How to Create a WhatsApp Link (3 Methods)

A WhatsApp link lets anyone start a conversation with you in one click — no saving your number, no searching for your name. Just tap and chat.

Whether you're a business owner, freelancer, or content creator, a WhatsApp link makes it effortless for people to reach you.

Here are three ways to create one, from manual to fully automated.

Method 1: Manual wa.me link (free, limited)

WhatsApp's official link format is:

https://wa.me/PHONENUMBER?text=MESSAGE

How to build one:

1. Take your phone number with country code, no dashes or spaces: 573001234567
2. Write your message and replace spaces with %20: Hi%20I%20need%20help
3. Combine them: https://wa.me/573001234567?text=Hi%20I%20need%20help

Pros:

• Free forever
• No third-party tools needed

Cons:

• Long, ugly URLs
• Must manually URL-encode the message
• No analytics — you can't see who clicked
• No QR code
• Can't edit the message after sharing
• Phone number is visible in the URL

This works fine for one-off use, but it's painful if you manage multiple links or care about tracking.

Method 2: WhatsApp Business short link (free, basic)

If you use WhatsApp Business, you already have a built-in short link:

1. Open WhatsApp Business → Settings → Business Tools → Short Link
2. Tap Edit message to set a pre-filled text
3. Share via the link icon or copy it

Pros:

• Built into WhatsApp Business (no external tools)
• Clean short URL

Cons:

• Only one link per account — can't create different links for different campaigns
• No click analytics
• No custom slug (you get what WhatsApp gives you)
• Only works with WhatsApp Business, not the regular app

Good enough if you only need one link and don't need tracking.

Method 3: mssg.to link generator (free, full-featured)

mssg.to is a purpose-built tool for creating WhatsApp links:

1. Go to mssg.to
2. Enter your phone number
3. Type your pre-filled message
4. Click Create Link
5. Copy your short link and QR code

Done in 10 seconds. No signup required.

What you get for free:

• Short URLs (mssg.to/abc123)
• Pre-filled messages
• QR codes (download as PNG)
• Up to 5 links

What Pro adds ($9/month):

• Unlimited links
• Custom slugs (mssg.to/your-brand)
• Click analytics with referral tracking
• Branded QR codes

This is the best option if you want professional links, multiple campaigns, or any kind of tracking.

Which method should you use?

Need	Best method
One quick link, no frills	wa.me (manual)
Single link from WhatsApp Business	WA Business short link
Multiple links with tracking	mssg.to
QR codes for print	mssg.to
Custom branded URLs	mssg.to Pro
Different links per campaign	mssg.to

Best practices for WhatsApp links

Write specific pre-filled messages

Generic messages like "Hi" get ignored. Be specific:

• ❌ Hi
• ✅ Hi, I saw your listing at 123 Main St. Is it still available?
• ✅ I'd like to book a table for 2 this Saturday at 8pm
• ✅ I'm interested in the Premium Plan. Can you tell me more?

The more context in the message, the faster you close the sale.

Use different links for different channels

If you share the same link everywhere, you don't know what's working. Create separate links for:

• Your Instagram bio
• Your website
• Your email signature
• Your Google Business profile
• Print materials (business cards, flyers)

With mssg.to Pro, you can see which link gets the most clicks.

Put your link where people are ready to buy

The best spots for a WhatsApp link:

1. Product pages — right next to the price
2. Contact page — replace the form with a WhatsApp button
3. Instagram bio — the first thing visitors see
4. Email footer — every email is a lead opportunity
5. Google Business Profile — replaces your website URL
6. QR on physical materials — business cards, menus, flyers, packaging

Keep the message short

1–2 sentences max. Enough to give context, not so much that it feels robotic.

Frequently asked questions

Do WhatsApp links work on iPhone and Android?

Yes. They work on both platforms, and also on WhatsApp Web and the desktop app.

What happens if someone clicks my link but doesn't have WhatsApp?

They'll see a prompt to download WhatsApp. The link won't break — it just redirects them to the app store.

Can I create a WhatsApp link for a group?

WhatsApp group invite links are different. Go to your group → Invite via link in settings. mssg.to is designed for 1-on-1 business conversations, not group invites.

Is it safe to share my phone number in a WhatsApp link?

With wa.me links, your number is visible in the URL. With mssg.to, the URL shows mssg.to/yourslug instead — your number is used behind the scenes but not exposed in the link itself.

Get started now

Create your first WhatsApp link for free at mssg.to. Takes 10 seconds, no signup needed.

Want custom URLs and analytics? Get mssg.to Pro for $9/month.

---

Related guides:

• Free WhatsApp Link Generator — full tool comparison and use cases