Creating a link that directly opens WhatsApp is useful for websites, emails, social media, landing pages, and promotional campaigns. Here is how the wa.me format works and how to prepare a pre-filled message without errors.
Creating a direct WhatsApp link is one of the easiest ways to allow customers, readers, or contacts to start a conversation immediately without having to manually save a number in their contacts. It is a useful solution for websites, landing pages, emails, newsletters, social profiles, product pages, advertising campaigns, and QR codes.
The advantage is immediate: the user clicks the link, WhatsApp opens, and the conversation is already ready. If you want, you can also add a pre-filled message, so whoever contacts you doesn’t even have to write the first sentence from scratch.
In this guide, we will see how to create a direct WhatsApp link, how to correctly format the number, how to add a ready-made message, which mistakes to avoid, and how to use the link on a WordPress site, in an email, on social media, or in a QR code.
What is a direct WhatsApp link
A direct WhatsApp link is a clickable address that opens a WhatsApp chat with a specific number. Instead of writing “contact us on WhatsApp” and leaving the user the task of copying the number, you can create a link that directly starts the conversation.
The most commonly used format is this:
https://wa.me/NUMERODITELEFONOInstead of PHONENUMBER you must enter the full number in international format, without spaces, dashes, parentheses, or the plus symbol.
For example, an Italian number must start with 39, which is Italy’s international dialing code. The symbol + should not be entered in the link.
How to correctly write the number in the WhatsApp link
The most important part is the number formatting. If the number is written incorrectly, the link might not work, or WhatsApp might not be able to open the correct conversation.
The general rule is simple: you must use the full number in international format, but without any symbols.
Example of a normally written number:
+39 333 123 4567In the WhatsApp link it becomes:
https://wa.me/393331234567So you need to remove:
- the +;
- spaces;
- dashes;
- parentheses;
- any non-numeric characters.
However, be careful: you should not remove digits that actually belong to the number. For example, in Italian landlines the zero after the international prefix can be part of the number and should not be automatically removed. The important thing is to only remove symbols and spaces, not alter the real number.
Basic WhatsApp link without message
The simplest link is one that directly opens a WhatsApp chat with the indicated number.
The structure is this:
https://wa.me/NUMEROCONPREFISSOINTERNAZIONALEExample:
https://wa.me/393331234567This link opens WhatsApp and allows the user to start a conversation with that number. It is useful when you want to give the person freedom to write whatever message they prefer.
You can use it, for example, behind a button like:
<a href="https://wa.me/393331234567" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Scrivici su WhatsApp</a>How to create a WhatsApp link with a pre-filled message
A WhatsApp link can also contain a pre-filled message. In this case, when the user clicks the link, WhatsApp opens with a message already ready in the text field.
The structure is this:
https://wa.me/NUMERODITELEFONO?text=MESSAGGIOHowever, the message must be written in URL encoded format. This means spaces, accents, apostrophes, and special characters need to be converted into a format compatible with the link.
For example, this sentence:
Ciao, vorrei ricevere maggiori informazionibecomes:
Ciao%2C%20vorrei%20ricevere%20maggiori%20informazioniThe complete link will be:
https://wa.me/393331234567?text=Ciao%2C%20vorrei%20ricevere%20maggiori%20informazioniWhen the user clicks, WhatsApp opens the chat and shows the message already written. However, it is the user who decides whether to send it: the link does not send the message automatically.
Examples of pre-filled WhatsApp messages
The pre-filled message must be brief, clear, and consistent with the context where the link is placed. If the link is on a contact page, it can be generic. If it is on a product page, a landing page, or a promotion, it is better to make it more specific.
Message for information request
https://wa.me/393331234567?text=Ciao%2C%20vorrei%20ricevere%20maggiori%20informazioni.Message for booking
https://wa.me/393331234567?text=Ciao%2C%20vorrei%20prenotare%20un%20appuntamento.Message for quote
https://wa.me/393331234567?text=Ciao%2C%20vorrei%20richiedere%20un%20preventivo.Message for support
https://wa.me/393331234567?text=Ciao%2C%20ho%20bisogno%20di%20assistenza.Message for request from a specific page
https://wa.me/393331234567?text=Ciao%2C%20ho%20visto%20la%20vostra%20offerta%20sul%20sito%20e%20vorrei%20maggiori%20informazioni.How to convert text to URL encoded format
To correctly create a pre-filled message, the text must be encoded. Some characters cannot be inserted into the link as they are.
Spaces, for example, can be converted into %20. A comma can become %2C. Other special characters are converted similarly.
Example:
Ciao, vorrei informazioni sul servizioEncoded version:
Ciao%2C%20vorrei%20informazioni%20sul%20servizioTo avoid errors, you can use an online URL encoding converter or, if you work with JavaScript code, you can use the function encodeURIComponent.
encodeURIComponent("Ciao, vorrei informazioni sul servizio")The result can be inserted after ?text= in the WhatsApp link.
How to insert a WhatsApp link in WordPress
If you use WordPress, you can insert a WhatsApp link in several ways. The simplest method is to add it to a button, a menu item, an HTML block, or a clickable phrase inside a page.
