How to Create a WhatsApp wa.me Link with a Pre-Filled Message (Complete Guide)
Have you ever clicked a WhatsApp button on a website and instantly seen a message already typed in the chat box?
No saving numbers.
No typing from scratch.
Just click and send.
It looks simple from the outside. But behind that simplicity, there’s a specific format that many people still don’t fully understand.
If you're searching for a clear and complete explanation of how to create a WhatsApp wa.me link with a message, this guide will walk you through everything step by step — in a way that’s easy to follow, even for beginners.
Let’s start from the basics.
What Is a WhatsApp wa.me Link?
A wa.me link is the official short link format provided by WhatsApp. It allows someone to open a chat directly with a specific phone number without saving the contact first.
The basic format looks like this:
But if you want to add a pre-filled message, you need to attach an additional parameter to the link.
This is where many people get confused.
The Correct Structure to Create a WhatsApp Link with Message
The full format is:
https://wa.me/phonenumber?text=yourmessage
There are three important rules you must follow:
- Use international phone number format
- Add ?text= correctly
- Replace spaces with URL encoding
Let’s break it down clearly.
Step 1: Use International Phone Number Format
You must:
- Remove the leading zero
- Remove the plus symbol (+)
- Remove spaces or dashes
Example:
Original number: 0812-3456-7890
Converted format: 6281234567890
So your base link becomes:
Step 2: Add ?text= to Insert a Message
To include a pre-filled message, add:
?text=
Example message:
Hello, I’m interested in your product
At first glance, you might write:
https://wa.me/6281234567890?text=Hello, I’m interested in your product
But this won’t work properly yet.
Why?
Because URLs cannot read regular spaces.
Step 3: Replace Spaces with %20
Every space must be replaced with:
%20
So your message:
Hello, I’m interested in your product
Becomes:
Hello,%20I’m%20interested%20in%20your%20product
Now the complete working link is:
https://wa.me/6281234567890?text=Hello,%20I’m%20interested%20in%20your%20product
When someone clicks this link, WhatsApp opens automatically with the message ready to send.
Real Examples for Different Purposes
Here are some practical examples you can use:
For online stores:
https://wa.me/6281234567890?text=Hello%20admin,%20I%20would%20like%20to%20place%20an%20order
For service inquiries:
For reseller requests:
https://wa.me/6281234567890?text=Hello,%20I%20am%20interested%20in%20becoming%20a%20reseller
The more natural your message sounds, the higher the chance users will actually press “Send.”
Common Mistakes When Creating a WhatsApp Link
Many links fail because of small formatting errors. Avoid these common mistakes:
- Using +62 instead of 62
- Keeping the leading 0 (0812…)
- Forgetting to replace spaces with %20
- Typing ? text= with a space
- Using special symbols without encoding them
Even one small mistake can break the link.
The Easiest Way to Create a WhatsApp Link with Message
If you don’t want to manually convert spaces into %20 or worry about formatting issues, there’s a much simpler way.
You can use a WhatsApp link generator tool.
Here’s how:
Download the app on Play Store
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ajakteman.createlinkwa
Enter your phone number
Enter your message
Tap “Create”
Tap “Copy” to copy the generated link
If you prefer not to install an app, you can use the web version:
https://www.ajakteman.com/p/walink.html
These tools automatically handle formatting and encoding, so you don’t have to worry about technical errors.
Why Pre-Filled WhatsApp Links Matter for Business
Using a WhatsApp link with a message is more than just a shortcut.
It helps you:
- Increase customer engagement
- Reduce friction in communication
- Improve professionalism
- Speed up customer responses
- Boost conversion rates
For online sellers, freelancers, content creators, and service providers, this small feature can significantly improve communication efficiency.
The fewer steps customers need to take, the more likely they are to contact you.
So, What’s the Bottom Line?
Creating a WhatsApp wa.me link with a message is actually simple once you understand the format:
Use international number format (without + or leading zero),
Add ?text= after the number,
Replace spaces with %20.
If you want to save time and avoid formatting mistakes, you can use a generator tool or app to automate the process. For a quick and practical solution, you can use the tools available at ajakteman.com to generate your WhatsApp link instantly without technical hassle.