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WhatsApp Link Generator Guide: wa.me Links and QR Codes
How wa.me click-to-chat links and WhatsApp QR codes work, what to pre-fill, where to place them online and in print, and how to track each source.
A WhatsApp link generator turns your business number and a short starter message into a wa.me click-to-chat link. Anyone who taps the link lands in a chat with you, with your message already typed, and they do not need to save your number first. Turn the same link into a QR code and it works on a shop counter, a menu or a delivery box. This guide covers how the links work, how to write the pre-filled message, where to place links and codes, and how to tell which one brought each chat.
How does a wa.me click-to-chat link work?
A click-to-chat link has two parts: your number and, optionally, a message. The number is written in international format with the country code and without the plus sign, spaces or dashes. The message is added after ?text= and encoded so that spaces and symbols survive the trip.
For an Indian number, a link looks like this: https://wa.me/91XXXXXXXXXX?text=Hi%2C%20I%20want%20the%20price%20list. Writing that by hand is fiddly, which is why a generator helps. The free WhatsApp link generator from BullCRM builds the link in your browser, so your number is not sent to anyone, and you do not need an account. For more on how click-to-chat behaves on different phones, the WhatsApp Help Center is the official reference.
The pre-filled text appears in the customer's message box. They can edit it or delete it before sending, so treat it as a helpful start rather than a guaranteed label.
Writing a pre-filled message that tells you something
The starter message does two jobs. It removes the awkward "what do I type?" moment for the customer, and it tells your team what they want before anyone replies. A good message is short, specific and easy for staff to recognise.
| Where the link appears | Example pre-filled message |
|---|---|
| Instagram bio | Hi, I saw your Instagram and want to know about new arrivals |
| Website pricing page | Hi, I have a question about your pricing |
| Invoice or receipt | Hi, I need help with my order |
| Product packaging | Hi, I want to reorder |
| Exhibition stall poster | Hi, we met at your stall and I would like a callback |
Rules for a good starter message
- Keep it under fifteen words. Long messages are more likely to be edited or deleted before sending.
- Write it as the customer would. "I want to reorder" reads naturally; "Reorder enquiry ref PKG-01" does not.
- Match your customers' language. If most of them write to you in Hindi or Hinglish, a starter message in the same style feels more natural.
- Avoid personal details. Never pre-fill names, phone numbers or order values, because the same link is shared with everyone.
Use a different message for each placement. That small change is the simplest way to track sources later, as explained below.
Turning the link into a QR code for shops and print
A QR code carries the same wa.me link in a form people can scan with their phone camera. The free WhatsApp QR code generator lets you enter your number and starter message, then download the code as a PNG. The code does not expire, because it opens a standard wa.me link that keeps working as long as the number is on WhatsApp.
For example, a sweet shop in Lucknow might print one code on its counter card ("Scan to order for home delivery") and another on its festive gift boxes ("Scan to reorder this box"). Each code carries its own starter message, so staff know at a glance which one the customer used.
Print checklist
- Print the code large enough to scan from where people stand, and leave a clear white margin around it.
- Add a one-line reason to scan next to it, such as "Scan for today's price list".
- Test-scan the printed proof on two or three different phones before a full print run.
- Keep the PNG file safe; the message is part of the code, so changing it means printing a new one.
Where should you place WhatsApp links online?
Put the link wherever a customer might have a question and would rather type than call:
- Your website, on the contact page, pricing page and product pages.
- Social profiles, especially your Instagram bio and Facebook page.
- Email signatures for sales and support staff.
- Invoices and order confirmations, so post-sale questions come to one place.
- Ads and listings, including marketplace and directory profiles that allow links.
A plain link or a chat widget on your website?
On your own website, a chat button often works better than a text link because it stays visible as visitors scroll. Here is how the two compare:
| wa.me link | Website chat widget | |
|---|---|---|
| Set-up | Copy and paste the link | Paste one embed snippet into the site once |
| Where it shows | Wherever you place it | A floating button on every page |
| Starter messages | One per link | Up to four quick options, each with its own message |
| Branding | None | Business name, logo, welcome text and a "usually replies in" note |
| Changes | Make a new link | Edit in the dashboard and the site updates |
The WhatsApp chat widget for websites lets you choose left or right placement, adjust margins, pick a compact or expanded style and switch it off without touching your code. Each connected number has its own widget and snippet.
How do you track which link or code brought each chat?
Links and QR codes do not report scans on their own, so build tracking into the message. Because each placement has its own starter text, your team can see the source in the first line of the chat.
- Give every placement a unique message, as in the table above.
- Keep a simple register of which message belongs to which link or code, and where it is printed.
- Use a keyword to start an automation flow that replies with the right information and creates or updates the lead in your CRM.
- Count chats by source each month and compare placements, for example packaging against the counter card.
In WhatsApp Hub, each new number becomes a CRM contact on the first message, so you are not copying details by hand. Paid traffic is different: leads from ads can carry the ad itself, which our guide to Click to WhatsApp ads for lead generation explains. And when you need structured details rather than a chat, such as a full address or a budget, our article on turning web forms into CRM leads covers the form route.
What happens after the tap?
A link is only as good as the reply behind it. If you print a code on a thousand boxes, plan who will answer the chats it brings and how fast.
- Set a welcome message for new chats and an away message for after hours.
- Answer the most common starter messages with a short automated flow; our guide to building a WhatsApp chatbot for business shows how.
- Route the rest to your team in a shared WhatsApp inbox, with assignment and notes, so nothing sits on one person's phone.
Frequently asked questions
Is the WhatsApp link generator free?
Yes. The link generator and the QR code generator are free to use and do not need an account. Both build the link in your browser, so your number is not sent to our servers.
Does a WhatsApp QR code expire?
No. The code opens a standard wa.me link, so it keeps working as long as the number is on WhatsApp. If you move to a new number, print new codes.
Can I change the pre-filled message after printing?
Not on a printed code, because the message is part of the link inside the code. Create a new code with the new message and replace the old prints over time.
Does the customer need to save my number?
No. Tapping the link or scanning the code opens a chat with you directly in WhatsApp. They can save your number later if they want to.
Make one link and one QR code today, give each its own starter message and see which brings more chats in a month. When you are ready to answer them as a team, start a 30-day free trial of WhatsApp Hub.
