You will learn
Learn what you will see in the SMS Conversations tab, how to use two-way messaging, and best practices.
With SMS conversations, you can:
- Communicate with your customers on a one-on-one basis, answering questions as well as having in-depth conversations
- Provide details about your business, a product, or an order
- Send a coupon or picture of a receipt
- Follow up with customers
This can enhance your customer support and is an opportunity for you to connect with your audience on a whole new level.
Before you begin
Please note the following:
- Only owners, admins, and managers can use SMS conversations
- You must set up SMS before using SMS conversations
- Individuals must text you first (i.e., you can't initiate an SMS conversation, you can only reply)
- You can only reply when someone is an SMS subscriber
- SMS conversations are not available for branded sender IDs
- Your outbound SMS messages use credits in your billing plan
SMS conversations in Klaviyo are available when a subscriber texts one of your sending numbers and does not use a keyword. You cannot initiate a conversation; only reply after a customer texts you first.
You will be able to view texts from non-subscribers; however, to adhere to laws pertaining to SMS consent, you will not be able to reply to anyone who has not opted in to your SMS marketing efforts. When non-subscribers text you, it does not count as consent for SMS marketing unless they subscribe (e.g., by sending a subscribe keyword).
The SMS Conversations tab
In the SMS Conversations tab, you’ll see two screens side-by-side.
- Inbox and Archived tabs on the left, which list the last 10 people who texted you without a keyword and the most recent threads you archived, respectively.
- If there’s a name for the profile, it will be displayed. If there’s no name, Klaviyo will show their phone number.
- This list is ordered based on when the person texted in, with the most recent text messages appearing at the top, and will update in real time.
- The text thread on the right.
- The text thread will show:
- The last 50 messages between the two of you, including any flow, campaign, and auto-responder messages that you sent.
- The profile's consent status.
- MMS messages sent by the subscriber will not appear. If someone sends you an MMS, only the text will show, not the images or GIFs.
- The text thread will show:
You can filter conversations by All or Unread. Further, you can block, archive, or unarchive SMS conversations.
How to reply to subscribers
- Click the conversation that you want to respond to.
- Click into the text box below the message history.
- If the person has not yet consented, this response field is grayed out and you will not be able to respond until they opt into SMS marketing.
- If the profile is subscribed to SMS marketing, you can respond in the space.
In your message, you can include images, GIFs, emojis, and coupons just like you can in any other SMS. You can also send multiple messages in a row.
Review your settings
To view your settings:
- Go to Conversations.
- Click the gear icon in the sidebar.
- Update any of the following:
- Automatically shorten links.
- Recommendation: keep this setting turned on.
- Set your notifications.
- Recommendations:
- Add an email address to receive notifications and leave the in-app notification badge on if you plan to use two-way messaging.
- Leave this setting turned off if you don't plan to use SMS conversations.
- Recommendations:
- Update your auto-responder.
- Recommendations:
- Enable this feature for Only non-consented profiles if you want to use two-way messaging.
- If you do not currently want to use SMS conversations, set the auto-responder to send to All profiles.
- Example of an auto-response message: {{Organization prefix}}: We are unable to respond as you have not consented to receive SMS. For help, reach us at {{email}}.
- Recommendations:
- Automatically shorten links.
- When you’re done, click Save.
Best practices for two-way messaging
2 important things to remember when using two-way messaging are:
- The time of day for the recipient
- How quickly you respond
Below, we discuss each in more detail.
Be mindful of what time you respond
It’s important to avoid texting too early or late in the day, as SMS messages actively ping a recipient’s phone.
Do not send:
- Before 8 a.m. (in the recipient's local time zone)
- After 9 p.m. (in the recipient's local time zone)
Be mindful that what’s early or late for you may not be the exact same as for your customers. For instance, say you’re based on the east coast of the U.S. and get a text from someone from the west coast. Replying at 8 a.m EST means they get the message at 5 a.m. PST. For this recipient, getting a text that early in the morning may be seen as intrusive and may cause them to unsubscribe.
If a profile’s location is available, it will appear in the header. This can help you determine someone’s timezone.
Respond to messages quickly
People expect a quick response when they text, much faster than when they send you an email or fill out a customer support form. Thus, ensure that you have the resources to reply quickly and meet demand.
When it comes to SMS support, quicker response times are key. Aim to text back within the hour, and make sure that you are responding to all incoming messages.