Phone Only Contacts

```mediawiki Navigation: Main_Page > Contacts > Mobile Engagement > Phone-Only Contacts

Phone-Only Contacts for Mobile-First Engagement

Phone-Only Contacts is an innovative feature introduced by ActiveCampaign aimed at enhancing mobile-first engagement strategies, specifically through SMS Marketing and WhatsApp Messaging. With the increasing reliance on mobile devices, this feature allows businesses to manage contacts using only phone numbers without the need for email addresses. The ability to engage with customers through SMS and similar platforms is crucial for building meaningful relationships and driving engagement.

Key Features

• Phone-Only Contact Creation: Users can now add new contacts by utilizing just a phone number; an email address is not required.
• Phone-Only SMS Forms: Create SMS marketing opt-in forms that exclusively capture phone number details, facilitating direct communication.
• CSV Import Support: Upload subscriber contact lists that use phone numbers as the primary unique identifier to enhance SMS marketing and WhatsApp outreach.
• Encouraged Phone Number Formatting: The integration of a country code picker and format suggestions encourages the standardization of phone numbers in E.164 format, which is essential for optimal deliverability.

Why Phone-Only Contacts Matters

The trend towards mobile-first communication is undeniable. As consumers increasingly prefer to engage via their mobile devices, utilizing a strategy that recognizes this shift is essential. Phone-Only Contacts empower businesses to broaden their reach, ensuring they are not limited by traditional email communications. This capability streamlines the process of gathering leads and managing contact information efficiently.

How to Access Phone-Only Contacts

To access and enable the Phone-Only Contacts feature, follow the steps outlined below. Note that this feature is available for all customers, with specific activation for those utilizing the WhatsApp Messaging product.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. **Log** into your ActiveCampaign account. 2. **Navigate** to Settings. 3. Select Advanced Settings from the menu options. 4. Scroll down until you find the Phone-Only Contacts section. 5. **Toggle** the setting to enable Phone-Only Contacts. (Keep in mind that once activated, this change is permanent.)

You can utilize Phone-Only Contacts through:

• **Forms**: Create or edit a form to collect exclusively a phone number.
• **Contact Import**: Upload contact lists that consist solely of mobile numbers.

Configuration Options and Settings

Within the Phone-Only Contacts feature, several important configuration options enhance functionality and user experience:

• Phone-Only Contact Creation: This allows the addition of contacts directly through their phone numbers.
• Phone-Only SMS Forms: Implement forms specifically designed to gather phone number information for SMS marketing.
• CSV Import Support: This feature is critical for organizations looking to seamlessly integrate existing lists into ActiveCampaign, focusing on phone numbers as the unique identifier.
• Encouraged Phone Number Formatting: The feature provides a country code picker and formatting suggestions to ensure that all phone numbers conform to the recommended E.164 format.

Best Practices and Tips

• Ensure consistent formatting of phone numbers by utilizing the Encouraged Phone Number Formatting feature during data entry or imports to avoid deliverability issues.
• Utilize SMS forms to actively engage smartphone users, enhancing your customer acquisition strategies.
• Regularly review and update your phone-only contact lists to maintain data hygiene and ensure effective communications.
• Combine Phone-Only Contacts with other marketing strategies for comprehensive engagement across multiple channels.

Common Use Cases with Examples

• A local restaurant can gather phone numbers via a simple SMS opt-in form for promotions and reservations, enhancing direct customer engagement.
• An e-commerce platform can import a CSV list of customers who prefer receiving updates via SMS, promoting higher open rates compared to traditional email marketing.
• Non-profit organizations can use the Phone-Only Contacts feature to reach out to volunteers and donors directly, fostering stronger relationships without the need for email communication.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues while using Phone-Only Contacts, consider the following troubleshooting steps:

• Ensure that the feature is enabled in the Advanced Settings.
• Check that phone numbers are formatted correctly, especially in the E.164 format.
• Verify that the contact lists being imported do not contain extraneous columns that may disrupt the import process.

Related Features

For a broader understanding of how Phone-Only Contacts fit within ActiveCampaign’s offerings, consider exploring the following features:

• Mobile Engagement
• SMS Marketing
• WhatsApp Messaging

FAQ

Q1: Is it mandatory to have an email address for Phone-Only Contacts? A: No, it is not necessary to have an email address when creating Phone-Only Contacts; only a phone number is required.

Q2: What is E.164 formatting, and why is it important? A: E.164 formatting is an internationally recognized format for phone numbers. It ensures better deliverability across various communication channels.

Q3: How do I import contacts using phone numbers? A: You can import contacts by uploading a CSV file in which phone numbers are specified as the primary unique identifier.

Q4: Can I still use traditional email contacts with this feature? A: Yes, Phone-Only Contacts is an additional capability and does not replace the ability to manage email contacts.

Q5: Do I need a special plan to access Phone-Only Contacts? A: Phone-Only Contacts is available for all plan types, including Starter, Plus, Pro, and Enterprise.

Q6: Are there any limitations on the number of phone-only contacts I can have? A: There is generally no specific limit imposed on the number of Phone-Only Contacts, but this may depend on your account plan specifics.

Q7: How does this feature facilitate mobile engagement? A: This feature enables brands to collect and manage phone-centric contacts, enhancing the ability to engage with customers through SMS and WhatsApp, which are increasingly preferred communication channels.

For further information regarding the Phone-Only Contacts, you can refer to the Phone-only contacts overview. ```