How to create a link to WhatsApp with a phone number - briefly?
To create a link to WhatsApp with a phone number, you need to follow this format: https://wa.me/<country code><phone number>. For example, to reach +1 234567890 in the US, use https://wa.me/1234567890.
How to create a link to WhatsApp with a phone number - in detail?
Creating a link that opens WhatsApp directly and pre-fills the recipient's phone number is a straightforward process. This feature can be particularly useful for businesses looking to facilitate customer communication or for individuals aiming to simplify contact sharing. Below, we will delve into the detailed steps required to generate such a link.
Understanding the Format
WhatsApp links follow a specific format that includes the recipient's phone number and an optional message. The basic structure of the link is as follows:
https://wa.me/[country code][phone number]?text=[url encoded text]
Here, [country code] is the international dialing code for the country where the recipient's phone number is registered (e.g., +1 for the United States), and [phone number] is the local phone number without the leading zero or any special characters like parentheses or dashes. The ?text= part is optional and allows you to pre-fill a message in the chat.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Identify the Country Code: Determine the international dialing code for the country where the recipient's phone number is registered. For example, +1 for the United States or +44 for the United Kingdom.
- Prepare the Phone Number: Ensure the phone number is in a plain format without any special characters or leading zeros.
- Construct the Link: Combine the country code and the phone number into a single string, then append it to
https://wa.me/. If you wish to include a pre-filled message, add?text=followed by the URL-encoded text of your message.
Example
Suppose you want to create a WhatsApp link for a user in the United States with the phone number (123) 456-7890 and you wish to pre-fill the message "Hello!".
- Country Code: +1
- Phone Number: 1234567890 (remove parentheses, spaces, and dashes)
- Message: "Hello!" (URL encoded as
Hello%20%21)
The resulting link would be:
https://wa.me/+11234567890?text=Hello%20%21
URL Encoding
If your message includes special characters or spaces, you must URL encode it. Many online tools can help with this process if manual encoding seems daunting. For example, the space in "Hello!" becomes %20, and the exclamation mark becomes %21.
Testing the Link
After constructing your link, test it on different devices to ensure it works as expected. Open the link in a web browser or click it from an email or SMS to verify that WhatsApp opens with the correct phone number and pre-filled message (if applicable).
By following these steps, you can create functional WhatsApp links tailored to your specific needs, enhancing communication efficiency for both personal and professional use.