Live Chat Greeting Examples (2026): 35 Opening Messages That Convert

Every live chat conversation starts with a greeting. Most businesses use a single generic message for every channel and every customer. That's a missed opportunity — the right opener disqualifies time-wasters, qualifies real leads, and sets the tone before a human types a single word.

Here are 35 examples across every channel and business type. Use them as-is or customize for your brand.

General starters (across all channels)

These work on any channel — WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger, or website chat.

1. Hi! You've reached [Business Name]. How can we help you today?

2. Hello [First Name]! Thanks for reaching out. We reply within [X minutes] during business hours. What can we help you with?

3. Hi! This is [Name] from [Business]. Got your message — what are you looking for today?

4. Hey! You're chatting with [Business]. Quick question: is this your first time reaching out, or are you an existing customer?

5. Hi! Thanks for reaching out to [Business Name]. We're here [hours]. What can we do for you?

WhatsApp Business greetings (8 examples)

6. Hi! You've messaged [Business Name] on WhatsApp. We reply within [X hours] — what's your question?

7. Hey! [Business] here on WhatsApp. Are you looking for [Service A], [Service B], or something else? Reply with a number or just tell us.

8. Welcome to [Business Name]! 👋 Before we dive in — are you contacting us about an existing order, a new inquiry, or something else?

9. Hi! Got your WhatsApp message. We'll get back to you shortly. Can you tell us what you need so we can prepare? (Product question, pricing, order update, or other?)

10. Hello! This is [Business]. You messaged us on WhatsApp — we're here Monday to Friday, 9am–6pm. What would you like to know?

11. Hi [First Name]! You reached [Business] on WhatsApp. We're currently handling [X] chats — reply time today is about [Y minutes]. How can we help?

12. Hey! Quick note: we also have a FAQ at [link] that answers the most common questions instantly. But tell us what you need — we're here.

13. Hi! You've reached the [Business Name] WhatsApp line. For fast help, tell us: (1) what product/service you're asking about, and (2) what you need. We'll reply ASAP.

Instagram DM greetings (6 examples)

14. Hi! Thanks for sliding into our DMs 😄 What can we help you with?

15. Hey [First Name]! This is [Business Name]. We reply to Instagram DMs within [X hours]. What's up?

16. Hi! You've messaged [Brand] on Instagram. Are you asking about a product, an order, or something else?

17. Thanks for the DM! We're a real team — not a bot — and we'll get back to you soon. What's your question?

18. Hey! Saw your message. We reply to DMs during business hours ([hours]). For urgent help, email [address]. Otherwise, what do you need?

19. Hi! You messaged [Business] on Instagram. Quick one: are you shopping for yourself or as a gift? I'll point you to the right thing.

Facebook Messenger greetings (5 examples)

20. Hi! This is [Business Name] on Facebook Messenger. What can we help you with today?

21. Hello [First Name]! Thanks for messaging [Business]. We'll reply within [X hours]. Is this about a product, service, or existing order?

22. Hey! You've reached [Business] via Messenger. We're open [hours]. What are you looking for?

23. Thanks for reaching out on Facebook! Tell us a bit about what you need and we'll get you to the right person.

24. Hi! [Business Name] here. Got your Messenger message. To help you faster: are you (a) a new customer, (b) an existing customer with a question, or (c) something else?

Service business greetings (5 examples)

25. Hi! [Plumbing/AC/Cleaning Co] here. What's the job? (Emergency, scheduled repair, or quote?)

26. Hello! Thanks for reaching out to [Salon/Clinic Name]. Are you looking to book an appointment, check availability, or ask about our services?

27. Hi! [Landscaping Co] — what's the project? Lawn care, one-off job, or full landscaping quote?

28. Hey! [Photography/Video Studio] here. Are you interested in a shoot, or do you have a question about existing work? Let us know and we'll get moving.

29. Hello! This is [Legal/Accounting firm]. Thanks for reaching out. Is this a new inquiry or are you an existing client with a question?

Ecommerce greetings (4 examples)

30. Hi! [Brand] here. Are you asking about a product, looking for size/style advice, or following up on an order?

31. Hey! Thanks for reaching out to [Store]. Order tracking? Product question? Or something else? Let us know and we'll be right with you.

32. Hi [First Name]! You've reached [Brand] support. Order number or question — which is it? 😊

33. Hey! Welcome to [Brand]. We typically reply in under [X minutes] during business hours. What can we do for you?

SaaS and coaching greetings (2 examples)

34. Hi! [Tool/Coach] here. Are you on a trial, a paid plan, or thinking about getting started? I'll route you to the right help.

35. Hey [First Name]! Thanks for reaching out to [Coach/Agency]. Are you exploring what we do, or do you have a specific question about working together?

What makes a live chat greeting work

Looking across all 35 examples, the pattern is consistent:

1. Use the business name. "You've reached [Business]" tells the customer they're in the right place. Skip "Hi there!" — it reads as automated.
2. Set a time expectation. "We reply within X hours" stops customers from assuming silence means you're ignoring them.
3. Ask one qualifying question. "Is this a new inquiry or existing order?" routes the conversation before a human types anything. One question. Not a menu.
4. Match the channel tone. WhatsApp and Instagram DMs are more casual than Messenger or website chat. Match the energy of the platform — a formal "Good morning, how may we assist you today" lands poorly in a WhatsApp thread.

How to automate live chat greetings at scale

Manually sending a greeting to every new chat is not sustainable past 20–30 conversations per day. The tools for automating this differ by channel:

• WhatsApp Business app: Settings → Business Tools → Greeting Message (free, static, first-contact only)
• Instagram Business: Meta Business Suite → Inbox → Automations → Instant Reply
• Facebook Messenger: Meta Business Suite → Inbox → Automations → Instant Reply
• Website live chat: Depends on your platform (Intercom, Crisp, Tidio, etc.)

For businesses managing conversations across multiple channels, native tools mean managing three separate systems with three separate greeting configurations. Instant Reply connects WhatsApp, Instagram, and Messenger into a single inbox, where you set the greeting logic once and it applies consistently across all channels.

More importantly: the greeting is the start of a fully automated conversation. The AI picks up from the customer's first reply, reads intent, and continues the conversation in context — so your team only steps in when the situation actually requires a human.

Try it free for 10 days — most businesses have automated greetings live on all three channels within the first 20 minutes.

Related: Facebook Messenger welcome message examples · WhatsApp greeting message examples · Instagram welcome message examples