30 WhatsApp Welcome & Greeting Message Examples (2026)

A WhatsApp welcome message is the first impression your business makes on a new contact — and on WhatsApp, where people expect replies in seconds, that first message decides whether they trust you enough to keep chatting. A warm, clear greeting can be the difference between a captured lead and a missed one.

A good welcome message does three jobs at once: it acknowledges the customer instantly, sets expectations (your reply time, your hours), and guides the next step (reply MENU, browse the catalogue, or wait for an agent). Below you will find 30 ready-to-use examples, all written with {{1}} {{2}} variables you can map to your own contact fields.

To use any of these, create a free PayPerWA account, paste the message into the template editor, and submit it for Meta approval. See costs on pricing and the live rates.

The best welcome messages feel like a real person wrote them — warm, brief, and specific to your brand. Before you copy a template, keep these five rules in mind:

• Use the customer's name. {{1}} for the first name instantly makes the greeting feel personal rather than automated.
• Match your brand voice. A sweet shop can say Namaste with an emoji; a law firm should stay formal. Pick the tone your customers expect.
• Set a clear next step. End with one action — reply MENU, share your query, or wait for an agent — so the customer is never stuck.
• Keep it short. Two or three lines is plenty. Long welcome messages get skimmed.
• Be honest about timing. If you reply in 30 minutes, say so. If you are closed, say when you open. Honesty builds trust.

For more on writing approvable copy, see our WhatsApp automation guide.

These all-purpose welcome messages work for almost any business — use them as your default greeting for new contacts. Most are Utility category.

1. Simple warm welcome (Utility) — when to use: any new contact's first message.

Hi {{1}}, welcome to {{2}}! 👋 Thanks for reaching out. How can we help you today?

2. Welcome with reply time (Utility) — when to use: set expectations on response speed.

Namaste {{1}}! 🙏 Thanks for messaging {{2}}. We usually reply within {{3}}. Tell us what you need and we will sort it out.

3. Welcome with menu (Utility) — when to use: route the customer to options.

Welcome to {{1}}, {{2}}! To get started quickly, reply with a number:
1 - Products
2 - Pricing
3 - Talk to a human

4. New subscriber thank-you (Utility) — when to use: after an opt-in.

Thanks for subscribing, {{1}}! ✅ You will now get the best of {{2}} right here. Reply STOP anytime to opt out.

5. Welcome with offer (Marketing) — when to use: reward first-time contacts.

Welcome aboard, {{1}}! 🎁 Enjoy {{2}} off your first order at {{3}} with code {{4}}. Reply STOP to unsubscribe.

6. Friendly brand intro (Utility) — when to use: introduce who you are.

Hi {{1}}! We are {{2}}, your friendly {{3}} in {{4}}. So glad you are here. What can we do for you today?

Retail greetings nudge a shopper toward browsing and buying — pair a warm hello with a clear path to your catalogue. See more in our e-commerce guide.

7. Store welcome (Utility) — when to use: shopper's first message.

Hi {{1}}, welcome to {{2}}! 🛍️ Browse our latest collection here: {{3}}. Reply HELP if you need a hand finding something.

8. Catalogue invite (Utility) — when to use: share your product list.

Hello {{1}}! 👜 Here is our full catalogue: {{2}}. Found something you love? Just reply with the item name to order.

9. First-order discount (Marketing) — when to use: convert new shoppers.

Welcome to {{1}}, {{2}}! 🎉 Here is {{3}} off your first order — code {{4}}, valid for {{5}} days. Reply STOP to opt out.

10. Festive store greeting (Marketing) — when to use: festive season opt-in.

Welcome, {{1}}! 🪔 You have joined {{2}} just in time for our festive sale — up to {{3}} off. Shop now: {{4}}. Reply STOP to unsubscribe.

11. Returning customer hello (Utility) — when to use: a known buyer messages again.

Welcome back, {{1}}! 😊 Great to see you at {{2}} again. Need a reorder or something new? Just let us know.

12. Order help greeting (Utility) — when to use: a buyer needs order help.

Hi {{1}}, happy to help with your order at {{2}}! Please share your order number and tell us what you need.

Service greetings reassure customers and move them toward a booking — ideal for clinics, salons, gyms, and repair services. See our clinics guide for more.

