By QuickMessage Team · Last updated November 3, 2026
Quick answer
To create a WhatsApp link, add your full phone number in international format after https://wa.me/, without the plus sign, spaces, brackets, dashes or leading zeros. For an Indian number 98765 43210, the link is https://wa.me/919876543210. Add ?text= with a URL-encoded message to pre-fill the chat. Turn the link into a QR code for shop counters, packaging and print ads, or add it to a chat button on your website.
Click-to-chat links are the easiest way to get customers to message you first. When a customer starts the chat, you can reply freely for 24 hours, which makes these links useful for both sales and support.
How to create a WhatsApp link
- Start with https://wa.me/
- Add your country code without the plus sign: 91 for India.
- Add your mobile number without spaces, dashes or a leading zero.
Correct: https://wa.me/919876543210
Wrong: https://wa.me/+91-98765-43210
The number must be active on WhatsApp, or the link will show an error.
Add a pre-filled message
Add ?text= followed by your message, with spaces written as %20:
https://wa.me/919876543210?text=Hi%2C%20I%20want%20to%20know%20about%20your%20prices
A pre-filled message tells you where the customer came from. Use a different message for each source, for example "Hi, I saw your Instagram post" or "Hi, I scanned the QR in your store".
Create a WhatsApp QR code
- In the WhatsApp Business app: the app's business tools can show a short link and QR code for your number.
- From your wa.me link: paste the link into any QR code generator and download the image.
- Where to use it: shop counters, bills, product packaging, standees, visiting cards, flyers and print ads.
Add a WhatsApp button to your website
Link any button or icon on your website to your wa.me link:
<a href="https://wa.me/919876543210?text=Hi" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
Chat on WhatsApp
</a>Place it where buyers have questions: product pages, pricing and contact pages.
Where to use WhatsApp links
Instagram and Facebook bio
Let followers message you in one tap.
Email signatures and SMS
Give customers a faster way to reply than email.
Google Business Profile
Add the link as your website or in posts so local searchers can chat.
YouTube descriptions
Turn viewers into leads with a pre-filled enquiry message.
Handle the chats with QuickMessage
Links work with any WhatsApp number. When the chats grow, connect your number to the WhatsApp Business API on QuickMessage: a chatbot flow can greet every customer and ask what they need, and your team can reply from a shared team inbox. Ask customers who message you whether they want future updates, so you can build an opted-in list.
Frequently asked questions
How do I create a WhatsApp link for my number?
Write https://wa.me/ followed by your full number in international format, without the plus sign, spaces, dashes or leading zeros. For India, that is 91 followed by your 10-digit mobile number.
How do I add a message to a WhatsApp link?
Add ?text= after the number, followed by your message with spaces written as %20.
Is a WhatsApp link free?
Yes. Creating and sharing a wa.me link or QR code is free. When customers message you first on the WhatsApp Business API, your replies within 24 hours are service messages, and the first 1,000 each month per number are free.
Turn link clicks into customers
See how QuickMessage greets, qualifies and routes every chat that comes from your links and QR codes.
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