# SendSquared Documentation > SendSquared is a comprehensive communications and property management platform that includes phone call tracking, SMS marketing, email automation, CRM, and lead management. This file contains a concatenated, text-only version of all SendSquared documentation pages, optimized for Large Language Model consumption. --- ## Getting Started ### Introduction to SendSquared Get started with SendSquared - learn how to access the platform, set up your account, download mobile apps, and navigate the comprehensive communications and property management system. URL: /docs/intro Tags: introduction, getting started, overview, welcome # Introduction to SendSquared Welcome to SendSquared - your comprehensive communications and property management platform. This guide will help you get started with accessing and using the system. ## Accessing SendSquared ### Web Application The SendSquared web application is accessible through any modern web browser at: ``` https://app.sendsquared.com ``` **Browser Requirements:** - Google Chrome (required - only supported browser) ### Mobile Applications SendSquared offers companion mobile apps for both iOS and Android devices: - **iOS App**: Download from the [Apple App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sendsquared/id1600403445) - **Android App**: Download from the [Google Play Store](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sendsquared.sendsquared_flutter_android&hl=en_US) We recommend installing the mobile app on your smartphone for on-the-go access to communications and notifications. ## Getting Started ### Account Invitation To access SendSquared, you'll need an invitation from your organization's administrator. The invitation process works as follows: 1. Your manager or administrator will send you an email invitation to join SendSquared 2. The email will contain a link to set up your account 3. **Important**: Your invitation link is only valid for 24 hours 4. If you don't set up your account within 24 hours, your manager will need to resend the invitation ### Setting Up Your Account When you receive your invitation email: 1. Click the link in the email 2. Create a secure password that meets the following requirements: - At least 8 characters long - Contains at least one uppercase letter - Contains at least one lowercase letter - Contains at least one number - Contains at least one special character 3. Confirm your password 4. Review and accept the terms of service 5. Complete any additional profile information requested ### First-Time Login After setting up your password: 1. Go to [app.sendsquared.com](https://app.sendsquared.com) 2. Enter your email address 3. Enter your password 4. Click "Sign In" ### Mobile App Setup After your account is activated, we strongly recommend setting up the mobile app: 1. Download the appropriate app for your device using the links above 2. Open the app and enter your email address and password 3. Enable notifications when prompted to ensure you receive important alerts 4. (Optional) Set up biometric authentication (fingerprint or face recognition) for quicker access ## Password Recovery If you forget your password: 1. Visit the login page at [app.sendsquared.com](https://app.sendsquared.com) 2. Click "Forgot Password" 3. Enter your email address 4. Follow the instructions in the recovery email ## System Requirements ### Web Application - Google Chrome (required - only supported browser) - JavaScript enabled - Cookies enabled - Minimum screen resolution of 1280x720 ### Mobile Applications - iOS 13.0 or later - Android 8.0 (Oreo) or later - 50MB of free storage space ## Getting Help If you encounter any issues with logging in or accessing SendSquared: 1. Contact your organization's SendSquared administrator 2. Email support at support@sendsquared.com 3. Check the troubleshooting section of this documentation ## Next Steps Once you've successfully logged into SendSquared, explore the following guides to learn more: - [Update Profile Info](./user/update-profile-info) - [Inbox Overview](./inbox/inbox-overview) - [Contacts Overview](./contacts/contact-overview) --- ## User ### Changing Profile Information Learn how to update your personal profile information in SendSquared URL: /docs/user/update-profile-info # Changing Profile Information This guide explains how to update your personal information in your SendSquared account, including username, contact details, and password. ## Accessing Profile Settings To update your profile information: 1. Click on the profile icon in the upper right corner 2. Select **Global Settings** from the dropdown menu 3. Click on **Profile Settings** ## Available Profile Information In the Profile Settings section, you can update various personal details, including: - **Username**: Your display name in the system - **Email Address**: Your primary contact email - **First Name**: Your first name - **Last Name**: Your last name - **Address**: Your physical address - **Phone Number**: Your contact phone number - **Password**: Your account password ## Updating Your Information To change any of your profile details: 1. Locate the field you wish to update 2. Enter the new information in the appropriate field 3. Scroll to the bottom of the page 4. Click the **Update Profile** button to save your changes ## Changing Your Password For security reasons, changing your password requires additional steps: 1. In the Profile Settings page, locate the password section 2. Enter your current password 3. Enter your new password 4. Confirm your new password by entering it again 5. Click **Update Profile** to save all changes :::tip Password Requirements Your password should be: - At least 8 characters long - Include at least one uppercase letter - Include at least one lowercase letter - Include at least one number - Include at least one special character ## Profile Picture To update your profile picture: 1. Look for the profile image section (usually at the top of the Profile Settings page) 2. Click on the current image or the upload button 3. Select a new image from your computer 4. Crop or adjust the image if prompted 5. Click **Update Profile** to save the change ## Notification Preferences While in the Profile Settings, you may also have the option to update your notification preferences: 1. Look for the notification section 2. Select which notifications you want to receive 3. Choose your preferred notification methods (email, SMS, etc.) 4. Click **Update Profile** to save your preferences ## Viewing Your Changes After updating your profile: 1. Your changes will be applied immediately 2. You may need to refresh the page to see some updates 3. Your new information will be visible throughout the SendSquared platform ## Common Issues ### Changes Not Saving If your changes aren't being saved: - Ensure you've clicked the **Update Profile** button - Check that all required fields are filled out - Try refreshing the page and making the changes again ### Password Reset Required If you've forgotten your password: - Use the "Forgot Password" option on the login screen - Follow the instructions sent to your email - Create a new password that meets the security requirements ## Why Keep Your Profile Updated Maintaining current profile information is important for: - Ensuring you receive important notifications - Allowing colleagues to contact you - Maintaining accurate reporting and auditing - Providing accurate information for clients when needed ## Next Steps After updating your profile, consider: - [Updating your profile photo](./updating-profile-photo) - [Changing your password](./updating-your-password) - [Managing your inbox](../inbox/inbox-overview) --- ### Changing Your Password Learn how to update your password in SendSquared URL: /docs/user/updating-your-password # Changing Your Password This guide explains how to change your password in SendSquared. Regularly updating your password helps maintain the security of your account and your organization's data. ## Accessing Password Settings To change your password: 1. Click on the profile icon in the upper right corner 2. Select **Global Settings** from the dropdown menu 3. Click on **Profile Settings** 4. Scroll down to the password section ## Changing Your Password Once you've located the password section: 1. Enter your **Current Password** in the first field - This verifies your identity before allowing changes 2. Enter your **New Password** in the second field - Follow the password requirements listed below 3. Enter your new password again in the **Confirm New Password** field - This ensures you haven't made any typing errors 4. Click **Update Profile** at the bottom of the page to save your changes ## Password Requirements For security purposes, your password must meet the following requirements: - At least 8 characters in length - Include at least one uppercase letter (A-Z) - Include at least one lowercase letter (a-z) - Include at least one number (0-9) - Include at least one special character (!, @, #, $, etc.) Create a strong password that you don't use for other accounts. Consider using a password manager to generate and store complex, unique passwords. ## After Changing Your Password After successfully changing your password: 1. You'll see a confirmation message 2. You'll remain logged in to your current session 3. All other active sessions on other devices will be logged out 4. You'll need to use your new password for all future logins ## Password Best Practices To maintain account security: - Change your password regularly (every 60-90 days) - Don't reuse passwords from other websites or applications - Avoid using easily guessable information (birthdays, names, etc.) - Consider using a passphrase (a series of random words) for better security - Never share your password with others ## Troubleshooting ### Current Password Not Accepted If your current password is not being accepted: - Check if Caps Lock is enabled - Verify you're using the most recent password - If you continue to have issues, use the "Forgot Password" option ### New Password Requirements If your new password is not being accepted: - Ensure it meets all the requirements listed above - Try a different password that meets all criteria - Avoid using special characters that might not be supported ### Changes Not Saving If your password change isn't saving: - Ensure both the new password and confirmation match exactly - Check that your current password was entered correctly - Verify that you've clicked the Update Profile button - Try refreshing the page and attempting the change again ## Next Steps After changing your password: - [Update your profile information](./update-profile-info) - [Update your profile photo](./updating-profile-photo) - [Recover a lost password](./lost-password) if you forget your new password --- ### Recovering a Lost Password Learn how to reset your password if you've forgotten it URL: /docs/user/lost-password # Recovering a Lost Password If you've forgotten your SendSquared password, this guide will walk you through the process of resetting it and regaining access to your account. ## Accessing the Password Recovery Option If you can't log in to your SendSquared account due to a forgotten password: 1. Navigate to the SendSquared login page at [app.sendsquared.com](https://app.sendsquared.com) 2. Click the **Forgot Password?