WhatsApp Business auto reply for bookings
Updated 16 October 2026
WhatsApp Business is Meta's app for small businesses. According to the official WhatsApp Business FAQ, it is free to download and free to use. It can reply automatically in two ways, and quick replies save you typing. Here is what each tool really does, how to set it up, and what's missing when your customers want to book.
The greeting message
A customisable message sent automatically when a customer messages you for the first time. It is also sent when a customer writes to you after 14 days with no activity in your chat.
You choose who gets it: everyone, people not in your address book, everyone except selected contacts, or only selected contacts. Your phone needs an internet connection for the message to go out.
The away message
When it's on, customers who message you automatically get a message saying you're busy or away from your phone. You choose when it's sent:
- always;
- on a custom schedule;
- outside business hours, if you've set them in your business profile.
Quick replies
Shortcuts for the messages you send often: type “/” in a chat and pick the text. You can store up to 50. The app also creates some from your profile: hours, address, the profile itself.
Note: a quick reply isn't automatic. You choose it and send it yourself, chat by chat.
How to set them up
- Complete your business profile: hours, address, description. Default quick replies and the “outside business hours” away message rely on it.
- In the Tools tab, open Greeting message, turn it on, write your text, choose recipients and save.
- Still in Tools, open Away message, turn it on, write your text, choose the schedule and recipients.
- In Tools, open Quick replies and add your frequent messages with a shortcut (for example /prices).
Exact labels may vary with the app version and your phone.
Three examples to adapt
- Greeting: “Hello and thanks for your message! Tell us which service you'd like and which day, and we'll get back to you soon.”
- Away: “We're with a customer or closed right now. We'll reply as soon as we can. Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 9 am to 6 pm.”
- Quick reply /prices: your list of services, with their length and price.
The limits for taking bookings
These tools welcome customers and ask them to wait. They don't book. The WhatsApp Business app has no diary: the away message doesn't know which slots are free, or how long a colour or an oil change takes. The customer gets a reply, but still has to wait for yours to get a time.
There's no day-before reminder either: it's up to you to remember and message each customer. And in the evening, when requests come in, the away message replies, but the bookings wait until the next day.
What about a WhatsApp booking bot?
A “WhatsApp chatbot” or “WhatsApp booking bot” usually means an assistant that replies on your number for you and carries the conversation through: questions, choices, confirmation. That's what the app alone lacks to turn a message into an appointment. Riserv is an assistant of that kind, built for bookings.
When the app alone is enough
If you get few requests and reply within the hour, the greeting and away messages are often enough: they reassure customers and give your hours. When booking requests come in the evening, while you're working, or several at once, you need a tool that replies with real slots and confirms without you.
Frequently asked questions
Is WhatsApp Business free?
Yes. According to the official WhatsApp Business FAQ, the app is free to download and free to use. It's designed for a small business talking to customers from a single device, with limited customisation and integrations.
What's the difference between a greeting message and an away message?
The greeting message goes out when a customer messages you for the first time, or after 14 days with no activity. The away message follows the schedule you choose: always, on a custom schedule, or outside business hours.
Why isn't my greeting message being sent?
The official help suggests checking your recipient settings, the 14-day rule, and whether Meta Business Agent is enabled (it turns greeting messages off). Then: turn the option off and on, update the app, restart your phone.
Can the away message book an appointment?
No. It sends a fixed text and doesn't know your diary. For a customer to get a time without waiting for your reply, you need an assistant connected to your slots, such as Riserv.
Does Riserv replace the WhatsApp Business app?
No. If your WhatsApp Business account is more than 3 months old, you keep your number and your app, and Riserv handles booking requests. Otherwise, Riserv works on a new number reserved for the assistant.
Try Riserv for free
A 14-day free trial on the Pro plan, from activation.