If customers have to type your WhatsApp number from a flyer, save it to their contacts, then search for you in the app, many of them will give up before they send the first message.
For Nigerian businesses that sell, book or take enquiries on WhatsApp, every extra step costs leads. A WhatsApp Business link or QR code removes those steps: one tap or one scan opens a chat with your business.
You can create both inside the free WhatsApp Business app. Go to the Tools tab (or Settings > Business tools on some versions), tap Short link, then copy the link or tap View QR code (WhatsApp Help Center). You can also build a link yourself in the format https://wa.me/234XXXXXXXXXX and turn it into a QR code (WhatsApp Help Center).
In this guide, you'll learn the difference between WhatsApp link types, how to create and customise each one, how to print a QR code that scans reliably, where to use them, how to track which one brings chats, and how to reset a code if spammers find it.
What is a WhatsApp Business link and QR code?
A WhatsApp Business link is a URL that opens a chat with your business number when tapped. A WhatsApp Business QR code is the same link encoded as a scannable image. Neither requires the customer to save your number first (WhatsApp Help Center).
There are three types to choose from:
| Type | Format | Created in | Pre-filled message | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business short link | wa.me/message/<code> | WhatsApp Business app | One default message, editable in the app | Social bios, flyers, one main QR code |
| Click-to-chat link | wa.me/234XXXXXXXXXX | Built by hand from your number | Any message, set per link with ?text= | Websites, ads, one link per channel |
| Platform QR code and short link | wa.me/message/<code> | WhatsApp Business Platform (API) or Meta Business tools | Set per code; several codes per number | Businesses on the API running many campaigns |
How they relate: every type opens the same WhatsApp chat. The difference is control. The app gives you one ready-made link and QR code. A hand-built wa.me link lets you create as many variations as you need. The Platform lets API users create, edit and delete multiple codes (Meta for Developers).
How to get your WhatsApp Business link and QR code in the app
Open the WhatsApp Business app, go to Short link, and copy the link or tap View QR code. The app creates both automatically for your number.
Find your short link
- Open the WhatsApp Business app.
- Go to the Tools tab. On some versions, go to Settings > Business tools instead.
- Tap Short link.
- Copy the link (it looks like
wa.me/message/ABC123XYZ) or tap Share link.
Add a default message
On the same Short link screen, turn on Default message and type the text customers will see in their chat box when they open your link or scan your QR code. Customers can edit it before sending. Keep it under 140 characters (Salewisely).
Good default messages for Nigerian businesses:
- Fashion store: Hi, I'd like to see your new arrivals.
- Restaurant: Hi, I want to place an order for delivery.
- Real estate agent: Hi, I'm looking for a property to rent.
- Clinic: Hi, I want to book an appointment.
- Law firm: Hi, I'd like to book a consultation.
View, save and share your QR code
- On the Short link screen, tap View QR code.
- Tap Share code to send it to another app, or take a screenshot.
- Send the image to your designer for flyers, packaging and signage.
The QR code opens the same chat and default message as your short link. Customers can scan it with the WhatsApp camera or their phone's camera app.
How to create a WhatsApp link manually with a Nigerian number
Write https://wa.me/ followed by your number in international format: 234, then the number without its leading zero. Do not include the plus sign, spaces, brackets or dashes (WhatsApp Help Center).
| Your number | Remove the 0, add 234 | WhatsApp link |
|---|---|---|
| 0803 123 4567 | 2348031234567 | https://wa.me/2348031234567 |
| 0812 555 0199 | 2348125550199 | https://wa.me/2348125550199 |
| 0701 222 3344 | 2347012223344 | https://wa.me/2347012223344 |
Add a pre-filled message
Add ?text= to the end of the link, followed by your message with special characters URL-encoded. WhatsApp documents the format as https://wa.me/whatsappphonenumber?text=urlencodedtext (WhatsApp Help Center).
https://wa.me/2348031234567?text=Hi%2C%20I%20saw%20your%20flyer%20and%20want%20to%20orderThis opens a chat with "Hi, I saw your flyer and want to order" ready to send.
Common characters to encode:
| Character | Encoded as |
|---|---|
| Space | %20 |
| Comma (,) | %2C |
| Question mark (?) | %3F |
| Ampersand (&) | %26 |
| Naira sign (₦) | %E2%82%A6 |
| New line | %0A |
To avoid typing codes by hand, paste your message into any free URL encoder, or use the encodeURIComponent() function in your browser console.
When to use a manual link instead of the app's short link
Use manual wa.me links when you need a different message for each channel, page or campaign. The app gives you one short link with one default message; manual links have no such limit. Test every link on a phone before you publish it.
How to turn a WhatsApp link into a QR code that scans reliably
Use the QR code from the app for your main link. For manual wa.me links, paste the link into a QR code generator, download the image, and test it on two or three different phones before printing.
Create the QR code
- Build and test your
wa.melink, including any pre-filled message. - Paste it into a QR code generator.
- Download the code as SVG or high-resolution PNG. SVG stays sharp at any print size.