** link below the login form 3. You'll be directed to the password recovery page ## Requesting a Password Reset On the password recovery page: 1. Enter the **Email Address** associated with your SendSquared account 2. Click the **Reset Password** button 3. A confirmation message will appear indicating that reset instructions have been sent ## Checking Your Email After requesting a password reset: 1. Check the inbox of the email address you provided 2. Look for an email from SendSquared with the subject line "Password Reset Request" 3. If you don't see the email within a few minutes: - Check your spam or junk folder - Verify you entered the correct email address - Check other email folders where it might be filtered ## Using the Reset Link When you receive the password reset email: 1. Open the email and click the **Reset Password** button or link 2. The link will take you to a secure page where you can create a new password 3. **Important**: The reset link is typically valid for only 24 hours and can only be used once ## Creating a New Password On the password reset page: 1. Enter your new password in the **New Password** field 2. Enter it again in the **Confirm Password** field to verify 3. Ensure your new password meets the following requirements: - At least 8 characters long - Contains at least one uppercase letter - Contains at least one lowercase letter - Contains at least one number - Contains at least one special character 4. Click **Submit** or **Change Password** to save your new password ## After Resetting Your Password Once your password has been successfully reset: 1. You'll see a confirmation message 2. You'll be directed to the login page 3. Log in with your email address and your new password 4. You should now have full access to your SendSquared account ## If You Still Can't Access Your Account If you're still experiencing issues after attempting a password reset: 1. Ensure you're using the most recent reset link if you've requested multiple resets 2. Check that you're entering the new password correctly (watch for typos) 3. Verify that you're using the correct email address associated with your account 4. Contact your organization's SendSquared administrator for assistance 5. As a last resort, contact SendSquared support at [support@sendsquared.com](mailto:support@sendsquared.com) ## Password Security Tips After regaining access to your account: - Consider using a password manager to securely store your passwords - Create a strong, unique password that you don't use for other accounts - Set up a reminder to change your password periodically - Never share your password with others - Log out when using shared or public computers ## Preventing Future Password Issues To avoid future password recovery situations: 1. Update your password in any place you have it saved 2. Consider setting up alternative recovery methods if available 3. Keep your contact information up to date in your profile 4. Update any automated logins or integrations with your new password --- ### Updating Your Profile Image Learn how to change your profile picture in SendSquared URL: /docs/user/updating-profile-photo # Updating Your Profile Image Your profile image appears throughout the SendSquared platform and helps colleagues identify you. This guide explains how to update your profile picture to personalize your account. ## Accessing Profile Settings To update your profile image: 1. Click on the profile icon in the upper right corner 2. Select **Global Settings** from the dropdown menu 3. Click on **Profile Settings** ## Locating the Profile Image Section Once in the Profile Settings: 1. Look for the profile image section at the top of the page 2. You'll see your current profile picture (or a default avatar if none has been set) 3. Look for an edit icon, upload button, or "Change Picture" option ## Uploading a New Image To change your profile picture: 1. Click on the current image, edit icon, or upload button 2. A file browser will open 3. Navigate to and select the image file you want to use 4. Click **Open** or **Select** to upload the image ## Adjusting Your Image After selecting an image, you may be prompted to adjust it: 1. Use the cropping tool to select the portion of the image you want to use 2. Some systems allow zooming in or out to adjust the image size 3. Position the image so your face is centered in the frame 4. Click **Save**, **Apply**, or **Crop** to proceed ## Finalizing Your Profile Image After adjusting your image: 1. Review how your profile picture will appear 2. If satisfied, scroll down to the bottom of the Profile Settings page 3. Click **Update Profile** to save all changes, including your new profile image 4. Your new profile picture will be applied across the SendSquared platform ## Image Requirements and Best Practices For best results, your profile image should: - Be a clear, professional headshot - Have good lighting and focus - Be recently taken and accurately represent you - Have a neutral or professional background - Be in JPG, PNG, or GIF format - Ideally be square or have equal height and width - Be less than 5MB in file size A professional headshot against a neutral background works best for profile images in business settings. ## Removing or Changing Your Profile Image If you need to remove or replace your profile image: 1. Follow the same steps to access the profile image section 2. Look for a "Remove" option if you want to delete the current image 3. To replace the image, simply upload a new one following the steps above 4. Always remember to click **Update Profile** to save your changes ## When Your Profile Image Appears Your profile image will be visible in several places throughout SendSquared: - In the upper right corner of your screen - In chat or communication threads - Next to your comments or activities - In team member lists - In reports that include user information ## Troubleshooting ### Image Not Uploading If you're having trouble uploading your image: - Check that the file is in a supported format (JPG, PNG, GIF) - Verify the file size is below the maximum limit (typically 5MB) - Try a different browser or clear your browser cache - Resize the image to a smaller dimension before uploading ### Image Not Displaying Correctly If your image appears distorted or cropped incorrectly: - Try re-uploading with a square image - Use the cropping tool to select just the portion you want visible - Ensure you've clicked **Update Profile** to save your changes ## Next Steps After updating your profile image: - [Complete your profile information](./update-profile-info) - [Change your password](./updating-your-password) - [Recover a lost password](./lost-password) --- ## Administration ### Adding New Users Learn how to add new users to your SendSquared account and set their permissions URL: /docs/administration/adding-new-user Tags: administration, users, permissions, team management # Adding New Users This guide explains how to add new users to your SendSquared account and set appropriate permissions. Adding team members allows you to delegate responsibilities and manage communication tasks more efficiently. ## Accessing User Settings To begin adding a new user: 1. Click on the profile icon in the upper right corner 2. Select **Global Settings** from the dropdown menu 3. Click on **User/Agent Settings** If you don't see the **Add User** button at the top of the page, you aren't currently set up as an Agent Admin. You'll need to contact your internal Admin or SendSquared support to get the proper permissions. ## Adding a New User Once you're in the User/Agent Settings: 1. Click the **Add New User** button at the top of the page 2. You'll be directed to the user creation page ## Entering User Information On the user creation page: 1. Enter the new user's **First Name** 2. Enter the new user's **Last Name** 3. Enter the new user's **Email Address** 4. Click **Send Invite** An invitation email will be sent to the provided email address with a link to verify and create a password. ## Setting User Permissions After creating the user, you'll need to set their permissions: 1. Find the newly created user in the list 2. Click the **Edit** button next to their name 3. Select the permissions you want to assign 4. Click **Update & Save** to apply the changes ## Understanding Permission Types SendSquared uses an Access Control List (ACL) system with permissions organized into logical groups. For a complete list of all available permissions and their descriptions, see the [ACL Permissions Reference](/docs/reference-guides/acl-permissions). ### Quick Permission Management Tips - Use the **Select All** button to grant all permissions to administrators - Use the **Deselect All** button to start fresh when setting up limited access users - Click on permission group headers to toggle all permissions within that group - Permissions are organized into these main categories: - **Communication Permissions** - Control sending capabilities - **Agent Permissions** - Manage call center and agent features - **Inbox Management** - Control access to various communication channels - **System Management** - Administrative and system-level features - **Verification Permissions** - Guest verification features (if enabled) ## Best Practices for User Management ### Permission Assignment - Assign only the permissions necessary for each user's role - Create consistent permission sets for similar roles in your organization - Regularly review and update permissions as responsibilities change ### Onboarding New Users - Send the invitation when the user is ready to set up their account - Note that invitation links expire after 24 hours - Provide new users with basic training on the features they'll be using ### Security Considerations - Limit Agent Admin permissions to trusted team leaders - Regularly audit user accounts and remove inactive users - Consider implementing a process for reviewing permission changes ## Troubleshooting ### Invitation Not Received If a user doesn't receive their invitation email: 1. Check that the email address was entered correctly 2. Check their spam or junk folders 3. Resend the invitation by deleting the user and adding them again ### Expired Invitation If the 24-hour invitation period expires: 1. Delete the user from the User/Agent Settings 2. Add the user again with the same information 3. A new invitation will be sent ### Permission Changes Not Taking Effect If permission changes don't seem to be working: 1. Ensure you clicked **Update & Save** after making changes 2. Ask the user to log out and log back in to refresh their permissions 3. Clear browser cache if problems persist --- ### Changing Company Settings Learn how to update your company profile information and logo in SendSquared URL: /docs/administration/company-settings Tags: administration, company settings, branding, profile # Changing Company Settings This guide explains how to update your company's information and branding within the SendSquared platform. Company settings affect how your business appears to your contacts and within the system. ## Accessing Company Settings To update your company settings: 1. Click on the profile icon in the upper right corner 2. Select **Global Settings** from the dropdown menu 3. Click on **Company Settings** ## Available Company Information In the Company Settings section, you can update various organization details, including: - **Company Name**: The official name of your business - **Address**: Your business's physical address - **Phone Number**: Your primary business contact number - **Website**: Your company website URL - **Industry**: Your business's primary industry - **Company Size**: Number of employees in your organization - **Time Zone**: Default time zone for your account - **Company Logo**: Your business logo that appears in the platform and can be used in communications ## Updating Company Information To change any of your company details: 1. Locate the field you wish to update 2. Enter the new information in the appropriate field 3. Scroll to the bottom of the page 4. Click the **Update** button to save your changes ## Changing Your Company Logo To update your company logo: 1. In the Company Settings page, locate the logo section 2. Click on the current logo or the **Upload Logo** button 3. A file browser will open 4. Navigate to and select the image file you want to use 5. Click **Open** or **Select** to upload the image 6. After the image uploads, click **Update** at the bottom of the page to save changes ## Logo Requirements and Best Practices For optimal display of your company logo: - Use a PNG or JPG file format - Upload a logo with transparent background (PNG) if possible - Recommended dimensions: 250px x 100px - Maximum file size: 5MB - Use a high-resolution image for best appearance - Ensure the logo is clearly visible when scaled down Square logos tend to display better throughout the SendSquared interface than very wide or tall logos. ## How Company Settings Are Used Your company settings affect multiple areas within SendSquared: - **Branding**: Your logo appears in the SendSquared dashboard - **Communications**: Company details can be used in email templates and communications - **Reporting**: Company information appears on reports - **Contact Management**: Used to identify your organization to contacts ## Importance of Accurate Company Information Maintaining up-to-date company information is important for: - Professional appearance in communications - Accurate contact details for your clients - Consistent branding across all touchpoints - Compliance with communication regulations ## Troubleshooting ### Changes Not Saving If your changes aren't being saved: - Ensure you've clicked the **Update** button at the bottom of the page - Check that all required fields are filled out correctly - Try refreshing the page and making the changes again ### Logo Not Uploading