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Scheduling

Scheduling WhatsApp Messages

WhatsApp scheduling should feel like Postly publishing, but every send needs rule validation at delivery time.

Free-form WhatsApp messages are only allowed inside the active 24-hour customer service window. Templates are required for new conversations, expired windows and bulk campaigns.

Workflow

  1. 1Draft the WhatsApp message in Postly.
  2. 2Choose free-form only for recent inbound conversations with an active 24-hour window.
  3. 3Choose an approved template for new conversations, campaigns or sends likely to happen outside the window.
  4. 4Schedule the message in the publishing calendar.
  5. 5Let Postly re-check window state and template approval before sending.

Inside 24 hours

Free-form replies are allowed when the user recently messaged the business.

New outreach

Business-initiated messages require approved templates.

Bulk campaigns

CSV and Google Sheets sends should use templates and opt-in contacts.

Free-form scheduled messages

These are best for follow-ups to recent conversations. They may fail if the customer service window expires before send time.

Template scheduled messages

These are the recommended default for planned outreach because templates are designed for business-initiated messaging.

Failure handling

When a scheduled free-form message is no longer valid, the message should pause or fail with a clear prompt to convert it to a template.

What Postly keeps lightweight

Connection

Meta Embedded Signup, WABA mapping, phone number sync and secure token storage.

Messaging

Free-form replies, approved templates, scheduling validation and delivery status.

AI replies

Reply generation through Postly AI Studio credits when credits are available.

Exports

Contacts, messages, conversations and campaign results for CRM import.