How to create a WhatsApp link (wa.me): with a phone number or message

Want to engage with customers on WhatsApp? Learn how to create a WhatsApp link or group invite step-by-step manually or with a free generator.

How to create a WhatsApp link: A screenshot of mobile apps

Image source: Unsplash

Imagine this: someone visits your website, likes what they see and wants to contact you. Instead of filling out a form or searching for your details, they tap a WhatsApp link and start chatting right away.

That’s how easy it can be.

According to Statista, WhatsApp Business has over 200 million monthly activeusers. More people than ever are using it to message businesses, ask questions and get quick answers. If you want to chat with leads, offer faster support or build a community, knowing how to create and share WhatsApp links is a smart move.

Still, many people don’t know where to start. Should you write the link manually or use a generator? What’s the best way to share it? And how is a WhatsApp group link different?

In this article, you’ll learn how to create a WhatsApp link, generate and share a group invite, fix common issues and automate WhatsApp with Chatfuel.

What is a WhatsApp link and how does it work?

An image of the “Chat on WhatsApp” button

Image source: WhatsApp

A WhatsApp link is a clickable URL that lets people start a chat with you instantly, without saving your number to their contacts. It uses the WhatsApp click-to-chat feature, which opens a conversation with just one tap.

The basic format is:https://wa.me/, followed by your phone number in international format (no dashes, spaces or plus signs). For example:https://wa.me/15551234567.

Clicking this link will open a chat with that number instantly on mobile or desktop, even if the person doesn’t have the app.

When configuring this, you can also add a message that’s pre-filled in the chat. This is helpful for support, lead generation or sales. The message is ready to go when someone clicks; they just hit send.

Bonus tip for businesses:You can also add UTM parameters to your WhatsApp link to track where clicks are coming from, like WhatsApp ads, landing pages or email campaigns. This way, you know exactly what’s driving conversations.

How to create a WhatsApp chat link (click-to-chat)

Creating a 1:1 WhatsApp link is easy, whether sharing it with friends or using it to connect with leads or customers. You can build one manually or use a free tool to speed things up; no coding or technical skills needed. Let's see how.

Method 1: Manually (no tools needed)

The fastest way to create a WhatsApp link is to build it yourself, no tools required.

Use this format:https://wa.me/1234567890. It should include your full phone number (in international format, without a plus sign or spaces).

Want to go a step further? You can add a pre-filled message to make it even easier for the person to start the conversation. Just use: ?text=Your%20message. Here's an example:

https://wa.me/1234567890?text=Hi%20there%20Im%20interested%20in%20your%20services

That message automatically appears in the chat box, so the person taps send, and you’re talking.

Method 2: Using a free WhatsApp link generator

WhatsApp link generator in Chatfuel

Don’t want to mess with URL formats or manually encode messages? Use a free tool like theChatfuel WhatsApp link generatorthat does all the work for you.

You just enter your phone number and an optional message, and the tool takes care of the rest. Here’s what it does:

Auto-formats your link correctly
Lets you add a pre-filled message
Ensures the link is error-free and ready to send
Shows alive preview, so you know exactly what users will see

It’s fast, beginner-friendly and saves time, especially if you’re creating multiple links for different campaigns. Chatfuel creates a link that looks clean and professional, just the way you need. Here’s what the format looks like: wa.chatfuel.com/NAMEOFTHEBUSINESS, e.g., wa.chatfuel.com/bestagency.

Best practices for sharing WhatsApp links

Once you’ve created your WhatsApp link, here’s how to get the most out of it:

Shorten long links:Use a tool like Bitly to make your WhatsApp link look cleaner and clickable, especially on platforms with character limits.
Track performance:Bitly also let you track clicks, so you know which channels are driving the most chats.
Add it to your Instagram bio:A shortened WhatsApp link works great in your profile bio to drive DMs directly to chat.
Use CTA buttons on your website:Add your link to a button like “Message us on WhatsApp” to make it easy for visitors to start a conversation.
Include it in emails or SMS:Including the custom link in your email footers or SMS campaigns can drive faster replies and more direct engagement.

How to create a WhatsApp link for your WhatsApp Business account

Automated WhatsApp messages with product updates, discounts, and personalized promotions

If you're using WhatsApp Business, the app lets you generate a WhatsApp link in just a few taps, no tools or manual formatting needed.

