The approach of opening an application on a specific page is performed via mobile or deep links. The main difference of the methods is that deep links are applies for own mobile app because. That is because settings of deep links require modifying the app code.
Mobile links, on the contrary, can be used for all mobile apps. They are accessed via app package names. The most important requirement is for the app to be installed on the visitor's phones. If not, the link will be opened in the browser.
Today, on the Short.io blog, we will show how to create a short link that opens a specific contact with a specific message on WhatsApp.
How to Set up WhatsApp Link
There are two ways to redirect visitors to a WhatsApp chat with a predefined message.
I. Wa.me link
This way works properly only if you have added a number to the list of contacts. Otherwise, the link will redirect to a list of your WhatsApp contacts.
Add the phone number in the international format without +
Like this: https://wa.me/314324113XXXX
If you want to add a built-in message to your link, add ?text= at the end: https://wa.me/314324113XXXX?text=message
Example: https://wa.me/314324113XXXX?text=How are you
Whole link: https://wa.me/491333297553?text=How are you
1. Go to Short.io.
2. Shorten your link.
Now click the short URL...Voila! You are redirected to the contact with the specific message.
Source: https://faq.whatsapp.com/iphone/how-to-link-to-whatsapp-from-a-different-app/?lang=fb & https://stackoverflow.com/questions/30344476/web-link-to-specific-whatsapp-contact
II. Api.whatsapp
This approach works both on iOS and Android as well as allows sending message to people, who are not in your contact list.
You need to specify the phone in the international format with +:
https://api.whatsapp.com/send?phone=+49133329XXXX
And if you want to add a built-in message to your link, add &text= at the end with the text:
https://api.whatsapp.com/send?phone=+49133329XXXX&text=message
Whole link: https://api.whatsapp.com/send?phone=+49133329XXXX&text=Hello! How are you
1. Go to Short.io.
2. Shorten your link.
Now click the short URL...After that you will be redirected to the contact with the specific message.
Source: https://www.whatsapp.com/faq/en/general/26000030
Conclusion
The use cases described above are just examples of how you can use Universal links. Apps such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Gmail can also make use of this feature, but make sure these apps are installed on your users' mobiles.
Short.io Features
DiscoverWhat did you learn?
- short whatsapp links
- how to open short link in whatsapp
- how to send a user to a whatsapp contact
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