Your WhatsApp Business greeting message is the first thing a new customer sees — it auto-replies the moment someone messages you for the first time (or after 14 days of silence). A good one feels warm, sets expectations, and points them toward action. A bad one (or none) feels like messaging into a void.
Here are 25 copy-paste examples organized by business type. Tweak the bracketed parts and you’re done.
How to Set It Up
Settings → Business tools → Greeting message → toggle on → type your message → choose recipients (everyone, or everyone except selected contacts). Keep it under 3 lines — nobody reads a paragraph from a bot.
Retail & E-commerce (5)
- 1. “Hi there! 👋 Thanks for messaging [Store Name]. Browse our catalog here [link] or just tell us what you’re looking for — we reply within 2 hours!”
- 2. “Welcome to [Store Name]! 🛍️ New here? Check today’s deals in our catalog. Questions? Ask away, we’re online 9am–9pm.”
- 3. “Hey! Thanks for reaching out. Send us the product name or a screenshot and we’ll confirm price + delivery time right away.”
- 4. “Hello and welcome! 🎉 Use code HELLO10 for 10% off your first order. Browse here: [catalog link]”
- 5. “Hi! This is [Name] from [Store Name]. Looking for something specific? Tell me your budget and I’ll send my top picks.”
Food & Restaurants (5)
- 6. “Hungry? 🍕 You’ve reached [Restaurant]. Here’s our menu: [link]. We deliver in [area] in ~40 mins. What can we get you?”
- 7. “Welcome! Today’s special is [dish] at [price]. Reply ORDER to get it delivered, or ask us anything!”
- 8. “Hi! Thanks for messaging [Café Name] ☕. Table bookings: just send date, time, and party size. We confirm within 30 minutes.”
- 9. “Hey foodie! 🍔 Check our full menu here [link]. Delivery hours: 11am–11pm daily.”
- 10. “Hello! Craving something? Tell us what you’re in the mood for and we’ll recommend the perfect dish.”
Services (Salon, Repair, Freelancers) (5)
- 11. “Hi! Thanks for contacting [Business]. 💇 Tell us the service you need and your preferred date — we’ll confirm your slot within an hour.”
- 12. “Welcome! 🛠️ Describe the issue and share a photo if you can — we’ll give you a free estimate right here.”
- 13. “Hey! This is [Your Name], [your service]. My current availability is [days]. What project are you thinking about?”
- 14. “Hello! ✨ Bookings are open for [month]. Reply with the service + date you want and I’ll lock it in.”
- 15. “Hi there! Thanks for your interest. Quick question to help you faster: is this urgent, or can it wait [timeframe]?”
Professional & B2B (5)
- 16. “Thank you for contacting [Company]. 🏢 We’ve received your message and will respond within one business day. For urgent matters, call [number].”
- 17. “Hello! You’ve reached [Company Name]. Please share your requirement in brief — our team will get back with a quote shortly.”
- 18. “Welcome to [Company]. 📋 To help you faster, please include: your name, company, and what you need a quote for.”
- 19. “Hi! Thanks for reaching out. Our office hours are Mon–Fri, 9–6. Messages outside hours get answered first thing next business day.”
- 20. “Greetings from [Company]! 🤝 Tell us about your project and we’ll schedule a free 15-minute discovery call.”
General Purpose (5)
- 21. “Hi! 👋 Thanks for messaging us. We typically reply within [X hours]. Meanwhile, check our catalog: [link]”
- 22. “Hello and welcome! 😊 How can we help you today?”
- 23. “Hey there! You’ve reached [Business Name]. What’s on your mind?”
- 24. “Welcome! 🎉 We’re excited to hear from you. Drop your question below and we’ll get right back.”
- 25. “Hi! Thanks for stopping by. For fastest service, tell us: 1) What you need 2) When you need it by.”
Writing Your Own: The Formula
Every effective greeting has three parts:
- 1. Warmth — a greeting + your business name (people should know they reached the right place).
- 2. Expectation — when you’ll reply (“within 2 hours,” “9am–6pm”).
- 3. Direction — what to do next (browse catalog, describe the issue, share a photo).
Example assembled: “Hi! Thanks for messaging Bloom Bakery 🧁. We reply within an hour, 8am–8pm. Tell us what you’re craving or browse today’s fresh items here: [link]”
Pair your greeting with a solid away message for off-hours — and if you’re building out the full setup, our content marketing guide for small business covers turning these conversations into repeat customers.
Test two versions for a week each and keep the one that gets more replies. Small wording changes (‘we reply within 2 hours’ vs. ‘typically replies in 2 hours’) measurably change response behavior.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the greeting message trigger?
On a customer’s first message to you, or after 14+ days of no conversation. It does not fire on every message — that’s what quick replies are for.
Can I set different greetings for different customers?
Not natively — one greeting message per account. Workaround: keep the greeting general, then use labels + quick replies to personalize the follow-up.
Should the greeting message include pricing?
Only for a flagship offer or a first-order discount code. Full price lists belong in your catalog, not the greeting.
How long should a greeting message be?
2–3 lines max. It’s an auto-reply — if it looks like an essay, customers stop reading before the useful part.
Greeting message vs. away message — what’s the difference?
Greeting fires for new/returning-after-14-days conversations during business hours. Away message fires outside your set hours. Use both: greeting welcomes, away message manages expectations when you’re closed.