# Send SMS
This article shows you how to set up SMS automation. Each time a specific event occurs, your funnel sends out an SMS message.
It's a three-step process:
1. [**Set a sending number**](#set-a-sending-number)
2. [**Add funds to your SMS budget**](#add-funds-to-your-sms-budget)
3. [**Create an automation**](#create-an-automation)
{% hint style="info" %}
This feature is available for members with a paid account. Setting up or sending SMS messages with a Funnelish free trial account is impossible.
{% endhint %}
## Set a sending number
1. Open a funnel and click the **Funnel settings** icon in the bottom left corner menu of the page.
2. Scroll down the page to the **SMS settings** heading and click the tile.
{% hint style="info" %}
If this is your first time on this page, you'll notice the balance is zero. See [below](#add-funds-to-your-sms-budget) to learn how to top up your SMS account.
{% endhint %}
A dynamic number functions based on your location (e.g., a customer in the US gets one number, and a customer in the UK gets a different number). Location-based dynamic numbers are cheaper for our customers (on a cost per SMS sent) and improve your chances of successful message delivery.
Select “Dynamic phone number”
### Review sending prices
{% hint style="warning" %}
Sending SMS messages incurs a fee.
{% endhint %}
To see a list of **approximate costs** of sending SMS messages by country, click the **SMS sending prices** link.
Link to a list of approximate cost per SMS.
## Add funds to your SMS budget
Everybody starts with a zero balance, so you'll need to add funds to your SMS account if you want to send messages.
1. Click the **Top up** button at the top of the SMS settings page.
2. Choose a method to add funds. There are two options: \
— [**Automatic top-up**](#automatic-top-up)\
— [**One-time payment**](#one-time-payment)
{% hint style="info" %}
When you add funds to an SMS-sending account, Funnelish automatically charges the fees to the payment method in your account (see Account settings > Billing).
{% endhint %}
### **Automatic top-up**
Automatically add funds when the balance falls below a minimum amount.
1. Activate the **Enable auto top up** toggle slider.
2. Click the fields and select an option to set the **top amount** (e.g., $20) and the **minimum balance** (e.g., $10).
3. To stay within a budget, click the **never exceed** field and select a cap on the drop-down menu to limit monthly spending (e.g., $100).
Activate the Enable auto top up toggle slider.
### **One time payment**
If you're new to SMS as a digital marketing tool, this might be a good option. Add funds to the SMS account **one time** and start sending messages. When the balance hits zero, your funnel **stops** sending messages, and **no funds are added** to the balance **until you make a new payment** or set up an auto top-up.
To make a **one-time payment**, confirm the top-up toggle is switched **OFF** and click the **Make a one-time payment** link. On the next page, select an amount and click **Top up**.
## Create an automation
Once the basic settings for SMS are ready, the next step is to create your message and trigger.
1. You can decide between creating a **global automation** that can be used in many funnels or a **funnel automation** that is unique to one specific funnel.
* Global automation:\
In your header bar menu, click the **Automations** tab.
* Funnel automation:\
Open a funnel and click the **Funnel automations** icon in the bottom left corner of the page.
2. Click the **Create a new automation** button in the top right corner of your page.
3. On the next page, click **Start from scratch** > **Create**.
4. Click the plus (+) icon.
5. On the pop-up window, click **Sending options** and then **Send an SMS**.
Add a new action pop-up window. Select Sending option and then Send an SMS.
{% hint style="warning" %}
When you add a trigger, make sure to select the correct Funnels or Steps you want your that trigger to work with.
{% endhint %}
### Enter a message
After you click **Send an SMS**, a dialogue box displays. Type your message in the field. You can also add dynamic content, like the person's first name. That's optional. To add dynamic content, click the {···} icon and select a value on the drop-down menu. Once complete, save your message. Finally, add a [trigger](/automations/triggers.md), and your SMS tool is ready to go.
Some recommendations and notes.
* Keep your message under 160 characters. This number includes dynamic content or links inside the message.
* If your message is more than 160 characters, the delivery system breaks the message into two (or more) separate parts. Try to avoid this situation. It doesn't deliver a good user experience, and you get charged for each separate message.
* Add the phrase **STOP** to **opt out** of your message. Some mobile carriers require this option. If this opt-out option is not present, some carriers may not deliver your message. Note that this stop phrase counts towards your 160-character limit.
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