- Scan it with an Android phone and an iPhone, using both the camera app and WhatsApp's scanner.
Static or dynamic? A static QR code stores the wa.me link directly and works forever, at no cost. A dynamic QR code stores a redirect link controlled by the generator company, so you can change the destination later and count scans, usually on a paid plan. If the company closes or your subscription lapses, a dynamic code can stop working. For packaging and signage you will print in bulk, a static code is the safer choice unless you need scan analytics.
Print it properly
| Rule | Why |
|---|---|
| Dark code on a light, plain background | Low contrast and busy backgrounds cause failed scans |
| Leave a clear margin around the code | The QR standard (ISO/IEC 18004) specifies a quiet zone four modules wide |
| Size it for the distance | As a rule of thumb, make the code about 1 cm wide for every 10 cm of scanning distance; about 2 cm minimum for packaging |
| Add a call to action | "Scan to order on WhatsApp" tells people what the code does |
| Print the number beside it | Some customers will call or type the number instead |
| Avoid glossy laminate under bright lights | Glare can stop cameras reading the code |
| Test the printed proof | Check a physical sample before a full print run |
Example: a Kano food vendor prints a 3 cm QR code on each takeaway pack with "Scan to reorder on WhatsApp" and a default message of "Hi, I want to reorder." Repeat customers no longer need to search for the number.
Where should Nigerian businesses use their WhatsApp link and QR code?
Use the link wherever customers tap (social profiles, websites, emails, ads) and the QR code wherever they look at something physical (packaging, flyers, signage, receipts).
| Channel | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Instagram, TikTok and Facebook bio | Link | A Lagos fashion brand puts its short link in its Instagram bio with "Order on WhatsApp" |
| Website | Link as a button; QR code for desktop visitors | See How to Link WhatsApp Business to Your Website: A Complete 2026 Guide |
| Google Business Profile | Link in the website or booking field, where allowed | A Port Harcourt clinic adds its WhatsApp booking link |
| Email signature and invoices | Link | "Questions about this invoice? Chat on WhatsApp" |
| Product packaging and stickers | QR code | A skincare brand adds "Scan for reorders and skin advice" |
| Flyers, posters and banners | QR code + printed number | An estate agent's "To Let" board includes a QR code with the property code in the message |
| Shop counter and receipts | QR code | A restaurant's receipt says "Scan to order again" |
| Delivery bikes and vans | QR code + number | A logistics company prints a large QR code on the van door |
| Events and exhibitions | QR code on stand and badges | Visitors scan to request a quote after the event |
| Business cards | QR code | A lawyer's card opens a chat with "Hi, I'd like to book a consultation" |
For Click-to-WhatsApp ads, use Meta Ads Manager's WhatsApp destination rather than a link, so the ad opens the chat directly.
How to track which WhatsApp link or QR code brings chats
Give each channel its own wa.me link with a unique pre-filled message, then count the chats that arrive with each message. WhatsApp links have no built-in analytics in the Business app, so the message itself becomes your tracking code.
Step 1: create one link per channel
| Channel | Pre-filled message | Code in message |
|---|---|---|
| Instagram bio | Hi, I found you on Instagram. [IG] | IG |
| Flyer, Ikeja campaign | Hi, I saw your flyer. [FLY-IKJ] | FLY-IKJ |
| Product packaging | Hi, I want to reorder. [PACK] | PACK |
| Website contact page | Hi, I'm messaging from your website. [WEB] | WEB |
| Exhibition stand | Hi, we met at your stand. [EXPO] | EXPO |
A short code in brackets usually stays in place even if the customer rewrites the rest of the message.
Step 2: label chats by source
In the WhatsApp Business app, create labels such as Instagram, Flyer, Packaging and Website. Label each new chat by the code in its first message, and add a Paid label when it converts.
Step 3: count weekly
Once a week, count chats and sales per label. Within a month you can see which flyer location or channel is worth more spend.
Optional: count clicks too
- Website clicks: track
wa.meclicks in Google Analytics 4 as outbound clicks (Google Analytics Help). - QR scans: a dynamic QR code generator counts scans, with the trade-offs explained above.
- Automatic attribution: linking chats to sales without manual labels requires the WhatsApp Business Platform (API) connected to a CRM.
How to reset, change and protect your WhatsApp QR code
Reset your QR code in the app if spammers start using it or you need to retire an old code. Resetting deactivates the previous code, so it stops working when scanned, and you must share the new one with customers (WhatsApp Help Center).
Reset your QR code
- Go to the Tools tab > More options (three dots) > Short link.
- Tap View QR code.
- Tap More options (three dots) > Reset link > Reset > OK.
These are WhatsApp's Android steps; menus can differ slightly on iPhone.
Before you reset, check where the old code is printed. A reset breaks every flyer, sticker and package carrying the old code. If thousands of printed packs carry it, reset only if spam is serious, and replace stock as you reprint.
Change the default message without a reset
You can edit the default message on the Short link screen at any time. The link and QR code stay the same; new scans show the new message.
Protect customers from fake QR codes
- Check printed codes in public places. A sticker placed over your code could send customers to someone else's chat. Inspect counters, posters and vehicles regularly.
