Click-to-WhatsApp Ads: A Setup Checklist

Click-to-WhatsApp ads (CTWA) send someone from a Facebook or Instagram ad straight into a WhatsApp conversation with your business. It's one of the most direct paths from ad spend to a real conversation — but only if the receiving end is ready for the traffic.

Before You Launch

• Confirm your WhatsApp number is verified and connected to your ad account.
• Prepare a first-reply message or automation — don't let the first message be silence.
• Decide who (or what) handles the initial qualification: AI, a template flow, or a live agent.
• Set up tagging so you know which ad or campaign each conversation came from.

Write the Ad for the Conversation, Not Just the Click

The ad copy sets expectations for what happens after the tap. If the ad promises "get a free quote," the first WhatsApp message should move directly toward that, not restart the pitch from scratch.

Qualify Immediately

CTWA traffic is often warmer than typical form-fill leads, but volume can be unpredictable. An AI-assisted first response that asks 2–3 qualifying questions keeps the conversation moving even outside business hours.

Route to the Right Person, Fast

Once qualified, hand off to a human quickly for anything that looks like a real opportunity. This is where automation (auto-assignment) and a shared Team Inbox matter — a lead shouldn't sit unassigned because the one person who usually handles WhatsApp is away.

Measure Past "Messages Started"

Track the full funnel: conversations started, qualified leads, and actual conversions — not just click or message volume. That's the number that tells you whether the campaign is actually working.