How to Create WhatsApp Business Quick Reply Templates for Your Shop

If you run a shop on WhatsApp, you already know the drill.

"How much is this?" "Do you deliver to Abuja?" "What are your account details?" "Is this available in size 12?"

You answer the same questions dozens of times a day. Every. Single. Day.

Quick replies exist to stop that. Instead of typing the same response from scratch each time, you save it once and send it with two taps. This guide shows you exactly how to set them up and gives you templates ready to copy into your account today.

What Are WhatsApp Business Quick Replies?

Quick replies are saved message shortcuts inside the WhatsApp Business app. You write a message once, give it a short keyword, and whenever you need it, you type a forward slash followed by your keyword and the full message appears instantly.

For example, you save your bank details as "/pay". The next time a customer asks how to pay, you type "/pay", tap the suggestion, and your full payment message is sent in one tap.

They work in any chat. They can include text and images. And they are completely free.

How to Create a Quick Reply

Open WhatsApp Business on your phone. Tap the three dots at the top right of the screen and go to Business Tools. Tap Quick Replies, then tap the plus icon in the bottom right corner.

You will see two fields:

The message field is where you write the full response you want to save. Take your time here. Write it clearly, the way you would want a customer to receive it.

The shortcut field is where you type the keyword. Keep it short, one word, all lowercase. This is what you will type after the "/" to bring up the message.

Tap Save when you are done. The quick reply is now ready to use in any chat.

To use it, open any conversation and type "/" followed by your shortcut. A preview of your saved message will pop up above the keyboard. Tap it and it fills the message box. Review it, personalise if needed, then send.

Quick Reply Templates by Category

Here are templates organised by the type of shop you run. Copy them directly, swap in your own details, and save them.

Payment and Bank Details

Shortcut: /pay

Here are my payment details. Bank: [Bank Name]. Account Number: [Account Number]. Account Name: [Business Name]. Please send your payment receipt after transfer so I can confirm your order. Thank you.

Delivery Information

Shortcut: /delivery

We deliver across Nigeria. Lagos orders take 1 to 2 business days. Orders outside Lagos take 2 to 4 business days depending on your location. Delivery fee is calculated based on your address. Send me your full address and I will give you an exact quote.

Order Confirmation

Shortcut: /confirm

Your order has been confirmed. Here is a summary. Item: [Product Name]. Quantity: [Number]. Total: [Amount]. Payment received. Expected delivery: [Date]. We will send you an update once your order is on its way.

Out of Stock

Shortcut: /stock

Sorry, this item is currently out of stock. We restock on [Day]. I can add you to our waiting list and notify you as soon as it is back. Would you like to see something similar in the meantime?

Size and Variation Guide (Fashion and Hair)

Shortcut: /sizes

Here is our size guide. [Paste your size chart or size options]. If you are between sizes, I recommend going a size up. Not sure which to pick? Send me your measurements and I will help you choose.

Return and Exchange Policy

Shortcut: /returns

We accept returns and exchanges within 7 days of delivery, provided the item is unused and in its original condition. Items must not be worn, washed, or altered. To start a return, reply with your order details and reason for return.

Wholesale and Bulk Order Enquiry

Shortcut: /wholesale

Thank you for your interest in bulk orders. We offer discounted pricing for orders above [Minimum Quantity]. Please send me the specific items and quantities you need and I will prepare a quote for you within 24 hours.

New Customer Welcome

Shortcut: /welcome

Welcome and thank you for reaching out to [Business Name]. We are happy to have you here. Feel free to browse our catalogue and let me know if you have any questions. I am here to help.

Business Hours

Shortcut: /hours

Our working hours are [Day] to [Day], [Time] to [Time]. If you message outside these hours, I will get back to you as soon as I am back. You can browse our catalogue anytime at [your store link].

Follow Up After No Response

Shortcut: /followup

Hi! Just checking in on your earlier enquiry. Were you able to find what you were looking for? I am happy to help if you have any questions or need more information before deciding.

Tips for Getting the Most Out of Quick Replies

Keep your shortcuts simple. One word, easy to remember. You will be typing these quickly in the middle of a conversation so they need to come naturally.

Personalise before you send. Quick replies are a starting point, not a finished message. Always read the message before sending and add the customer's name or specific product details where relevant. A message that feels personal converts better than one that feels copy-pasted.

Review them every month. Your prices change, your policies change, your delivery timelines change. Set a reminder to go through your quick replies once a month and update anything that is no longer accurate.

Create one for every question you answer more than three times a week. If you keep typing the same thing repeatedly, it belongs in your quick replies list.

The Limit Quick Replies Cannot Cross

Quick replies make you faster. They do not make you automatic.

You still have to be online to send them. You still have to confirm every order manually. You still have to chase payments, arrange delivery, and follow up individually with each customer.

As your order volume grows, this becomes harder to manage. Quick replies help with the communication side. But the operational side, taking orders, receiving payments, tracking delivery, handling multiple customers at once, still falls entirely on you.

How Zerrar Takes It Further

When you run your store on Zerrar, the questions your customers ask most often are answered before they even reach you.

Prices are listed clearly. Stock is always up to date. Customers can pay directly without needing your bank details. Order confirmations go out automatically. Delivery is tracked without you having to give updates manually.

Your WhatsApp stays for conversations that actually need you. Everything else runs on its own.

Set up your free Zerrar store at zerrar.com and spend less time replying, more time selling.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many quick replies can I save on WhatsApp Business? You can save up to 50 quick replies. That is more than enough to cover everything a typical seller needs.

Can I add images to my quick replies? Yes. When creating a quick reply, you can attach an image alongside the text. This is useful for sending your price list as an image, a size chart, or a product photo.

Can I use quick replies on WhatsApp Business Web? Yes. Quick replies work on both the mobile app and WhatsApp Business Web. Type "/" in the message box and your saved shortcuts will appear.

Do quick replies work in group chats? Yes. You can use quick replies in any chat including groups. Just type "/" followed by your shortcut and the message will populate as usual.

Can I share my quick replies with a team member? No. Quick replies are saved to your specific WhatsApp Business account and cannot be shared or exported to another device. If you have a team, each person manages their own.

What is the difference between a quick reply and an auto-reply? A quick reply requires you to be online and actively send it. An auto-reply, like an away message or greeting message, sends automatically without any action from you. Quick replies are for speed. Auto-replies are for coverage when you are unavailable.