WhatsApp Template for Stores: Weekend Promo

If you have a store, you know that the weekend is the time to sell. But notifying all your customers one by one on WhatsApp is impossible. That's why we've put together a ready-to-use message template, with variables to customize, that you can load into WhatsApp Business or Wando so the AI can send it automatically when appropriate.

What goes in each variable

• {{1}}: customer's name (e.g., Maria, Juan, etc.)
• {{2}}: your store's name (e.g., "La Casa de la Moda")
• {{3}}: discount percentage or specific promotion (e.g., 20, 30, "2x1")

How to load and use it

1. 1Copy the message and replace the variables with your promo info.
2. 2In WhatsApp Business, go to Message tools > Message templates and create a new one. Paste the text and save it.
3. 3In Wando, load it in the templates panel and the AI will use it on its own when a customer asks about the promo, with your prior approval.

Message variations

When to send this message and when not to

The ideal time to send this template is Thursday or Friday, between 10:00 and 18:00. This way, the customer receives the message with time to plan their visit to the store and doesn't lose it in the noise of Saturday morning.

Avoid sending it outside business hours: nobody wants a promo at 23:00 on a Wednesday. Also, don't use it for customers who haven't interacted with your store in the last 90 days: if there's no recent relationship, the message is annoying and increases the chance of being reported as spam.

Another rule: don't send it twice in the same weekend. If you already sent the promo on Friday, don't repeat it on Saturday. Repetition doesn't sell more; it only generates blocks and unsubscribes.

• Thursday or Friday between 10:00 and 18:00
• Only to customers with opt-in and recent activity
• Only once per weekend

What to answer when the customer replies

90% of responses to a weekend promo are one of these three. Have them ready to reply right away.

If the customer asks "How much does it cost?" or "What discount is there?", reply with the specific detail: "Hi {{1}}! The discount is {{3}}% storewide, no minimum. Should I send you photos of what we have?"

If they ask "Until when?", clarify: "Hi {{1}}! The promo runs all weekend, until Sunday at 20:00. Should I set something aside for you?"

If they don't reply or say "thanks, not interested", don't insist. A polite closing message is enough: "All set {{1}}! If you change your mind, I'm here. Have a great weekend!"

How to know if the message worked

The success of a promo template isn't measured only by sales. Look at three numbers: response rate, click-through rate on links (if you included any), and the number of opt-outs.

In Wando, message and campaign stats show you how many received, opened, and replied. If the response rate is below 10%, the problem is usually the send time or the chosen audience, not the text. If it's above 25%, your offer is good and worth repeating.

Unsubscribes are the clearest sign that something went wrong. If more than 2% of contacts unsubscribe, review who you are writing to and how often. A message that is not annoying rarely generates unsubscribes.

Why Meta rejects this template and how to fix it

Meta rejects marketing templates for three common reasons: lack of visible opt-in, misleading language, or poorly configured variables.

Opt-in is the most frequent: if you cannot prove that the customer agreed to receive promotional messages, Meta rejects the template. The solution is to add a confirmation field on your website or at the point of sale, and save the record.

Misleading language includes impossible promises or false urgency: "Last chance!" without support. Make sure the text is clear and honest.

Poorly configured variables are also a cause of rejection: if {{1}} and {{2}} are not used consistently, Meta does not approve them. Verify that each variable has a valid example and that the message makes sense with real data.

Formal variant and close variant: when to use each

The formal version of this template works for clients you do not know well or who prefer distant treatment: professionals, companies, or contacts who have never purchased.

The informal version is ideal for regular customers, with whom there is already trust. The informal 'you' and relaxed tone generate more response in fashion or gift shops.

The simple rule: if the customer speaks to you informally, respond informally. If they speak to you formally or you don't know, use the formal. In Wando, the AI learns from your responses and can suggest the correct variant based on each contact's history, but the final decision is yours.

Common mistakes when setting up variables

The most frequent error is loading variables {{1}}, {{2}}, and {{3}} in a different order than Meta approved. If in the approved template {{1}} is the name and {{2}} the store, that order cannot be changed later.

Another typical mistake: using the same variable for two different things. For example, putting {{1}} for the name and then wanting to use it also for the discount. Each variable has a single purpose.

It also happens often that the examples you load in Meta do not match the real format. If you put "Juan" as an example for {{1}}, you cannot later send a message where {{1}} is "Juan Pérez S.A.". The example defines the maximum expected length.

The golden rule: before saving, replace the variables with real data and read the full message. If it sounds odd or has errors, correct it before sending it for review.

• Respect the approved order of variables
• One variable = one single piece of data
• The examples define the valid format
• Always test with real data before saving

How to measure the return on your promo

Beyond the responses, the number that matters is how many people came to the store or bought online. If you can't track that, at least see if the responses turned into real conversations.

A simple way: add a unique discount code in the message. If the code is used, you know the message worked. If no one uses it, the problem isn't the message, it's the offer.

In Wando, the statistics section shows you the response rate per campaign. Compare it with previous campaigns to see if this promo performed better or worse.

What isn't measured can't be improved. If you don't have data from the previous campaign, start saving it now: next promo you'll be able to compare it with this one.

What happens if Meta rejects the template

If Meta rejects your template, it's not the end of the world. They'll tell you the reason for the rejection, and you can correct it and resubmit it.

The most common rejection is due to lack of opt-in. The solution: add a confirmation checkbox on your website or at the point of sale, and keep a record of who accepted and when.

The second reason is misleading language. Check for impossible promises or false urgency. An honest and clear message has a much better chance of being approved.

The third is poorly configured variables. Make sure each variable is used consistently and that the message makes sense with real examples.

Adapting the template to other industries

This template is designed for stores, but the structure works for almost any industry. Change the {{3}} variable to the service or product you want to promote.

For food service: "Hi {{1}}, this weekend at {{2}} you get {{3}}% OFF on the menu. Shall I book a table for you?"

For beauty salons: "Hi {{1}}, at {{2}} we have {{3}}% OFF on treatments this weekend. Would you like to come?"

The key is to maintain the structure: personalized greeting, clear offer, and a question that invites a response.