- Show your number beside the code so customers can confirm the chat that opens is yours.
- Use your business name and logo on the profile, so customers recognise the chat after scanning.
- Never put payment details in a QR code image that others could copy. Send payment details only inside the chat.
For account security and ban prevention, see Why WhatsApp Business Numbers Get Banned, and How to Avoid It (2026).
How do QR codes work on the WhatsApp Business Platform (API)?
On the WhatsApp Business Platform, you can create, edit and delete multiple QR codes and short links for one phone number, each with its own pre-filled message. This is done through the WhatsApp Business Management API or in Meta's business tools (Meta for Developers).
| Feature | WhatsApp Business app | WhatsApp Business Platform (API) |
|---|---|---|
| Number of short links and QR codes | One per number | Several per number |
| Pre-filled message | One default message | Set per code, up to 140 characters (Meta for Developers) |
| Edit after printing | Default message only | Pre-filled message per code |
| Retiring a code | Reset replaces the single code | Delete one code; scanners see a message that it has expired |
| Cost | Free | Messages billed per Meta's Platform pricing |
Platform codes suit businesses that already use the API and run many campaigns at once, such as a bank with separate codes for branches, ATMs and statements. For most SMEs, manual wa.me links with per-channel messages give similar flexibility on the free app.
To understand whether your business needs the Platform, see WhatsApp Business API in Nigeria: Cost and Who Needs It (2026) and WhatsApp Business vs the API: Which One Does Your Nigerian Business Need? (2026).
Common WhatsApp link and QR code mistakes
Most failed WhatsApp links and QR codes come from a badly formatted number, an untested print, or a code that cannot be changed after printing. Avoid these:
| Mistake | Result | Fix |
|---|---|---|
Writing wa.me/080... or wa.me/+234... | The chat does not open or opens the wrong number | Use wa.me/234 + number without the leading 0 |
Unencoded spaces or symbols in ?text= | Message is cut off or broken | URL-encode the message |
| QR code too small or on a busy background | Customers cannot scan it | Print at least about 2 cm wide, dark on light, with a clear margin |
| No call to action beside the code | People do not know what it opens | Add "Scan to chat on WhatsApp" |
| Resetting the QR code after a big print run | Every printed code stops working | Reset only when necessary; plan reprints |
| Using a paid dynamic QR code on permanent packaging | The code fails if the subscription lapses | Use a static code for long-life print |
| One link for every channel | You cannot tell which channel brings chats | One link and message per channel |
| Nobody answering chats from the link | Leads go cold | Set greeting and away messages first |
Set up greeting and away messages before you publish your link. Steps are in How to Set Up WhatsApp Business in Nigeria: A Complete 2026 Guide, and reply templates that convert are in Auto-Replies and Catalogues That Close Sales on WhatsApp Business (2026 Guide).
Frequently asked questions
How do I get my WhatsApp Business link?
Open the WhatsApp Business app, go to the Tools tab (or Settings > Business tools), and tap Short link. Copy the link or tap Share link.
Where is my WhatsApp Business QR code?
In the WhatsApp Business app, go to the Tools tab, tap Short link, then tap View QR code. You can share it or save it as an image.
How do I create a WhatsApp link with a Nigerian number?
Remove the leading zero from your number and add 234, then put it after https://wa.me/. For example, 0803 123 4567 becomes https://wa.me/2348031234567.
Can I add a message to my WhatsApp link or QR code?
Yes. In the app, turn on Default message on the Short link screen. For a manual link, add ?text= followed by your URL-encoded message.
Is a WhatsApp Business QR code free?
Yes. The QR code and short link in the WhatsApp Business app are free. Static QR codes made from a wa.me link with a free generator also cost nothing.
Does a WhatsApp QR code expire?
The app's QR code keeps working until you reset it. A QR code from a paid dynamic generator can stop working if the subscription ends. On the WhatsApp Business Platform, deleted codes show an expired message.
How do I reset my WhatsApp Business QR code?
Go to Tools > Short link > View QR code, tap the three-dot menu, then Reset link > Reset > OK. The old code stops working.
Can I change my QR code's default message without reprinting?
Yes. Edit the default message on the Short link screen. The same QR code will show the new message to people who scan it.
Can I have more than one WhatsApp QR code for my business?
The app gives one short link and QR code per number. You can create unlimited manual wa.me links and turn each into its own QR code, or use the WhatsApp Business Platform to manage several codes.
Can I track how many people scan my WhatsApp QR code?
Not inside the WhatsApp Business app. Use a unique pre-filled message per code and count chats by label, or use a dynamic QR generator that counts scans.
Make every customer touchpoint one tap from a chat
Your WhatsApp Business link and QR code are already in the app under Short link. Add a default message, create extra wa.me links for each channel, print QR codes that scan cleanly, and label chats by source so you know where customers come from.
Want WhatsApp links, QR codes and tracking set up across your marketing? Pedicel Nigeria builds WhatsApp sales systems for Nigerian businesses, from print and social to website and ads. Book a free consultation
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