SMS Automation Action Improvements

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SMS Automation Action Improvements

Introduction

The SMS Automation Action Improvements enhance the "Send SMS" automation action within ActiveCampaign, providing a more intuitive and user-friendly experience. This feature is vital for businesses looking to communicate effectively with their contacts via SMS, as it allows for personalized messaging and better engagement strategies. With advances in personalization and design, users can now navigate the SMS sending process with ease, making the feature not just functional but also visually appealing.

These improvements are particularly important for businesses that rely on SMS notifications to drive customer interaction, whether sending reminders, updates, or promotional messages.

How to Access this Feature

To access the SMS Automation Action Improvements, users must have an ActiveCampaign account with SMS capabilities. The feature is available as an add-on for the following plans:

• Marketing Plus, Professional, and Enterprise
• Sales Plus, Professional, and Enterprise

New customers considering SMS capabilities should refer to the pricing page to check if this feature is included in their specific plan.

Step-by-step Instructions

1. **Navigate to Automations**:

  - Log in to your ActiveCampaign account.
  - From the dashboard, click on the Automations tab located in the main navigation menu.

2. **Select/Create an Automation**:

  - Either select an existing automation or create a new one by clicking on the New Automation button.
  

3. **Add an Action**:

  - Within the automation workflow, click on the + (Add Action) button.
  - From the dropdown menu, select the Send SMS option.

4. **Configure SMS Settings**:

  - Input the SMS message you wish to send in the designated text box.
  - Utilize the new chip-based tags to personalize your message. You can easily add tags for Contact, Deal, Account, or Custom Object fields by simply clicking on the respective chips presented during configuration.

5. **Preview Your Message**:

  - Before finalizing, take advantage of the SMS message preview feature to see how your message will appear to recipients.
  

6. **Save Changes**:

  - Once satisfied with your settings and preview, click on the Save button to confirm your action and exit the editor.

Configuration Options and Settings

The following configuration options enhance the SMS automation experience:

• Chip-based tags: This feature allows for easy editing and quick access to all personalization tags.
• Type-ahead functionality: Enables swift searching through tags.
• Comprehensive access to personalization tags: Users can access all Contact, Deal, Account, and Custom Object tags seamlessly.
• SMS message preview: A live view of the message as it will be seen by contacts, which helps ensure clarity and accuracy.

Best Practices and Tips

• **Keep Messages Concise**: SMS messages should be direct and to the point within character limits.
• **Utilize Personalization**: Use the chip-based tags to personalize messages, making them more engaging for the recipient.
• **Test Before Sending**: Always use the SMS message preview before sending to understand how your message will be displayed to contacts.
• **Timing is Key**: Consider the best times to send messages based on your audience’s behavior and preferences.
• **Monitor Engagement**: Track the responses to your SMS campaigns to refine your approach and improve future communications.

Common Use Cases

Here are some practical examples of how to effectively use the SMS automation feature:

• **Cart Abandonment Notifications**: Send an SMS to contacts who have left items in their shopping cart without completing the purchase.
• **Customer Feedback Requests**: After a purchase or interaction, send an SMS to your contacts asking for their feedback and reviews.
• **Event Reminders**: Utilize SMS to remind contacts about upcoming webinars, conferences, or events they have registered for.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues while using the SMS automation feature, consider the following common troubleshooting tips:

• **Verification of SMS Add-on**: Ensure that the SMS add-on is included in your current ActiveCampaign plan and is properly activated.
• **Check Contact Permissions**: Verify that the contacts you are sending messages to have opted in to receive SMS communications.
• **Message Length**: Remember that SMS messages have character limits. If a message is too long, it may be truncated or fail to send.

FAQ

Q1: What is the SMS Automation Action Improvements feature?

A1: It enhances the experience of sending SMS within ActiveCampaign by providing improved personalization options and a modernized interface.

Q2: Is SMS available for all ActiveCampaign plans?

A2: No, SMS is only available as an add-on for specific plans including Marketing Plus, Professional, and Enterprise.

Q3: How do I add SMS capabilities to my account?

A3: You can add SMS capabilities by purchasing the SMS add-on available in your account settings.

Q4: Can I preview my SMS messages before sending them?

A4: Yes, the SMS automation action includes a message preview feature to see how your message will appear.

Q5: What should I do if my SMS does not send?

A5: Check to ensure your SMS add-on is active, verify that the contact is opted-in for SMS, and confirm that the message length is within SMS limits.

Q6: Are there specific use cases for SMS automation?

A6: Yes, common use cases include cart abandonment notifications, customer feedback requests, and event reminders.

Q7: How can I personalize SMS messages?

A7: Personalization can be achieved using the chip-based tags available during the SMS configuration setup.

For further information on sending SMS messages, enhancing your ActiveCampaign experience, or troubleshooting issues, consult the related resources available in the ActiveCampaign help center.