Texting a promotion to customers by SMS

Quick answer: When you launch a promotion, you can text it to customers. Turn on SMS on the Review & Launch step and write your message. It’s a paid channel, so each text comes out of your SMS credit. Top it up under Promotions & Specials → Settings.

Who gets the text?

Only targeted customers who have a mobile number and accept offer texts. The SMS row shows how many that is, for example “3 of 48 have a mobile & accept offer texts”. Customers who reply STOP stop getting texts. The free channels (In-app banner & Specials feed, Email and Push notification) sit above it on the same step.

How do I add SMS to a promotion?

1. Build your promotion as usual (see Running a promotion) and go to the Review & Launch step.
2. Under Notify customers, click the SMS row (marked Paid) to turn it on.
3. Type your Text message. Your business name is added at the start and an opt-out (“Reply STOP to opt out”) at the end. The preview shows exactly what customers get.
4. Watch the counter. It shows the characters used and how many SMS each customer gets. Longer messages use two or more SMS, and emoji or special characters shorten each one.
5. Choose When should it go out?, either As soon as I launch it or When the promotion starts, and then click Launch.

How much does it cost?

Under the preview you’ll see Recipients, SMS per recipient, Price per SMS and the Estimated cost, along with your credit balance before and after sending. You’re only charged for texts that are sent. Undelivered texts are refunded to your credit. The “ending soon” reminder doesn’t include SMS.

How do I top up my SMS credit?

1. Go to Promotions & Specials and click Settings. You can also click Top up from the SMS panel.
2. In the SMS credit card, check your balance and roughly how many texts it covers.
3. Under Add credit, pick an amount and click Add. It’s charged to the card on your account, plus tax.

No card yet? Add one in My Account → Billing first.

Turn on Auto top-up to add credit automatically when your balance runs low. With auto top-up on, a send tops up first if needed. Activity lists every top-up, send and refund.

Why can’t I launch?

• “SMS is on but the text message is empty.” Write a message or turn SMS off.
• “Not enough SMS credit…” Top up, or turn on Auto top-up.

If none of the targeted customers can be texted, you’ll get a warning, but you can still launch. If SMS isn’t offered in your country yet, the SMS row is greyed out and explains why.