How to create a WhatsApp short link of your profile?

Your customers want to connect with you quickly, but instead of hunting for your number or navigating a complicated form, they simply click a link and start chatting. That’s the power of a WhatsApp short link and the best part? URL shorteners help you create one easily!

Short links that launch WhatsApp directly are convenient for both businesses and individuals. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to create one and how to optimize your links so they spark more conversations.

What is a WhatsApp short link?

A WhatsApp short link is exactly what it sounds like: a clickable URL that opens a WhatsApp chat. It’s direct, quick, and eliminates the back-and-forth of sharing numbers manually.

Why use a WhatsApp short link?

Here are some practical benefits of using WhatsApp short links:

• Convenience: They make it easy for customers to reach out with a single click.
• Professional image: A neat, branded link looks far better than just a phone number.
• Better marketing: Use them in ads, social media, or email campaigns to encourage conversations.

Many businesses also use WhatsApp short links. Here’s why:

• Better customer support: Make it easy for customers to contact you with questions or issues.
• Higher engagement: Add links to ads, emails, or social media to drive conversations.
• Improved conversions: With pre-filled messages, customers are one step closer to taking action.

Related: 5 powerful benefits of URL shorteners you should know

Now that we know the why, let’s look at how to create one.

Creating a custom WhatsApp short link with Replug

Replug is a great tool if you want to stand out with a professional, branded Whatsapp short link of your profile. It lets you customize your link and track how it performs. Here’s how to use it:

1. Sign in to your Replug account and go to the dashboard. If you don’t have an account already, create one:

1. Paste your WhatsApp long link in the bar under “Quickly Shorten your link”:

2. Create a custom URL (optional):

Once done, you’ll get an auto-generated Replug short link. Here’s what it looks like:

Replug also allows you to customize the slug of your WhatsApp short link. This helps people identify what your link is all about at first glance:

3. Add UTM parameters to track clicks and engagement (optional):

You can easily add UTM parameters through Replug. In our example, we’ve decided to share the link on WhatsApp, so we’ve set the UTM source as “WhatsApp”. You can set it to whichever platform you’re sharing the link on.

4. Save the link and share it across your marketing channels!

With Replug, you have the added benefit of tracking your links and knowing exactly how well your links are performing.

Other methods for creating WhatsApp short links

Using the WhatsApp Business App

The WhatsApp Business App comes with a built-in feature for generating short links. Follow these steps:

1. Open the WhatsApp Business app.
2. Go to Settings and find Business Tools.
3. Select Short Link, and the app will generate a link for your account. For example:

4. To make it even more helpful, add a pre-filled message. For example:

“Hi, I’m interested in your services. Can you tell me more?”

You can now copy and share this link wherever you need it.

Related: Instagram short URL: How to shorten Instagram links

Manually creating a WhatsApp short link

No WhatsApp Business account? No problem. You can manually create a WhatsApp link in a few steps:

1. Start with the base URL:

2. Add your phone number (with the country code, no spaces or symbols). For example:

3. Want to add a pre-filled message? Use this format:

Pro tip: Use %20 for spaces and %27 for apostrophes.

This method works well for simple use cases but doesn’t offer much in terms of branding or tracking.

Related: Revamp your online branding with branded short links 

Optimize your WhatsApp short links using Replug

1. Personalized link options. You can choose a custom domain and alias that match your company’s style. You can also customize your link preview so that it visually represents where the link leads, giving your audience a clear first look before they click.
2. Detailed performance tracking is built in. Replug shows you click-through rates, unique clicks, top devices, and regions, among other statistics. You can also add UTM parameters to your WhatsApp short links to see how your link is performing.
3. Connect with numerous marketing tools. You can incorporate your WhatsApp short links into social media campaigns, email updates, or texts. Everything stays unified in one place.
4. Consistent URL branding is simplified. By using Replug’s branded link feature, all your links look uniform. These vanity URLs mean people will quickly spot your brand wherever you share a link.

5. SMS-friendly links. The platform focuses on links that transmit seamlessly through text messages, which also makes them perfect for widespread WhatsApp promotions.
6. A/B testing: Replug lets you A/B test up to 10 URLs, giving you the flexibility to fine-tune your messaging and optimize WhatsApp campaigns.
7. Retargeting pixel: Replug makes it easy to add retargeting pixels to your custom WhatsApp short links, so you can track user interactions and serve personalized ads to visitors who clicked your links, boosting engagement and conversions.
8. High-volume link creation. Replug can generate millions of short links quickly, so large projects or campaigns are easier to manage.
9. Flexible reporting options. You can fine-tune your reports to meet the goals of your marketing efforts. Track a variety of metrics in a single view.
10. Optional link expiration. You can set your link to stop working after a particular date, which is useful for promotions that end on a specific day.
11. Deep linking and mobile deep links. Instead of just opening WhatsApp, you can guide users to specific conversations or content, making the experience more personalized.

Best practices for WhatsApp short links

To make the most of your WhatsApp short links, here are some tips to keep in mind:

1. Keep links clean and readable: Nobody likes messy links. A clean, readable link not only looks professional but is also more likely to be clicked.

2. Use pre-filled messages: Adding a pre-filled message saves time for your customers and gives you context for the conversation. For example:

“Hi, I’d like to book a consultation. Are you available this week?”

3. Brand your links: Using branded links builds trust and makes your business appear more credible.

4. Prioritize security: Always use HTTPS for your links to ensure they’re secure. Avoid practices that make the link look spammy. You can also password-protect your links.

FAQs on how to create a short WhatsApp link?