# Link Generator

## Overview

The Link Generator creates trackable WhatsApp links — short links that open a chat with your number and pre-fill a message. You pick a number and a welcome message; WaDesk gives you a short link that opens WhatsApp, counts every click, and comes with a QR code. Manage links under More → Link Generator.

Use these anywhere you want a one-tap "message us on WhatsApp" entry point: Instagram bios, Google Ads, email signatures, business cards, packaging, and storefronts. Because each link counts clicks and can carry tracking tags, you can see which channel actually drives conversations.

> Works with any setup: links produce a standard WhatsApp link, so they work no matter how your number is connected (Unofficial API, official Cloud API, or Twilio).

## Create a Link

1. Go to Link Generator and click Create Link.
2. Give the link an internal name (for your own reference — not shown to customers).
3. Enter the destination country code and phone number.
4. Optionally write a welcome message — the text pre-typed into the customer's chat box.
5. Optionally set a custom short-link ending (lowercase letters, digits, hyphens) — leave it blank and WaDesk picks an 8-character one for you.
6. Optionally add tracking tags (source, medium, campaign) and an expiry date.
7. Click Save. You get the short link, the full WhatsApp link it opens, and a QR code to download.

> Phone number check: the country code plus number must be a valid international number — at least 7 and at most 15 digits. A too-short number (which would produce a broken chat link) is rejected on save, so you can't accidentally publish a dead link on a business card or ad. Digits are tidied automatically and the country code gets a leading `+`.

## Link Fields

Field | Purpose
--- | ---
Name | Your own label — not shown to customers.
Country code + Phone | The destination WhatsApp number. Non-digits are removed, the code gets a leading `+`, and the result is checked as a valid international number (7–15 digits).
Welcome message | Pre-typed into the customer's chat box when they open the link.
Short-link ending | The custom part at the end of the short link. Lowercase letters, digits, and hyphens only. If you leave it blank or pick one that's taken, WaDesk generates a unique one (adding a number if needed). Endings are unique across all of WaDesk because the short link is public.
Tracking source / medium / campaign | Tags you record so you can tell channels apart in your reports.
Expiry | After this date the short link stops working and shows a "paused or expired" page.
Status | Active or paused. A paused link stops working immediately.

## How the Short Link Works

The short link is public — no login needed — because it's meant to be shared widely. When someone opens it:

1. WaDesk looks up the link. An unknown link shows a "not found" page.
2. If the link is paused or past its expiry, the visitor sees a "paused or expired" page.
3. Otherwise the click count goes up by one, the last-clicked time is updated, and the visitor is sent straight to WhatsApp.

The link opens a standard WhatsApp chat — your number plus the welcome message (`https://wa.me/<number>?text=<message>`) — so it works in every browser and on mobile. Your tracking tags are saved for your reports; they aren't added to the WhatsApp link itself (WhatsApp would ignore them).

## QR Code

- Each saved link comes with a QR code you can download and print on packaging, posters, business cards, or table tents.
- Scanning the QR opens the same short link, so the scan flows through the click counter just like a tap — print placements and digital placements are both tracked.

## Click Analytics

- Per-link clicks: every open (tap or QR scan) adds to the link's click count and updates its last-clicked time.
- Workspace totals: the list page shows total links, active links, and total clicks across the workspace.
- Attribution: combine the per-link counts with the tracking tags you set to compare channels — e.g. which campaign or placement drives the most WhatsApp conversations.

## Manage Links

- Edit: change the number, message, short-link ending, tracking tags, expiry, or status anytime. Changing the ending re-checks that it's still unique.
- Pause / resume: flip the status to stop or restart the link without deleting it. A paused link shows the "paused or expired" page to visitors.
- Duplicate: makes a copy with a fresh short-link ending and a reset click count, so the copy tracks independently.
- Delete: removes the link. Links belong to your workspace; the list shows 20 per page.

> Ban safety: a link only opens a chat — the customer still has to tap Send, which keeps you within WhatsApp's opt-in expectations. That's why links are a safer top-of-funnel tool than cold bulk sends. Avoid pairing a link with automation that immediately blasts a number you obtained without consent.

## Troubleshooting

Symptom | Likely cause & fix
--- | ---
Save rejected — "Phone number must be 7–15 digits" | The country code + number isn't a valid international number. Include the country code and enough digits.
Short-link ending got a `-2` (or higher) added | The ending you chose was already taken. WaDesk added a number to keep it unique. Pick a different ending if you want a clean one.
Visitors see "This link is paused or expired" | The link is paused or its expiry date has passed. Resume it or clear/extend the expiry.
Short link shows "not found" | The link doesn't exist (deleted or a typo). Check it in the Link Generator list.
Short-link ending won't save | Endings allow only lowercase letters, digits, and hyphens (max 64 characters). Remove spaces, capitals, and symbols.
Clicks aren't matching my ad reports | The click count includes every open — taps and QR scans, including your own while testing. Use tracking tags plus the per-link count together to attribute by channel.
WhatsApp opens but the message isn't pre-filled | The welcome message was blank. Add one and it will appear in the chat box.