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.
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!).
Setting up Basic SMS takes just a few clicks.
That’s it! You’re ready to send appointment texts. 🎉
Basic SMS is available worldwide.
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.
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:
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.
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Fun fact: The more texts you send, the more cost-effective Enhanced SMS becomes! On the Basic SMS plan, each text costs 7¢ per message. But with Enhanced SMS:
So if you plan to send a lot of SMS—for reminders, confirmations, reschedules, cancellations, no-shows, and follow-ups—the Enhanced plan can really save you money as you scale. 🚀 |
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. 🎉
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!