How the link works
WhatsApp provides a click-to-chat link in a standard format: the web address https://wa.me/ followed by the phone number in international format. When someone taps it on a phone with WhatsApp installed, it opens a chat with that number. On a computer it opens WhatsApp Web or the desktop app.
Get the number format right
This is where most buttons break. The number must be in full international format, with no plus sign, no spaces, no dashes and no leading zero. For a UK mobile, drop the first 0 and add 44 at the start.
| What you normally write | What goes in the link |
|---|---|
| 07700 900123 | 447700900123 |
| +44 7700 900123 | 447700900123 |
The basic button
Replace the example number with yours:
<a href="https://wa.me/447700900123">Message us on WhatsApp</a>Add a pre-filled message
You can pre-fill the first message with a text parameter, so customers do not face a blank box. The message must be URL-encoded, which means spaces become %20.
<a href="https://wa.me/447700900123?text=Hi%2C%20I%20would%20like%20a%20quote%20for">Get a quote on WhatsApp</a>Make it easy to see and tap
- Use a clear label such as Message us on WhatsApp, not just an icon
- Make it large enough to tap comfortably on a phone
- On mobile, keep it visible while people scroll, for example a button fixed to the bottom of the screen
- Put it next to your phone number, so customers can pick
- Test it on your own phone before you publish
Adding the button on common website builders
The exact menus change, so look for these options in your builder rather than following a fixed click path.
- Wix, Squarespace and similar: add a button or text element and set its link to your wa.me address
- WordPress: add a button block and paste the link into its URL box
- A hand-built site: paste the HTML link where you want it, and style it as a button
- Anywhere: make sure the link opens in the same tab, so people can come back easily
A button that stays on screen on phones
If your site is hand-built, this small piece of code keeps a WhatsApp button fixed to the bottom right of the screen. Adjust the number and colours to suit.
<a class="wa" href="https://wa.me/447700900123?text=Hi%2C%20I%20would%20like%20a%20quote">WhatsApp</a>
<style>
.wa{position:fixed;right:16px;bottom:16px;z-index:50;
background:#1fa463;color:#fff;font:700 16px system-ui;
padding:14px 20px;border-radius:999px;text-decoration:none;
box-shadow:0 6px 18px rgba(0,0,0,.25)}
</style>Message wording that gets better enquiries
A pre-filled message saves customers typing and nudges them to give you the details you need. Keep it short and open.
- Hi, I would like a quote for... (they finish the sentence)
- Hi, I need a plumber in... (they add their town)
- Hi, could you look at a leak? I can send photos.
Make the most of WhatsApp Business
The free WhatsApp Business app adds features that suit a tradesperson. Check WhatsApp's own pages for what is currently available.
- A business profile with your hours, address or area and website
- Quick replies: saved answers to common questions, such as call-out charges
- A greeting and an away message, so people know when to expect a reply
- Labels to track who is a new enquiry, who has a quote and who is booked in
Privacy and good manners
A customer who messages you has given you their number to answer their enquiry. Use it for that. Do not add them to groups, send marketing messages or share their number with anyone without their agreement. Ask before sharing their photos and delete conversations you no longer need.
A five-point test before you publish
- Tap the button on your own phone, with WhatsApp installed
- Tap it from a friend's phone, to check it does not depend on your saved contacts
- Tap it on a computer, where it should open WhatsApp Web
- Check the pre-filled message appears and reads correctly
- Send a test message and make sure you actually see it
Using it well
- Reply promptly, and set expectations in an away message if you are on a job
- Ask for a photo and the postcode, they speed up quotes
- Do not add customers to groups or send marketing messages without their agreement
- Treat customers' numbers and messages as personal data, and do not share them
- Never ask for payment details over chat
Common mistakes
- A leading 0 or a plus sign in the number, which breaks the link
- Spaces in the number or message that are not encoded
- A button hidden on mobile
- A number you do not actually check
Common questions
Does the WhatsApp button cost anything?
The click-to-chat link is free. Standard WhatsApp and WhatsApp Business apps are free to use too, though there are paid business features that most small trades do not need.
Do customers need WhatsApp installed?
Yes, to chat on a phone. On a computer, the link opens WhatsApp Web, which still needs a WhatsApp account.
Can I see who clicked the button?
Not through the link itself. You will see the messages people actually send. If you want click numbers, your website's analytics may be able to count them.
Should I use my personal WhatsApp number?
You can, but many tradespeople prefer a separate business number or the WhatsApp Business app, to keep work and personal chats apart.
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