SMS stands for short message service, a protocol used for sending short text messages over wireless networks. WellnessLiving offers flexible options for SMS text messaging services depending on the needs of your business.
Key tips
Clients must have a valid cell phone number under the Cell Phone field on their Profile Details page of their client profile to receive an SMS message.
For information on plans and pricing, see Message Center: Subscription plans.
When sending SMS messages, you can send messages to clients in other countries. However, inbound SMS deliverability isn't guaranteed for clients with international phone numbers.
Notification categories
SMS messages fit into two categories: transactional and marketing.
Transactional notifications
We define these as client notifications and staff notifications used for day-to-day business operations. These can include booking reminders or purchase receipts for clients or booking change notifications for staff members.
In the Staff Back Office, these can be found in:
Setup > Notifications > Client Notifications
Setup > Notifications > Staff Notifications
On the notifications tab of a staff member's profile.
For customers in the U.S. and Canada, transactional notifications are free of charge and there is no limit to how many your business can send.
Marketing notifications
We define these as notifications sent from the client profile or reports using QUICK contact, sent via Message Center, or automated marketing notifications. These messages can be tooled to include special offers, promotions, or announcements intended to drive customer engagement and increase sales.
In the Staff Back Office, these can be found in:
App Drawer > Marketing
App Drawer > Messages
From a client's profile, reports, or attendance lists using QUICK contact.
The amount of marketing notifications you can send are based on your Message Center subscription plan. Please refer to our article on Message Center subscription plans for more information.
Types of SMS messaging
The following table describes each type of SMS messaging available in WellnessLiving.
SMS Type | Description |
1-way SMS | 1-way SMS refers to messaging that only moves in one direction – from your business to a client. Clients can’t respond to 1-way SMS messages.
Many of the automated notifications and automated marketing in WellnessLiving use 1-way SMS messaging to deliver information to clients.
Note: A fee will apply for each marketing SMS sent. A fee of $0.05 will apply for US and Canadian users and a fee of $0.09 will apply for UK and Australia users. |
2-way SMS | 2-way SMS refers to text messaging that allows clients to respond to your business’s automated SMS messages and confirm their appointments or wait list promotions.
2-way SMS is available through Message Center. When you subscribe to Message Center, your business will be assigned a functional, local phone number used to send SMS messaging to clients. Clients can respond to inquiries sent from your business by using a pre-set response such as YES to confirm.
When your clients respond to your automated SMS message, the WellnessLiving system will automatically update their booking for a session.
Note: Overage fees will apply for each additional marketing SMS sent or received above the monthly limit. For more information, see Message Center: Subscription plans. |
Conversational SMS | Conversational SMS allows your clients to engage with your marketing and automated notification messages. This goes beyond simple pre-set responses and allows for end-to-end conversations between clients and your business.
Conversational SMS allows for a more personalized approach to your communications by letting staff members and clients initiate and engage in conversations through Message Center. A client may have a question that can be easily answered by one of your staff members, making the experience more personal and engaging. |