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Inbox WhatsApp: Create Message Templates in Meta Business

Victor
  • Updated

Learn how to create WhatsApp message templates in Meta Business and use them with Hostaway for guest communication workflows.

 

To start conversations via Hostaway, you need to create your own WhatsApp Business message templates. You can create as many WhatsApp templates as you want.

 

How to Create Message Templates

  1. Open Meta Business Suite or Business Manager:
    Select your business portfolio.

  2. Access WhatsApp Manager:

    • Click the All tools (hamburger icon) in the side menu.

    • Find and click WhatsApp Manager.

      1.png
       

  3. Select Your Account:
    Click the account you want to create the template for.

  4. Manage Templates:

    • Click the three-dot icon.

    • Select Manage message templates.

      2.png
       

  5. Create a New Template:

    1. Click Create message template.

    2. Choose the Utility category.

    3. Enter a template name and select the language.

      3.png
       

  6. Set Up Your Template:

    1. For the header, we recommend using text (not numbers) for a friendlier appearance.

    2. Fill in the message content.

    3. You can use the same variables as in Hostaway automations (e.g., {{address}}).

      • Note: Some variables are not supported if their names exceed Meta’s 20-character limit. Use the provided shorter alternatives for these.

    4. For your first template, we suggest not using variables until you’re comfortable with the process.

    5. Optionally, add a footer. A live preview will show how your message will look.

      4.png
       

  7. Submit for Review:
    Submit your template. Approval usually takes a few minutes.

  8. Template Availability:
    Once approved, your template will appear in the Hostaway dashboard.
     

Templates not showing up in the Hostaway inbox

  • Unapproved templates will not appear in Hostaway.

  • Templates using variables not supported by Hostaway automations will not show up.

    5.png
     

  • Templates with images attached are not supported and will not appear.

Template limitations

  • Images, Videos, Files: Adding images, videos, or files to templates is not currently supported.

  • Variables: All Hostaway automation variables can be used, except those with names longer than 20 characters. Use the provided shorter alternatives for these.

Original Variable Name

Alternative (≤20 chars)

Airbnb_cancellation_policy

airbnb_cancel_policy

airbnb_expected_payout_amount

airbnb_exp_payout

airbnb_listing_base_price

airbnb_base_price

airbnb_listing_cancellation_host_fee

airbnb_canc_hostfee

airbnb_listing_cancellation_payout

airbnb_canc_payout

airbnb_listing_cleaning_fee

airbnb_clean_fee

airbnb_listing_host_fee

airbnb_host_fee

airbnb_listing_security_price

airbnb_sec_price

airbnb_occupancy_tax_paid_amount

airbnb_occ_tax_paid

airbnb_total_paid_amount

airbnb_total_paid

airbnb_transient_occupancy_tax_paid_amount

airbnb_tran_tax_paid

cc_number_ending_digits

cc_last_digits

channel_reservation_id

channel_res_id

door_code_instruction

door_code_instr

guest_portal_review_url

guest_review_url

rental_agreement_link

rental_agree_link

hostaway_reservation_id

hostaway_res_id

listing_price_for_extra_person

extra_person_price

reservation_price_for_extra_person

res_extra_person

 

WhatsApp Business: "Parameter is Missing" Error

Overview

When sending automated messages through WhatsApp Business integration, you may encounter a "parameter is missing" error. This is an expected behavior when your WhatsApp message template contains variables that don't have corresponding values in your reservation data.

Common Cause

This error typically occurs when:

  • Your WhatsApp template includes variables (such as {{first_name}}, {{check_in_date}}, etc.)
  • The associated reservation or guest record is missing values for those variables

Example Scenario

WhatsApp Template includes:

Hello {{first_name}}, your reservation at {{property_name}} is confirmed!

Reservation data:

  • First Name: (empty/not provided)
  • Property Name: "Sunset Villa"

Result: The message will fail to send with a "parameter is missing" error because the first_name field is empty.

How to Resolve

  1. Review your message template - Identify which variables are included in your WhatsApp template
  2. Check reservation data - Verify that all required fields have values in the reservation record
  3. Update missing information - Fill in any missing guest or reservation details before the message is sent
  4. Consider template alternatives - For optional fields, create alternative templates that don't require those variables

Best Practices

  • Ensure guest information is collected during the booking process
  • Use conditional templates when certain data points may not always be available
  • Regularly audit your templates to match the data you consistently collect

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