BriteBiz members love using SMS messaging for reminders, updates, greetings, and lots more. SMS is commonly regarded as the best form of communication in a world that is cluttered with email and social messaging. SMS generally gets a 98% or higher open rate.
SMS messaging is not a feature in all BriteBiz accounts, and if you want it activated on your account you should contact our support team.
SETTING UP SMS TEMPLATES
Once SMS messaging is enabled on your account, you should set up your SMS templates. Go to Settings, Templates, and choose SMS.
You can set up different SMS templates for each module in BriteBiz (Companies, Contacts, Inquiries, Bookings, Payments, Surveys, Meetings, etc).
MAXIMUM CHARACTER LIMIT
There is a maximum SMS limit of 160 characters. This is set by telecom companies. The first 160 characters is one credit, if the message is longer than this, the charge is 1 credit for every additional 153 characters. Clients can reply to messages and there is also a charge of 1 credit to receive a text message, it doesn't matter how long the customer's message is.
SENDING AN SMS - THE OPTIONS
As noted above, you can use SMS messaging in lots of places in BriteBiz. Four of the most popular examples are detailed below.
Manually Push A Message
If you are in a company/contacts page, there is an additional button at the top of the page where you can send a SMS message.
2. Add to Meeting Reminders
When setting up reminders for tours/meetings, you can also choose an SMS reminder/notification.
3. Sending Mass SMS Campaigns
On the list views, you also get the option to send Mass SMS messages to multiple recipients at once.
4. SMS Messages in Automations
BriteBiz also gives you the option to add SMS messaging to automations. You can set whatever rules you want with whatever conditions you like, the same as setting other automation rules. Go to Settings - Stages and Automation.
WHAT WILL CUSTOMERS SEE?
In supported regions, when SMS is activated on your account, BriteBiz Support assigns an SMS phone number to your account. We assign a number as close as possible to your locality.
The SMS comes from this real cell number which customers can reply to. Any reply is saved in the Contact profile in the messages section - the same as emails. If a customer replies to a message, BriteBiz will also email the owner of the contact and alert them that a message has been received. BriteBiz users can easily reply to the customer.
For BriteBiz Members who want to enable SMS messaging, we enable a cell number for your venue, which is as close as possible to your venue's locality.
Note: In a few regions, we can't reserve a local phone number due to local restrictions. In this case, the Business name is used as the From on the SMS.
CAN CUSTOMERS REPLY TO THE SMS?
Yes, customers can reply to the SMS. A copy of the SMS received will be emailed to the owner of the booking, and the SMS reply will also be stored in the Messages section of the Contact and the Booking.
In regions where we can't reserve a local phone number customers will not be able to reply.
HOW MUCH DOES SMS MESSAGING COST?
To support the ongoing registration of the number and the individual text credits, SMS messaging is charged with a Fixed Monthly Charge and credits per SMS. You should contact our support team or your Venue Consultant for pricing for your venue.
WHERE DO I BUY CREDITS?
You can buy credits on the subscription page in a few clicks.
DO I NEED TO PROVIDE ANY OTHER DETAILS?
US Customers
Please CLICK HERE for the Registration Information we require to configure Brite SMS on your account.
UK Customers
Please CLICK HERE for the Registration Information we require to configure Brite SMS on your account.
Irish Customers
Due to the limited range of mobile numbers in Ireland, it is not possible for us to buy/register a mobile number for you to use with the SMS feature. Instead, all messages sent from BriteBiz will use your business name (max 11 characters) to show who the message is from. Note: your customers can't reply to these text messages.
The important things to remember when sending SMS messages:
You must obtain clear and unambiguous consent from a customer before you send them a text message to comply with GDPR.
You should provide an easy way for them to opt-out. We recommend that you add the following to your SMS templates:
'reply STOP to opt-out'
Telephone solicitation (including text messages) may not occur anytime before 9 a.m. or after 9 p.m. in the recipient's time zone.
Note: Mobile operators may filter or block messages on the fly if a message does not comply.
SMS messaging is a super way to communicate with clients and it is quick and easy to set up.