Send SMS

Use automated SMS messages to connect with your audience.

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

2. Add funds to your SMS budget

3. Create an automation

This feature is available for members with a paid account. Setting up or sending SMS messages with a Funnelish free trial account is impossible.

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.

If this is your first time on this page, you'll notice the balance is zero. See below to learn how to top up your SMS account.

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

Sending SMS messages incurs a fee.

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 — One-time payment

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).

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.

When you add a trigger, make sure to select the correct Funnels or Steps you want your that trigger to work with.

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, 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.