You know WhatsApp restock alerts get 98% open rates compared to email’s 65%. You know they convert faster because customers see them within minutes. But how do you actually set them up on your Shopify store? Which app do you pick? What does the WhatsApp Business API require? How much will it really cost you per month?
Most guides stop at telling you WhatsApp is better. This one starts where they stop. We are walking through the practical setup: choosing the right app for your store, connecting the WhatsApp Business API, creating message templates that get approved, and configuring your restock alerts to send automatically when you restock a product.
If you want the full breakdown of why WhatsApp outperforms other channels for restock notifications, read our WhatsApp back-in-stock alerts overview first. This article is about execution.
What You Need Before Setting Up WhatsApp Restock Alerts
Before you install any app, you need three things ready. Skipping any of these creates delays that can push your setup back by days.
1. A Dedicated Phone Number
The WhatsApp Business API requires a phone number that is not currently registered on WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business App. Once you connect a number to the API, it cannot be used on the regular WhatsApp app simultaneously.
Options for getting a dedicated number:
- A second SIM card or virtual number
- A VoIP number from services like Twilio or MessageBird
- Your existing business landline (WhatsApp supports landlines via voice verification)
Most Shopify WhatsApp apps can provision a number for you during setup if you do not have one.
2. A Facebook Business Manager Account
WhatsApp Business API access goes through Meta’s Facebook Business Manager. You need:
- A Facebook Business Manager account (free to create)
- Business verification completed (Meta reviews your business documents)
- A WhatsApp Business Account linked to your Business Manager
Business verification takes 2-7 business days. Start this process before you choose an app so you are not waiting around after installation.
3. A Shopify Store with Back-in-Stock Functionality
Your store needs a way for customers to sign up for restock notifications. This means either:
- A Notify Me button on your out-of-stock product pages
- A waitlist form that collects phone numbers
- An existing back-in-stock app that supports WhatsApp
If you already have a Notify Me button collecting email addresses, you can add a WhatsApp number field alongside it. Apps like StoreBeep support both email and WhatsApp collection from the same form.
Which Apps Send WhatsApp Restock Alerts on Shopify?
Not every back-in-stock app supports WhatsApp. And not every WhatsApp app supports restock alerts. Here are the apps that do both, compared on what matters most.
App Comparison Table
| App | WhatsApp Restock Alerts | Starting Price | Rating | Other Channels | Notable Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| StoreBeep | Email + WhatsApp | Free plan | 5.0/5 | Single form collects both channels | |
| Stok (StoQ) | Email + SMS + WhatsApp | $6.99/month | 4.8/5 | Email, SMS, Push | Price drop alerts included |
| Notify! Back in Stock | Email + SMS + WhatsApp | $19.90/month | 4.9/5 | Email, SMS, Push | Pre-order integration |
| Back in Stock Duck | Email + WhatsApp | $9.99/month | 4.7/5 | Waitlist management | |
| DiscoCrate | WhatsApp only | $4.99/month | 4.5/5 | WhatsApp only | WhatsApp-native experience |
| Swym Back in Stock | Email primary | $19.99/month | 4.1/5 | Email, Push | Advanced analytics |
How to Choose the Right App
Choose StoreBeep if: You want email and WhatsApp from a single Notify Me form with the simplest setup. No WhatsApp API fees at the app level since it uses your own API connection.
Choose Stok if: You need WhatsApp plus SMS plus email coverage and want price drop alerts alongside restock notifications. Good balance of features and price.
Choose Notify! if: You sell pre-order products alongside regular inventory and need waitlist plus pre-order management in one app.
Choose DiscoCrate if: You want a WhatsApp-only approach without the complexity of multi-channel. Best for stores where most customers are in WhatsApp-heavy markets.
Choose Back in Stock Duck if: You need a pre-order management system with WhatsApp restock alerts as an add-on feature.
Step-by-Step: Setting Up WhatsApp Restock Alerts
Here is the setup process that works across most Shopify WhatsApp restock apps. The specific screens may differ, but the steps are the same.
Step 1: Install Your Chosen App
Install the app from the Shopify App Store. Most apps activate within seconds and add a basic Notify Me widget to your out-of-stock product pages automatically.
After installation, check that:
- The Notify Me button appears on at least one out-of-stock product
- The form includes a field for WhatsApp number (phone number with country code)
- The widget matches your store’s design (most apps offer customization)
Step 2: Connect WhatsApp Business API
This is where most merchants get stuck. The connection process involves:
- Open the app’s WhatsApp settings and click “Connect WhatsApp”
- Log into Facebook Business Manager when prompted
- Select or create your WhatsApp Business Account
- Verify your business if you have not already (Meta will review documents)
- Connect your dedicated phone number and verify via SMS or voice call
- Grant permissions for the app to send messages on your behalf
The entire connection takes 10-15 minutes if your Facebook Business Manager is already verified. If not, add 2-7 business days for verification.
