Configuring onNinths Booking System SMS Notifications for Vacation Rentals

While email notifications are essential, SMS notifications provide an immediate and direct way to communicate with your guests, especially for last-minute updates or confirmations. Here’s how to set up SMS notifications using WP Booking System for vacation rentals, with examples for “New Booking Confirmation” and “Check-In Reminder.”

Setting Up SMS Notifications

1. You are subscribed to either the Pro or the Business plan.

• You must be subscribed to our Pro or Business plan in order to use SMS messages.

1. Configure an opt-in when your guests make a booking. You can do this will a ‘Radio’ button, ‘Conditional Formatting’ and then showing the phone box if the radio is set to ‘yes’. The radio button will be labeled ‘Opt-in for SMS messaging’.

• In your WordPress admin, go to WP Booking System > Settings > SMS Notifications.
• Enter your SMS service API credentials here.

Configuring Specific Notifications

• Enable/Disable Notifications: Similar to emails, you can toggle which SMS notifications are active.
• Customize Messages:
• You’ll have character limits due to SMS constraints, so keep messages concise while informative.

Example 1: New Booking Confirmation SMS

Purpose: Instant confirmation to the guest that their booking has been accepted.

Configuration Steps:

1. Enable Notification:

• Check the box next to “New Booking Confirmation SMS.”

1. Customize SMS:

• Message:
  

Thank you, {client_name}! Your booking at {property_name} from {booking_start} to {booking_end} is confirmed. Check your email for details.

1. Recipients:

• Guest’s phone number, which should be captured during the booking process.

Example 2: Check-In Reminder SMS

Purpose: To remind guests of their check-in details the day before arrival.

Configuration Steps:

1. Enable Notification:

• Enable the “Check-In Reminder SMS.”

1. Set the Timing:

• Set this to send one day before the check-in date.

1. Customize SMS:

• Message:
  

Reminder: Check-in at {property_name} tomorrow at {booking_start} - Enjoy your stay!

1. Recipients:

• Guest’s phone number.

Tips for Effective SMS Notifications in Vacation Rentals:

• Be Concise: SMS has character limits (usually 160 characters per message). Keep messages short but clear.
• Include Key Information: Even if brief, include the essential details like date, property name, or a call to action (like “Check email for details”).
• Avoid Abbreviations: While tempting to save space, too many abbreviations can make messages unclear or unprofessional.
• Privacy: Never share sensitive information like exact addresses or access codes via SMS unless you’re sure about the security of the communication.
• Test Messages: Before going live, send test SMS to ensure the message fits within character limits and all tags work as expected.
• Emergency Contact: If space allows, include a brief note on how to contact you for urgent matters.
• Opt-In/Opt-Out: Always respect guest preferences; include an easy way to opt in or out of SMS notifications during the booking process.

Conclusion

Setting up SMS notifications through WP Booking System enhances your communication with guests, particularly valuable for last-minute updates or confirmations. By automating these messages, you ensure that guests receive timely information directly to their phones, improving their overall experience and potentially saving time on guest management. Remember, while SMS is direct, it should complement, not replace, email notifications which allow for more detailed communication.