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WhatsApp is the go-to communication channel for businesses in India, with over 853.8 million active users nationwide and 80% of small businesses relying on it for customer service. As your customers expect instant, personalised updates, timely engagement is crucial for building trust and driving sales.
Scheduling WhatsApp messages lets you send payment reminders, promotional offers, or support responses exactly when your audience needs them, without missing a beat. With a market penetration rate of 97.1% in India as of January 2025, WhatsApp offers unmatched reach for business communication.
In this article, you’ll learn how to schedule WhatsApp messages to streamline communication and boost your business impact.
Scheduling WhatsApp messages offers a strategic advantage for businesses aiming to maintain effective communication with their customers. It ensures that your messages are sent at the right time, helping you stay connected without constant manual effort.
Here are the key reasons why scheduling is essential:
By scheduling your WhatsApp messages, you create a reliable communication flow that strengthens customer relationships and drives business growth.
With these key benefits in mind, let’s now explore how you can easily schedule WhatsApp messages on your Android device, ensuring seamless communication for your business.
Scheduling WhatsApp messages on Android devices is straightforward, thanks to third-party apps that integrate with WhatsApp. Here's how to do it:
First, download a scheduling app like SKEDit or Schedulizer from the Google Play Store.
Open the app and provide the necessary permissions, including access to WhatsApp and your contacts. This step is crucial for the app to send messages on your behalf.
In the app, select WhatsApp as the messaging platform. Then, choose the contact or group you wish to send the message to.
Write the message you want to send. Make sure your text is clear and concise since the message will be sent automatically.
Once your message is ready, choose the Schedule option. Set the date and time you want the message to be sent. You can also set recurring messages if needed.
After setting the time, confirm your scheduling details. The app will automatically send the message at the specified time, even if WhatsApp is not open.
Using third-party apps offers flexibility and ensures your messages are sent without needing your manual intervention, making customer engagement more efficient.
Suggested Read: How to create Quick Replies?
For iPhone users, scheduling WhatsApp messages involves using the Shortcuts app. Follow these steps to get started:
Launch the Shortcuts app on your iPhone. If you don’t have it, you can download it for free from the App Store.
Tap the "+" icon to create a new shortcut. Choose Add Action, then search for "Send Message" in the search bar.
In the Send Message action, tap Recipients and select WhatsApp from the available options. Add the contact or group you want to send the message to.
Type the message you want to send. You can also personalize it with dynamic content like names or dates if required.
After composing your message, tap Next, then search for and add the "Wait" action. Set the wait time to the time you want the message to be sent.
Once everything is set up, tap Done to save the shortcut. You can now automate the process using a trigger, like a specific time or event, to send your WhatsApp message.
By using the Shortcuts app on iOS, you can create a seamless automation process to send WhatsApp messages at your preferred time.
Suggested Read: How to Create a Template with a Quick Reply Button.
Scheduling WhatsApp messages can save your business time and ensure timely communication with clients or customers. Follow these simple steps to schedule your messages directly from WhatsApp Web using a third-party extension.
Visit web.whatsapp.com on your desktop browser and scan the QR code displayed on the screen using your phone’s WhatsApp app.
Download a reliable WhatsApp scheduler extension, such as "WA Web Plus," from the Chrome Web Store or your browser's extension marketplace.
Once the extension is installed, open it and allow it to connect to your WhatsApp Web account by following the on-screen prompts.
In the WhatsApp Web interface, click on the contact or group chat you wish to send the message to.
After selecting your recipient, type out the content of your message, ensuring it’s clear and concise.
Click on the scheduler icon in the extension's toolbar and select the date and time you want the message to be sent.
Review all details and click "Schedule" to finalize the process. Your message will be queued and automatically sent at the time you specified.
Scheduling messages on the WhatsApp Business app helps you automate communication with customers and clients, making your interactions more efficient. Here’s how to schedule messages directly within the app:
If you haven’t already, download and install the WhatsApp Business app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. Set up your business profile with relevant details.
Launch the app and open the chat where you want to schedule the message. Select a contact or group chat to start the process.
Type the message you want to send to your customer or group. Ensure the message is clear and ready to be shared.
Tap the three dots in the top-right corner and select "Settings." Under “Business Tools,” click on "Quick Replies" to save your frequently used messages for easy scheduling.
Create a new Quick Reply by typing your message and assigning it a shortcut. This template can be reused and edited as needed.
Since WhatsApp Business doesn’t have a built-in scheduling feature, download an external scheduler app like "SKEDit" to schedule the message. Integrate the app with your WhatsApp Business account.
Open the external scheduler, select the Quick Reply you created, and set the specific date and time you want the message to be sent automatically.
Review all your message details, then hit "Schedule" on the scheduler app. The message will be sent automatically at the time you’ve set, ensuring timely communication without any manual effort.
The WhatsApp Business API allows businesses to automate and schedule messages by integrating with third-party tools. Here’s a quick overview:
Register for the WhatsApp Business API through a business solution provider (BSP) to get started.
Connect your WhatsApp API to CRM platforms like Twilio or MessageBird, which offer message scheduling features.
Design message templates (e.g., reminders, promotions) and submit them for WhatsApp approval.
Use the CRM tool to schedule messages based on specific dates, times, or customer actions.
Track the status of sent messages and customer interactions to ensure timely follow-ups.
By combining the WhatsApp Business API with automation tools, businesses can easily schedule and manage communication with customers.
Scheduling WhatsApp messages can help you reach customers at the right moment and maintain a professional image. To get the best results and avoid common pitfalls, keep these best practices in mind:
By following these practices, you can maximize the impact of your scheduled WhatsApp messages, foster stronger customer relationships, and support your business growth.
While scheduling WhatsApp messages is essential for timely customer communication, Zoko takes it a step further by integrating scheduling into your entire sales and support workflow. Designed for Shopify merchants, Zoko enables you to automate and schedule order updates, payment reminders, and promotional messages directly via WhatsApp. Key benefits include:
By combining message scheduling with sales automation, Zoko helps you deliver consistent, timely communication that drives conversions and improves customer experience.
Start a free trial today and learn how Zoko can support your business growth today.
No, the standard WhatsApp app does not offer a built-in scheduling feature. However, you can use third-party apps on Android or Shortcuts on iOS to automate message delivery.
You can use browser extensions like WA Web Plus or Blueticks on Chrome. These tools allow you to write messages, set the recipient, and schedule a delivery time directly from your desktop browser.
The WhatsApp Business API is designed for medium to large businesses and allows deeper automation, CRM integration, and bulk scheduling. Third-party apps, on the other hand, are better suited for small businesses and individual users, offering basic scheduling without advanced automation or analytics.
Yes, most third-party schedulers are designed to send messages automatically, even if WhatsApp isn’t open, as long as required permissions and background access are granted.
Yes, but you must obtain user consent and follow WhatsApp’s business policies to avoid being flagged for spam or violating data privacy regulations.
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