Step 3: Create Your Restock Alert Template
WhatsApp requires pre-approved message templates for automated messages. Most apps provide default templates, but customizing yours improves conversion.
A high-converting restock alert template includes:
Template name: restock_notification
Category: Marketing (this is how Meta classifies restock alerts)
Language: English (or your customer’s language)
Message body:
Hi {{customer_name}}, great news!
{{product_name}} is back in stock on our store.
This item sold out before and stock is limited. Grab yours before it's gone again!Button: “Shop Now” → links to product page
Variables you can use:
{{customer_name}}— customer’s first name{{product_name}}— the restocked product name{{product_price}}— current price{{product_url}}— direct link to product page
Submit the template for approval. Most templates get approved within 24-48 hours if they follow Meta’s guidelines.
Step 4: Configure Automation Settings
Set up the automation rules that control when and how alerts fire:
- Trigger: Product variant goes from 0 inventory to 1+ inventory
- Delay: Send immediately (recommended) or with a short delay for batch restocks
- Recipient matching: Match customers who signed up for that specific product or variant
- Deduplication: Prevent sending multiple alerts if inventory fluctuates (most apps handle this automatically)
- Fallback: If WhatsApp delivery fails, optionally send the alert via email
Step 5: Test Before Going Live
Before you rely on automated alerts for real customers:
- Set a test product to out-of-stock
- Sign up for the restock alert using your own WhatsApp number
- Set the product back to in-stock
- Verify you receive the WhatsApp alert within minutes
- Click the link and confirm it goes to the correct product page
Test both the notification delivery and the customer experience after clicking through.
What Does It Cost to Send WhatsApp Restock Alerts?
The cost of WhatsApp restock alerts comes from three components. Understanding all three prevents budget surprises.
Component 1: App Subscription
Your chosen Shopify app charges a monthly subscription. Based on the apps we compared:
| App | Free Tier | Paid Starting Price | WhatsApp Included |
|---|---|---|---|
| StoreBeep | Yes (limited alerts) | $5/month | Uses your API |
| Stok | No | $6.99/month | Included |
| Notify! | No | $19.90/month | Included |
| DiscoCrate | No | $4.99/month | Included |
Component 2: WhatsApp API Message Fees
Meta charges per message based on the recipient’s country and message category. Restock alerts are classified as marketing messages:
| Recipient Country | Cost Per Restock Alert |
|---|---|
| United States | $0.05 |
| United Kingdom | $0.14 |
| India | $0.01 |
| Brazil | $0.06 |
| Germany | $0.22 |
| Australia | $0.09 |
Component 3: BSP Processing Fees
Some Business Solution Providers charge a per-message processing fee on top of Meta’s rates. This ranges from $0.001 to $0.01 per message. Check your app’s pricing to see if BSP fees apply.
Monthly Cost Example
A Shopify store sending 500 WhatsApp restock alerts per month to US customers:
| Component | Cost |
|---|---|
| App subscription | $5-20/month |
| Meta API fees (500 × $0.05) | $25/month |
| BSP fees (500 × $0.005) | $2.50/month |
| Total | $32.50-47.50/month |
Compare that to 500 email restock alerts: $0.50-1.50 in sending costs plus $5-15 for the email platform. Email is 3-5x cheaper for the same volume.
But remember: WhatsApp converts at a higher rate. If your average order value is $50, even a 5% better conversion rate on 500 alerts means 25 extra sales worth $1,250. The $30-45 difference in notification cost is insignificant against that revenue.
For a detailed cost-per-conversion analysis, see our WhatsApp vs email comparison.
WhatsApp Restock Alert Templates That Convert
The template you use directly impacts how many customers click through and buy. Here are three template frameworks that perform well across Shopify stores.
Template 1: Urgency-Focused
Hi {{customer_name}}! 🎉
{{product_name}} is BACK IN STOCK!
This item sold out in {{days_sold_out}} days last time. Limited stock available now.
[Shop Now] → {{product_url}}Best for: Products with a history of selling out quickly. The “sold out in X days” detail creates genuine urgency.
Template 2: Simple and Direct
{{product_name}} is back in stock.
You asked to be notified. Here's your chance to grab it:
[Buy Now] → {{product_url}}Best for: Everyday essentials and repeat purchase products where urgency is less relevant than convenience.
Template 3: Value-Added
Hi {{customer_name}}!
