We are excited to announce the addition of text messaging to our platform! This new feature allows seamless communication with guests (and others). Some of the key functionality:
- Schedule Automated Messages: Create customizable templates to send messages automatically at predefined times.
- Smart Automation With Templates: Create reusable templates for your automations, enhanced with merge codes to seamlessly integrate reservation data. Trigger system actions based on guest responses for seamless communication.
- Instant Chat Access: Start conversations with guests anytime for quick and personal interactions.
1. Schedule Automated Messages
This is for setting up which text messages should go out when. If you have multiple properties in ReservationKey, you can set up a different schedule for each property. You can also set up different schedules for different reservation pages. if you are using more than one reservation page.
Here, we can see different schedules are set up.
And here, are the options for setting up events within the schedules.
2. Smart Automation With Templates
This is where we can set up templates along with actions to be triggered based on guests responses to your text messages. All merge codes from our Email Templates are also available here for integration with reservation data.
Below this section, is where automations are set up. In this example, the guest is given the option of responding "E" for early check-in, or "OK" to confirm they will arrive during the normal check-in time.
Here we can see based on an "E" response the system will add an Item for Sale for the early check-in, will add a star to their reservation, and will send a text message back to the guest confirming their request. Note, we entered the message manually, but a template could also be used, which then in turn could be used to trigger further automations which are attached to that response template.
We can also see an "OK" response triggers a final followup text message back to the guest.
3. Instant Chat Access
Chats can be accessed from within each reservation, as well as from an alert icon in the header of the system. The alert icon also shows the number of unread messages.
Clicking the alert icon brings up a window showing all recent chats, with any chats containing unread messages on top.
Click on a line to bring up the history and to continue the chat.
Real Time Notifications
As new messages are received the chat window will update dynamically if it is currently open. The alert about unread messages in the header will also update in real time as new messages are received.
Pricing
Pricing is based on number of credits used. Every account starts with 50 free credits, so that you can try it out for free and learn how the features work.
We have various options for purchasing credits. Generally, the more credits purchased, the less expensive it is for each credit. Pricing may change, as we see how this section is used. Also, our provider charges different prices based on the country being sent to, so we may need to also make some adjustments based on this. But to start with we are charging the same price for all countries. We currently are allowing sending to these countries.
Our pricing is here.
Summary
This is meant to give just a brief overview of the text messaging capabilities. We will be updating this post soon with links to complete tutorials on the various parts of the new text messaging system. Please feel free to send us comments and feedback as we go about continuing to develop these features.