How To Send SMS Notifications from Contact Forms
Did you know you can receive an SMS notification each time a form is submitted on your WordPress site, eliminating the need for constant email or active website monitoring? If you’ve been searching for a practical method to stay updated on new inquiries from your site visitors, implementing SMS notifications from your contact form is the way to go.
In this article, we will guide you through the process of setting up SMS notifications for your WordPress contact forms, ensuring that you never miss an important message again.
Why Use SMS Notifications?
Email has long been the go-to method for receiving notifications from contact forms. However, relying solely on email can be problematic. Emails can easily get lost in a crowded inbox, end up in the spam folder, or simply go unnoticed if you’re not actively checking your email.
SMS notifications, on the other hand, offer a more immediate and direct way of receiving alerts. With SMS notifications, you can receive real-time updates on your phone, ensuring that you never miss an important inquiry from a potential customer or client.
Setting Up SMS Notifications
To set up SMS notifications for your WordPress contact forms, you will need to use a plugin. There are several plugins available that can help you achieve this, but we recommend using WPForms.
WPForms is a popular and user-friendly form builder plugin for WordPress. It offers a range of features, including the ability to send SMS notifications. Here’s how you can set it up:
Step 1: Install and Activate WPForms
First, you’ll need to install and activate the WPForms plugin. You can do this by going to your WordPress dashboard, navigating to “Plugins” > “Add New,” and searching for WPForms. Once you find it, click “Install Now” and then “Activate.”
Step 2: Create a Contact Form
Once WPForms is activated, you can start creating your contact form. To do this, go to “WPForms” > “Add New” in your WordPress dashboard. Give your form a name and select the “Simple Contact Form” template.
Step 3: Configure Form Notifications
After creating your contact form, you’ll need to configure the form notifications. This is where you’ll set up the SMS notifications. In the form builder, go to “Settings” > “Notifications.”
Under the “Notifications” tab, you’ll see a list of notification options. Click on the “Add New Notification” button to create a new notification.
Step 4: Set Up SMS Notifications
In the notification settings, you can choose how you want to receive notifications. To set up SMS notifications, select the “SMS” option. You will then need to enter your phone number and choose your SMS provider.
WPForms integrates with popular SMS providers such as Twilio and Nexmo. If you don’t already have an account with one of these providers, you’ll need to sign up and obtain your API credentials.
Once you’ve entered your phone number and chosen your SMS provider, click “Save.”
Step 5: Test Your Form
Before making your form live, it’s important to test it to ensure that the SMS notifications are working correctly. To do this, simply fill out the form on your website and submit it. You should receive an SMS notification on your phone shortly after submitting the form.
Benefits of SMS Notifications
Implementing SMS notifications for your contact forms offers several benefits:
1. Real-time updates: With SMS notifications, you receive instant alerts as soon as a form is submitted. This allows you to respond quickly to inquiries and potential leads.
2. Increased response rate: Studies have shown that SMS messages have a higher open and response rate compared to emails. By using SMS notifications, you increase the chances of getting a response from your site visitors.
3. Improved customer service: By receiving SMS notifications, you can provide faster and more efficient customer service. You can address inquiries promptly, leading to higher customer satisfaction.
4. Reduced email clutter: By relying less on email notifications, you can declutter your inbox and focus on more important emails. This can help improve your overall productivity.
Conclusion
Implementing SMS notifications for your WordPress contact forms is a practical way to stay updated on new inquiries from your site visitors. By using a plugin like WPForms, you can easily set up SMS notifications and receive real-time alerts on your phone. With SMS notifications, you’ll never miss an important message again, ensuring that you provide excellent customer service and increase your chances of converting leads into customers.
