Updated 1 October 2026.
The Short Answer
A good WhatsApp reminder is short and includes a name, the service, the day and time, the address and a simple way to confirm or cancel. Below are nine templates to copy: a booking confirmation, a reminder 24 hours before, a reminder 2 hours before, an arrival confirmation ask, first-visit details, a message when you are running late, a no-show follow-up, a waitlist offer and a deposit request. Each template has a line saying when to send it.
Send at most two reminders per appointment: one 24 hours before and one 2 hours before. A message about an appointment the customer booked themselves is a service message. A message that offers a promotion or tries to win a customer back is marketing, and under Amendment 40 to Israel's Communications Law it needs prior consent. This is general information, not legal advice.
Four Rules Before You Copy
- Your business name up front. A customer who did not save your number needs to know who is writing.
- Day, date and time, not just "tomorrow". People read messages in the middle of something else.
- One action at the end. "Reply 1 to confirm" or one link. Not three options.
- One purpose per message. No promotions inside a reminder.
Replace the text in square brackets with your details.
Nine Templates to Copy
1. Confirmation Right After Booking
Hi [name], your appointment at [business name] is booked: [service], [day] [date] at [time]. Address: [address]. To change or cancel, write to us here or use this link: [link]. See you then!
When to send: right after the customer books, or after you approve a request that was pending.
2. Reminder 24 Hours Before
Hi [name], a reminder of your appointment tomorrow, [day] at [time], at [business name] ([service]). Address: [address]. If you need to change it, write to us by [time] today and we will find another slot.
When to send: the evening before, at a reasonable hour and not at night. Add a last time for changes, so you have time to offer the slot to someone else.
3. Reminder 2 Hours Before
Hi [name], see you today at [time] at [business name], [address]. [Note: parking / floor / entry code]. If you are running late, write to us.
When to send: two to three hours before. It is the last reminder, so keep it short.
4. Arrival Confirmation Ask
Hi [name], your appointment is tomorrow at [time] at [business name]. Are you coming? Reply 1 to confirm or 2 to change or cancel. If you cancel, we can offer the time to someone waiting.
When to send: 24 hours before, instead of template 2 and not in addition to it. If a customer does not answer, send template 3 two hours before.
5. First-Visit Details
Hi [name], we are glad you booked with us for [day] at [time]. To make the first visit easy: address [address], parking [details], expected duration [duration]. [If you have a form: before the visit you can fill in a short form here: [link]]. We look forward to seeing you.
When to send: a day or two before a new customer's first visit.
6. We Are Running Late
Hi [name], we apologize, we are running about [number] minutes late. You can arrive at [new time], and if that does not work we will find another time together. Thank you for understanding.
When to send: the moment you know about the delay, before the customer leaves home.
7. After a No-Show
Hi [name], we did not see you today at [time] and wanted to make sure everything is fine. If something went wrong or needs changing, write to us. [A line about your cancellation policy, if you have one].
When to send: once, at the end of the day or the next day, in a calm tone. Do not attach a discount or an offer. This is a borderline message: it refers to a specific appointment the customer booked, but an invitation to book again may be treated as marketing, so the template has no link to a new appointment. Send such a link only to a customer who agreed to receive marketing messages.
8. A Slot Opens From the Waiting List
Hi [name], a slot opened for [service] on [day] at [time]. Want it? Reply "yes" within [number] minutes and we will hold it for you. Otherwise we will offer it to the next person waiting.
When to send: the moment the slot opens, and only to customers who asked to join the waiting list. Start with the first person on the list.
9. Deposit Request
Hi [name], to hold your appointment ([service], [day] at [time]) a deposit of ₪[amount] is required. To pay: [link]. The appointment is held until [deadline], after which it returns to the calendar. Cancellation and refund policy: [line].
When to send: as soon as the customer asks for a service that needs a deposit. State the refund policy in the message itself, so there is no argument later.
Service Messages and Marketing Messages - Amendment 40
Amendment 40 to Israel's Communications Law (section 30A) prohibits sending a message with advertising content, by SMS, WhatsApp, email and more, without the recipient's explicit prior consent. On the common reading of the law, a reminder, confirmation or update about an appointment the customer booked themselves is a service message. A promotion, a "we have not seen you in a while" message or a newsletter is marketing.
- Templates 1 to 6, 8 and 9 above concern an existing appointment or a customer's own request (the waiting list), so they are generally treated as service messages.
- Template 7 (after a no-show) is borderline. It refers to an appointment the customer booked, so it is written without an offer and without a link to book a new appointment. Do not add an offer or an invitation to come back, unless the customer agreed to receive marketing messages.
- Do not add a discount or an offer to a reminder. A mixed message may be treated as an advertisement.
- For marketing: ask for clear consent, record who agreed, when and how, and give an easy way to opt out.
This is general information, not legal advice. For a specific question, consult a lawyer.
If You Do Not Want to Send Them by Hand
Timing sends automatic WhatsApp reminders from the Basic plan (₪79 a month), with a choice of send time, and arrival confirmations with buttons from the Professional plan (₪129). How the reminders work. The other templates here fit any tool, including a manual message.