Set up Automated Text Messages

Qminder can send customized messages to your visitors when they are being added to the queue, or when they are being called.
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Text messaging is only available for Business Plan subscribers.

Register phone numbers 

In order to send a text to a visitor, that visitor's phone number must be added first. There are two ways to do that:

• Let the clerk insert the phone number using the phone number input field. 

• Let the visitor type their phone number in through the sign-in app for the iPad.

Enable messaging

To enable chat text messages, go to the Location Settings tab and then go to Text messaging. Click on Enable text messaging. 
This turns on both automatic messages and Two-way chat.

Configure auto messages

• You can create a new message by clicking on + New auto message button.

• You can edit existing auto messages by clicking the pencil icon on the right side of the message. 

• You can customize the type, name and line of each auto message. Each line can have a unique specialized message.

Message types

1. Welcome message

The welcome message is sent when a visitor has been added to the queue. This gives the visitor peace of mind.

2a. Visitor is being called

When the visitor is being called by your agents, they will automatically receive a message that informs it's their turn. This grabs the visitor's attention. 

2b. Visitor is being called to a desk 

If the calling clerk has selected a desk, then the visitor will receive a message that informs it's their turn and which desk to come to. This feature also works with named desks.

3. After service

After a visitor has been served, you ask them for feedback or remind them to come back next time. You can set the time of delivery to be either immediately, or 1 hour or 24 hours after the service.  Read more about the use of post-service SMS here!

Customize the content of the message

You can change the content of the message in the text field box.
​Make sure to save your changes by pressing the Save & Go live button!   

The words highlighted in yellow are placeholders which change value accordingly to actual information. To add a placeholder, click on the yellow buttons below the text box. To delete the placeholder, simply click the on the X next to the placeholder.

You can see all messages that have been sent out in the Activity log in a visitor's details.

Why use automatic messages

Text Message notification is a convenient and modern way of greeting and notifying visitors.

You can send a welcoming message that lets the visitor know they're in the queue. You can use it to send information to your visitors or just to give them peace of mind.

Do they have their documents ready? What's the Wi-Fi password? Have they grabbed a cup of complementary coffee?

How visitors can opt out and back in to text messages

Visitors can easily opt out of receiving automated text messages by replying with STOP, STOPALL, UNSUBSCRIBE, CANCEL, END, or QUIT. These keywords are recognized by our SMS provider, Twilio, and will immediately block further messages from Qminder to that phone number.

If a visitor wants to receive messages again, they can simply reply with START, YES, or UNSTOP to opt back in.