For example, you can write:
<a href="https://wa.me/393331234567?text=Ciao%2C%20vorrei%20ricevere%20maggiori%20informazioni." target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contattaci su WhatsApp</a>If you use the WordPress block editor, you can also create a normal button and insert the link in the URL field. In this case, it is not necessary to write HTML code, just copy the complete WhatsApp link.
If you use Elementor or another page builder, you can insert the link into the button, the WhatsApp icon, a contact box, or a call-to-action section.
How to use the WhatsApp link in emails and newsletters
The WhatsApp link can also be used in emails. You can insert it as a text link or behind a button.
For example:
Hai bisogno di informazioni? Scrivici su WhatsApp: https://wa.me/393331234567Or you can use a more polished call to action:
<a href="https://wa.me/393331234567?text=Ciao%2C%20vi%20contatto%20dalla%20newsletter." target="_blank" rel="noopener">Scrivici su WhatsApp</a>In a newsletter, the pre-filled message can be very useful because it allows you to understand where the contact is coming from. For example, you can use phrases like “I am contacting you from the newsletter” or “I read your email and would like more information.”
How to use the WhatsApp link on Instagram, Facebook, and other social networks
A WhatsApp link can also be inserted in social profiles, bios, sponsored posts, stories, or advertising campaigns.
On Instagram, for example, you can use it as a link in the bio or insert it on a landing page with multiple links. On Facebook, you can add it in posts, page information, or in campaigns inviting users to contact you.
In these cases, it’s important to use a pre-filled message consistent with the channel. For example:
https://wa.me/393331234567?text=Ciao%2C%20vi%20contatto%20da%20Instagram.Or:
https://wa.me/393331234567?text=Ciao%2C%20ho%20visto%20la%20vostra%20promozione%20su%20Facebook.This way, when you receive the message, you immediately get an indication of the contact’s origin.
How to create a QR code for WhatsApp
Once you have created the WhatsApp link, you can also turn it into a QR code. This solution is useful for flyers, business cards, menus, brochures, shop windows, packaging, events, and printed materials.
The process is simple:
- create the WhatsApp link with number and, if needed, a pre-filled message;
- copy the complete link;
- insert it into a QR code generator;
- download the QR code;
- test it on a smartphone before printing or publishing it.
The final check is essential: before using the QR code on final material, verify that it opens the correct number and that the pre-filled message is accurate.
Common mistakes to avoid
Many WhatsApp links do not work because the number or message was entered incorrectly. The most frequent mistakes are simple, but can make the link unusable.
Including the plus symbol in the number
In the WhatsApp link the number must not contain the symbol +. The international prefix should be written using digits only.
Incorrect:
https://wa.me/+393331234567Correct:
https://wa.me/393331234567Using spaces or dashes
The number must be written without spaces, dashes, or parentheses.
Incorrect:
https://wa.me/39 333 123 4567Correct:
https://wa.me/393331234567Not encoding the message
If the message contains spaces or special characters, it must be encoded. Otherwise, the link might malfunction or break.
Better to avoid:
https://wa.me/393331234567?text=Ciao, vorrei informazioniBetter to use:
https://wa.me/393331234567?text=Ciao%2C%20vorrei%20informazioniCreating messages that are too long
A pre-filled message should not be too long. Its purpose is to facilitate initial contact, not to replace a full conversation.
A good formula is:
Ciao, vorrei informazioni su [servizio/prodotto/offerta].This way the message is clear, natural, and easy to send.
Does the WhatsApp link also work with WhatsApp Business?
Yes, the direct link can also be used with a number connected to WhatsApp Business. In fact, for companies, professionals, shops, restaurants, accommodation facilities, and local businesses, it is often one of the most practical solutions to receive quick requests.
The link’s operation does not change: you must always use the number in international format and, if you want, you can add a pre-filled message.
The difference is that, using WhatsApp Business, you can better manage the business profile, quick replies, hours, catalog, and some automations provided by the app.
When it is convenient to use a direct WhatsApp link
A direct WhatsApp link is useful whenever you want to reduce the steps between the user’s interest and the contact.
It can be used for:
- information requests;
- reservations;
- quotes;
- customer support;
- commercial requests;
- promotional campaigns;
- leads from landing page;
- requests from brochures or QR codes;
- post-sale support.
It is particularly effective when the user needs a quick response and prefers to write instead of calling or filling out a form.
Ready-to-copy template
To create your WhatsApp link, you can start from this template:
https://wa.me/39TUONUMERO?text=Ciao%2C%20vorrei%20ricevere%20maggiori%20informazioni.Replace 39YOURNUMBER with your full number in international format, without the plus symbol and without spaces.
If you want a link without a pre-filled message, use instead:
https://wa.me/39TUONUMEROConclusion
Creating a direct WhatsApp link is simple, but requires attention to the formatting of the number and the message. The basic format allows you to open a chat immediately, while the pre-filled message helps to make the first contact clearer and faster.
The solution is useful for websites, emails, social, landing pages, QR codes, and promotional materials. The important thing is to always test the link before publishing it, especially when used in campaigns, newsletters, or printed materials.
With a well-constructed link, WhatsApp can become an immediate contact channel, practical and easier to use for those who want to communicate without unnecessary steps.
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