If you're having trouble uploading your logo: - Check that the file is in a supported format (JPG, PNG) - Verify the file size is below the maximum limit - Try a different browser or clear your browser cache - Resize the image to recommended dimensions before uploading ## Next Steps After updating your company settings, consider: - [Setting up email templates with your new branding](../editor-email/email-editor-overview) - [Configuring your email signature](../user/update-profile-info) - [Updating user permissions](./permissions) --- ### Adding Individual Emails Learn how to add and validate email addresses for sending emails in SendSquared URL: /docs/administration/adding-new-emails Tags: administration, email, validation, settings # Validating Individual Emails In SendSquared, you can have multiple sending email addresses for different purposes. This guide explains how to add and validate email addresses to ensure your emails can be sent successfully. ## Understanding Email Validation Email validation is an essential step that: - Verifies you own the email address - Improves deliverability of your emails - Reduces the chance of your emails being marked as spam - Allows you to use multiple sending addresses for different purposes ## Accessing Email Settings To begin adding and validating email addresses: 1. Click on the profile icon in the upper right corner 2. Select **Global Settings** from the dropdown menu 3. Click on **Email Settings** ## Adding a New Email Address Once you're in the Email Settings section: 1. Click the **Add Email** button 2. Fill out the following information: - **Email Address**: The email address you want to use for sending - **Display Name**: The name recipients will see in their inbox (e.g., "Company Support" or "Reservation Team") - **Primary Email**: Toggle this on if this will be your most commonly used sending address 3. Click **Add Email** to submit ## Validating Your Email Address After adding your email address, you'll need to validate it: 1. Check the inbox of the email address you just added 2. Look for an email from SendSquared with validation instructions - If you don't see it, check your spam or junk folder 3. Open the email and click on the validation link provided 4. The link will open in your browser and confirm the validation ## Verifying Validation Status To confirm your email has been properly validated: 1. After clicking the validation link, perform a hard refresh of your browser: - Windows/Linux: Press **Ctrl + F5** - Mac: Press **Command + Shift + R** 2. Navigate back to **Global Settings → Email Settings** if needed 3. Look for a verified timestamp next to the email address 4. The verified timestamp indicates the email is now ready to use for sending ## Managing Multiple Email Addresses SendSquared allows you to manage multiple sending addresses for different purposes: ### Setting a Primary Address - The primary email address will be selected by default when sending emails - Only one address can be set as primary - You can change your primary address at any time ### Use Cases for Multiple Addresses - Department-specific emails (support@company.com, reservations@company.com) - Role-specific emails (manager@company.com, concierge@company.com) - Brand-specific emails for companies managing multiple properties ## Troubleshooting Validation Issues ### Validation Email Not Received If you don't receive the validation email: 1. Check your spam/junk folders 2. Verify you entered the correct email address 3. Try adding the email address again 4. Add noreply@sendsquared.com to your safe senders list ### Validation Link Expired If the validation link has expired: 1. Return to **Global Settings → Email Settings** 2. Delete the unvalidated email address 3. Add the email address again 4. A new validation email will be sent ### Email Shows Unverified After Clicking Link If your email remains unverified after clicking the validation link: 1. Perform a hard refresh of your browser 2. Clear your browser cache 3. Log out and log back into SendSquared 4. Check if the email shows as verified now ## Best Practices for Email Validation ### Use Professional Email Addresses - Use email addresses that match your domain (e.g., name@yourcompany.com) - Avoid free email services for business communications - Consider creating specific addresses for different departments ### Display Name Guidelines - Use clear, recognizable display names - Include your company name for better recognition - Be consistent with your branding ### Email Management - Regularly review your validated emails - Remove any outdated or unused email addresses - Ensure access to all validated email inboxes is maintained ## Next Steps After validating your email addresses: 1. [Create email templates](../editor-email/email-editor-overview) 2. [Set up email automations](../automations/automation-overview) 3. [Configure email campaigns](../campaigns/send-email-campaign) --- ### User Permissions Guide Understanding and configuring user permissions in SendSquared URL: /docs/administration/permissions Tags: administration, permissions, users, access control, security # User Permissions This guide explains the various permission settings available when adding or managing users in SendSquared. User permissions control what actions team members can perform within the system. ## Understanding Permission Categories When adding a new user to your SendSquared account, you'll need to select their user permissions. These permissions are grouped into several functional categories: Communication, Agent, Conversation Management, Inbox Management, System Management, and Verification. ## Communication Permissions These permissions control the ability to send messages across different communication channels. - **Send Email**: Allows users to send emails from the inbox or contact profile - **Send SMS**: Allows users to send text messages from the inbox or contact profile - **Send Campaigns**: Allows users to send email or text marketing campaigns - **Send WhatsApp**: Allows users to send WhatsApp messages - **Send Airbnb**: Allows users to send messages through Airbnb integration ## Agent Permissions These permissions define agent roles and capabilities within the call center. ### Agent Roles - **Agent**: Allows the user to log in to the real-time dashboard to answer calls and see real-time notifications - **Mobile Agent**: Allows the user to act as an agent on mobile devices - **Agent Admin**: Top-level user that can edit permissions and set restrictions for other users ### Call Management - **Make Calls**: Allows users to make outbound calls - **Receive Calls**: Allows users to answer calls if in a queue ### Lead Management - **Assign Leads**: Allows users to assign leads to themselves in the wrap-up, lead page, contact profile, inbox, etc. - **Edit Closed Leads**: Allows users to edit closed leads to change statuses, agent assigned, etc. ### Queue Management - **Edit Queues**: Allows users to modify call queue settings - **Edit Menus**: Allows users to edit IVR menu configurations ## Conversation Management These permissions control the new unified conversation view functionality. - **View Conversations**: Allows users to view conversations in the unified inbox - **Assign Conversation**: Allows users to assign conversations to themselves - **Assign to Others**: Allows users to assign conversations to other agents - **Reassign Conversation**: Allows users to reassign conversations from one agent to another - **Complete Conversation**: Allows users to mark conversations as complete - **Close Conversation**: Allows users to close conversations - **Delete Conversation**: Allows users to delete conversations (permanent deletion) ## Inbox Management These permissions control channel-specific inbox functionality. ### Email - **View Emails**: Allows users to view emails in the inbox - **View Others' Emails**: Allows users to view emails assigned to other users - **Assign Email**: Allows users to assign emails to themselves - **Assign to Others**: Allows users to assign emails to different agents - **Reassign Email**: Allows users to reassign emails from one agent to another - **Delete Email**: Allows users to delete emails (permanent deletion) ### SMS - **Assign SMS**: Allows users to assign SMS to themselves - **Assign SMS to Others**: Allows users to assign SMS to different agents - **Reassign SMS**: Allows users to reassign SMS from one agent to another - **Change SMS Priority**: Allows users to modify SMS priority levels - **Complete All SMS**: Allows users to complete all SMS threads simultaneously ### Airbnb - **View Airbnb**: Allows users to view Airbnb messages - **Assign Airbnb**: Allows users to assign Airbnb messages to themselves - **Assign to Others**: Allows users to assign Airbnb messages to other agents - **Reassign Airbnb**: Allows users to reassign Airbnb messages - **Complete All Airbnb**: Allows users to complete all Airbnb threads simultaneously ### WhatsApp - **View WhatsApp**: Allows users to view WhatsApp messages - **Assign WhatsApp**: Allows users to assign WhatsApp messages to themselves - **Assign to Others**: Allows users to assign WhatsApp messages to other agents - **Reassign WhatsApp**: Allows users to reassign WhatsApp messages - **Complete All WhatsApp**: Allows users to complete all WhatsApp threads simultaneously ### Voicemail - **View Voicemail**: Allows users to view voicemails - **View Others' Voicemail**: Allows users to view voicemails assigned to other agents - **Assign Voicemail**: Allows users to assign voicemails to themselves - **Assign to Others**: Allows users to assign voicemails to other agents - **Reassign Voicemail**: Allows users to reassign voicemails ### Tasks - **View Tasks**: Allows users to view task assignments - **Assign Task**: Allows users to assign tasks to themselves - **Assign to Others**: Allows users to assign tasks to other agents - **Reassign Task**: Allows users to reassign tasks from one agent to another ## System Management These permissions control administrative functions and system configuration. - **Add Users**: Allows users to add other users to the account - **Edit Templates**: Allows users to edit email or SMS templates - **Edit Automations**: Allows users to edit or create automations - **Merge Contacts**: Allows users to merge two contacts together - **Edit Guidebooks**: Allows users to create and modify digital guidebooks (when enabled) - **Delete Recordings**: Allows users to delete call recordings (permanent deletion) - **Delete Voicemails**: Allows users to delete voicemail recordings (permanent deletion) - **Edit Custom Fields**: Allows users to create and modify custom fields - **Delete Custom Fields**: Allows users to delete custom fields ## Verification Permissions These permissions control identity verification features (when enabled). - **View Verification**: Allows users to view verification requests and status - **Agent Upload**: Allows agents to upload verification documents on behalf of guests - **Agent Verify**: Allows agents to mark verifications as complete - **Agent Un-verify**: Allows agents to reverse verification status - **Delete Images**: Allows users to delete uploaded verification images ## Best Practices for Permission Management ### For Small Teams - For small teams, consider creating just two permission levels: - Admin users with full permissions - Standard users with basic communication permissions ### For Larger Teams - Create role-based permission sets based on job functions: - Customer service agents - Marketing team members - Lead management specialists - System administrators ### Security Considerations - Only grant Agent Admin permissions to trusted team leaders - Limit delete permissions to prevent accidental data loss - Regularly review user permissions when team members change roles ### Permission Auditing - Periodically review who has access to what features - Remove permissions from inactive users - Ensure permissions align with current job responsibilities ## Modifying User Permissions To modify permissions for existing users: 1. Navigate to Global Settings → User/Agent Settings 2. Select the user whose permissions you want to modify 3. Update the permission checkboxes as needed 4. Save your changes 5. The user will need to log out and log back in for changes to take effect --- ### Setting Up New Agents Learn how to configure new agents in the SendSquared voice system URL: /docs/administration/setting-up-new-agents Tags: administration, agents, voice system, call center, team management # Setting Up New Agents Adding new agents to your SendSquared voice platform