Sharing Links on WhatsApp: Direct Message Link, Short Link and QR Code

For many businesses, customer communication starts on WhatsApp. Instead of waiting for customers to save your number and write a message, you can share a link that starts the chat with one tap. When you shorten that link and turn it into a QR code, you can use it everywhere.

What is a direct message link?

A direct message link takes the person who taps it to a WhatsApp chat with your number. The link starts with wa.me/ followed by your phone number written with the country code, without a plus sign or spaces. For example, it looks like wa.me/905xxxxxxxxx. If you like, you can also add ?text= at the end of the link to define a ready-made message.

Why should you shorten it?

• Long links with a ready message look messy; a short link looks tidy.
• A QR code made from a short address is easier to scan.
• With a separate link for each place of use, you see which channel brings more chats.

Where can you use it?

• As a QR code on windows, at the till and on table cards
• On business cards and brochures
• In social media bios and post descriptions
• In your email signature and on contact buttons on your website
• In campaign messages and posters

How do you write a good ready message?

• Keep it short and say who it is from: "Hello, I am writing from your website."
• Make the request clear: "I would like a price quote" or "I would like to book".
• Use a different ready message for each channel; that way you see who started the chat from where.

Measurement and privacy

The short link’s click count shows how many people tried to start the chat; whether the chat really started you see on the WhatsApp side. When collecting customer information, follow personal data protection rules and state what you will use their data for when you share your number.