Text Your Customers with YouCanBookMe: Explore Two Powerful SMS Solutions

Want to cut down on no-shows? Engage customers faster? Make sure your messages actually get read? Increase your business?

If you’re nodding yes (and let’s be honest—you probably are), SMS meeting alerts are exactly what you need. Even the most well-meaning customers can miss appointments. Life gets busy, things slip through the cracks, and when that happens—it’s your business that takes the hit. 

SMS notifications are a smart, hassle-free way to keep your customers on track and your schedule running smoothly—whether you’re confirming bookings, sending reminders, or following up. 

In this article, we’ll walk you through why SMS works so well and how YouCanBookMe makes it super easy to get started with two smart options: Basic SMS and Enhanced SMS. Let’s dive in!

If you want your customers to stay engaged, show up for their appointments, and actually read your messages—SMS is the way to go.

Here’s why it works so well:

Here’s the reality: people are glued to their phones.

Over 73% of people check their text messages at least six times a day. Unlike emails, which can sit unread for hours (or forever), SMS notifications usually get seen—and fast.

What does this mean for you? Your message isn’t buried. It’s right there on their screen, often read within minutes.

Including SMS reminders has actually increased our meetings attended ratio by about 20%. A lot of people just don't check their email!”

- Deepak Shukla, Founder of Pearl Lemon Leads

Most of us dread unexpected phone calls. And emails? They tend to pile up and get buried. 

Texts hit the sweet spot. They’re short, they’re easy to read, and your customer can check them on their own time—without feeling interrupted.

Texting is less disruptive than a call and more visible than an email. Bottom line—it’s the simple, preferred way to stay in touch.

SMS feels more urgent, so customers tend to respond more quickly.

And timely responses mean you can fill up your calendar faster, confirm appointments sooner, and avoid any last minute surprises.

Unlike push notifications and emails, SMS doesn’t need an app, an account, or even an internet connection. If your customer has a phone, they can receive your text. 💯

It’s the most accessible, no-hassle communication channel out there.

Start texting your customers

Keep your clients in the loop by automatically sending SMS confirmations, reminders, and follow-ups for every appointment.

This is a big one.

Text reminders work. They give your customers a gentle nudge at just the right time—helping them remember their appointments and show up. 

We added SMS text messaging, which adult students really love! Our number of no shows virtually went down to zero because of the reminders we send out before our appointments.”

- Angela Plank, Department of Biology, Missouri State University

Once you set up SMS notifications in a texting app, you don’t need to lift a finger.

For example, in YouCanBookMe, you can automate SMS messages for reminders, confirmations, reschedules, cancellations, no-shows, and follow-ups. They send automatically, right on schedule.

This saves you time and headspace—you’ll never need to manually send a message again!

At the end of the day, timely texts make your customers’ lives easier.

It shows you value their time and want to keep them in the loop. That builds trust, improves communication, and gives your business a polished, professional edge.

Now that you know why SMS is such a powerful tool, let’s talk about the next big step: how to get started.

Whether you’re just beginning your journey with SMS or looking to build out your texting flow, YouCanBookMe gives you two flexible options to fit your needs: Basic SMS and Enhanced SMS.

Let’s break each option down. 📦

Basic SMS is the fastest way to start sending text notifications with YouCanBookMe. There’s no setup process, no waiting period, and no extra monthly fees—you can essentially start sending texts right away.

With Basic SMS, your messages are sent from one of YouCanBookMe’s 13 shared phone numbers. It’s a simple, pay-as-you-go option that is included in all YCBM plans (yep, even the free one!). 

How does it work?

Setting up Basic SMS takes just a few clicks. 

• Buy SMS credits: Go to Account Settings > Plan and Billing, then click on SMS to purchase credits.
• Switch on SMS notifications: Turn on SMS notifications in your booking settings and make sure your booking form includes a phone number field to collect your customer’s mobile numbers.

That’s it! You’re ready to send appointment texts. 🎉

Where is it available?

Basic SMS is available worldwide.

Go with Basic SMS if:

• You want to start quickly and with no setup costs.
• You’re using YCBM’s free plan or Individual plan.
• You work with customers around the world.
• You’re just trying out SMS and aren’t sure if it’s the right fit yet.
• You send a low volume of texts.

