On this page

WhatsApp Template Builder: Create and Submit Meta Templates

The WhatsApp Template Builder lets you create WhatsApp message templates and submit them to Meta from inside Nviti. Templates are required for most outbound WhatsApp business messages, especially marketing messages sent through Broadcasts.

Why Templates Are Required

WhatsApp restricts proactive business messaging. If a customer has not recently messaged your business, you usually need an approved template to start or continue the conversation.

Approved templates help you:

  • Send marketing campaigns through Broadcasts
  • Send structured workflow messages
  • Keep messages compliant with WhatsApp policies
  • Reuse consistent copy across campaigns

Before You Create a Template

You need:

  • An active WhatsApp Business account connected in Nviti
  • A valid WABA ID or business account ID
  • A valid access token
  • A clear message purpose and category

Templates are submitted through the WhatsApp Business account you select in the builder. Choose the account that owns the sender number you plan to use for campaigns.

Accessing Template Builder

  1. Open your Workspace
  2. Go to Marketing
  3. Click WhatsApp Templates
  4. Click New Template

Template Fields

Template Name

Use lowercase letters, numbers, and underscores. The builder automatically formats the name as you type.

Examples:

  • june_promo_offer
  • order_ready_pickup
  • appointment_reminder

Use names that your team can understand later.

WhatsApp Business Account

Select the WhatsApp Business account that should own the template submission.

This matters because templates belong to the Meta/WABA account. A template submitted under one WhatsApp Business account may not be available under another account.

Category

Choose the category carefully:

Category Use For
Marketing Promotions, offers, launches, re-engagement, product announcements
Utility Transactional updates, order status, appointment reminders, account notices
Meta reviews the template against the selected category. A promotional message submitted as Utility may be rejected.

The Nviti builder currently supports the standard Marketing and Utility template formats. Authentication templates have additional product-specific requirements and are not created by this builder.

Language

Select the language code for the template, such as en_US. The same template name can exist in different languages in Meta, but each language is reviewed separately.

The header is optional.

Header Type Description
None No header
Text Short heading text
Image Image media header
Video MP4 video header
Document PDF or document header

Keep media relevant to the message. Meta may reject templates with misleading or unrelated media.

Body Text

The body is the main template message.

Use variables like:

text 
Hello {{1}}, our June offer is live. Use code {{2}} before {{3}}.

When using variables, provide realistic sample values. Meta uses sample values during review.

Choose one variable style for the template:

  • Numbered variables must be consecutive: {{1}}, {{2}}, {{3}}.
  • Named variables use meaningful identifiers: {{customer_name}}, {{order_number}}.

Every variable requires a matching example. Text headers may contain at most one variable. Footers cannot contain variables.

Footer text is optional. Use it for short brand, support, or opt-out context.

Examples:

  • Reply STOP to opt out.
  • Nviti Support
  • Offer valid while stock lasts.

Buttons

You can add up to 10 buttons. Buttons of the same type must remain grouped; a template can include at most two URL buttons and one phone button.

Button Type Description
Quick Reply Customer taps a reply option
URL Opens a link
Phone Number Starts a phone call

Use action-oriented button labels like Shop Now, Book Slot, or Call Support.

Saving a Draft

Use Save as Draft when you are still editing.

Drafts are saved locally in Nviti and are not submitted to Meta. Draft templates cannot be used for production broadcasts until they are submitted and approved.

Submitting to Meta

Use Submit to Meta when the template is ready.

When submission succeeds:

  • Nviti saves the template as PENDING
  • The selected WhatsApp Business account is stored as the template owner
  • Meta response metadata is stored for later reference

The template identity (account, name, language, and variable style) is locked after its first Meta submission. Pending and approved templates are read-only. Use Duplicate as Draft when you need a revised version. Rejected templates can be corrected and resubmitted without changing their locked identity.

Meta usually reviews templates within minutes to hours, but review time can vary.

Syncing Approval Status

Nviti listens for Meta's template status, quality, category, and component update webhooks. Approval, rejection, pause, disable, deletion, and quality changes are saved automatically. The template creator (or company administrators when no creator is recorded) receives an in-app and email notification for important status changes.

Use Sync Status as a manual refresh when a webhook was delayed. Sync from Meta on the catalog imports and refreshes all templates for a selected WhatsApp Business account.

Sync Status asks Meta for the latest template state and updates Nviti with:

  • Approval status
  • Meta template ID
  • Category
  • Language
  • Components
  • Rejection reason when available

Only APPROVED templates are available for template broadcasts.

Status Meanings

Status Meaning
DRAFT Saved locally, not submitted to Meta
PENDING Submitted to Meta, waiting for review
APPROVED Ready for broadcasts and automation
REJECTED Not approved; review the rejection reason and revise
PAUSED / DISABLED Meta has temporarily or permanently stopped delivery

Common Rejection Reasons

Templates may be rejected when they:

  • Use the wrong category
  • Make misleading claims
  • Include unclear discounts or conditions
  • Contain too much promotional language in a Utility category
  • Use variables without meaningful sample values
  • Contain broken or suspicious URLs
  • Do not match your business purpose

Best Practices

  • Choose the correct WhatsApp Business account before submitting.
  • Use an approved Marketing template for promotional broadcasts.
  • Keep copy specific, useful, and easy to understand.
  • Include opt-out language in marketing templates where appropriate.
  • Avoid all caps, excessive punctuation, and misleading urgency.
  • Use realistic sample values for every variable.
  • Ensure the Meta app webhook subscription includes message_template_status_update, message_template_quality_update, message_template_components_update, and template_category_update.

Keywords

WhatsApp template builder, Meta templates, WhatsApp approval, template submission, WhatsApp Business account, WABA templates, marketing templates