Good news — {{product_name}} just restocked at {{product_price}}.
We've got {{stock_quantity}} units available. Based on demand, this won't last long.
[View Product] → {{product_url}}Best for: Higher-priced products where including the price and stock quantity helps the customer make a faster decision.
Template Approval Tips
Meta rejects templates that:
- Use ALL CAPS excessively
- Include misleading urgency (“BUY NOW OR LOSE FOREVER”)
- Contain spelling or grammar errors
- Are too long (keep under 1024 characters)
- Lack a clear opt-out mechanism
Most apps handle opt-out automatically. Keep your templates clean, professional, and accurate. Approval rates improve with straightforward, honest messaging.
Optimizing WhatsApp Restock Alert Performance
Once your alerts are live, these optimizations increase conversion rates over time.
Send Immediately on Restock
The number one optimization: send alerts the moment inventory becomes available. Every minute of delay reduces conversion because popular products sell out again quickly. Configure your app to trigger alerts with zero delay.
80% of WhatsApp messages are read within 5 minutes (DemandSage, 2025). If your alert sends immediately, most subscribers will see it within 5 minutes of restocking. That is the window where conversion happens.
Segment by Product Value
Not every product needs WhatsApp alerts. Segment your approach:
- High-AOV products ($75+): Always use WhatsApp. The higher conversion rate easily justifies the per-message cost.
- Mid-range products ($25-75): Use WhatsApp for products that sell out frequently. The urgency factor matters most here.
- Low-AOV products (under $25): Email is more cost-effective. The per-message cost of WhatsApp may exceed your margin on cheaper items.
Include a Product Image
Templates that include a product image thumbnail see higher click-through rates. Customers recognize the product visually and are more likely to tap through. Most apps automatically attach the product’s featured image.
Track and Iterate
Monitor these metrics monthly:
- Delivery rate: Should be 95%+ (lower means phone numbers are invalid)
- Read rate: Should be 90%+ (WhatsApp norms)
- Click-through rate: Target 40%+ for restock alerts
- Conversion rate: Track from click to purchase
- Unsubscribe rate: Keep under 2% per month
If your click-through drops below 30%, test different template copy. If conversion drops, check your product page experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send WhatsApp restock alerts without the WhatsApp Business API?
No. Automated restock alerts require the WhatsApp Business API. The regular WhatsApp Business App only supports manual messaging and does not integrate with Shopify for automated notifications.
How long does it take to set up WhatsApp restock alerts?
If your Facebook Business Manager is already verified, setup takes 15-30 minutes. If you need business verification first, add 2-7 business days for Meta’s review process.
Do customers need to opt in separately for WhatsApp alerts?
Yes. WhatsApp requires explicit opt-in. Customers must actively provide their WhatsApp number and consent to receive notifications. A checkbox or dedicated phone number field on your Notify Me form handles this.
What happens if a customer’s WhatsApp alert fails to deliver?
Most apps support fallback to email or SMS if WhatsApp delivery fails. This ensures no customer misses their restock notification regardless of their WhatsApp status.
Can I send WhatsApp restock alerts and email alerts simultaneously?
Yes. Apps like StoreBeep let customers choose their preferred channel or opt into both. When a product restocks, alerts go out on all selected channels.
Are WhatsApp restock alerts classified as marketing or utility messages?
Meta classifies restock alerts as marketing messages because they promote a purchase action. This means they use the higher marketing message pricing tier, not the cheaper utility tier used for order confirmations.
How many WhatsApp restock alerts can I send per day?
New WhatsApp Business API accounts start at 250 business-initiated messages per 24 hours. This limit increases to 1,000, then 10,000, and eventually unlimited as you build sending reputation. For most Shopify stores, the initial 250 limit is sufficient.
Start Sending WhatsApp Restock Alerts Today
Setting up WhatsApp restock alerts on Shopify is a one-time investment that pays ongoing dividends. Here is the quick action plan:
- Get your prerequisites ready: Dedicated phone number, Facebook Business Manager verification
- Choose your app: StoreBeep for simple email + WhatsApp, Stok for multi-channel, Notify! for pre-order integration
- Connect the WhatsApp API: 15-30 minutes once your business is verified
- Create your template: Use the urgency-focused or simple frameworks above
- Test on yourself: Always test before going live with real customers
69% of shoppers switch to a competitor when their item is out of stock (Opensend, 2024). WhatsApp restock alerts reach those customers faster than any other channel, giving them a reason to come back instead of buying elsewhere.
The automated email setup is your foundation. WhatsApp is how you maximize recovery on your highest-value products. Start with StoreBeep’s back-in-stock notifications and add WhatsApp to capture every sale.
