How do you add a WhatsApp booking button to a website? Create a click-to-chat link in the format https://wa.me/ followed by your number with country code and no plus sign, spaces or dashes. Add ?text= with your pre-filled message, then put that link behind a clearly labelled button. That's it. The rest of this guide is about making it convert.

Step 1: build your link

Use your full international number. For example, a Sri Lankan mobile number 077 123 4567 becomes 94771234567, and a UK mobile 07700 900123 becomes 447700900123. Your basic link is then https://wa.me/94771234567.

To pre-fill a message, add ?text= followed by your message, with spaces written as %20. Most website builders and our team can do this encoding for you.

Step 2: use WhatsApp Business

The free WhatsApp Business app lets you add your opening hours, address, a short description and a catalogue of rooms or dishes. It also supports a greeting message, an away message for when you're busy, and quick replies for the questions you get every day. Set these up before you add the button.

Step 3: place it where people decide

• Next to every room or package, with that room's name in the pre-filled text.
• On the menu page, as a "Reserve on WhatsApp" button.
• As a floating button on mobile, bottom right, large enough to tap with a thumb but not covering content.
• On your Google Business Profile and Instagram bio, linking to your website, so guests see your rooms before they chat.

Step 4: reply like a person, fast

Speed matters most. A traveller who messages three places at 11 PM usually books with whoever answers first. Use quick replies for availability, prices and directions, but always add a personal line. Then send a booking link or confirmation in the same chat.

Keep a simple record of bookings that came through WhatsApp, so you know what the button is worth.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Using a local number format, so the link fails for international guests.
• A tiny icon hidden in the footer instead of a clear button with text.
• No pre-filled message, so guests don't know what to write.
• Nobody watching the phone in the evening, when many travellers plan.
• Only offering WhatsApp. Keep an email or form option for guests who don't use it.

Before adding WhatsApp to your site, make sure the rest of your pages answer the basics. Our guest house website checklist covers the essentials, and our restaurant website must-haves do the same for food businesses.

Frequently asked questions