Short answer: Reply to every booking message the same evening, in the language the client wrote in. WhatsApp lets you reply freely for 24 hours after a client's last message, so a reply sent at 11 pm to a message from 9 pm is fine, but a reply the next evening may be too late for a normal message. An automated first reply in Arabic and English, with an easy way to reach a person, covers the hours when the salon is closed.
Why do after-hours messages matter for groomers in the Gulf?
WhatsApp is a common booking channel for salons in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, and many booking messages arrive after closing time. Weekends also differ: the UAE's weekend is Saturday and Sunday, while Saudi Arabia's is Friday and Saturday. A salon with branches in both countries has different quiet days, and a message that waits until "Monday" may wait longer than you think. The questions below cover the common ones.
FAQs
What is the WhatsApp 24-hour window? When a client sends you a message, a 24-hour customer service window opens, and it restarts each time they write again. Inside it you can reply with normal messages. Once it closes, you can only start a conversation with a template that Meta has approved.
Can an automated reply answer for us at night? Yes. WhatsApp's business policy allows automation inside the window, as long as the client has a clear way to reach a person, such as a handover to a staff member in the chat, a phone number or an email. Say in the first reply when a person will see the message.
Should we reply in Arabic or English? Reply in the language the client used. If you are not sure, a short first reply in both is fine. After that, stick to one language per chat. Mixing both in every line makes messages long and hard to read on a phone.
What should the first reply say? Keep it short: thank them, give the next step and set expectations. For example, in English: "Thanks for messaging Paws Salon. Send your dog's breed and the day you prefer, and we will confirm a time by 10 am." Write the Arabic version with a native speaker on your team rather than a machine translation, and keep the salon's name and prices exactly the same in both.
Do after-hours replies cost money? On the WhatsApp Business Platform, Meta began charging for service replies on 1 October 2026 at the same rate as utility messages, with 1,000 free service messages per business number each month. Rates differ by country and change often, so check the current pricing before you budget. Our post on Meta's October 2026 price change explains the message types. The free WhatsApp Business app works differently and offers away messages and quick replies.
What if the client asks for a slot tomorrow morning? Only confirm a time if the reply can see your real calendar. If it cannot, collect the details and promise a confirmation by a set time. A promised slot that turns out to be taken does more harm than a slower reply.
Can we send offers to people who messaged once? Promotions are marketing messages, which need the client's opt-in and an approved template once the window has closed. Keep booking replies and promotions separate.
A simple after-hours setup
| Time | What happens |
|---|---|
| Message arrives after closing | Automatic reply in the client's language, asks for breed, service and preferred day |
| Client sends details | Booking request saved, or a slot offered if the calendar is connected |
| Next opening time | Staff confirm every pending request well inside the 24-hour window |
Where does RevisitCare fit?
RevisitCare answers WhatsApp messages in Arabic and English, sends grooming reminders on 30, 45 or 60 day cycles, and hands chats to your team through a shared inbox when a person is needed. See how it works for the Middle East and for grooming salons. You can start a 7-day free trial with 20 AI conversations, with no credit card required.
Want WhatsApp booking replies in Arabic and English for your salon? Tell us which booking system you use.
Sources: WhatsApp, Business Policy. Meta, WhatsApp Business Platform pricing. BulkGate, summary of the 1 October 2026 pricing change. Rates and rules change, so check Meta's pages before you budget.