Setup: Text Messaging


Why This Matters

Text messaging lets you communicate directly with your contacts via SMS. To send and receive text messages through your CRM, you'll need to connect an account with a third-party SMS provider.

Here's what you need to know:

  • You'll sign up with an external provider (Textmagic, ClickSend, or Twilio)
  • The provider charges separately for message usage based on their pricing
  • Once connected, you can send and receive texts directly from your CRM
  • Setup takes about 15-20 minutes

Before You Begin

What you'll need:

  • To choose one of three supported providers: Textmagic, ClickSend, or Twilio
  • A credit card to set up your provider account
  • About 15-20 minutes to complete setup

Cost information: Each provider bills separately for text message usage. Pricing varies by provider and is based on the number of messages you send. You'll pay the provider directly—text messaging is not included in your CRM subscription.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Choose Your Text Messaging Provider

What to do: Review the three supported providers and choose the one that fits your needs.

Why this matters: Each provider has different pricing, features, and coverage areas. Choosing the right one now prevents needing to switch later.

Your options:

Textmagic

  • Pay-as-you-go pricing with no monthly fees
  • Strong international coverage
  • Simple setup with straightforward pricing
  • Sign up for Textmagic →

ClickSend

  • Competitive pricing for high-volume senders
  • Good for businesses sending 1,000+ messages per month
  • Includes MMS (picture messaging) support
  • Sign up for ClickSend →

Twilio

  • Most flexible and feature-rich option
  • Best for businesses needing advanced automation
  • Requires more technical setup
  • Sign up for Twilio →

How long it takes: 5 minutes to review and decide

2. Sign Up with Your Chosen Provider

What to do: Click the sign-up link for your chosen provider and create an account.

Why this matters: You need an active provider account before you can connect it to your CRM.

During signup:

  • Choose a phone number (most providers let you select your area code)
  • Add a credit card for billing
  • Verify your account via email
  • Note your account credentials—you'll need them in the next step

How long it takes: 5-10 minutes

3. Locate Your API Credentials

What to do: Find your API credentials in your provider's dashboard. Here's where to look:

For Textmagic:

  • Log into your Textmagic account
  • Go to Settings → API Settings
  • Copy your API Username and API Key

For ClickSend:

  • Log into your ClickSend account
  • Go to Account → API Credentials
  • Copy your Username and API Key

For Twilio:

  • Log into your Twilio Console
  • Find your Account SID and Auth Token on the dashboard
  • Copy your Twilio phone number

Why this matters: These credentials allow your CRM to connect securely to your provider account.

How long it takes: 2-3 minutes

4. Connect Your Provider in the CRM

What to do: Return to your CRM and enter your provider credentials.

  1. Go to Automation → Text Messaging Center
  2. Click Go to Configuration (or click the Settings icon if you're already in Text Messaging Center)
  3. Click the Provider Configuration tab
  4. Select your provider from the three options
  5. Enter your credentials:
    • Username/Account ID (from your provider dashboard)
    • API Key/Auth Token (from your provider dashboard)
    • Phone Number (your provider phone number in format: +12125551234)
  6. Click Save Provider Configuration

Why this matters: This establishes the connection between your CRM and your SMS provider so messages can be sent and received.

How long it takes: 3-5 minutes

5. Configure Notification Settings

What to do: Set up how you want to be notified when you receive text messages.

  1. While still in Text Messaging Settings, click the Notifications tab
  2. Choose your notification preferences:
    • Email notifications when you receive a text
    • Desktop notifications (if using the desktop app)
    • Notification sound settings
  3. Click Save Notification Settings

Why this matters: You'll want to know when contacts reply to your messages so you can respond promptly.

How long it takes: 2 minutes

6. Send a Test Message

What to do: Send yourself a test message to verify everything works.

  1. Go to Automation → Text Messaging Center
  2. Click New Message or Compose
  3. Enter your own mobile phone number
  4. Type a test message: "Testing my CRM text messaging"
  5. Click Send
  6. Check your phone—you should receive the message within seconds
  7. Reply to the message from your phone
  8. Verify the reply appears in your Text Messaging Center

Why this matters: Testing confirms your setup works before you start messaging contacts.

How long it takes: 3-5 minutes

Questions and Answers

Q: Do I have to use one of these three providers?

A: Yes. The system currently supports Textmagic, ClickSend, and Twilio. You cannot use other SMS providers or your personal phone number.

Q: Can I switch providers later if I'm not happy?

A: Yes, you can change providers at any time through the Provider Configuration settings. Your message history will remain in your CRM, but you'll need to set up a new account with the new provider.

Q: What happens if I run out of credits with my provider?

A: Your messages will fail to send until you add more credits to your provider account. The CRM will show an error message. You'll need to log into your provider's website to add funds.

Q: Can I use my existing Twilio/Textmagic/ClickSend account?

A: Yes! If you already have an account with one of these providers, just enter your existing credentials during setup. You don't need to create a new account.

Q: How much will text messaging cost?

A: Pricing varies by provider and is based on the number of messages you send. Most providers charge $0.01-$0.04 per message depending on your volume and destination country. Check your provider's pricing page for specific rates.

Q: Can I send texts to international numbers?

A: Yes, all three providers support international texting, but rates are higher for international messages. Check your provider's international pricing before sending.

Q: What phone number will my contacts see when I text them?

A: They'll see the phone number you purchased from your SMS provider during signup. This is the number you entered in Step 4.

Q: Can contacts text me back?

A: Yes! This is two-way messaging. When contacts reply, their messages appear in your Text Messaging Center and you'll receive notifications based on your settings.

Q: Do I need to get permission before texting contacts?

A: Yes! You must have explicit consent before sending marketing or promotional texts. See our Best Practices: Text Messaging for Client Communication guide for compliance requirements.

Q: What if my provider credentials don't work?

A: Double-check that you've copied the credentials exactly as they appear in your provider dashboard, including any spaces or special characters. If you're still having issues, contact your provider's support team to verify your account is active and API access is enabled.



Guide Type: One-Time Setup Task

Estimated Time: 15-20 minutes