SMS Templates.
Automated SMS offers numerous benefits, including:
Instant Communication: Delivers messages immediately, ensuring timely information.
High Open Rates: SMS messages are typically opened and read quickly.
Efficiency: Saves time by automating repetitive messaging tasks.
Scalability: Easily sends messages to large audiences.
Engagement: Encourages interaction with timely and relevant content.
These benefits help businesses communicate effectively, engage customers, and streamline operations.
Creating a SMS message template
Start by clicking "Messages" on the left hand sidebar and then click on "Message Templates"
To create a new template click on the "New Template" button.
Message Template Title is required and you can add an optional Description as well. Choose the "Purpose" of your message as it will control which triggers are available for automated messages. Message type should be "SMS". Once you have filled in the information needed click on "Save & Continue".
Next you can type in the text for the SMS template. SMS messages have a limit on the number of characters that can be sent and messages exceeding the limit will be sent in multiple parts.
One message part can contain up to 160 alpha numeric characters. Messages containing non-alpha numeric characters will cut down the number of characters allowed in a single message part. Messages containing non-alpha numeric characters that exceed the limit of a single SMS message part will be credited as a multi-part message towards your SMS quota. Your quota allowance must cover the number of message parts you are sending to.
To optimise your quota usage we recommend trying to avoid special characters in messages as they cut down the length of the SMS part.
Adding Personalisation tags
Type in your message, you can add personalisation tags by clicking on "Personalise".
That will open up a list of personalisation tags that can be quickly added to the message where you have place the curser inside the text area field. It is also possible to use one of our many variables, click here to see a list of them.
Please not that the number of characters in a message that contain personalisation tags can not be calculated as the tag will be replaced dynamically with the customer or booking detail. You will only be able to see the length of the message when it is sent out. Once you have finished writing your template click on "Continue"
Automatic Templates
You can keep your template as a Manual template or click the highlighted button to change it to Automatic template.
If you want the template to be Automatic then you need to fill out the info below:
for which products/departures/start time, Schedule, When?, Send message to.
Then hit the Save button.
Manual Templates
If you want to keep your SMS template Manual switch the toggle back to "Manual" and click "Save"
Once your message template has been saved you should see it in the Templates overview.
If you have any questions about SMS message templates please reach out via our customer chat.