Most guides stop at generating a wa.me link. That gets a message open, but it misses the things that decide whether the conversation goes anywhere.
Pre-fill the first message
An empty chat asks the visitor to explain themselves. Pre-filling something like "Hi, I would like to book a table for four" means the first message arrives with context and far fewer people abandon.
Route to the right person
One number works until you have two branches or a separate sales and support line. Then the visitor should pick, once, before the chat opens — rather than being forwarded twice.
Say when you are closed
WhatsApp looks instant, so a message at 23:00 sets an expectation you cannot meet. Showing opening hours, or taking an email instead, is better than silence until morning.