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Run Facebook and Instagram ads to WhatsApp

Click-to-WhatsApp ads send buyers straight into your inbox. Timi replies instantly, tracks which campaigns produce paying customers, and reports conversions back to Meta Ads Manager.

  • "Saw your ad on Instagram"
  • "How much with delivery?"
  • "Can I pay M-Pesa?"

Ads that open a real chat

Kenyan buyers trust WhatsApp more than a long form. Click-to-WhatsApp ads send people straight into your inbox. Timi answers first questions while you are busy. The buyer already showed intent by clicking — your job is to reply fast with clear prices and delivery details before they message a competitor.

Campaign structure basics

Run one clear offer per ad set. If you sell furniture and fashion, split them into separate campaigns so you know which product line the chat is about. Match your ad creative to what Timi will say in the first reply — same product, same price range, same delivery promise. Mismatched ads and replies confuse buyers and waste spend.

Use Click-to-WhatsApp as your ad destination

In Meta Ads Manager, set the ad destination to WhatsApp — not a website URL or plain wa.me link. When a buyer taps the ad, WhatsApp opens on your business number. Timi reads the referral data on the first inbound message so paid chats show up clearly in your Feed. You still create and manage campaigns in Ads Manager; Timi is the reply and conversion layer.

First-reply playbook after the click

Define what the first three messages should achieve. Message one confirms the request and sets expectations. Message two delivers the most important facts — product fit, price range, or location coverage. Message three invites a next step such as confirming quantity or sharing a delivery pin. Timi handles this opening while you pack orders or serve walk-in customers.

Click-to-WhatsApp vs plain wa.me

Both open WhatsApp, but only Click-to-WhatsApp gives Meta the data to optimise for conversations that pay.

  • A plain wa.me link in an ad opens WhatsApp with no campaign attribution.
  • Click-to-WhatsApp passes referral data Timi reads on the first message.
  • Paid chats are labelled in your Feed so you know which came from ads.
  • With Meta connected, Timi sends Lead and Purchase events back to Ads Manager.

Connect Meta Ads in Timi Settings

Open Settings → Ad conversion tracking and click Connect Meta Ads. Sign in with the Facebook account that manages your ads, pick your pixel, and turn on conversion events. Timi sends Lead when a buyer first messages, InitiateCheckout when you hand off or send a payment link, and Purchase when they pay via Paystack, M-Pesa confirmation, or you mark the sale. No spreadsheet uploads.

Customer chat link is for organic sharing

Your WhatsApp link from Feed is for Instagram bio, posters, and WhatsApp Status — not for Meta ad destinations. Use Click-to-WhatsApp in ads; use your WhatsApp link everywhere else buyers tap a URL.

What to measure weekly

Track first-response speed, qualification rate, and close rate from qualified chats — not just chat volume. Review which ad sets produced paying customers, not just cheap clicks. Run one simple review every Friday: one chat that converted fast, one that stalled, and one that created confusion. Small weekly adjustments compound quickly during campaign spikes.

Common questions

  • Do I manage ads inside Timi?
    No. You create and run campaigns in Meta Ads Manager. Timi handles WhatsApp replies and conversion tracking.
  • What ad destination should I use in Meta?
    Click-to-WhatsApp. Set the destination to WhatsApp in Ads Manager — not a website URL or Timi chat link.
  • How do I connect Meta conversion tracking?
    In Settings → Ad conversion tracking, click Connect Meta Ads and sign in. Timi discovers your pixel and sends events when leads convert.
  • Does Timi replace my media buyer?
    No. Timi is the WhatsApp front desk and tracking layer. You or your agency still sets budgets and creatives in Meta.
  • What ad format works best for WhatsApp in Kenya?
    Click-to-WhatsApp ads on Facebook and Instagram. Keep the creative simple — one product, one price hook, one clear call to chat.
  • Can I use my customer chat link in ads?
    No. Use Click-to-WhatsApp for ads. Save your chat link for organic sharing — Instagram bio, posters, and status.
  • How fast should I reply after an ad click?
    Instantly if possible. Timi replies in seconds. Buyers who click an ad expect an immediate answer, not a reply the next morning.

Run ads to WhatsApp with clearer numbers

Connect Meta Ads in Settings. Timi replies instantly and reports when leads pay.

WhatsApp ads Kenya | Timi