A Magic Link is the most effective tool to turn an offline customer (or a website visitor) into an engaged WhatsApp contact. Behind every QR code generated by Kanal is a smart link that, once clicked or scanned, pre-fills a specific message on the customer's phone.
This guide shows you how to create these links and turn them into entry points to your automations.
For the magic to work, you need two things:
The Magic Link: It contains the message the customer will send you (e.g. "VIP CLUB").
The inbound automation: It is the flow in Kanal that "listens" to messages and replies automatically when it detects the exact keyword (e.g. if message = "VIP CLUB", then send the welcome message).
Before creating your QR code, make sure you have set up the flow that will greet the customer.
Go to Automations > Create Automation.
Choose the Inbound message trigger.
Enter the exact keyword or phrase (e.g. I want to join the VIP club).
Set up the reply messages and save.
Copy the exact keyword text you just defined.
This is where you create the tool that will spread your message.
In the left sidebar, click the Magic links section.
Click the Create magiclink button.
Link name: Give it an internal name so you can find it later (e.g. Summer Packaging QR Code).
Pre-filled message: Paste the exact text used as the trigger in your automation (step 1). This is the message the customer will send in one tap.
Click Create magiclink.
Once the Magic Link is created, Kanal automatically generates two assets:
The link (URL): Perfect for your website buttons, your Instagram stories (link sticker) or your social media bios.
The QR code: It is ready to copy or download.
You can place your QR codes on all your physical materials to capture attention at the right moment:
On your parcels (packaging): To offer a how-to tutorial or a repeat-purchase promo code.
On your flyers or business cards: To make it easier to reach customer support.
In your physical store: Near the checkout counter to invite customers to join a loyalty program.
On your ad creatives: To start an immediate conversation right after someone sees an ad.
The biggest advantage is removing friction. The customer does not need to save your phone number in their contacts. When they scan the code, the conversation opens, the message is already written, and all they have to do is tap "Send".
From that moment, the customer enters your automated sales funnel and you open a 24-hour window to chat with them at no extra cost.
Expert tip: Always test your QR code with your own phone before printing it on thousands of packages. Make sure the automation fires exactly as expected!