Here’s how to do it:

Open WhatsApp Businesson your device.
Tap on the three dots in the top right-hand corner of the screen.
Select Settingsfrom the dropdown menu.
Tap on Business Tools.
Select Short Link.
Follow the prompts to create your WhatsApp Business link.

You can also generate a QR code directly in the app and print it on flyers, packaging or product tags. It’s perfect for helping contacts or walk-in users start a chat without typing or saving your number.

To track performance, add UTM parameters to your WhatsApp URL and monitor where your clicks come from.

How to create a WhatsApp group link

A WhatsApp group link lets people join your group without adding them manually. It’s a quick way to bring in new contacts, whether you're managing a community, a project team or a customer support group.

Step-by-step: Share a group invite link in WhatsApp

You can create and copy a WhatsApp group link directly from the app, whether using Android, iPhone or desktop. Here's how it works on each.

How to make WhatsApp group links on PC

OpenWhatsApp Webor the WhatsApp application on your PC.
Link your device if you’re using WhatsApp on your PC for the first time.
Select the group you want to create an invitation link for, or create a new group in the Menu.
Click Menuin the top corner → Group info.
Click on Invite to group via link.
Your invitation link is under your group name. Select the desired action from the list:

Send a link via WhatsApp,
Copy link, or
Reset link.

Steps to making a WhatsApp group link

How to make WhatsApp group links on iPhone

Open WhatsApp on your iPhone.
Choose the group you want to create an invitation link for.
Tap on the group name at the top of the chat.
Scroll down and tap on Invite to group via link.
Your invitation link is under your group name. Select the desired action from the list:

Send a link via WhatsApp,
Share link,
Copy link,
QR code, or
Reset link

How to generate a custom link on iPhone

How to make WhatsApp group links on Android

Open WhatsApp on your Android device.
Open the group chat you want to create an invitation link for.
Tap on the group subject → Invite via link.
Your invitation link is under your group name. Select the desired action from the list:

Send a link via WhatsApp,
Copy link,
Share link,
QR code, or
Reset link.

Creating an invitation link for your WhatsApp group is relatively easy and convenient. You can add people to your group by simply following the steps above.

Please note that any WhatsApp user you share an invite link with can join the group. Only use this feature with people you trust. Consider that someone could forward the link to others who could join the group without approval from the group admin.

Where and how to share WhatsApp group links

Once you’ve created your WhatsApp group link, the next step is getting it in front of the right contacts. Here are a few smart places to share it:

Social media bios or stories:Instagram, Facebook and even X (formerly Twitter) can help you grow your group fast.
Email newsletters:Add the link to your footer or a CTA block to invite loyal subscribers.
Landing pages or blog posts:Perfect for converting traffic into group members.
Telegram migration:If you're moving a community off Telegram, the WhatsApp link makes the switch easy.

Pro tip:Only share your group link in trusted spaces. If things get noisy or off-track, you can always tap the Reset linkbutton inside the group settings to disable the current one and generate a fresh invite.

Troubleshooting WhatsApp links

Let's clear any doubts you may have about WhatsApp links.

Why is my WhatsApp link not working?

First, double-check the format: it should start with https://wa.me/followed by your full phone number (remember, no plus signs, spaces or dashes). If you're using a pre-filled message, make sure the URL is encoded correctly, especially punctuation and spaces. If the issue continues, try opening the link in a different browser or device to rule out local errors.

What happens if someone clicks my group link but the group is full?

WhatsApp groups have a limit on the number of users (currently 1,024). If your group is full, new people who click the invite link will see a message saying the group can't accept more participants. You can create a new group or remove inactive members to make space.

Can I customize the appearance of a WhatsApp link?

WhatsApp doesn’t allow custom link text or appearance directly. But you can shorten or brand your link using a tool like Bitly or your own domain (e.g., chat.mybrand.com/help). This makes the URL easier to share and track, especially in English (US) campaigns or landing pages. You can also include your WhatsApp QR code.

How to reset or delete a WhatsApp group invite link?

To reset a group link, go to Invite to group via linkand tap Reset link. This disables the current link immediately and creates a new one. Anyone with the old link will no longer be able to join. This is useful if the link was shared in an untrusted space or you're getting unwanted requests.

Use cases: Who needs a WhatsApp link?

Whether you’re managing a business, growing a community or hosting an event, a WhatsApp link helps you stay connected and keep conversations flowing.

Below are the key benefits for different types of users:

Increased engagement: By providing a direct link to your business’s WhatsApp account, you make it easy for customers to contact you. This can increase engagement and lead to more conversions.
Improved customer service: WhatsApp links can be used to provide customer support. This can help build loyalty and trust, as customers know they can easily reach out to you with any questions or concerns.
Simple to set up and share: Creating a WhatsApp link is simple. Once you have created your link, you can easily add it to your website and social media profiles.
Effective for WhatsApp marketing:Use your link to share feature updates, launch campaigns, distribute promo codes or re-engage subscribers. Just make sure your link communicates its purpose and uses international phone formatting so it works for all users.
Boosts sales: Many shoppers prefer messages over phone calls. WhatsApp links let them reach out quickly, get personalized advice and move faster toward a purchase.
Works for creators and communities: Use a WhatsApp group link to grow your audience. Add it to your content, newsletters or stories to invite new members and make subscribing frictionless.
Perfect for events: Easily onboard attendees, share updates or manage groups during events. Group links help you stay organized and keep everyone in the loop.

And if you're looking to scale your messaging strategy, Chatfuel offers even more:

Unlimited agents on one number: Allowing multiple agents to handle messages within a single WhatsApp number lets you improve customer service and response times.
Green badge verification: As the official provider of the WhatsApp API, Chatfuel lets you get the verified green badge to build and improve customer trust.
Integration with ChatGPT: With ChatGPT built in, Chatfuel helps users maximize their WhatsApp number potential, enhance customer engagement and drive growth.

With the proper setup, a WhatsApp link does more than start a chat; it becomes a full channel for customer support, marketing and sales.

Automate WhatsApp with Chatfuel

Creating your WhatsApp link is just the first step. With Chatfuel, you can go further by automating conversations, qualifying leads and syncing data with your favorite tools.

Chatfuel is the official provider of the WhatsApp API that helps you:

Set up chatbots and autoresponders to reply instantly, even when your team is offline.
Route messages to the right agent using custom flows and intent recognition.
Integrate with Shopify, HubSpot and CRMs to track orders, log customer requests, manage contacts and personalize replies.
Use built-in ChatGPT automation to answer FAQs, handle support requests or guide customers through next steps.
Manage everything from one shared inbox with multi-agent support and mobile access.

Whether you're using WhatsApp for sales, support or re-engagement, Chatfuel helps you continue the conversation with less effort.

Generate your link and automate your chats

Use all the WhatsApp potential for your business

You’ve seen just how powerful WhatsApp links can be. There are two main types to work with:

A chat link, which opens a private 1:1 conversation without needing to save contacts.
A group link, which makes it easy to grow your WhatsApp group, onboard members or manage events.

Both are simple to create and, once you have your link, you can add it anywhere: your website, email, social bio or even on printed materials as a QR code.

And with the right tools, you can do even more.

If you want to respond automatically, assign chats to different agents, track incoming requests or connect tools like Shopify or HubSpot, Chatfuel is built for that.

It’s not just a link generator. It’s a full WhatsApp automationplatform that lets you:

Set up chatbots and automatic replies
Route conversations based on user intent
Manage everything from one dashboard, with unlimited agents on a single number
And yes, get the green WhatsApp Business verificationbadge to boost customer trust

Generate your WhatsApp link and automate your chats with Chatfuel

FAQs

How do I get my WhatsApp link?

You can create one manually using this format:https://wa.me/yourphonenumber(replace with your full number in international format, no symbols or spaces) or generate one with Chatfuel.

How do I create a short URL for WhatsApp?

To shorten your WhatsApp link, use a tool like Bitly. Alternatively, explore theChatfuel free WhatsApp link generator. It formats your link correctly, adds an optional pre-filled message and gives you a cleaner URL to share across platforms.

How can I find a group link on WhatsApp?

Open the group chat, tap the group name at the top and scroll to Invite via link. From there, you can copy, share or even generate a QR code. This works on iPhone, Android, and WhatsApp Web.

How do I join a WhatsApp group?

Just click a valid WhatsApp group link shared with you. If the group isn’t full and the link hasn’t been reset, you’ll be able to tap Join Groupand start chatting right away.