Click-to-WhatsApp ads: how to get leads on WhatsApp and close them

For many Indian businesses, click-to-WhatsApp ads are the most direct way to turn ad spend into conversations. Instead of a form the lead forgets about, they start a chat on the app they already use all day.

What click-to-WhatsApp ads are

A click-to-WhatsApp ad is a Facebook or Instagram ad whose button opens a WhatsApp chat with your business. The lead lands in a conversation with a pre-filled message such as “Hi, I want to know more about this offer”. You reply on WhatsApp.

Why businesses like them

• Low friction. One tap, no forms, no website.
• Warm leads. The person chose to start a conversation.
• Familiar channel. Most people in India are more comfortable on WhatsApp than email or phone calls from unknown numbers.
• Free replies. On the WhatsApp Business Platform, every reply to these chats is free for 7 days (Meta calls this a free entry point). See WhatsApp API pricing in India.

How to set one up

1. Connect your WhatsApp business number to your Facebook Page or Meta business portfolio.
2. In Meta Ads Manager, create a campaign with the Engagement (messages) objective, or a Sales or Leads objective that supports messaging.
3. Choose WhatsApp as the message destination and pick your number.
4. Set targeting (location, age, interests) and budget.
5. Write the ad, and a pre-filled message that tells you what the lead clicked on, for example “Hi, I want details of the 3BHK offer”.
6. Optionally set up a greeting and frequently asked questions in the ad’s message template.
7. Publish, and make sure someone (or something) is ready to reply.

The part most businesses get wrong: the reply

Ads are the easy part. Chats arrive at 11 pm, during lunch and on Sundays. If they wait hours for a reply, many leads are gone, and you paid for them. Read speed to lead.

A good first reply:

• Answers the ad’s promise. If the ad mentioned a price or offer, confirm it.
• Asks one or two qualifying questions. Budget, location, timeline.
• Offers a specific next step. A slot, a call, a visit.

Follow up, or lose the lead

Many ad leads say “OK, will check” and go quiet. Without follow-ups, they are lost. Plan a short sequence: same day, day 2, day 4, day 7. See how often to follow up and use our follow-up templates.

Measure leads to sales, not just cost per chat

Ads Manager reports cost per conversation started. That is not the number that matters. Track:

• How many chats became qualified leads?
• How many booked a visit, demo or appointment?
• How many bought?

Tag every lead with its ad or campaign so you can see which ones bring buyers, not just chats.

A simple setup that works

1. Click-to-WhatsApp ad with a clear offer and a pre-filled message.
2. An AI assistant replies in seconds with the price or details and one qualifying question.
3. Hot leads (asking for a slot or a final price) go straight to a salesperson to call.
4. Warm leads get automatic, useful follow-ups.
5. Every lead keeps its source, so you can compare campaigns by sales.

OakDeal does steps 2 to 5 for you. Chats from your ads land in one inbox, the AI replies from your facts within seconds, each lead is marked Hot, Warm or Cold with the reason, follow-ups run on schedule and team numbers show leads and wins by source. See how it works for real estate, clinics, coaching and other industries.