Sending SMS from Noddle

Noddle lets you send and receive text messages directly from the platform — no separate texting app needed. Your conversations are logged, searchable, and tied to each contact's record.

Before You Can Text: What You Need

To send SMS in the US, three things must be in place:

1. A phone number provisioned in Noddle — your dedicated business number for texting and calling
2. A2P 10DLC registration — required by US carriers to send business text messages (see the A2P registration articles)
3. Contact opt-in — contacts must consent to receive texts from you

Without A2P registration, your messages will be blocked or heavily filtered by carriers like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile.

Sending a One-Off Text

To text a single contact:

1. Go to Conversations in the left menu.
2. Click the Compose icon.
3. Search for and select the contact.
4. Select SMS as the channel.
5. Type your message and hit Send.

Alternatively, open a contact's card, click Send Message, and select SMS.

Sending SMS in Bulk

To send the same text to a group of contacts:

1. Go to Contacts.
2. Filter or use a Smart List to find the right contacts.
3. Check the boxes next to the contacts.
4. Click Send SMS from the bulk action bar.
5. Write your message and send.

⚠️ Bulk SMS should only go to contacts who have opted in to receive texts. Sending to unverified contacts can get your number flagged.

SMS in Automations

The most powerful use of SMS in Noddle is through Automations — automatic texts triggered by contact actions:

• New lead fills out a form → immediate SMS follow-up within minutes
• Appointment booked → SMS confirmation and 24-hour reminder
• Payment received → SMS thank-you and receipt

See the Automations section for how to set these up.

Personalizing SMS with Custom Values

You can include contact-specific information in your messages using custom values (merge fields):

• {{contact.first_name}} → inserts the contact's first name
• {{appointment.time}} → inserts the scheduled appointment time
• {{location.name}} → inserts your business name

Always include your business name and an opt-out option in outbound texts: "Reply STOP to unsubscribe."

SMS Best Practices

• Keep it short. SMS works best under 160 characters. Longer messages are split by carriers.
• Send during business hours. Avoid early morning or late night texts unless the contact has specifically opted in for after-hours alerts.
• Always include opt-out language. Every outbound promotional message must include "Reply STOP to unsubscribe" (legally required).
• Don't use link shorteners like bit.ly. Carriers filter these as spam. Use direct URLs or Noddle's built-in short links.