WhatsApp links as a destination for ads on Facebook and Instagram with personalized messages per campaign.
• Email marketing: Include "Contact us on WhatsApp" buttons in emails.
• Website: Add a floating WhatsApp button on every page.
• Printed materials: Combine the WhatsApp link with a QR Code printed on business cards, flyers and packaging.

Metrics to track

To evaluate the effectiveness of your marketing strategies via WhatsApp, monitor:

• Volume of messages received: How many new contacts arrive per day/week.
• Response rate: How long, on average, does it take you to respond to the first contact.
• Conversion rate: Of every 10 contacts received, how many become customers.
• Source of leads: Which channels (Instagram, Google, flyer, etc.) generate the most contacts.

Conclusion

WhatsApp is not just a messaging app — it is the biggest sales machine in Brazil. By using WhatsApp links with pre-populated messages, automatic away messages and quick replies, you ensure that no customer is lost, even when you are sleeping. Create your link now and start converting more leads into sales today.