Overview
MotionOps sends two kinds of texts: automatic notifications that go out when something happens (like an appointment being booked), and messages you send by hand (like a proposal or an "on my way" text). Each message starts from a ready-made template so you don't have to write it from scratch. You control which automatic texts are turned on. This is managed in the Web App.
How It Works
There are two ways texts go out to your customers:
Automatic notifications — Sent on their own when an event happens, such as an appointment being published, rescheduled, or canceled. You choose which ones are on.
Manual messages — Sent when you choose, such as texting a proposal, change order, or invoice to a customer, or sending an "on my way" message.
Every automatic SMS notification starts turned off. You decide which ones to enable, so customers only get the texts you want them to receive.
How to Turn SMS Notifications On or Off
Customer text notifications are managed in the same place as your email notifications.
Click the gear icon in the top-right corner and select Business Settings.
In the left menu, click Notifications, then choose Customer.
Find the notification you want to manage. Each one shows an Email and an SMS tag so you can see at a glance which channels are on.
Click Configure next to a notification to turn its SMS message on or off and review the message.
You can return and adjust these settings anytime.
Tip: A customer only receives a text if the notification's SMS tag is on, your business is registered with a dedicated number, and the customer has a valid phone number on file that hasn't opted out.
For more on managing notifications across channels, see Email Notifications.
How to Send a Text Manually
When you send a proposal, change order, or invoice, you can deliver it by text instead of (or in addition to) email. You can also send an "on my way" text when you're heading to an appointment.
Choose the text message option when sending the proposal, change order, or invoice.
In the Send via Text Message window, confirm the Recipients. Click + Add to text more than one person.
Review the Message. The template is filled in for you, and a live preview shows exactly what the customer will see, including the link to view the proposal, change order, or invoice.
Keep an eye on the character counter. A single text fits up to 160 characters.
Click Send Text Message.
Once sent, the message appears in your SMS Logs so you can confirm delivery.
Tips & Best Practices
Turn on only the notifications customers want. Appointment confirmations and reminders are useful; too many texts can feel like spam and lead to opt-outs.
Preview before you send. Use the live preview to confirm the message reads well and the link is present.
Pair texts with email for important documents. Sending a proposal by both text and email gives the customer two easy ways to open it.
Things to Know
All automatic SMS notifications start turned off. You enable each one yourself.
SMS automatic notifications are managed in the Web App.
Customer text notifications are configured under Business Settings > Notifications > Customer, alongside email notifications.
A text only sends if SMS is enabled for that notification, your business has a dedicated number, and the contact has a valid number that hasn't opted out.
A single text fits up to 160 characters; longer messages are sent as more than one text.
Both automatic and manual texts appear in your SMS Logs.
Troubleshooting
My customer didn't get an automatic text.
Confirm the notification's SMS tag is on, your business is registered with a dedicated number, and the customer has a valid phone number on file. Then check your SMS Logs for the message status.
The SMS tag for a notification is grayed out.
That means SMS is off for that notification. Click Configure to turn it on.
My message got split into two texts.
The message was longer than 160 characters. Shorten the wording in the message field before sending to keep it to a single text.
I don't see an option to send by text.
Texting requires a registered business and a dedicated phone number. If you haven't set that up, see Register for SMS Texting.
Have questions? Reach out via the support chat or email support@motionops.com.