# 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.

<figure><img src="https://2613769297-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-M1AQCa9ckIWH7hGfrUV%2Fuploads%2FtaqqQPQ7vWBt0yQ7TcAg%2FSelect%20Dynamic%20phone%20number.png?alt=media&#x26;token=640d5d40-0b15-4042-93a4-1d9d0617ff76" alt=""><figcaption><p>Select “Dynamic phone number”</p></figcaption></figure>

### Review sending prices

{% hint style="warning" %}
Sending SMS messages incurs a fee.&#x20;
{% endhint %}

To see a list of **approximate costs** of sending SMS messages by country, click the **SMS sending prices** link.

<figure><img src="https://2613769297-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-M1AQCa9ckIWH7hGfrUV%2Fuploads%2Fe9oGbwBYdSGqfSF49Pza%2FSMS%20sending%20prices.png?alt=media&#x26;token=4f47a02b-5eef-4aa5-8b08-86e7d668e9f5" alt=""><figcaption><p>Link to a list of approximate cost per SMS.</p></figcaption></figure>

## Add funds to your SMS budget&#x20;

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. &#x20;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.&#x20;

1. Activate the **Enable auto top up** toggle slider.&#x20;
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).&#x20;

<figure><img src="https://2613769297-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-M1AQCa9ckIWH7hGfrUV%2Fuploads%2FEdbbneERSapYh4v2XXFu%2FEnable%20Automatic%20Top%20Up%20for%20SMS.png?alt=media&#x26;token=36231e76-482f-426f-983e-006f8710a668" alt=""><figcaption><p>Activate the <strong>Enable auto top up</strong> toggle slider. </p></figcaption></figure>

### **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.&#x20;

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.&#x20;
   * Global automation:\
     In your header bar menu, click the **Automations** tab.&#x20;
   * 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**.

<figure><img src="https://2613769297-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-M1AQCa9ckIWH7hGfrUV%2Fuploads%2FnG1tzR8G9bASTHpTrSeJ%2Fa-10.png?alt=media&#x26;token=efc88186-16b4-4b2d-bbd2-68aa003e1838" alt=""><figcaption><p>Add a new action pop-up window. Select <strong>Sending option</strong> and then <strong>Send an SMS.</strong></p></figcaption></figure>

{% 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.&#x20;
{% 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](https://docs.funnelish.com/automations/triggers), 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.&#x20;
* 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.&#x20;
* 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.