allows you to expand your team and distribute incoming calls effectively. This guide will walk you through the process of setting up new agents and configuring their access to queues and voicemail. ## Understanding Agent Configuration Agents are team members who can receive and handle calls within the SendSquared platform. Proper agent setup ensures: - Calls are routed to the right people - Agents have appropriate access to voicemail boxes - Your team can efficiently manage incoming communications ## Accessing Agent Settings To begin setting up new agents: 1. Click on the user icon in the upper right corner of the screen 2. Select **Global Settings** from the dropdown menu 3. Click on **Queue Settings** in the settings menu ## Creating a New Agent Queue Once you're in the Queue Settings section: 1. Click on the **Add New Queue** button in the upper right corner 2. Start by naming the queue (typically with the agent's name or role) ### Configuring Voicemail Association For each agent, you'll need to configure their voicemail settings: 1. Select the queue from the dropdown you want the voicemail to be associated with - This can be associated with standard queues or agent direct queues 2. If you want the voicemail to be accessible only to specific agents, select each one individually - **Note**: If no agents are selected, all agents will have access to that specific voicemail box Queues must be created prior to setting up the voicemail boxes for your agents. ### Completing Agent Setup After configuring the agent settings: 1. Review all settings to ensure they're correct 2. Click the **Save Mailbox** button to create the agent's voicemail inbox ## Agent Permission Levels When setting up new agents, consider what permissions they should have: ### Basic Agent Permissions - Answer incoming calls - Access their own voicemail - Make outbound calls ### Advanced Agent Permissions - Transfer calls to other agents - Access team voicemail boxes - View call analytics - Record calls ## Call Distribution Methods SendSquared offers several ways to distribute calls among your agents: ### Round Robin - Distributes calls sequentially among available agents - Ensures even workload distribution ### Simultaneous Ring - Rings all available agents at once - First agent to answer takes the call ### Skills-Based Routing - Routes calls based on agent expertise - Matches callers with the most qualified agent ## Agent Status Management Teach your new agents how to manage their status: 1. Available: Ready to receive calls 2. On Break: Temporarily unavailable 3. Do Not Disturb: Blocks incoming calls 4. After Hours: Outside of working hours ## Best Practices for Agent Setup - **Create standardized naming conventions**: Makes it easier to manage as your team grows - **Train agents thoroughly**: Ensure they understand how to use the system - **Start with limited permissions**: Add more as agents become comfortable with the system - **Regular review**: Periodically review agent settings and adjust as needed ## Troubleshooting If agents aren't receiving calls as expected: - Verify that they are properly configured in the queue settings - Check that their status is set to "Available" - Ensure they have the correct permissions enabled - Test routing by placing test calls to the system --- ### Email Authentication Setup Learn how to configure SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records for improved email deliverability URL: /docs/administration/dns-settings Tags: administration, email, DNS, authentication, SPF, DKIM, DMARC # Email Authentication: SPF, DKIM, and DMARC Setup Email authentication protocols help prevent email spoofing, improve deliverability, and protect your domain reputation. This guide explains how to set up SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records for use with SendSquared. ## Understanding Email Authentication Email authentication consists of three key protocols: - **SPF (Sender Policy Framework)**: Verifies the IP addresses authorized to send email on behalf of your domain - **DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail)**: Adds a digital signature to verify emails haven't been tampered with - **DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance)**: Tells receiving servers how to handle messages that fail authentication Setting up these protocols is essential for: - Improving email deliverability - Preventing your emails from being marked as spam - Protecting your domain from being spoofed by malicious actors - Building and maintaining your sender reputation ## SPF Records Explained The Sender Policy Framework (SPF) is an open standard aimed at preventing sender address forgery. ### How SPF Works SPF verifies that the IP address sending an email is authorized to send mail on behalf of the domain in the email's Envelope From or Return-Path: 1. The receiving email server retrieves the SPF record from the DNS records for your domain 2. The server checks if the sending IP address is listed in the SPF record 3. If the check passes, the email continues to processing 4. If the check fails, the email may be rejected or flagged as suspicious ### SendSquared's SPF Records To allow SendSquared to send emails on your behalf, you need to include SendSquared's SPF record in your domain's DNS settings: ``` include:_spf.sendsquared.com ``` ### Setting Up Your SPF Record If you don't have an existing SPF record, create a TXT record with: ``` v=spf1 include:_spf.sendsquared.com ~all ``` If you already have an SPF record, add SendSquared's include statement: ``` v=spf1 [your existing includes] include:_spf.sendsquared.com ~all ``` ## DKIM Configuration DomainKeys Identified Mail (DKIM) adds a digital signature to your emails that verifies they haven't been modified in transit. ### How DKIM Works 1. SendSquared generates a pair of cryptographic keys for your domain 2. You add the public key to your DNS records 3. SendSquared uses the private key to sign outgoing emails 4. Receiving servers verify the signature using the public key in your DNS ### Setting Up DKIM with SendSquared When you complete Domain Authentication in SendSquared, automated security is enabled by default, which handles DKIM records for you: 1. Navigate to **Global Settings → Domain Authentication** 2. Select the domain you want to authenticate 3. SendSquared will provide CNAME records you need to add to your DNS 4. Add these CNAME records to your domain's DNS settings 5. Return to SendSquared and verify the configuration ## DMARC Implementation DMARC builds on SPF and DKIM by specifying what receiving servers should do with emails that fail authentication. ### How DMARC Works 1. You publish a DMARC policy in your DNS records 2. The policy tells receiving servers how to handle emails that fail SPF or DKIM checks 3. DMARC can also send you reports about emails using your domain ### Setting Up DMARC Add a TXT record with the following settings to your DNS: ``` Name: _dmarc.yourdomain.com Value: v=DMARC1; p=none; rua=mailto:dmarc-reports@yourdomain.com ``` This basic policy: - Monitors but doesn't take action on failing emails (`p=none`) - Sends aggregate reports to the specified email address As you become more comfortable with DMARC, you can strengthen your policy: ``` v=DMARC1; p=quarantine; pct=25; rua=mailto:dmarc-reports@yourdomain.com ``` This more aggressive policy: - Suggests that 25% of failing emails be sent to spam (`quarantine` at `pct=25`) - Continues to send reports for monitoring Eventually, you can move to a strict policy: ``` v=DMARC1; p=reject; rua=mailto:dmarc-reports@yourdomain.com ``` This policy rejects all emails that fail authentication. ## Custom MX Records for From Headers For optimal deliverability when using custom From addresses (e.g., noreply@yourdomain.com), you may need to set up custom MX records: 1. Navigate to **Global Settings → Domain Authentication → Advanced Settings** 2. Look for the "Custom From Headers" section 3. SendSquared will provide MX records specific to your domain 4. Add these records to your DNS settings ## Adding DNS Records with Common Providers Here's how to add these records with popular DNS providers: ### GoDaddy 1. Log in to your GoDaddy account 2. Click **My Products** 3. Select **DNS** for your domain 4. Click **Add** to add a new record 5. Select the record type (TXT for SPF/DMARC, CNAME for DKIM) 6. Enter the provided hostname and value 7. Save changes ### Namecheap 1. Log in to your Namecheap account 2. Go to **Domain List** and click **Manage** next to your domain 3. Select the **Advanced DNS** tab 4. Click **Add New Record** 5. Select the record type and enter the required information 6. Save changes ### Google Domains 1. Log in to Google Domains 2. Select your domain 3. Click **DNS** in the left menu 4. Scroll to "Custom records" 5. Click **Add** to create a new record 6. Enter the host, record type, and data 7. Save ### Amazon Route 53 1. Log in to AWS Console 2. Navigate to Route 53 3. Select **Hosted Zones** 4. Select your domain 5. Click **Create Record** 6. Choose record type and enter values 7. Click **Create Records** ### Cloudflare 1. Log in to Cloudflare 2. Select your domain 3. Go to the **DNS** tab 4. Click **Add Record** 5. Select the record type and fill in the required fields 6. Save ## Verifying Your Configuration After adding all required DNS records: 1. Return to SendSquared and navigate to **Global Settings → Domain Authentication** 2. Click **Verify Configuration** for your domain 3. SendSquared will check that all records have been properly added You can also use these external tools to verify your configuration: - [SPF Record Checker](https://mxtoolbox.com/spf.aspx) - [DKIM Validator](https://dmarcian.com/dkim-inspector/) - [DMARC Analyzer](https://mxtoolbox.com/dmarc.aspx) ## Troubleshooting Common Issues ### DNS Propagation Delays DNS changes can take 24-48 hours to fully propagate. If verification fails: - Wait at least 24 hours before troubleshooting - Verify records were entered exactly as provided - Check for typos or missing characters ### SPF Record Limitations SPF has a limit of 10 DNS lookups per record. If you have many email providers: - Consolidate lookups where possible - Consider using macro-expanded includes - Prioritize your most important email providers ### DKIM Key Rotation DKIM keys should be rotated periodically: - SendSquared handles key rotation automatically - Follow any notifications about key updates - Update your DNS records promptly when new keys are issued ## Next Steps After configuring email authentication: - [Test your email deliverability](../troubleshooting/email-delivery-issues) - [Set up email templates](../editor-email/email-editor-overview) - [Configure email campaigns](../campaigns/send-email-campaign) --- ### Assets Management Centralized digital asset library for storing and managing images, videos, PDFs, audio files, and documents with drag-and-drop upload support. URL: /docs/administration/assets-management Tags: administration, assets, media-library, digital-assets, file-management, images, videos, documents, pdf, audio # Assets Management The Assets Management system provides a centralized library for all your digital assets including images, videos, PDFs, audio files, and documents. Upload files through drag-and-drop and organize them for use across your campaigns. ## Overview Assets Management helps you: - Store and organize all digital files in one place - Quickly find and reuse assets across campaigns - Maintain brand consistency - Track asset usage and performance ## Accessing Assets Navigate to **Assets** in the main menu to access the asset library. The system provides: - **Grid View**: Visual thumbnail display with preview capabilities - **List View**: Searchable list with drag-and-drop upload support ## Asset Library Features ### Uploading Assets #### Drag and Drop Upload 1. Simply drag files from your computer onto the assets page 2. A drop zone appears when dragging files 3. Multiple files can be uploaded simultaneously 4. Upload progress is shown with a loading indicator #### File Upload Process - Files are automatically uploaded when dropped - Each file is processed individually - Success/failure messages appear for each file - Failed uploads show specific error messages ### Asset Organization #### Search and Filter - **Name Filter**: Search assets by file name - **Real-time Filtering**: Results update as you type - **Clear Filter**: Easy reset of search criteria #### Pagination - Adjustable page size (10, 20, 50, 100 items) - Navigate through pages of assets - Total asset count displayed ### Asset Management #### Asset Preview **Images**: - Click thumbnails to open full-size preview - Navigate through multiple images in preview mode - Automatic image reloading for private assets **PDFs**: - Click to open in modal dialog - Full PDF viewer in iframe - Scrollable document preview **Videos**: - Click to open video player modal - Full video controls (play, pause, seek) - Preload metadata for quick loading **Audio Files**: - Click to open audio player modal - Standard audio controls - Pause automatically when closing #### Asset Actions - **Delete**: Remove assets with confirmation dialog - Deletion shows specific error messages if asset is in use ### Asset Display #### Grid Layout Assets are displayed in a responsive grid showing: - **Images**: Thumbnail previews with file names - **PDFs**: Document icon with file name - **Videos**: Video thumbnail with play overlay - **Audio**: Audio icon with file name - **Other Files**: Generic document icon #### Visual Elements - Delete button appears on hover (if permitted) - File names displayed below thumbnails - Click actions open appropriate viewers - Loading states during asset operations ## Asset Types Supported ### Images - Standard image formats (JPEG, PNG, GIF, etc.) - Full-size preview on click - Gallery navigation for multiple images - Automatic URL refresh for private assets ### PDFs - PDF document support - Modal preview with scrollable viewer - Full document display in iframe ### Videos - Video file support - Modal player with controls - Thumbnail preview with play overlay - Metadata preloading ### Audio - Audio file support - Modal player with standard controls - Visual icon representation ### Other Files - Generic file type support - Document icon display - Name-based identification ## Contact Integration When viewing assets within a contact: - Assets automatically connect to the contact - Drag and drop files to upload and attach - Delete removes association with contact - All uploads are marked as private by default ## Best Practices ### File Management - Use descriptive file names for easy searching - Upload files in supported formats - Check file size limits before uploading - Regular cleanup of unused assets ### Performance - Large asset libraries may require pagination - Use search filters to find assets quickly - Allow time for large file uploads - Monitor failed uploads and retry if needed ## Troubleshooting ### Upload Issues - **Upload Failed**: Check file size and format - **Multiple Files**: Each file processed individually - **Network Errors**: Retry failed uploads ### Deletion Errors - **422 Error**: Asset is currently in use - **404 Error**: Asset already deleted - **403 Error**: Insufficient permissions - **400 Error**: Invalid request format ### Common Solutions - Refresh page if assets don't appear - Check browser console for errors - Ensure stable internet connection - Verify file permissions --- ### Custom Fields Create and manage custom fields to capture additional information on contacts, units, leads, and reservations with support for text, numeric, and select field types. URL: /docs/administration/custom-fields Tags: administration, custom-fields, data-management, personalization, contacts, units, leads, reservations # Custom Fields Custom Fields allow you to capture and store additional information beyond the standard fields on contacts, units, leads, and reservations. This feature enables you to tailor the system to your specific business needs. ## Overview Custom Fields help you: - Capture industry-specific information - Add fields to contacts, units, leads, and reservations - Create dropdown select fields with custom values - Use fields in email templates via tokens - Track additional data specific to your business ## Supported Object Types Custom fields can be added to: - **Contacts**: Additional contact information - **Units**: Property-specific data - **Leads**: Lead qualification fields - **Reservations**: Booking-specific information ## Field Data Types ### String Text input fields for capturing: - Names, codes, or identifiers - Short text responses - URLs or reference numbers ### Number Numeric fields for: - Quantities or counts - Measurements - Scores or ratings ### Select Dropdown selection fields: - Single selection from predefined options - Custom values you define - Useful for categorization ## Creating Custom Fields ### Accessing Custom Fields 1. Navigate to **Settings** > **Custom Fields** 2. Click **Add new Field** ### Field Configuration When creating a field, configure: 1. **Object Type**: Select Contact, Unit, Lead, or Reservation 2. **Label**: User-friendly display name (e.g., "Gas Grill") 3. **Field Name**: System identifier (e.g., "gas_grill") - used in tokens 4. **Data Type**: Choose String, Number, or Select 5. **Display Order**: Numeric value to control field ordering 6. **Profile Id**: Optional profile association 7. **Required**: For lead fields only - makes field mandatory ### Field Name Guidelines - Use lowercase letters and underscores - No spaces or special characters - Must be unique within the object type - Will be used in email tokens (e.g., `{{contact.custom_fields.gas_grill}}`) ## Managing Custom Fields ### Custom Field List View The main custom fields page displays: - **Label**: The display name - **Field Name**: System identifier - **Type**: Object type (Contact, Unit, etc.) - **Required**: Yes/No indicator - **Data Type**: String, Number, or Select - **Display Order**: Numeric ordering value - **Profile Id**: Associated profile if any ### Table Actions - **Edit**: Modify field properties - **Values**: For Select fields - manage dropdown options - **Delete**: Remove the custom field - **Expand Row**: View creation date and target path details ### Editing Fields 1. Click **Edit** next to the field 2. Modify properties as needed 3. Save changes **Note**: Be cautious when editing field names as it may affect existing email templates using the token. ## Using Custom Fields ### In Contact Forms - Custom fields appear automatically - Arranged according to display order - Grouped by categories/tabs - Validation runs on submission ### In List Views - Add custom field columns - Sort by custom fields - Filter using custom values - Save custom views ### In Search and Filters - Search by custom field values - Create complex filter combinations - Save frequently used filters - Share filters with team ### In Imports - Map CSV columns to custom fields - Set default values for missing data - Validate data during import - Handle errors gracefully ## Custom Field Values (Select Fields Only) ### Managing Select Field Values For fields with Data Type "Select": 1. Click **Values** button next to the field 2. Opens the Custom Field Values dialog ### Adding Values 1. Click **Add New Value** 2. Enter: - **Label**: Display text shown to users - **Value**: Internal value stored in database 3. Click **Save** ### Value Management - **Edit**: Modify existing label/value pairs - **Delete**: Remove values (may affect existing data) - Values display in a table showing Label and Value columns ### Best Practices for Values - Keep values consistent and clear - Use descriptive labels - Consider future needs when setting values - Avoid special characters in values ## Using Custom Fields in Templates ### Token Format Custom fields are accessed using the following token format: - Contacts: `{{contact.custom_fields.field_name}}` - Units: `{{unit.custom_fields.field_name}}` - Leads: `{{lead.custom_fields.field_name}}` - Reservations: `{{reservation.custom_fields.field_name}}` For example, if you create a custom field with field name "door_code" on reservations, use: `{{reservation.custom_fields.door_code}}` ### Common Use Cases - **Contacts**: Preferences, special requirements, VIP status - **Units**: Access codes, special features, amenities - **Leads**: Source tracking, qualification scores, interest level - **Reservations**: Check-in instructions, door codes, special requests ## Best Practices ### Planning Fields - Map out needs before creating - Use consistent naming conventions (lowercase_with_underscores) - Create fields only when standard fields don't suffice - Document field purposes for team members ### Naming Conventions - Use descriptive field names - Keep names short but meaningful - Use underscores instead of spaces - Maintain consistency across object types ### Display Order - Use incremental values (10, 20, 30) to allow insertions - Group related fields with similar order numbers - Lower numbers appear first ## Permissions Custom field management requires specific permissions: - **View Custom Fields**: See the custom fields section - **Edit Custom Fields**: Create and modify fields - **Delete Custom Fields**: Remove fields and values Users without these permissions won't see the Custom Fields menu option. ## Troubleshooting ### Common Issues - **Field Not Showing**: Check object type and display order - **Token Not Working**: Verify exact field name and token format - **Values Not Saving**: Ensure proper permissions - **Deleted Field Data**: Deleting a field removes all associated data ### Tips - Test custom fields in a few records before bulk updates - Document custom fields for team training - Regularly review and clean up unused fields - Consider using Select fields for standardized data entry --- ### Event System View and monitor system events including triggers, connectors, agents, and actions with filtering and pagination support. URL: /docs/administration/event-system Tags: administration, events, logging, monitoring, triggers, connectors, agents, actions # Event System The Event System provides a centralized view of system activities including triggers, connectors, agents, and actions. Access the event viewer to monitor, filter, and analyze various system events. ## Overview The Event System helps you: - Monitor trigger executions and their results - Track connector activities and sync operations - View agent activities and user actions - Debug system operations and errors - Filter events by type, date, and user ## Accessing the Event Viewer Navigate to **Global Settings** > **Event Log Viewer** to access the event monitoring system. ## Event Types The system tracks four main types of events: ### Triggers Monitor automation trigger events including: - Trigger execution details - Associated trigger task IDs - Contact relationships - Execution messages - Timestamps ### Connectors Track integration and connector activities: - Connector job executions - Success/failure status - Error messages - Job results (expandable details) - Execution timestamps ### Agents Monitor call center agent activities: - Agent actions by user - Date range filtering - User-specific filtering - Activity timestamps ### Actions Track system and user actions: - Action execution logs - System operations - User-initiated actions - Timestamp tracking ## Filtering Options ### Event Type Filter Use the dropdown selector to switch between: - Triggers - Connectors - Agents - Actions ### Date Range Filter Available for **Agents** and **Connectors** only: - Select start and end dates - Pre-defined ranges: - This month - This year - Past year - Custom date selection - Excludes future dates ### User Filter Available for **Agents** only: - Select specific user from dropdown - Filter agent activities by user - View individual user actions ## Event Tables ### Trigger Event Table Displays: - **ID**: Event identifier - **Date**: Creation timestamp - **Trigger Task**: Associated task ID - **Trigger**: Trigger ID - **Contact**: Linked contact (clickable to view profile) - **Message**: Event message or description ### Connector Event Table Shows: - **Expandable Row**: Click to view detailed job results - **ID**: Event identifier - **Date**: Creation timestamp - **Detail**: Error message or result summary - **Success**: Success status indicator ### Agent Event Table Includes: - **ID**: Event identifier - **Date**: Creation timestamp - **User**: Associated user (when filtered) - Additional agent-specific data ### Action Event Table Contains: - **ID**: Event identifier - **Date**: Creation timestamp - Action-specific details ## Pagination Navigate through large event lists using: - Page size selector: 10, 25, 50, or 100 items per page - Previous/Next page navigation - Current page indicator - Total event count display (up to 10,000+) ## Event Details ### Expandable Rows Connector events feature expandable rows to view: - Detailed job results - Execution summaries - Additional metadata ### Contact Links In trigger events, click contact names to: - Navigate directly to contact profile - View contact details - Access related information ## Best Practices ### Regular Monitoring - Check event logs regularly for errors - Monitor trigger executions for failures - Review connector sync status - Track agent activities ### Troubleshooting - Use date filters to isolate issues - Check error messages in connector events - Verify trigger executions for automation issues - Review user-specific actions for agents ### Performance Considerations - Use specific date ranges to reduce load - Filter by event type for focused analysis - Adjust page size based on needs - Export data for detailed analysis if needed ## Common Use Cases ### Debugging Automations 1. Select "Triggers" from event type 2. Look for failed executions 3. Check associated contacts and messages 4. Verify trigger configuration ### Monitoring Integrations 1. Select "Connectors" from event type 2. Use date filter for specific timeframe 3. Check success/failure status 4. Expand rows for detailed results ### Tracking User Activities 1. Select "Agents" from event type 2. Choose specific user from filter 3. Set appropriate date range 4. Review agent actions ### System Auditing 1. Review action events for system changes 2. Check timestamps for activity patterns 3. Monitor for unusual activities 4. Document findings for compliance ## Limitations - Maximum 10,000+ events displayed - Date filtering only available for Agents and Connectors - User filtering only available for Agents - No export functionality in current version - Real-time updates require manual refresh --- ### Export Functionality Export contact data via CSV downloads or Custom API for analysis, reporting, backup, and integration with external systems. URL: /docs/administration/export-functionality Tags: reports, export, data-export, csv, contacts, backup, api # Export Functionality Export contact data in CSV format for analysis in spreadsheet applications like Excel or Google Sheets, backup purposes, or integration with external systems. For programmatic access, use the Custom API to build automated export integrations. ## Overview Export functionality includes: - **CSV Export**: Export contact records to CSV format for spreadsheet applications - **Custom API**: Build custom integrations to export data programmatically - **Direct Download**: Immediate file download to your computer - **Filtered Exports**: Export based on current filters, segments, or selections ## Exporting Contacts ### How to Export Contacts **From Contact List:** 1. Navigate to **Contacts** in the main menu 2. Apply any filters or segments you want to export - Use filters to narrow down the contact list - Select a specific segment - Search for specific contacts 3. Click the **Export** button (typically in the top right) 4. Wait for the CSV file to generate 5. File will automatically download to your browser's download folder **From Segment View:** 1. Navigate to **Contacts** > **Segments** 2. Select the segment you want to export 3. Click **Export** 4. CSV file downloads with all contacts in that segment ### What Gets Exported When you export contacts, the CSV file includes: **Basic Contact Information:** - First Name - Last Name - Email Address - Phone Number - Mobile Phone - Company Name **Additional Fields:** - Contact Tags - Segment Memberships - Custom Fields (if configured) - Created Date - Last Modified Date - Contact Status - Source Information **Important Notes:** - All visible contacts based on your current filter will be exported - The export respects permissions - you can only export contacts you have access to - Character encoding is UTF-8 for international character support - Date fields are formatted in ISO 8601 format (YYYY-MM-DD) ## Working with CSV Files ### Opening CSV Files **In Microsoft Excel:** 1. Open Excel 2. Go to **File** > **Open** 3. Select the downloaded CSV file 4. Excel will automatically parse the columns 5. Save as .xlsx if you want to preserve Excel formatting **In Google Sheets:** 1. Go to Google Sheets 2. Click **File** > **Import** 3. Upload the CSV file 4. Choose **Replace spreadsheet** or **Insert new sheet** 5. Click **Import data** **Important for Excel Users:** - If you see all data in one column, use **Data** > **Text to Columns** - Select **Delimited** and choose **Comma** as the delimiter - Excel may auto-format phone numbers - use Import Wizard to prevent this ### CSV File Format **File Structure:** - First row contains column headers - Each subsequent row is one contact record - Columns are separated by commas - Text fields are enclosed in quotes if they contain commas - UTF-8 encoding for special characters **Example CSV Structure:** ``` "First Name","Last Name","Email","Phone","Mobile","Tags" "Sarah","Johnson","sarah@example.com","555-0100","555-0101","VIP,Repeat Guest" "Mike","Chen","mike@example.com","555-0200","555-0201","First Time" ``` ## Filtering Before Export To export specific contacts, apply filters before clicking Export: **By Segment:** - Navigate to specific segment - All contacts in that segment will be included in export **By Tags:** - Use tag filters in contact list - Only tagged contacts will be exported **By Date:** - Filter by creation date or last modified date - Export contacts added within specific timeframe **By Custom Criteria:** - Use advanced filters - Combine multiple filter conditions - Export only contacts matching all criteria **Pro Tip:** Always verify your filter results before exporting. The export will include exactly what you see in your filtered list. ## Best Practices ### Before Exporting **Verify Your Filters:** - Double-check that you're viewing the contacts you want to export - Review the contact count in the list - Test filters with a small sample first **Clean Your Data:** - Update any outdated contact information before export - Remove duplicate contacts - Verify tag assignments - Check for incomplete records **Plan Your Use:** - Determine what you need the export for (analysis, backup, import to another system) - Consider if you need all fields or just specific data - Document the export purpose and date for future reference ### Data Security **Protecting Exported Data:** - CSV files contain sensitive contact information - Store files securely (encrypted drives, secure cloud storage) - Delete files after use if no longer needed - Don't email CSV files unless encrypted - Follow your company's data protection policies **Compliance Considerations:** - Ensure you have proper authorization to export contact data - Follow GDPR and data privacy regulations - Only export data you have legal basis to process - Document exports for audit purposes ### After Exporting **Verify the Export:** - Open the file to confirm data exported correctly - Check row count matches expected number of contacts - Verify all columns are present - Look for any formatting issues **File Management:** - Rename file with descriptive name and date - Example: `Contacts_VIP_Segment_2024-01-15.csv` - Store in organized folder structure - Document export parameters for future reference ## Troubleshooting ### Common Issues **Export Button Not Visible:** - Check your user permissions - Verify you're on the Contacts page - Some users may not have export permissions - Contact your administrator **File Downloads to Wrong Location:** - Check your browser download settings - Look in Downloads folder - Some browsers ask where to save each time **Cannot Open CSV File:** - Ensure you have Excel, Google Sheets, or compatible software - Try right-clicking file and selecting "Open with..." - Verify file downloaded completely (check file size isn't 0 KB) **Data Appears Garbled:** - Open in Excel using Import Wizard to set UTF-8 encoding - In Google Sheets, ensure import encoding is set to UTF-8 - Special characters may require specific encoding settings **Wrong Number of Contacts:** - Verify your filters are correct - Check if you're viewing all contacts or just a page - Some contacts may be filtered out by permissions - Archived contacts are not included **Formatting Issues in Excel:** - Phone numbers showing in scientific notation: Pre-format column as Text - Leading zeros disappearing: Import as Text instead of opening directly - Dates showing incorrectly: Use Excel Import Wizard to set date format ### Export Limits **Current Limitations:** - Maximum contacts per export: Limited by browser memory (typically 50,000-100,000) - Very large exports may take several seconds to generate - If export fails, try filtering to smaller subset - Export operation may timeout after 60 seconds ## Common Use Cases ### Data Backup - **Regular Backups**: Export all contacts monthly for backup purposes - **Archive Creation**: Keep historical snapshots of contact data - **Disaster Recovery**: Maintain offline copies for emergency restoration **Best Practice:** - Schedule regular exports (monthly recommended) - Store in secure, redundant locations - Label with clear dates - Test restoration process periodically ### Analysis and Reporting **Spreadsheet Analysis:** - Import into Excel or Google Sheets - Create pivot tables and charts - Analyze contact demographics - Track contact growth over time - Generate custom reports **Examples:** - Count contacts by tag - Analyze acquisition sources - Track segment sizes over time - Identify duplicate emails ### Integration with Other Systems **Email Marketing Platforms:** - Export contacts for import to Mailchimp, Constant Contact, etc. - Sync contact lists between systems - Update external mailing lists **CRM Systems:** - Import contacts into other CRM platforms - Maintain contact records across multiple systems - Support migration to new platforms **Accounting Software:** - Export contact information for invoicing - Sync customer data with QuickBooks, Xero, etc. - Support financial reporting needs ### Compliance and Auditing **GDPR Requests:** - Export individual contact data for data portability requests - Provide contacts with copy of their information - Support right-to-access requests **Audit Requirements:** - Document contact database at specific points in time - Provide evidence of data handling - Support compliance reporting **Data Retention:** - Archive contacts before deletion - Maintain records for legal requirements - Document contact lifecycle ### List Cleaning and Maintenance **Duplicate Detection:** - Export to spreadsheet - Use Excel/Sheets tools to find duplicates - Identify contacts to merge or remove **Data Quality Review:** - Export and review contact completeness - Identify missing information (emails, phones) - Plan data enrichment projects - Find formatting inconsistencies ## Tips and Tricks ### Excel Tips **Prevent Phone Number Formatting:** 1. Before opening CSV, open blank Excel workbook 2. Go to **Data** > **From Text/CSV** 3. Select your CSV file 4. In preview, click column header for phone numbers 5. Change data type to **Text** 6. Click **Load** **Remove Duplicate Contacts:** 1. Open CSV in Excel 2. Select all data 3. Go to **Data** > **Remove Duplicates** 4. Choose "Email" column as unique identifier 5. Click OK **Split Full Names:** If names are in one column: 1. Select the name column 2. Go to **Data** > **Text to Columns** 3. Choose **Delimited** > **Space** 4. Creates separate first/last name columns ### Google Sheets Tips **Auto-Refresh Export:** 1. Export CSV to Google Drive 2. Open in Google Sheets 3. When you export again, it updates the sheet 4. Any charts/formulas auto-update **Share with Team:** 1. Import CSV to Google Sheets 2. Share the sheet (not the CSV) 3. Team can view/analyze without exporting 4. Maintains single source of truth ### Automation Ideas **Regular Backups:** - Set calendar reminder to export monthly - Save to cloud storage with automatic versioning - Name with consistent format: `Contacts_YYYY-MM-DD.csv` **Segment Analysis:** - Export each segment separately - Compare segment sizes over time - Track segment growth rates - Identify top-performing segments ## Custom API Export For advanced integrations, you can use the Custom API to export data programmatically. This allows you to: - Build automated data pipelines - Integrate with external systems - Create custom reporting solutions - Sync data with other platforms Contact your administrator or see the API documentation for details on setting up custom API integrations. ## Frequently Asked Questions **Q: What's the maximum number of contacts I can export?** A: The practical limit is around 50,000-100,000 contacts depending on browser memory. For larger exports, use filters to break into smaller segments, or use the Custom API for programmatic exports. **Q: Can I export to Excel format directly?