13. Clinic welcome (Utility) — when to use: a patient messages the clinic.

Namaste {{1}}, welcome to {{2}} clinic! 🩺 To book an appointment, reply BOOK. For reports or queries, just type your message.

14. Salon greeting (Utility) — when to use: a salon enquiry.

Hi {{1}}, welcome to {{2}}! 💇 We would love to pamper you. Reply BOOK to schedule, or ask about our services and prices.

15. Gym welcome (Utility) — when to use: a fitness enquiry. See our gyms guide.

Welcome to {{1}}, {{2}}! 💪 Ready to start your fitness journey? Reply PLANS to see memberships or BOOK for a free trial.

16. Appointment-first greeting (Utility) — when to use: booking-driven business.

Hi {{1}}, thanks for contacting {{2}}! 🗓️ Tell us the service you want and your preferred date, and we will confirm a slot for you.

17. Consultation welcome (Utility) — when to use: professional service enquiry.

Hello {{1}}, welcome to {{2}}. We offer {{3}}. Share a few details about what you need and we will guide you on the next step.

18. New patient onboarding (Utility) — when to use: a first-time patient.

Welcome to {{1}}, {{2}}! 🙏 As a new patient, please share your name, age, and concern so we can prepare for your visit.

These greetings are tuned for high-intent enquiries in food, property, and education — they answer the customer's likely question right away. See our restaurants, real estate, and coaching guides.

19. Restaurant welcome (Utility) — when to use: a diner enquiry.

Welcome to {{1}}, {{2}}! 🍽️ View our menu here: {{3}}. Reply BOOK to reserve a table or ORDER for home delivery.

20. Food order greeting (Utility) — when to use: takeaway/delivery enquiry.

Hi {{1}}, hungry? 😋 Welcome to {{2}}! Share your order and area, and we will get it cooking. Delivery in around {{3}} minutes.

21. Real estate welcome (Utility) — when to use: a property enquiry.

Namaste {{1}}, welcome to {{2}}! 🏡 Looking to buy, rent, or sell? Tell us your budget and area, and we will share the best options.

22. Property alert opt-in (Utility) — when to use: subscribe to listings.

You are subscribed, {{1}}! 🔔 You will now get new {{2}} listings in {{3}} matching your budget. Reply STOP anytime to opt out.

23. Coaching institute welcome (Utility) — when to use: a student/parent enquiry.

Welcome to {{1}}, {{2}}! 📚 We coach for {{3}}. Reply DEMO for a free class or FEES for our course details.

24. Admission greeting (Utility) — when to use: admission season enquiry.

Hi {{1}}, thanks for your interest in {{2}}! 🎓 Admissions for {{3}} are open. Share the course you want and we will guide you through it.

Away messages capture leads when you are closed or busy — they set honest expectations so the customer waits instead of leaving. Use them outside your working hours.

25. Standard after-hours (Utility) — when to use: outside business hours.

Hi {{1}}, thanks for messaging {{2}}! We are closed right now. Our hours are {{3}}. We will reply as soon as we are back.

26. Weekend away (Utility) — when to use: closed on weekends.

Hello {{1}}! 🌿 {{2}} is closed for the weekend. We will be back on {{3}} and will reply to your message first thing.

27. Holiday closure (Utility) — when to use: festival/public holiday.

Hi {{1}}, {{2}} is closed for {{3}} on {{4}}. We will reopen on {{5}}. Wishing you a wonderful holiday! 🎉

28. Busy / high volume (Utility) — when to use: heavy enquiry load.

Hi {{1}}, thanks for your patience! We are handling a high volume of messages right now and will reply within {{2}}. We appreciate you waiting.

29. Lunch break (Utility) — when to use: short daily break.

Hi {{1}}! Our team is on a short break and will be back by {{2}}. Drop your query here and we will reply the moment we return.

30. Out-of-office with self-serve (Utility) — when to use: redirect to self-service.

Hi {{1}}, we are away right now. Meanwhile, you can browse {{2}} or check our FAQs here: {{3}}. We will reply by {{4}}.

A plain greeting costs far less than one carrying an offer — the category decides Meta's fee. PayPerWA adds a flat ₹0.20 (or $0.004 international) per message regardless, with no subscription.

Rates outside India vary — see rates. Ready to set up your greeting? Sign up free and explore features.