> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.askfunnel.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Message a lead on WhatsApp

> Open a WhatsApp chat with a lead from their profile, with your funnel's default message already typed in.

Start a WhatsApp chat with a lead in one click, without saving their number to your phone first. Save a default message for your funnel and it is typed in for you, so you only need to press send.

**Before you start**, you need:

* A funnel that collects phone numbers. See [Set up your lead capture form](/funnels/lead-capture-forms).
* A role that can see leads: Global Admin, Workspace Admin or Contacts Manager. To save a default message you also need a role that can open **"Funnel Settings"**: Global Admin, Workspace Admin or Content Editor. Contacts Managers can message leads but cannot change the template.

## Open a WhatsApp chat with a lead

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the lead">
    In your funnel's **Leads** tab, hover over the lead's name and click the **"Open lead"** icon. See [View and manage your leads](/leads/view-and-manage-leads).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click the WhatsApp button">
    At the top of the lead's panel, click the **WhatsApp** icon (a chat bubble) next to the email and call icons. It appears when the lead has a phone number.

    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/askfunnel/cSURbWHQtD15itC8/images/messages/whatsapp-template/lead-panel-whatsapp.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=cSURbWHQtD15itC8&q=85&s=a4b64a2b81ede8cd0cb337b4aaf8542c" alt="The top of a lead's panel with the WhatsApp icon highlighted next to the email and call icons" width="1470" height="592" data-path="images/messages/whatsapp-template/lead-panel-whatsapp.png" />
  </Step>

  <Step title="Send your message">
    WhatsApp Web or the WhatsApp app opens a chat with that number in a new tab. If your funnel has a default message, it is already typed in. Change it if you like, then send it.
  </Step>
</Steps>

If the lead has a WhatsApp account on that number, the chat opens straight away. You do not need to add them to your contacts.

## Save a default message for the funnel

Each funnel has a **WhatsApp message template**. Whatever you save there is typed into every chat you open from that funnel's leads.

1. From your main dashboard, click the three small dots (**...**) on the funnel's row, then click **"Funnel Settings"**.
2. In the left menu, click **"WhatsApp"**.
3. Type your message in **WhatsApp message template**, for example: "Hi! Thanks for your interest. How can we help you?" You can use up to 500 characters.
4. Click **"Save changes"** in the bar that appears at the top.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/askfunnel/cSURbWHQtD15itC8/images/messages/whatsapp-template/template-setting.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=cSURbWHQtD15itC8&q=85&s=e19b38eb692f270e659a44cd16c64260" alt="The WhatsApp section of Funnel Settings with the WhatsApp menu item highlighted and the message template field" width="2080" height="696" loading="lazy" data-path="images/messages/whatsapp-template/template-setting.png" />

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="I do not see a WhatsApp button">
    The button shows only when the lead has a phone number. Open the lead's **Profile** tab and check the **Phone** field. You can edit it there.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="My default message does not appear in the chat">
    Check that you clicked **"Save changes"** after typing the message, then open the lead again from the funnel's **Leads** tab. The message belongs to one funnel, so a lead from another funnel gets that funnel's message, or an empty chat if it has none.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="WhatsApp says the number is not on WhatsApp">
    WhatsApp needs the full international number. Make sure the lead's phone includes the country code, for example +1 for the United States, and that the person uses WhatsApp on that number.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## What to do next

<Columns cols={2}>
  <Card title="Let visitors book a call" icon="calendar-check" href="/integrations/calendars">
    Open a booking popup after the form.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Send automated emails to new leads" icon="envelope" href="/messages/automated-emails">
    Follow up by email too.
  </Card>
</Columns>

Need help? Email [support@askfunnel.com](mailto:support@askfunnel.com).