SMS and email preferences - what and when to send

You can configure each message type separately - decide whether to send it by email, SMS, or both channels. Good settings increase communication effectiveness without irritating clients.

Recommended settings

Here is a configuration that works well for most studios:

• Booking confirmation - email (optionally SMS)
• 24h reminder before session - email + SMS
• 2h reminder before session - SMS only
• Visit completed - email
• Review request - email
• Status change - email

Why these settings

Karol runs a photo studio and tested various combinations. Here is what works:

• Confirmation - email contains all the details (directions, hours, equipment). SMS is too short for all that information, but as an additional confirmation it gives the client confidence.
• 24h reminder - both channels maximize the chance that the client does not forget. Since Karol added SMS to the 24h reminder, no-shows dropped by half.
• 2h reminder - SMS alone is enough. The client probably does not check email 2 hours before the booking, but they will definitely see the SMS.
• Post-session - email does not require immediate action, so it does not need to be an SMS.

Activating the SMS channel

To use SMS:

1. Go to Owner Panel > Communication Settings.
2. In the SMS Channel section, click Activate.
3. Set the SMS sender name (maximum 11 characters - this is the name that will appear to the client instead of a phone number).
4. Save settings.

SMS costs

SMS messages are sent through the SMSAPI gateway:

• Domestic SMS (Poland): approx. 0.07-0.09 PLN per message
• Billed at the end of each month
• Cost visible in communication settings

With 50 bookings per month and two SMS per booking (24h + 2h reminders), the SMS cost is approximately 7-9 PLN per month.

What if...

• The client did not provide a phone number? SMS will not be sent, but email will go normally. The client does not miss anything.
• I want to disable SMS for a while? Deactivate the SMS channel in communication settings. All templates with the SMS channel will automatically switch to email only.