This guide instructs users on how to create an SMS template using the Templates app within their account.
An SMS template is a pre-formatted document, which you can use to quickly create and send text messages to your clients for various purposes. Our SMS templates integrate with your Contacts as well as other various applications on the platform.
To Create an SMS Template:
Navigate to the Templates app using the app drawer at the top right of the screen.
Just below the app drawer icon, there is a button titled “+ New Template.” Click this button, and then select “SMS.”
An empty form will appear with various prompts for text entries. Below, we will explain what you need to enter into each of these fields.
Title
This is the name or title of your SMS template.
Description
This is a brief description that informs you and your team what type of content is within the template or its purpose.
Message
The message field is where you will input the text that you intend to send to your clients. As you enter text, a preview will appear on the right showing what your message will look like to the recipient.
Note - The message field utilizes 1 credit for every 160 characters. You will utilize another credit each time you exceed the character limit.
Personalization Options
The templates app allows you to inject personalization options into your templates. This is a useful time-saving tool that can auto-inject data specific to each client.
For example, the first option category that appears is called Business. This includes identifiers such as Business Name, Phone Number, Email, and more. For this demonstration, we will select “Business Name.”
You will now see the text “{{Business-Business Name}} within your message field. The recipient will not see that text, but will instead see their own business name.
If you send the message in the template above to “Joe’s Plumbing,” the recipient at Joe’s Plumbing will view a message saying “Hello Joe’s Plumbing.”
As you scroll through, you will find a long list of personalization options that come from your Contacts, InstaSites, and InstaReports prospects. You can also inject your personal data. The added code will automatically inject the correct data according to the information from your contacts list.
Warning - If you do not have the necessary data stored within your contacts or your account, the system will not be able to inject the data. In the example above, the recipient will receive a text message that says “Hello {{Business-Business Name}}” if you did not associate the recipient with the Business Name in your contact information.
Another Warning - You will see a red text warning that states “Credits may vary due to personalizations.” The reason for this is that the number of characters will vary depending on the content you wish to inject. Be aware of your credits and ensure that you do not unintentionally go over the character limit.
Testing Your Template
Before using your template with real clients, you can test it out by sending the message to a number of your choosing.
At the bottom of the menu, you will find a prompt that says “Test your SMS.” You can enter the phone number you wish to use as well as the country where the phone number exists. After you enter the number correctly, click “Send Test.”
Warning - Test submissions of text messages will cost credits. Be aware of your credit balance before conducting SMS template tests.
Finalizing Your Template
When you are satisfied with your template, be sure to save your work by selecting “Save” in the top right corner of the menu. Clicking “X” or clicking outside of the menu will cause you to lose unsaved work.
Your SMS template will now be available to use in other applications.