How to Set Up Auto-Reply Messages on WhatsApp Business (With Templates)

You're asleep. A customer sends a message asking about your wig collection. They wait. No reply. By morning, they've already bought from someone else.

This happens to Nigerian sellers every single day. Not because they don't care, but because they can't be online 24 hours a day.

Auto-reply messages fix this. They respond to customers the moment they message you, even when you're busy, sleeping, or off your phone. This guide shows you exactly how to set them up on WhatsApp Business, plus templates you can use immediately.

What Are Auto-Reply Messages on WhatsApp Business?

WhatsApp Business has three built-in automatic messaging features:

Away messages send a reply automatically when you're not available. You set your "away" hours and WhatsApp handles the rest.

Greeting messages send a welcome reply the first time someone messages your business, or after 14 days of no contact.

Quick replies are saved message shortcuts you type with a "/" to send common responses instantly. They're not fully automatic but they save you a lot of time.

All three are free and built into the WhatsApp Business app.

How to Set Up an Away Message

An away message goes out automatically when a customer messages you during hours you've marked as unavailable.

Open WhatsApp Business and tap the three dots at the top right. Go to Business Tools, then tap Away Message. Switch it on.

You'll see three schedule options:

"Always send" sends the away message at all times, even when you're active. Use this if you want every new message to get an instant reply first.

"Custom schedule" lets you set specific hours. For example, you might set it to reply automatically between 10pm and 8am when you're not working.

"Outside business hours" uses the hours you've already set in your business profile. If you've told WhatsApp your hours are 9am to 6pm, away messages go out automatically outside those hours.

Type your message in the box, then tap Save.

Away Message Templates You Can Copy

Here are templates that work well for Nigerian sellers. Edit them to match your brand.

Simple and clear: Hi! Thanks for reaching out. I'm not available right now but I'll reply as soon as I'm back. To see what I have in stock, check my catalogue.

With expected response time: Hello! I've received your message and I'll get back to you within a few hours. If you need something urgently, you can browse my full catalogue while you wait.

For a fashion or beauty seller: Hi there! Thanks for messaging [Your Business Name]. I'm away at the moment but I'll reply shortly. In the meantime, feel free to browse my catalogue to see current stock and prices.

For food sellers: Hello and thank you for your message! I'm currently away from my phone. I'll respond as soon as I'm back. Orders placed after [time] will be processed the next morning.

How to Set Up a Greeting Message

A greeting message goes to someone the first time they message your business. It's your first impression, so make it count.

Go to Business Tools, tap Greeting Message, and switch it on. Write your message and save.

WhatsApp sends this automatically to anyone who messages you for the first time, or after 14 days of inactivity.

Greeting Message Templates You Can Copy

Warm and welcoming: Hi! Welcome to [Your Business Name]. Thanks for reaching out. How can I help you today? Feel free to browse our catalogue to see what we have available.

With a question to qualify the customer: Hello and welcome! Thanks for messaging [Your Business Name]. Are you looking for something specific today, or would you like to browse our full collection first?

For a hair vendor: Hi! Welcome to [Business Name], your go-to for quality wigs and hair extensions in Nigeria. What are you looking for today? We have our full catalogue ready for you to browse.

For a skincare seller: Hello! Welcome to [Business Name]. Thanks for reaching out. Are you shopping for yourself or as a gift? I'll point you in the right direction.

How to Set Up Quick Replies

Quick replies are saved responses you can send with just a few keystrokes. They are not automatic but they save you from typing the same things over and over.

Go to Business Tools and tap Quick Replies. Tap the plus icon to add a new one. Write the full message, then give it a shortcut keyword.

For example, you could save your payment details as "/pay" and your delivery info as "/delivery". When a customer asks how to pay, you type "/pay" and the full message appears. One tap to send.

Quick Reply Templates You Can Copy

Payment details: Shortcut: /pay Message: Here are our payment details. Bank: [Bank Name]. Account Number: [Number]. Account Name: [Business Name]. Please send your payment receipt after transfer so we can confirm your order quickly.

Delivery information: Shortcut: /delivery Message: We deliver across Nigeria. Lagos orders arrive within 1 to 2 days. Orders outside Lagos take 2 to 4 business days. Delivery fee depends on your location. Send your address and I'll give you an exact quote.

Out of stock reply: Shortcut: /stock Message: Sorry, this item is currently out of stock. We restock every [day]. I'll add you to our waiting list and notify you as soon as it's back. Would you like to see similar items?

Price list: Shortcut: /prices Message: Here is our current price list. [Paste your price list]. Prices include VAT. Delivery is charged separately based on your location.

Order confirmation: Shortcut: /confirm Message: Your order has been received! Here's a summary: [Item]. [Quantity]. [Amount]. Payment: [Status]. Expected delivery: [Date]. We'll send you an update when your order is on its way.

What These Features Cannot Do

WhatsApp Business auto-replies are helpful, but they have limits worth knowing.

They cannot take an order on your behalf. The customer still has to wait for you to confirm, collect payment, and arrange delivery manually.

They cannot track whether a customer has been followed up with. If 20 people message you at once, you have to remember where you left off with each one.

They cannot process payments. Every sale still requires you to chase the transfer, confirm receipt, and send a receipt manually.

They cannot send broadcasts or follow up automatically. If a customer browses and leaves without buying, there's no way to follow up without doing it yourself.

For sellers handling a low volume of orders, this is manageable. But as your business grows, manual handling gets expensive in time and missed sales.

How Zerrar Handles This Automatically

Zerrar automates the parts that WhatsApp Business cannot.

When a customer visits your Zerrar store, they browse your full catalogue, select what they want, and pay directly. You get a notification. The order is confirmed. A receipt goes to the customer automatically.

No manual payment chasing. No copy-pasting order details. No forgetting to follow up.

Your WhatsApp stays for relationship building, questions, and customer care. Zerrar handles the commerce side so you can focus on selling more.

Start your free store at https://zerrar.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are WhatsApp Business auto-replies free? Yes. Away messages, greeting messages, and quick replies are all free features built into the WhatsApp Business app. You do not need to pay anything to use them.

Can I set different auto-replies for different customers? No. WhatsApp Business sends the same message to everyone. If you need personalised automated replies based on what a customer is asking, you need the WhatsApp Business API, which platforms like Zerrar provide.

Will my auto-reply send even if I'm online? It depends on your setting. If you set the away message to "Always send," it will go out even when you're active. If you set it to a custom schedule or outside business hours, it only sends during those times.

How many quick replies can I save? You can save up to 50 quick replies on WhatsApp Business. That is enough to cover most of what you say repeatedly in a typical sales conversation.

Can I include images or links in my auto-replies? You can include links in your away and greeting messages. Images are not supported in automated messages, only in quick replies where you add them manually before sending.

What's the difference between an away message and a greeting message? An away message sends when you are unavailable. A greeting message sends the first time someone messages you, regardless of whether you are online or not. Both can be active at the same time.