SMS Automation Action Improvements: Difference between revisions

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'''Navigation:''' [[Main_Page]] > [[Automations]] > SMS Automation Action Improvements
'''Navigation:''' [[Main_Page]] > [[Automations]] > SMS Automation Action Improvements


= SMS Automation Action Improvements =
== SMS Automation Action Improvements ==


== Introduction ==
=== 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.
The '''SMS Automation Action Improvements''' is a feature in ActiveCampaign designed to enhance the process of sending SMS messages through automation. As SMS marketing becomes increasingly vital in engaging customers, these improvements offer users a more intuitive and user-friendly interface for creating SMS campaigns. This feature is especially important as it allows businesses to communicate rapidly and effectively with their audience, thereby boosting customer engagement and retention.  


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, you must have an eligible ActiveCampaign plan that includes the SMS feature. Once you are logged into your ActiveCampaign account, follow these steps:


== How to Access this Feature ==
1. Navigate to the '''Automations''' section of your dashboard.
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:
2. Select the automation where you want to add the SMS action.
* Marketing Plus, Professional, and Enterprise
3. Click on the option to add a new action and choose '''Send SMS'''.
* Sales Plus, Professional, and Enterprise


New customers considering SMS capabilities should refer to the [https://activecampaign.com/pricing pricing page] to check if this feature is included in their specific plan.
=== Step-by-Step Instructions ===
To utilize the improved SMS automation action, follow these detailed steps:


== Step-by-step Instructions ==
1. **Navigate to Automations**:
  - Log into your ActiveCampaign account and select '''Automations''' from the main menu.


1. **Navigate to Automations**:
2. **Select or Create an Automation**:
   - Log in to your ActiveCampaign account.
   - Open an existing automation or create a new one that you wish to modify.
  - From the dashboard, click on the '''Automations''' tab located in the main navigation menu.


2. **Select/Create an Automation**:
3. **Add the SMS Action**:
  - Either select an existing automation or create a new one by clicking on the '''New Automation''' button.
   - Within the automation, click on '''Add Action''' and then select '''Send SMS''' from the available options.
 
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**:
4. **Configure SMS Settings**:
   - Input the SMS message you wish to send in the designated text box.
   - You will enter the SMS configuration interface. Here you can personalize your message using chip-based tags for easy editing. This modern personalization experience allows for quick access and support for all Contact, Deal, Account, and Custom Object tags.
  - 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**:
5. **Preview Your Message**:
   - Before finalizing, take advantage of the SMS message preview feature to see how your message will appear to recipients.
   - Before finalizing, make sure to utilize the '''SMS message preview''' feature, which shows how your message will appear to recipients.
 
 
6. **Save Changes**:
6. **Save Your Changes**:
   - Once satisfied with your settings and preview, click on the '''Save''' button to confirm your action and exit the editor.
   - After configuring your SMS message and review, click on the '''Save''' button to apply the changes to your automation.
 
=== Configuration Options and Settings ===
The enhanced SMS automation action includes the following key configuration settings:
 
* **Chip-Based Tags**: This feature allows you to quickly add and edit personalization tags, improving the overall efficiency in crafting messages.
* **Type-Ahead Functionality**: Offers quick access to existing tags, making it easier to personalize messages on-the-fly.
* **Message Preview**: A modernized interface that allows you to see how your SMS will be displayed to contacts.
 
These options greatly streamline the process of creating effective SMS marketing campaigns.
 
=== Best Practices and Tips ===
To effectively use the SMS automation action improvements, consider the following best practices:
 
* **Personalization**: Utilize the personalization features, like chip-based tags, to make your SMS messages more engaging.
* **Testing**: Always preview your SMS before sending, as this ensures that it displays correctly to your contacts.
* **Clear Call-to-Action**: Your SMS messages should have a clear and concise call-to-action to encourage engagement.
* **Frequency of Messages**: Be mindful of how often you send SMS messages to avoid overwhelming your contacts.


