What is the purpose of sending a test message during campaign creation?
Send a test message
Sending a test message is the safest way to preview your campaign before it reaches hundreds or thousands of recipients. It helps you spot errors early, confirm media and variables, and avoid costly mistakes that could impact compliance or customer trust.
Why send a test message?
- ✅ Bold Verify formatting: Check message layout, buttons, and personalization on an actual phone.
- ✅ Bold Catch errors early: Fix typos, broken links, or misaligned variables before launch.
- ✅ Bold Confirm media: Ensure images, videos, or PDFs render correctly on WhatsApp.
- ✅ Bold Compliance check: Make sure tone and content align with WhatsApp Business Policy.
How to send a test message
- In the Campaign Setup screen, click Send Test (or Preview Message).
- Enter your WhatsApp number (or a designated test number).
- Click Send.
- Review the message on your phone and check placeholders, links, and media.
Do vs. Don’t when sending test messages
Do | Don’t |
|---|---|
Test every campaign before launch | Skip testing because “the template worked last time” |
Use a real WhatsApp device (mobile or web) | Preview only in dashboard without checking device view |
Enter sample values for variables (e.g., {{name}}, {{date}}) | Leave placeholders like {{variable}} unmapped |
Check media + buttons on mobile | Assume media will auto-render correctly |
Share test results with teammates for review | Rely on a single person’s quick glance |
Notes & limitations
- Test messages use live template content, but do not deliver to audience contacts.
- Some providers limit test messages to 1 per hour or per user.
- Certain BSPs may deduct 1 credit for test sends—confirm with your plan.
- Personalized fields (e.g., {{name}}) may only populate if sample data is provided.
Best practices checklist
- Always send at least one test message per campaign.
- Verify all variables populate correctly (add fallback values if needed).
- Check media formatting (size, type, resolution).
- Click through links and CTAs to ensure they work.
- Test in both mobile and WhatsApp Web/Desktop for consistency.
- Have at least one colleague review the test message before approving launch.
Updated on: 23/09/2025