How to use SMS as reminders
Collect allows you to send SMS messages to your clients as part of your follow-up and reminder workflows. SMS reminders can be automated based on specific triggers—like document uploads or form completions—or sent manually when needed.
This guide covers how to schedule SMS reminders, purchase SMS credits, and draft effective SMS content.
You can send SMS messages:
Automatically, by setting up messages in the Follow-up stage during campaign creation or editing
Manually, from:
- A specific request page
- The requests list, using bulk selection
While creating or editing a campaign, go to the Follow-up stage.
Choose to send an SMS message.
Draft your message and save your changes.
Open the request from your campaign dashboard.
Click the Actions button (top right).
Select Send a message.
Choose SMS as the message type, draft your content, and send.
Go to the requests list.
Use the checkboxes to select the desired requests.
Click the Send a message button (paper airplane icon).
Choose SMS, draft your message, and send to all selected clients.
Before sending SMS messages, you need to purchase SMS credits (admin access required).
Click your profile icon (top right) and go to Settings.
In the left sidebar, click Plan and billing.
Find the Add-ons section and click Buy credits.
On the Buy Credits page:
Select the credit package from the dropdown menu.
Click Purchase credits to complete the process.
SMS messages are limited to 160 characters per message.
Longer messages are allowed but may use multiple credits depending on length.
The estimated number of credits used will be shown below the message field.
A short link to the portal (approx. 10–12 characters) is automatically appended to the end of each SMS. Factor this into your message length.
You can use variables (e.g., contact name, due date) to personalize the message.
Keep your messaging clear, concise, and actionable.
While SMS read receipts are not available due to protocol limitations, you can track whether a client has clicked the link included in the SMS.
To do this:
Open the relevant request.
Go to the Activity tab.
You’ll see if the client has accessed the portal via the SMS link.
Using SMS in Collect helps you reach clients quickly and effectively—especially for time-sensitive follow-ups. Be mindful of message length and cost, personalize your content with variables, and monitor link activity to ensure engagement.
This guide covers how to schedule SMS reminders, purchase SMS credits, and draft effective SMS content.
When can SMS messages be sent?
You can send SMS messages:
Automatically, by setting up messages in the Follow-up stage during campaign creation or editing
Manually, from:
- A specific request page
- The requests list, using bulk selection
How to schedule SMS reminders
In a campaign (automated messages):
While creating or editing a campaign, go to the Follow-up stage.
Choose to send an SMS message.
Draft your message and save your changes.
Manually from a specific request:
Open the request from your campaign dashboard.
Click the Actions button (top right).
Select Send a message.
Choose SMS as the message type, draft your content, and send.
Manually to multiple requests:
Go to the requests list.
Use the checkboxes to select the desired requests.
Click the Send a message button (paper airplane icon).
Choose SMS, draft your message, and send to all selected clients.
Buying SMS credits
Before sending SMS messages, you need to purchase SMS credits (admin access required).
Steps:
Click your profile icon (top right) and go to Settings.
In the left sidebar, click Plan and billing.
Find the Add-ons section and click Buy credits.
On the Buy Credits page:
Select the credit package from the dropdown menu.
Click Purchase credits to complete the process.
Drafting SMS content
Character limits and costs:
SMS messages are limited to 160 characters per message.
Longer messages are allowed but may use multiple credits depending on length.
The estimated number of credits used will be shown below the message field.
Important considerations:
A short link to the portal (approx. 10–12 characters) is automatically appended to the end of each SMS. Factor this into your message length.
You can use variables (e.g., contact name, due date) to personalize the message.
Keep your messaging clear, concise, and actionable.
Tracking SMS performance
While SMS read receipts are not available due to protocol limitations, you can track whether a client has clicked the link included in the SMS.
To do this:
Open the relevant request.
Go to the Activity tab.
You’ll see if the client has accessed the portal via the SMS link.
Summary
Using SMS in Collect helps you reach clients quickly and effectively—especially for time-sensitive follow-ups. Be mindful of message length and cost, personalize your content with variables, and monitor link activity to ensure engagement.
Updated on: 09/05/2025
Thank you!