== Configuration Options and Settings ==
=== Common Use Cases with Examples ===
The following '''configuration options''' enhance the SMS automation experience:
The following are some popular use cases for the SMS automation action improvements:
* '''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 ==
* **Abandoned Cart Reminders**: Send an SMS reminder to customers who abandon their carts, prompting them to complete their purchase. You can find a recipe example for this [here](https://www.activecampaign.com/marketplace/recipe/send-sms-when-a-contact-when-a-contact-abandons-a-cart).
* **Keep Messages Concise**: SMS messages should be direct and to the point within character limits.
* **Customer Feedback Collection**: Use SMS to gather feedback and reviews after a purchase. More on this can be found in another example [here](https://www.activecampaign.com/marketplace/recipe/collect-customer-feedback-and-online-reviews-by-sending-sms-text-message).
* **Utilize Personalization**: Use the chip-based tags to personalize messages, making them more engaging for the recipient.
* **Event Reminders**: Send SMS reminders for upcoming webinars, virtual conferences, and events. Check out an example [here](https://www.activecampaign.com/marketplace/recipe/send-sms-reminders-for-your-webinars-virtual-conferences-and-other-events).
* **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 ==
=== Troubleshooting ===
Here are some practical examples of how to effectively use the SMS automation feature:
In case you encounter issues while using SMS automation actions, consider the following steps:
* **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 ==
* **Check Plan Eligibility**: Ensure that your ActiveCampaign plan supports SMS functionalities.
If you encounter issues while using the SMS automation feature, consider the following common troubleshooting tips:
* **Review Configuration**: Double-check the configuration options, ensuring that all personalization tags are correct.
* **Verification of SMS Add-on**: Ensure that the SMS add-on is included in your current ActiveCampaign plan and is properly activated.
* **Message Delivery**: If messages are not delivering, verify that the phone numbers in your contact lists are formatted correctly and that you have enough SMS credits.
* **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 ==
=== FAQ ===
=== Q1: What is the SMS Automation Action Improvements feature? ===
'''Q1: Which ActiveCampaign plans support SMS Automation Action?'''
A1: It enhances the experience of sending SMS within ActiveCampaign by providing improved personalization options and a modernized interface.
A1: The SMS feature is available on Marketing Plus, Professional, and Enterprise plans, as well as Sales Plus, Professional, and Enterprise plans.


=== Q2: Is SMS available for all ActiveCampaign plans? ===
'''Q2: How do I preview my SMS messages?'''
A2: No, SMS is only available as an add-on for specific plans including Marketing Plus, Professional, and Enterprise.
A2: Utilize the SMS message preview feature available in the configuration interface before saving your changes.


=== Q3: How do I add SMS capabilities to my account? ===
'''Q3: Can I personalize my SMS messages?'''
A3: You can add SMS capabilities by purchasing the SMS add-on available in your account settings.
A3: Yes, you can use chip-based tags for personalization, allowing for dynamic content based on your contacts.


=== Q4: Can I preview my SMS messages before sending them? ===
'''Q4: What happens if my SMS messages don’t deliver?'''
A4: Yes, the SMS automation action includes a message preview feature to see how your message will appear.
A4: Check the formatting of phone numbers and ensure you have adequate SMS credits in your account.


=== Q5: What should I do if my SMS does not send? ===
'''Q5: Where can I learn more about purchasing the SMS add-on?'''
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.
A5: You can find more information on purchasing the SMS add-on and SMS credits [here](https://help.activecampaign.com/hc/en-us/articles/115000105844-Purchasing-the-SMS-add-on-and-SMS-credits).


=== Q6: Are there specific use cases for SMS automation? ===
'''Q6: How do I access the complete guide on sending SMS messages?'''
A6: Yes, common use cases include cart abandonment notifications, customer feedback requests, and event reminders.
A6: You can access the detailed guide on sending SMS messages [here](https://help.activecampaign.com/hc/en-us/articles/115000103510-How-to-send-SMS-messages-to-your-contacts#how-to-send-sms-messages-to-your-contacts-0-0).


=== Q7: How can I personalize SMS messages? ===
'''Q7: Where can I see the new standards for marketing automation?'''
A7: Personalization can be achieved using the chip-based tags available during the SMS configuration setup.
A7: For insights on new standards in marketing automation, check out the article [here](https://www.activecampaign.com/blog/2024-automation-enhancements).


For further information on sending SMS messages, enhancing your ActiveCampaign experience, or troubleshooting issues, consult the related resources available in the ActiveCampaign help center.
With these improvements, the SMS automation action feature enhances user experience and effectiveness in reaching out to customers through text messaging. By following the above instructions, tips, and best practices, users can leverage this powerful tool to its fullest potential.

Latest revision as of 07:04, 3 November 2025

Navigation: Main_Page > Automations > SMS Automation Action Improvements

SMS Automation Action Improvements[edit | edit source]

Introduction[edit | edit source]

The SMS Automation Action Improvements is a feature in ActiveCampaign designed to enhance the process of sending SMS messages through automation. As SMS marketing becomes increasingly vital in engaging customers, these improvements offer users a more intuitive and user-friendly interface for creating SMS campaigns. This feature is especially important as it allows businesses to communicate rapidly and effectively with their audience, thereby boosting customer engagement and retention.