** A: CSV is the supported export format. You can open the CSV in Excel and save as .xlsx to preserve Excel formatting. **Q: Is my exported data secure?** A: The export process is secure, but the downloaded CSV file is not encrypted. It's your responsibility to store it securely following your company's data protection policies. **Q: How do I export a single contact's data?** A: Use filters to show only that contact, then export. Alternatively, you can view their contact record for on-screen information. **Q: Why are some contacts missing from my export?** A: Check your filters and permissions. You can only export contacts you have permission to view, and archived contacts are excluded. **Q: Can I automate exports?** A: Yes, use the Custom API to build automated export integrations. Contact your administrator for API access. --- ### Folders Organize content, campaigns, and assets hierarchically with permission-controlled folders for efficient resource management and team collaboration. URL: /docs/administration/folders Tags: administration, folders, organization, file-management, permissions, hierarchy, collaboration # Folders The Folders system provides hierarchical organization for your content, campaigns, assets, and other resources, making it easy to manage and find items in your workspace. ## Overview Folders help you: - Organize content hierarchically - Control access with permissions - Share resources with teams - Maintain consistent structure - Find items quickly ## Creating Folders ### Getting Started 1. Navigate to the section where you want to create folders 2. Click the **New Folder** button 3. Enter folder details: - **Name**: Descriptive folder name - **Description**: Purpose or contents - **Parent Folder**: Location in hierarchy ### Folder Types Different sections support folders: - **Campaign Folders**: Organize marketing campaigns - **Group Folders**: Group lists of groups or segments - **Template Folders**: Categorize templates ## Folder Structure ### Hierarchy Levels - Create unlimited nested levels - Drag and drop to reorganize - Expand/collapse folder trees - Breadcrumb navigation - Quick jump to parent ### Naming Conventions Best practices for folder names: - Use clear, descriptive names - Include dates for time-based organization - Add prefixes for sorting (01_, 02_) - Avoid special characters - Keep names concise ### Example Structures **Marketing Campaigns**: ``` Campaigns/ ├── 2024/ │ ├── Q1/ │ │ ├── Product Launch │ │ └── Spring Sale │ └── Q2/ │ ├── Summer Campaign │ └── Back to School └── Evergreen/ ├── Welcome Series └── Nurture Campaigns ``` **Groups**: ``` Groups/ ├── Customer Segments/ │ ├── VIP Customers │ ├── New Customers │ └── Inactive Customers ├── Geographic/ │ ├── East Coast │ ├── West Coast │ └── International └── Property Owners/ ├── Active Owners ├── Prospective Owners └── Past Owners ``` ## Folder Management ### Folder Actions - **Rename**: Update folder names - **Move**: Relocate in hierarchy - **Copy**: Duplicate with contents - **Delete**: Remove folder - **Archive**: Hide without deleting ### Scalability - Plan for growth - Avoid too many levels - Balance depth vs breadth - Use consistent patterns --- ### Groups Management Organize contacts into logical groups for better organization and targeted communications, similar to groups in other Email Service Providers (ESP). URL: /docs/administration/groups-management Tags: administration, groups, contacts, organization, segmentation, email-groups, sms-groups # Groups Management Groups Management allows you to organize contacts into logical collections for better organization and targeted communications. Groups are similar to groups in other Email Service Providers (ESP) that allow you to bucketize sources of contacts. ## Overview Groups help you: - Organize contacts into logical collections - Send targeted email and SMS communications - Track engagement metrics by group - Maintain separate contact lists for different purposes ## Understanding Groups ### What are Groups? Groups are containers for organizing your contacts. Each group: - Has a unique name - Maintains contact counts and engagement metrics - Can be organized within folders - Has a unique UUID token for identification ### Group Metrics The system tracks the following metrics for each group: - **Total Contacts**: Total number of contacts in the group - **Verified**: Contacts with verified email addresses - **Can Be Emailed**: Contacts eligible for email communications - **Subscribed**: Contacts subscribed to email communications - **Can Receive SMS**: Contacts eligible for SMS - **Opted In SMS**: Contacts who opted in for SMS communications ## Creating Groups ### Adding a New Group 1. Navigate to **Contacts** > **Groups** 2. Click **Add new Group** 3. Enter the group name 4. Click **Create Group** The system will: - Create the group with the specified name - Generate a unique UUID token - Make the group available for contact assignment ## Managing Groups ### Groups List View The main groups page displays: - **Group Name**: The name of each group - **Total**: Total contacts in the group - **Email Metrics**: Verified, Can Be Emailed, Subscribed (toggle view) - **SMS Metrics**: Can Receive SMS, Opted In SMS (toggle view) - **Actions**: Edit, View, SMS options ### Viewing Options - **Show Email Counts**: Toggle to display email-related metrics - **Show SMS Counts**: Toggle to display SMS-related metrics ## Editing Groups ### To Edit a Group 1. Click **Edit** next to the group name 2. You can: - Update the group name - View the group's UUID token (read-only) 3. Click **Update Group Name** to save changes ### Group UUID Token Each group has a unique UUID token that: - Identifies the group in the system - Cannot be modified - Can be used for API integrations ## Working with Groups ### View Group Contacts Click **View** to see all contacts in a group: - Opens the contacts list filtered by the selected group - Shows all contacts assigned to that group - Allows standard contact management operations ### Send SMS to Group Click **SMS** to send messages to the group: - Opens the SMS sending interface - Pre-selects all contacts in the group - Allows bulk SMS communications ## Folder Organization ### Using Folders Groups can be organized into folders: - Create folders to categorize groups - Navigate through folder hierarchy - Move groups between folders - Maintain organized group structure ### Folder Operations - **Create Folder**: Add new folders for organization - **Change Folder**: Move groups to different folders - **Navigate Folders**: Browse through folder structure ## Group Types The system supports standard groups for contact organization. All groups: - Function the same way - Have identical features - Track the same metrics - Support both email and SMS communications ## Best Practices ### Naming Groups - Use descriptive names that indicate the group's purpose - Consider using prefixes for organization (e.g., "2024-Q1-Newsletter") - Keep names concise but meaningful - Avoid special characters that might cause issues ### Organizing Groups - Use folders to categorize similar groups - Regular review and cleanup of unused groups - Monitor group metrics to ensure data quality - Document group purposes for team clarity ### Managing Contacts - Regularly update group memberships - Monitor engagement metrics - Clean up inactive contacts periodically - Ensure contacts are in appropriate groups ## Integration with Other Features ### Email Campaigns - Select groups as recipients for email campaigns - Target specific segments based on group membership - Track campaign performance by group ### SMS Campaigns - Send bulk SMS to group members - Target SMS campaigns by group - Track SMS engagement metrics ### Contact Management - Assign contacts to multiple groups - Filter contacts by group membership - Bulk operations on group members ## Troubleshooting ### Common Issues - **Group not appearing**: Refresh the page or check folder location - **Cannot edit group**: Verify you have proper permissions - **Metrics not updating**: Allow time for system to recalculate - **SMS not sending**: Check that contacts have valid phone numbers and SMS opt-in ### Tips - Use the search and filter options to find groups quickly - Toggle metric displays based on your needs - Regularly review group metrics for data quality - Use folders to maintain organization as group count grows --- ### Interests Track and categorize contact interests for targeted marketing, personalized communications, and improved customer engagement through behavioral and preference data. URL: /docs/administration/interests Tags: administration, interests, personalization, segmentation, customer-preferences, targeting, engagement # Interests The Interests system allows you to track and categorize what your contacts are interested in, enabling more targeted marketing, better personalization, and improved engagement. ## Overview Interests help you: - Track customer preferences and hobbies - Segment audiences by interests - Personalize communications - Improve product recommendations - Enhance customer profiles ## Understanding Interests ### What Are Interests? Interests are tags or categories that indicate what a contact cares about: - Products or services they prefer - Topics they engage with - Activities they participate in - Content they consume - Problems they want to solve ### Interest vs. Other Data - **Interests**: What they care about - **Behaviors**: What they do - **Demographics**: Who they are - **Transactions**: What they buy - **Engagement**: How they interact ## Creating Interests ### Interest Setup 1. Navigate to **Settings** > **Interests** 2. Click **Create New Interest** 3. Configure interest details: - **Name**: Clear, descriptive title - **Category**: Group related interests - **Description**: Explain the interest - **Icon**: Visual representation - **Color**: For visual organization ### Interest Categories Organize interests into logical groups: - **Product Categories**: Specific products/services - **Content Topics**: Blog, video, podcast topics - **Activities**: Hobbies, sports, events - **Industries**: Professional interests - **Lifestyle**: Personal preferences ### Interest Hierarchy Create parent-child relationships: ``` Technology ├── Software │ ├── CRM Systems │ ├── Marketing Tools │ └── Analytics ├── Hardware │ ├── Computers │ ├── Mobile Devices │ └── IoT └── Services ├── Consulting ├── Training └── Support ``` ## Assigning Interests ### Manual Assignment Add interests to contacts manually: 1. Open contact profile 2. Click **Add Interests** 3. Search or browse interests 4. Select applicable interests 5. Save changes ### Bulk Assignment Apply interests to multiple contacts: 1. Select contacts in list view 2. Choose **Bulk Actions** > **Add Interests** 3. Select interests to apply 4. Confirm assignment 5. Review results ### Automatic Assignment #### Behavior-Based Automatically assign based on actions: - Page visits on website - Email link clicks - Content downloads - Event attendance - Form submissions #### Rule-Based Create rules for interest assignment: - If contact views product page 3 times - If downloads specific whitepaper - If attends webinar on topic - If opens emails about subject - If purchases related product #### Integration-Based Import interests from: - Social media profiles - Survey responses - Support tickets - Purchase history - Third-party data ## Interest Scoring ### Scoring System Rate interest strength: - **High Interest**: Strong engagement signals - **Medium Interest**: Moderate engagement - **Low Interest**: Initial interest shown - **Potential Interest**: Predictive scoring - **Negative Interest**: Explicit disinterest ### Scoring Factors - Frequency of related actions - Recency of engagement - Depth of interaction - Explicit preferences - Purchase behavior ### Score Calculation - Page views: +1 point - Email clicks: +2 points - Content download: +3 points - Event attendance: +5 points - Purchase: +10 points ## Using Interests ### Segmentation Create segments based on interests: - Single interest segments - Multiple interest combinations - Interest scoring thresholds - Interest + behavior combos - Exclusion segments ### Personalization #### Content Personalization - Show relevant blog posts - Recommend products - Customize homepage - Tailor email content - Dynamic landing pages #### Communication Personalization - Interest-based email campaigns - SMS messages about interests - Targeted social media ads - Personalized offers - Event invitations ### Campaign Targeting Use interests for: - Email campaign audiences - Ad targeting - Content recommendations - Product suggestions - Event promotions ## Interest Analytics ### Interest Reports - Most popular interests - Interest growth trends - Engagement by interest - Conversion by interest - Interest correlations ### Performance Metrics - Click rates by interest - Conversion rates - Revenue per interest - Engagement scores - Retention rates ### Interest Insights - Discover interest patterns - Identify new interests - Track interest evolution - Predict future interests - Find interest gaps ## Interest Display ### Contact Profile View See interests on contact records: - Interest tags - Interest scores - Interest history - Related content - Recommendations ### List Views Display interests in contact lists: - Interest columns - Filter by interests - Sort by interest score - Group by interest - Export with interests ### Interest Cards Visual representation showing: - Interest name and icon - Number of contacts - Engagement metrics - Related interests - Quick actions ## Interest Management ### Editing Interests Modify existing interests: - Update names - Change categories - Merge similar interests - Split broad interests - Archive unused ### Interest Cleanup Maintain clean interest data: - Remove duplicates - Standardize naming - Merge similar interests - Archive outdated - Review usage ### Interest Import/Export - Export interest list - Import new interests - Bulk update interests - Share between systems - Backup interest data ## Advanced Features ### Interest Prediction AI-powered interest discovery: - Analyze behavior patterns - Predict likely interests - Suggest new interests - Score predictions - Auto-assign when confident ### Interest Relationships Map connections between interests: - Related interests - Complementary interests - Progressive interests - Seasonal interests - Exclusive interests ### Interest Lifecycle Track interest evolution: - New interest adoption - Interest strengthening - Interest plateau - Interest decline - Interest revival ## Best Practices ### Interest Definition - Use clear, specific names - Avoid overlapping interests - Keep list manageable - Regular review and update - Document definitions ### Data Quality - Verify interest accuracy - Update regularly - Remove outdated interests - Validate assignments - Monitor quality metrics ### Privacy Considerations - Transparent data collection - Respect privacy preferences - Allow interest management - Secure storage - Compliance with regulations ## Integration Options ### Website Integration - Track page interests - Form field capture - Behavioral tracking - Cookie-based interests - Progressive profiling ### Email Integration - Click tracking - Content preferences - Topic engagement - Unsubscribe reasons - Preference centers ### Social Media - Social profile data - Engagement topics - Shared content - Group memberships - Ad interactions ## Troubleshooting ### Common Issues - **Interests not showing**: Check permissions - **Assignment not working**: Verify rules - **Duplicate interests**: Use merge tool - **Poor segmentation**: Review criteria - **Low engagement**: Validate accuracy ### Performance Optimization - Limit active interests - Archive unused interests - Optimize scoring rules - Index interest data - Monitor query performance ## Use Cases ### E-commerce - Product preferences - Brand affinities - Shopping behaviors - Price sensitivities - Category interests ### B2B Marketing - Industry interests - Solution needs - Technology stack - Business challenges - Role-based interests ### Content Marketing - Topic preferences - Content formats - Skill levels - Learning goals - Industry news ### Event Marketing - Event types - Topic preferences - Format preferences - Location interests - Speaker interests --- ### Owner System Comprehensive system for property management companies to find and onboard new property owners. Upgrade from guest system that adds unit management, owner acquisition tools, and Sales Rooms integration. URL: /docs/administration/owner-system Tags: administration, owners, units, acquisition, sales-rooms, property-listing, scouting, upgrade # Owner System :::warning Owner System Upgrade Required The Owner System is an upgrade from the standard guest system. When installed, it extends existing guest functionality to work with property owners while adding new dimensions for unit management, owner acquisition, and Sales Rooms integration. Contact your account manager to enable the Owner System. The Owner System provides comprehensive tools for property management companies to find, acquire, and onboard new property owners who want to list their rental units. It builds upon the guest system foundation while adding specialized features for owner relationships and property acquisition. ## Overview The Owner System extends your platform with: - **Owner Management**: Adapted guest features for property owners - **Unit Management**: Track and onboard rental properties - **Scout Tools**: Find and acquire new property owners - **Sales Rooms**: Marketing funnels for owner acquisition (Owner System only) - **Lead Tracking**: Manage owner acquisition pipeline ## System Components ### 1. Owner Management When the Owner System is enabled, your existing guest management features are extended to handle property owners: - Contact management adapted for owners - Communication tracking - Document storage - Owner-specific workflows - Relationship management ### 2. Units Management The core of the Owner System - managing rental properties from potential owners. ### 3. Scout Tools Geographic and list-based tools for finding new property owners. ### 4. Sales Rooms Integration Marketing funnels specifically designed for owner acquisition (requires Owner System). ## Units Management ### What is a Unit? A unit represents any rentable property in the system, regardless of size or type: - Individual houses and homes - Condo units - Apartment units - Hotel rooms - Vacation rentals - Estates and larger properties ### Unit Classification The system uses "unit" as a universal term to support all property types equally: - **Houses/Homes**: Standalone single-family properties - **Condos**: Individual units within condo buildings - **Hotels**: Individual rooms within hotel properties - **Apartments**: Individual units within apartment complexes - Each unit represents a complete rentable space with its own listing ### Creating Units The unit creation process is part of the owner acquisition workflow: 1. Navigate to **Owners** > **Scout List** or **Scout Map** 2. Identify potential property owners or respond to Sales Room leads 3. Add new properties and units from acquired owners: - **Unit Number/Name**: Unique identifier - **Property**: Owner's property details - **Unit Type**: Category of unit - **Floor**: Location within building - **Size**: Square footage/meters ## Scout Tools The owner acquisition system provides two primary interfaces accessible from the **Owners** icon in the navigation: ### Scout List View Displays potential and existing property owners in a list format: - Property owner contact information - Number of units available for listing - Current acquisition status - Owner engagement history - Quick actions for outreach and onboarding - Financial information (tax values, proforma values) - Lead tracking and status ### Scout Map View Interactive map interface for finding new owners: - Geographic distribution of potential properties - Visual clustering of acquisition opportunities - Property owner details on hover - Target area identification - Strategic acquisition planning by location - Color-coded markers based on tags ### Filtering and Search Both views support comprehensive filtering: - By owner status - By property type - By geographic area - By acquisition stage - By tags and groups - By address search - By financial metrics ## Lead Management ### Lead Status Types Track where potential owners are in your acquisition funnel. Your system can be customized with any number of lead statuses and types to match your workflow. Common examples include: - **New**: Fresh lead from Sales Rooms or other sources - **Contacted**: Initial outreach made - **Qualified**: Verified as a potential property owner - **Proposal**: Discussing partnership terms - **Negotiation**: Finalizing agreement details - **Closed**: Successfully onboarded as partner - **Lost**: Decided not to proceed For detailed information on configuring and managing lead statuses, see [Lead Statuses](/docs/leads/lead-statuses). ### Lead Tracking Features - Monitor lead source and conversion rates - Track communication history - Set follow-up reminders - Measure time-to-close metrics - Lead value tracking - ROI projections ## Financial Information ### Property Valuation Track key financial metrics for acquisition decisions: - **Tax Value**: Current property tax assessment - **Proforma Values**: Projected revenue ranges - Low estimate - High estimate - **Occupancy Rates**: Current rental performance - **Market Analysis**: Comparative property values ### Financial Tracking - Potential revenue per property - Portfolio value calculations - Commission structures - Market comparisons ## Property Features ### Property Details Capture comprehensive property information: - Square footage - Year built - Last sale date - Building type - Unit count - Condo building names - Unit numbers ### Location Data - Full property addresses - Geographic coordinates - Neighborhood information - Parcel numbers - Lot IDs - Map positioning ### Custom Fields - Tax record URLs - Additional property data - Owner preferences - Special requirements ## Contact Management ### Owner Information Comprehensive contact details for property owners: - Name and contact information - Email addresses - Phone numbers (mobile/home) - Mailing addresses - Property addresses - Unsubscribe tokens for Sales Room access ### Communication Tracking - Sales Room interactions - Email correspondence - Phone call logs - Meeting notes - Follow-up schedules ## Tags and Groups ### Tag Management Organize prospects with flexible tagging: - Create custom tags with colors - Filter by tags in Scout views - Bulk tag assignment to multiple contacts - Tag-based campaigns - Visual identification on map markers ### Group Organization - Segment owners by criteria - Create targeted outreach lists - Track group performance - Automate group assignments - Group-based reporting ## Sales Rooms Integration :::info Owner System Required Sales Rooms functionality is only available with the Owner System upgrade. This feature is specifically designed for property owner acquisition and will not function without the Owner System enabled. Unit Management works seamlessly with Sales Rooms to: - Generate property owner leads through targeted campaigns - Guide prospects through the partnership process - Automate owner acquisition workflows - Measure campaign effectiveness and ROI - Track conversion from lead to active owner For more information, see [Sales Rooms documentation](/docs/salesrooms/salesrooms-overview). ## Reporting and Analytics ### Lead Analytics - Lead source tracking - Conversion funnel metrics - Time-to-close analysis - Campaign effectiveness - Geographic distribution ### Financial Reports - Potential portfolio value - Revenue projections - Market analysis - ROI calculations - Commission tracking ### Performance Metrics - Sales Room conversion rates - Owner acquisition costs - Response time tracking - Team performance - Pipeline velocity ## Advanced Features ### Geographic Visualization - Interactive map interface - Property clustering - Area-based planning - Visual property distribution ### Lead Scoring - Automatic lead qualification - Engagement tracking - Priority scoring - Conversion probability - Follow-up recommendations ### Bulk Operations - Mass tag assignment - Group management - Bulk lead updates - Campaign targeting - Update multiple units - Batch status changes - Mass pricing updates ## Workflow Integration ### Acquisition Workflow 1. Lead capture from Sales Rooms 2. Owner verification process 3. Property documentation 4. Unit configuration 5. Go-live coordination ### Actions Available From both Scout views, users can: - View contact profiles - Open Sales Room landing pages - Edit proforma values - Create or edit leads - Manage tags and groups - View unit details ## Best Practices ### Owner Acquisition - Respond quickly to property owner inquiries from Sales Rooms - Provide clear value proposition to potential owners - Set realistic expectations for listing timeline - Maintain consistent follow-up with prospects - Monitor lead-to-owner conversion rates ### