diff --git a/backend/whatsapp.py b/backend/whatsapp.py
index 6e1e61a..f89f05f 100644
--- a/backend/whatsapp.py
+++ b/backend/whatsapp.py
@@ -525,10 +525,15 @@ class WhatsAppService:
         # where {{1}} is replaced by a dynamic parameter
         if button_type == "URL" and button_url:
             button_param_key = tpl.get("button_param_key", "")
-            logger.info(f"[WhatsApp] Button check - type={button_type}, url={button_url}, param_key={button_param_key}, has_placeholder={'{{{{1}}}}' in button_url}")
+            
+            # More robust check for placeholder - handle different string encodings
+            has_placeholder = "{{1}}" in button_url or "{" in button_url and "1" in button_url
+            
+            logger.info(f"[WhatsApp] Button check - type={button_type}, url={button_url}, param_key={button_param_key}, has_placeholder={has_placeholder}")
+            logger.debug(f"[WhatsApp] Button URL bytes: {button_url.encode('utf-8')}, param_key value: {button_param_key}")
             
             # Check if URL has {{1}} placeholder for dynamic parameter
-            if "{{1}}" in button_url and button_param_key:
+            if has_placeholder and button_param_key:
                 # Dynamic URL button - need to send the parameter value
                 param_value = str(params.get(button_param_key, "")).strip()
                 logger.info(f"[WhatsApp] Dynamic button - param_key={button_param_key}, param_value={param_value}")
@@ -544,7 +549,10 @@ class WhatsAppService:
                 else:
                     logger.warning(f"[WhatsApp] Button parameter '{button_param_key}' is empty! params keys: {list(params.keys())}")
             else:
-                logger.warning(f"[WhatsApp] Button conditions not met - url has placeholder: {'{{{{1}}}}' in button_url}, has param_key: {bool(button_param_key)}")
+                if button_type == "URL" and button_url and not has_placeholder:
+                    logger.info(f"[WhatsApp] Static URL button (no {{{{1}}}}) - URL will be used as-is: {button_url}")
+                else:
+                    logger.warning(f"[WhatsApp] Button not sent - has_placeholder={has_placeholder}, has_param_key={bool(button_param_key)}")
 
         # Handle url_button component if defined in template (legacy dynamic buttons)
         url_btn = tpl.get("url_button", {})
@@ -640,6 +648,15 @@ class WhatsAppService:
                 f"[WhatsApp] Message sent successfully! ID: {message_id}\n"
                 f"Template: {meta_name}, To: {to_e164}, Status: {response.status_code}"
             )
+            logger.info(
+                f"[WhatsApp] NOTE: HTTP 200 OK only means Meta accepted it.\n"
+                f"For delivery status (sent/delivered/read/failed), check webhooks or use Meta's Message Status API.\n"
+                f"Common reasons for silent failure:\n"
+                f"  - Template '{meta_name}' not APPROVED in Meta Business Manager\n"
+                f"  - Phone number {to_e164} not on whitelist (for test mode)\n"
+                f"  - Business account in test/development mode\n"
+                f"  - Template format doesn't match approved structure"
+            )
             
             # Save message to database for status tracking
             if self.db: