Complete Guide to Click-to-WhatsApp Ads | Strategies and Best Practices

Guide: Ads Click-to-WhatsApp

Complete guide to Click-to-WhatsApp Ads

WhatsApp has become a key channel for direct interaction between businesses and users. Its widespread use, combining immediacy and convenience, makes it an ideal medium for turning advertising interest into real conversations. Click-to-WhatsApp ads allow users to go from viewing an ad on social media to starting a chat directly on WhatsApp with a single click.

This guide provides a detailed description of how this type of ad works, the necessary requirements for its implementation, available configuration options, and best practices for optimizing its performance.

What are Click-to-WhatsApp Ads?

Click-to-WhatsApp ads are a type of ad within the Meta advertising platform (Facebook and Instagram) that allows users to start a conversation on WhatsApp directly from an ad. By clicking the call-to-action (CTA) button, the user is redirected to a chat window with the business, without the need to fill out forms or visit additional pages.

This allows for an immediate and direct connection with the user, facilitating the conversation in a familiar environment. Additionally, by integrating with various visual formats and advertising goals, this feature adapts to both lead acquisition campaigns and more advanced conversion strategies.

To better understand the strategic value of this channel, we recommend consulting the "Practical Guide to WhatsApp Advertising".

Advantages over other advertising formats

Click-to-WhatsApp ads offer distinct advantages over other types of digital ads within the Meta ecosystem:
  • Real Conversations: It's not just about generating clicks, but fostering interactions that can turn into business opportunities.

  • Actionable Data: Each conversation includes the user's phone number, allowing for personalized follow-up.

  • Open rate above 98 %: Communication through WhatsApp ensures high visibility of the message.

  • Immediate Interaction: The user receives a real-time response, increasing satisfaction and the likelihood of conversion.

These features position this type of ad as an effective tool for businesses looking to streamline their contact processes and increase the efficiency of their campaigns.

Prerequisites for launching a campaign

Before launching a campaign with the Click-to-WhatsApp button, it's important to have certain technical and setup elements in place:
  1. WhatsApp Business Account: For scalable and automated campaigns, it is recommended to use the API, preferably through an official provider like WOZTELL.

  2. Active and Linked Facebook Page: This linking is mandatory to enable the WhatsApp button within ads.

  3. Advertising Account in Meta Business Manager: It must be properly configured, with assigned permissions and an active payment method.

  4. WhatsApp Number Integration on the Fanpage: This includes verifying the number and its association within the Business Manager environment.

  5. Compliance with Meta’s Advertising Policies: It is essential to review the specific guidelines for ads that include direct messaging channels.

Meeting these requirements from the outset avoids technical errors that could delay the campaign's launch.

If you want to set up your first Click-to-WhatsApp campaign, we recommend visiting our Guide on How to Create Click-to-WhatsApp Ads.

Campaign types and available formats

Goals Compatible with Click-to-WhatsApp Ads

Meta Ads offers various advertising objectives compatible with the Click-to-WhatsApp button. Choosing the right one depends on the campaign’s intent and the type of interaction expected:
  • Engagement (recommended): Designed to generate conversations. Opens WhatsApp with a pre-defined or blank message. It's the most direct and effective.

  • Traffic: Directs the user to a WhatsApp link (wa.me or API), allowing its use in multi-channel campaigns. Although less specific, it is still useful.

  • Leads: Allows you to replace the traditional form with a conversation, collecting data in a more dynamic way.

  • Conversions: Aimed at completing a specific action, such as a purchase or registration. Its effectiveness increases when connected to CRM or automations.

Compatible Formats

The format of the ad affects its ability to grab attention and facilitate interaction. Among the available options:
  • Single Image: Allows you to convey a clear and concise message with a single visual element. Ideal for highlighting a specific product or benefit.

  • Video: Attractive for campaigns that need to explain processes or show products in use. Recommended for Reels and Stories.

  • Carousel: Displays multiple visual elements in a single ad, useful for catalogs or comparative demonstrations.

  • Collection: Offers an immersive experience to the user, although its use with the WhatsApp button is less common.

Choosing the most appropriate goal and format allows you to optimize the campaign’s performance from its initial setup.

Best practices for optimizing results

Once the campaign is live, continuous optimization actions are essential. Below are recommendations based on experience with multiple accounts:
  1. Define the conversation goal: Before activating any ad, it’s important to define whether the goal is to generate leads, close sales, or address inquiries.

  2. Customize the welcome message: This initial message sets the tone for the interaction. It can be generic or contextualized depending on the ad that triggers it.

  3. Segment smartly: Using historical data, custom lists, or browsing behaviors allows for more precise and profitable audience creation.

  4. Optimize for conversations: This setting in Meta prioritizes users more likely to start a chat, improving budget efficiency.

  5. Design effective creatives: The visual content should be consistent with the message and encourage action. Clear and urgent calls to action are recommended.

  6. Automate initial responses: Using chatbots, you can manage multiple conversations simultaneously, even outside business hours.

  7. Nurture and qualify leads from the start: Collecting useful information in the first exchanges speeds up follow-up and prioritization processes.

  8. Measure relevant KPIs: Key indicators include click-through rate (CTR), cost per click (CPC), cost per initiated conversation, and conversion rate.

  9. Iterate continuously: Analyzing results periodically allows you to adjust messages, segments, and structures to improve overall performance.

  10. Leverage pre-designed templates: WOZTELL offers resources that streamline implementation and standardize the process without compromising personalization.


Last updated 27/05/2025