How to Access This Feature[edit | edit source]

To access the SMS automation action improvements, you must have an eligible ActiveCampaign plan that includes the SMS feature. Once you are logged into your ActiveCampaign account, follow these steps:

1. Navigate to the Automations section of your dashboard. 2. Select the automation where you want to add the SMS action. 3. Click on the option to add a new action and choose Send SMS.

Step-by-Step Instructions[edit | edit source]

To utilize the improved SMS automation action, follow these detailed steps:

1. **Navigate to Automations**:

  - Log into your ActiveCampaign account and select Automations from the main menu.

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

  - Open an existing automation or create a new one that you wish to modify.

3. **Add the SMS Action**:

  - Within the automation, click on Add Action and then select Send SMS from the available options.

4. **Configure SMS Settings**:

  - You will enter the SMS configuration interface. Here you can personalize your message using chip-based tags for easy editing. This modern personalization experience allows for quick access and support for all Contact, Deal, Account, and Custom Object tags.

5. **Preview Your Message**:

  - Before finalizing, make sure to utilize the SMS message preview feature, which shows how your message will appear to recipients.

6. **Save Your Changes**:

  - After configuring your SMS message and review, click on the Save button to apply the changes to your automation.

Configuration Options and Settings[edit | edit source]

The enhanced SMS automation action includes the following key configuration settings:

  • **Chip-Based Tags**: This feature allows you to quickly add and edit personalization tags, improving the overall efficiency in crafting messages.
  • **Type-Ahead Functionality**: Offers quick access to existing tags, making it easier to personalize messages on-the-fly.
  • **Message Preview**: A modernized interface that allows you to see how your SMS will be displayed to contacts.

These options greatly streamline the process of creating effective SMS marketing campaigns.

Best Practices and Tips[edit | edit source]

To effectively use the SMS automation action improvements, consider the following best practices:

  • **Personalization**: Utilize the personalization features, like chip-based tags, to make your SMS messages more engaging.
  • **Testing**: Always preview your SMS before sending, as this ensures that it displays correctly to your contacts.
  • **Clear Call-to-Action**: Your SMS messages should have a clear and concise call-to-action to encourage engagement.
  • **Frequency of Messages**: Be mindful of how often you send SMS messages to avoid overwhelming your contacts.

Common Use Cases with Examples[edit | edit source]

The following are some popular use cases for the SMS automation action improvements:

Troubleshooting[edit | edit source]

In case you encounter issues while using SMS automation actions, consider the following steps:

  • **Check Plan Eligibility**: Ensure that your ActiveCampaign plan supports SMS functionalities.
  • **Review Configuration**: Double-check the configuration options, ensuring that all personalization tags are correct.
  • **Message Delivery**: If messages are not delivering, verify that the phone numbers in your contact lists are formatted correctly and that you have enough SMS credits.

FAQ[edit | edit source]

Q1: Which ActiveCampaign plans support SMS Automation Action? A1: The SMS feature is available on Marketing Plus, Professional, and Enterprise plans, as well as Sales Plus, Professional, and Enterprise plans.

Q2: How do I preview my SMS messages? A2: Utilize the SMS message preview feature available in the configuration interface before saving your changes.

Q3: Can I personalize my SMS messages? A3: Yes, you can use chip-based tags for personalization, allowing for dynamic content based on your contacts.

Q4: What happens if my SMS messages don’t deliver? A4: Check the formatting of phone numbers and ensure you have adequate SMS credits in your account.

Q5: Where can I learn more about purchasing the SMS add-on? A5: You can find more information on purchasing the SMS add-on and SMS credits [here](https://help.activecampaign.com/hc/en-us/articles/115000105844-Purchasing-the-SMS-add-on-and-SMS-credits).

Q6: How do I access the complete guide on sending SMS messages? A6: You can access the detailed guide on sending SMS messages [here](https://help.activecampaign.com/hc/en-us/articles/115000103510-How-to-send-SMS-messages-to-your-contacts#how-to-send-sms-messages-to-your-contacts-0-0).

Q7: Where can I see the new standards for marketing automation? A7: For insights on new standards in marketing automation, check out the article [here](https://www.activecampaign.com/blog/2024-automation-enhancements).

With these improvements, the SMS automation action feature enhances user experience and effectiveness in reaching out to customers through text messaging. By following the above instructions, tips, and best practices, users can leverage this powerful tool to its fullest potential.