An SMS is a text-only message sent to a contact's mobile device. SMS messages are sent from automations using the "Send SMS" automation action to contacts who have shared their mobile phone number with you. You should only send SMS messages to contacts that have given you permission to do so.
View our SMS pricing page and learn what countries are supported.
In this article, you’ll learn how to create and send an SMS message to your contacts.
Take note
- You must purchase the SMS add-on to use ActiveCampaign’s SMS feature
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All mobile phone numbers collected for your contacts outside of the United States must follow E.164 number formatting. This formatting is an internationally-recognized standard phone number format and includes the following:
- A "+" sign
- International Country Calling code
- Local Area code
- Local phone number
Our system saves a mobile phone number exactly how it was submitted to us. We do not reformat the phone number. If you do not use the E.164 format for contacts located outside of the United States, our SMS provider will default to add +1 (US) instead.
You can learn more and view a list of country calling codes.
- Phone numbers for contacts located within the United States do not need to follow the E.164 format. However, you must include the full phone number and the area code. For example, you would format the phone number to be 123 456 7890.
- Mobile phone numbers must be stored in the default ActiveCampaign phone field. If you store the mobile phone number in a custom field you created, then we cannot deliver that SMS message. Learn tips for ensuring successful SMS delivery
Create an SMS message
- Click Automations on the left menu.
- Select the automation you want to add your SMS message to by clicking “Edit.”
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Click on the node (+) in your automation, then click the “Send an SMS” action under “Sending.”
If you plan to subscribe contacts from within the United States and its territories, you must complete 10DLC registration before sending any SMS messages.
- Type in a name for your SMS in the “SMS name” field. The “SMS name” field is there to help you organize and identify your SMS messages.
- On the “Send to” option, click the dropdown to select who you want to send the SMS to.
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Choose the date and time for your SMS message to “Send On”:
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- Click “Edit” to the right of the “Send On” option
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Select the days you want your SMS message to be sent
- NOTE: If a contact reaches this Send SMS step outside the days you selected, they will proceed to the next step in the automation. The SMS send will be queued and sent to the contact at the next matching day and time
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Select the time range of when you want your SMS message to be sent.
- NOTE: If a contact reaches this SMS step outside the time range you selected, the SMS message will not be sent, and they will proceed to the next step in your automation
- Click the “Done” button
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Configure your Sender name and Opt-out Instructions:
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- Click “Edit” to the right of the “Include” option
- In the “Sender name” field, type in the name you want displayed to your contact.
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Check or uncheck the “Opt-Out Instructions: Reply STOP to opt out” option. Your selection will automatically show in the Message preview and be added to the sent message
- NOTE: You must have instructions in the SMS message for the contact regarding how to opt-out. You can provide your own opt-out messaging by including any of the following terms: “stop,” “end,” “quit,” “stopall,” or “unsubscribe.” We will automatically add opt-out instructions if we do not detect opt-out language in your message
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- Enter the text you want your SMS message to display. Note that you can personalize the SMS message with contact- or deal-specific information by clicking the "Personalize" dropdown and clicking the personalization tag to insert. SMS messages have a 160-character limit. If you are using a personalization tag in your message, it will cut off at 160 characters after personalization.
- Click “Save.”
Learn where to locate replies to your SMS messages.