How do I send an SMS to selected customers?
Combining the features of the Customer Search and the Send SMS feature allows you to send an SMS to a
selected group of customers.
Know your obligations
Before you send any SMS messages, and especially for bulk SMS, you should make sure you understand your
obligations under the Spam Act 2003.
Sending an SMS to SELECTED customers
Note: Only Admin and Manager levels users can send Bulks SMS.
To send an SMS message to selected customers, follow these steps...
- Make sure you have sufficient SMS credits.
You must buy your credits before you try to send the message. If you are not sure how many you will need do a quick test using the steps below. If you don't have sufficient credits you will need to top up before continuing.
- Search customers.
Select Customers > Search Customers from the menu, select the criteria and run the search.
- Select the [Bulk SMS] option from the menu at the top-left of the customer list.
The system will find all mobile numbers for customers matching the Search, who allow Bulk SMS, and list the numbers in the Send To field. This may take a few seconds.
- Enter your message.
As soon as you start typing your message the form will update showing how many messages will be sent and how many credits will be used.
- CHECK IT.
It's your responsibility to make sure that your message is entered as intended. You should also check the number of SMS credits being used. Once you press send, the message WILL BE SENT and the SMS credits WILL BE DEDUCTED.
- Press [send] - and WAIT for it to complete.
As soon as you press send the system will start sending out the messages. For a large number of recipients it may take a minute or two. DO NOT INTERRUPT IT!
Trying to stop the message from the Browser will not work. The messages will still be sent and credits deducted. Stopping the browser will just stop it from returning any information.
What if the search cannot give me the customers I need?
If you cannot get an exact list using the search you will need to make your own list of numbers,
for example by exporting a list and then removing unwanted customers.
After sending
If you have Allow SMS Replies turned on in your settings, then customers will be able to reply to your message. Like other replies these will go to your assigned reception email address.
If you receive a reply saying the customer does not want to receive these messages you should
update their Bulk SMS preference.
After the messages have been sent, you can review them and any replies with the SMS Detail Report. Make sure you choose either (any) or Bulk SMS in the Send Type.
see also...