Want your customers to contact you with just one click? In this article, you’ll find two ways to add a WhatsApp button to your Joomla website: manually and using a ready-made module. You’ll learn which option works best for your business and how to set it up in just 5 minutes.
Why add a WhatsApp button to your Joomla website?
In 2025, WhatsApp is one of the most popular communication channels between businesses and customers worldwide. Over 2 billion users use the messenger daily, and an increasing number of them prefer messaging via WhatsApp rather than filling out contact forms or sending emails. If your Joomla website doesn’t offer this option, you risk missing inquiries before the first contact even happens.
Why is a WhatsApp button more effective than standard contact methods?
Instant response. The customer doesn’t wait hours for a reply—they message and receive confirmation within minutes. This is critical for urgent inquiries such as placing an order, checking product availability, or getting a consultation.
Higher trust. Anonymous forms on websites often raise suspicion, while a live conversation in a familiar messenger creates a sense of personal interaction with the team or business owner.
Minimum effort for the user. No need to enter a name, email, or message subject—just one click is enough to start a chat.
Moreover, WhatsApp fits seamlessly into your sales funnel: you can send catalogs, product photos, promotional links, or order confirmations directly in the chat. And customers are more likely to return to an ongoing conversation than dig through their “Spam” folder looking for an old email.
The phone number used in the wa.me link becomes publicly visible. To avoid spam, we recommend using a dedicated business number (for example, via WhatsApp Business) and enabling two-factor authentication in your WhatsApp settings.
If your site runs on Joomla, adding such a button is easier than it seems. In the following sections, we’ll show you two approaches:
Manual method
For those who aren’t afraid of HTML, CSS, and Joomla development
Ready-made solution
A lightweight and reliable Joomla module that installs in just a couple of clicks and works right away.
How to add a WhatsApp link to Joomla manually
If you’re familiar with basic HTML or just want to quickly add a WhatsApp link without installing any extensions, a simple hyperlink will do. This is the most straightforward “quick and dirty” method, but it requires manual editing and offers no flexibility in styling.
Simple method: insert a WhatsApp link into your HTML code
WhatsApp supports a universal link format:
https://wa.me/375291234567
Important:
— The number must be entered in international format (without “+”, spaces, or parentheses).
— Examples: Belarus — 375291234567, USA — 12345678901, Russia — 79123456789, Germany — 4915123456789, Brazil — 5511912345678.
— The full number is inserted immediately after https://wa.me/.
To turn this link into a clickable button or text on your website, use the HTML tag:
<a href="https://wa.me/375291234567" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Message on WhatsApp</a>
Attribute target="_blank" opens the chat in a new tab, а rel="noopener" — is important for security and SEO.
Where to place this link in Joomla?
You can insert this code in several places, depending on where you want the button to appear:
- In a Custom HTML module — ideal for the sidebar, footer, or a fixed position.
- In a menu — via a menu item of type “System URL”, by inserting the URL directly (without HTML).
- In the text of an article or content item — switch to “Source Code” mode in the editor and paste the HTMLL.
- In the site template — if you want the button to appear “everywhere and always” (for example, floating in the corner), edit the template’s index.php file (for experienced users only!).
Drawbacks of the manual approach:
— You can’t easily change the number or text—you’ll need to edit the code directly.
— No default responsiveness: it may display incorrectly on mobile devices.
— Does not support A/B testing, click tracking, or advanced settings.
Comparison: Manual method vs. ready-made module
|
Feature |
Manual method |
Ready-made module |
|---|---|---|
|
Installation |
Requires HTML knowledge |
Via the Joomla admin panel, no coding required |
|
Customizing appearance |
Only via CSS |
Color, size, and icon — configurable in settings |
|
Responsiveness |
Must be configured manually |
Automatic support for all devices |
| Updates and support |
No |
Yes, from the developer |
|
Risk of breaking the site |
High |
Minimal |
|
Setup time |
10–30 minutes |
2–5 minutes |
If you need a reliable, visually appealing, and easily customizable WhatsApp button—without editing code or risking breaking your template — it’s much simpler to use a dedicated Joomla module.
How to install a WhatsApp button using a Joomla module
If you want to add a WhatsApp button to your site quickly, safely, and without the risk of breaking your template, a ready-made Joomla extension is the optimal solution—especially if it’s a module developed with the real needs of website owners in mind.
Advantages of using a module
Unlike manual HTML insertion, a dedicated module offers:
- Quick installation without coding — no need to touch the template or edit articles—everything is done through the Joomla admin panel in 2–3 minutes.
- Flexible settings — you choose yourself:
• button position,
• icon color, size, and style,
• button movement animation,
• many other useful features. - Full responsiveness — the button displays correctly on all devices, from smartphones to large monitors.
- Support for all Joomla versions — the module has been tested and works on Joomla 3, 4, and 5 without conflicts.
- Localization and developer support — you receive updates and support directly from the developer, not from an anonymous marketplace.
Installing the IWS.BY WhatsApp Button module in Joomla
- Go to the Joomla admin panel → «Extension Manager».
- Upload the module’s ZIP file «IWS.BY WhatsApp Button for Joomla», downloaded from iws.by . Click “Upload & Install” .
- After installation, go to «Modules», find the new “IWS.BY WhatsApp Button” module and enable it. Select the desired display position (e.g., “debug” for a floating button).
- In the module settings, specify :
• WhatsApp number in international format (without “+”, e.g.: 375291234567),
• Background and icon color. - Click «Save and Close» — and check the result on your website. The button should appear instantly.
Tip: to test the functionality, open your website on your device and click the button. If WhatsApp is installed, a chat with your number will open.
Why is this better than third-party solutions?
Many free modules from public repositories:
— contain outdated code,
— haven’t been updated for years,
— load external scripts (which slows down your site and reduces security).
Our module is lightweight, self-contained, and doesn’t rely on CDNs or external libraries. It works out of the box and requires no technical expertise. Most importantly, you can always count on direct support from the developer.
Frequently Asked Questions About the WhatsApp Button in Joomla (FAQ)
Yes, the module is fully compatible with Joomla 5, as well as Joomla 4 and Joomla 3. It’s regularly tested on all current CMS versions and updated in line with Joomla core changes. Installation is handled through the standard Extension Manager—without errors or conflicts.
Of course! In the module settings, you can:
— select background and icon colors using HEX codes,
— adjust the button size to match your site’s design,
— enable button movement animation.
This gives you full control over the appearance without editing CSS or the template.
The module supports multiple instances. Simply create a second (or third) module in the Joomla admin panel, specify a different phone number, and choose a different position (for example, one in the footer for sales, another in the header for support). Each instance is configured independently.
Tip: if you need to switch between numbers within a single button, that requires custom development. However, for most businesses, two separate buttons are sufficient.
Absolutely yes—and it’s especially effective on mobile devices. The button automatically adapts to screen size, displays correctly on both iOS and Android, and instantly opens WhatsApp when tapped (or prompts the user to install it if the app isn’t present).
Conclusion
You can add a WhatsApp button to your Joomla site manually using an HTML link. However, this method requires technical knowledge, offers no flexibility in styling, and complicates future maintenance.
It’s far simpler, more reliable, and more effective to use a dedicated module.
It installs in just a couple of minutes, requires no code editing, is fully responsive across all devices, and can be easily tailored to your business needs. Using a dedicated module is far simpler, more reliable, and more effective.
Try the WhatsApp Button module for Joomla today!
A demo version is available on the product page. Installation takes less than 5 minutes—and you’ll start receiving more customer inquiries with no extra effort.
