Communicating with your customers has never been easier. There are tons of ways to contact your business: email, chat, telephone, self-scheduling an appointment, and WhatsApp.
WhatsApp is fantastic for sharing information quickly and conveniently—for you and your customers. It’s already built into everyday life, it’s informal and can turn curious leads into booked appointments.
But what about those times when you can’t reach your mobile? You don’t want to leave people waiting, so let’s dive into how you can use WhatsApp away messages to keep in touch.
WhatsApp is all about personal chats with family, friends, acquaintances, work colleagues, and anyone else. But WhatsApp Business, launched in 2018, helps brands communicate at scale with their audience.
Features like quick replies, automated messages, and catalogs make it easy to streamline communication and help your customers find exactly what they need. It’s perfect for when you’re busy with a client, traveling to your next job, or simply can’t reach your mobile. Life happens—and we all need a screen break from time to time.
Some of the most valuable features include the ability to customize your automated message to welcome customers and provide your booking link for easy appointment scheduling. You can also edit your quick replies to answer FAQs about your service or brand. The easier you make their journey, the more appointments you’ll secure.
It’s a customizable automated message sent to your customers when you are unable to respond. It’s like an ‘out-of-office’ reply for your WhatsApp.
Using away messages helps protect your personal time (super important for small business owners) without keeping leads and customers waiting. 90% of customers expect an immediate response (within 10 minutes) to their questions. Your away message ensures you get to them instantly, and gives you more time to get back to them personally.
While nothing beats real human-to-human communication, having a tailored WhatsApp away message still creates that valuable first impression. It reflects your brand’s voice and sets the stage for direct conversations down the line. Skip the generic AI responses—show potential customers the personalized service you offer and how you’re there for them, right from the start.
Getting started is simple, and can be the difference in securing a booking or losing out on a new customer.
How to set auto message in WhatsApp:
For any service-based business, adding a booking link to your away message lets customers book an appointment with just a few taps. 70% of customers prefer booking appointments online, so giving them that option is a no-brainer. It saves time, boosts your chances of filling your calendar, and makes things that much easier for you and your customers.
To get detailed instructions, check out WhatsApp’s support article.
Ensure your customers feel acknowledged and know when they can expect a reply from you with a super clear and friendly away message. Try to include things like your brand name, when you’ll get back to them, and where they can find more information or book an appointment.
Here are two different examples:
‘Hi there! 👋 Thanks for contacting us here at [your brand name]. We are currently away as our hours are [your opening hours]. We will get back to you within [timeframe]. In the meantime, please check out our website for more information and our services at [your URL], or to book an appointment directly here: [your booking link].
We look forward to connecting with you very soon!’
Automated WhatsApp messages keep things brief while remaining welcoming and informative. Remember to give customers clear instructions tailored to your business. The examples above are templates—feel free to edit them to match your brand’s needs and tone of voice.
Who doesn’t love a warm welcome? Automating your greeting message ensures you offer just that. Let your brand personality shine through and offer them insights into your business and offering right away.
For example:
Hi there and thanks for reaching out to [Your Brand Name]! If you’re looking for [service type], you’ve come to the right place.
Please check our FAQs [link to your FAQs] for quick queries, or check out our services here: [link to services section of Booking Page]. If you’d prefer to speak with a friendly voice, call us at [your phone number]. Ready to make an appointment? Book a time that suits you here: [your booking link].
We’ll be in touch with you shortly, but if you have any additional details about your request to share, simply reply with more information.
We look forward to serving you soon — the [Your Brand Name] team.
As you can see, the greeting message includes a bit more information. It provides your customers with several options, helping to address their needs even before you respond. Customize it to suit your business needs and ensure your customers aren’t kept waiting.
WhatsApp helps small businesses maintain direct communication with clients—even when you’re unavailable. Whether you’re busy with a customer or taking a well-deserved break, WhatsApp keeps you connected.
For additional support, having a call answering service like AnswerConnect ensures you never miss a call, even when you’re tied up. Their team follows your customizable script to provide consistent and helpful information, ensuring your customers feel heard and valued.
If you’re in a service-based industry, many clients will reach out to schedule an appointment—even after you’re closed. In fact, 40% of bookings are made outside of operating hours. A branded and user-friendly Booking Page ensures you secure appointments any time of the day and provides a consistent customer experience from start to finish.
Using your away message for business WhatsApp helps keep communication open with your clients from the get-go and helps you land more bookings. You can also send your booking link directly in chats and include it in your WhatsApp description.
If you’re interested in more small business tips, check out our resource section. Are you searching for automated online scheduling software? Get started with Setmore for FREE and receive 24/7 human support.
Happy scheduling!
by Lee
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