If you want to level up your text notifications, Enhanced SMS gives you your own dedicated phone number to send confirmations, reminders, and follow-ups—so your customers always know it’s you texting them.

It’s powered by our sister company, Capacity SMS, who manages millions of texts for businesses every month. They’ll handle all the behind-the-scenes setup and make sure your number meets local and national regulations.

How does it work?

You can apply for Enhanced SMS right inside your YouCanBookMe account. Keep in mind you must be on a Teams or Professional plan. 

Here’s how it works:

• Pick your number: Choose a toll-free or local number, or even register your existing business number.
• Provide a few details: Capacity SMS takes care of the compliance paperwork for you.
• Select your SMS bundle: Choose the monthly package that fits your volume.
• Switch on SMS notifications: Turn on SMS notifications in your booking settings and make sure your booking form includes a phone number field to collect your customer’s mobile numbers.

That’s it! Once your number is set up, all your SMS notifications will be sent from your dedicated line. Your customers can save your number in their contacts, and they’ll instantly recognize when a message is from you.

Where is it available?

Enhanced SMS is currently available for businesses based in the US and Canada. If you're outside these two countries and interested, get in touch—we’ll be glad to discuss your options!

And good news for international businesses—WhatsApp messaging is coming soon, which will make Enhanced SMS available worldwide. 🎉

Go with Enhanced SMS if:

• You want your own dedicated business number. 
• You send a high volume of texts.
• You work mainly with customers in the US or Canada.
• You’re on a Teams or Professional YCBM plan.

Whether you’re just getting started or looking to upgrade your SMS game, YouCanBookMe makes it easy to send text notifications that your customers will actually see—and appreciate.

If you want a fast, flexible, no-commitment option, Basic SMS is a great place to start.

If you’re ready for your own dedicated number and a lot more SMS credits, Enhanced SMS has you covered.

Either way, getting started is simple—and the benefits are big. You’ll save time, reduce no-shows, and build stronger connections with your customers.

👉 Sign up for YCBM and start sending SMS notifications today—you’ll wonder how you ever managed without them!

FAQs

What is an SMS credit?

An SMS credit is what it costs to send one standard text message, which covers up to 160 characters.

If your message is longer than 160 characters—for example, a 200-character message—it will use two SMS credits to send.

How much does SMS cost?

With YouCanBookMe, you can choose between two different options. 👇

Basic SMS: You pay per message—7¢ (US), €0.07 (EUR), or £0.05 (GBP) per SMS.

There are no setup fees and no monthly fees. You only pay for the texts you send.

Enhanced SMS: There’s a one-time setup fee of $59.

You can choose between two monthly plans:

• $17/month: Includes 1 dedicated line and up to 500 SMS per month.
• $27/month: Includes 1 dedicated line and up to 1,000 SMS per month.

Additional dedicated lines cost $5/month each.

Can I use my own phone number?

Yes! With Enhanced SMS, you can choose your own dedicated number (toll-free or local). You can even apply to use your existing business number if you'd like. 

With Basic SMS, you send from one of YouCanBookMe’s 13 shared phone lines.

Where is SMS available?

Basic SMS: Available worldwide.

Enhanced SMS: Available for businesses in the US and Canada. If you’re outside North America and interested, we would love to hear from you to discuss your options! 

Can I receive replies to SMS notifications?

Yes! All SMS replies go directly to your email so you can manage communication easily, no matter which SMS option you choose.

How quickly can I start sending texts?

Basic SMS: You can start right away—no setup or approval process required.

Enhanced SMS: There’s a short compliance process that takes about two weeks to activate your dedicated number.

Do SMS credits expire?

Basic SMS: Credits don’t expire. You only pay for what you send.

Enhanced SMS: Credits are included in your monthly plan and reset each month. Unused credits do not roll over.

Can I automate SMS notifications?

Absolutely! With YouCanBookMe, you can fully automate your SMS notifications for every stage of the booking process—including confirmations, reminders, cancellations, reschedules, follow-ups, and no-shows.

Each SMS notification is fully customizable. You can write your own message and easily insert dynamic shorthand codes like the customer’s name, appointment time, or booking details—so every text feels personal and relevant.

Once you set it up, everything runs automatically. SMS notifications will send right on schedule without you needing to follow up manually, saving you time and helping you stay organized.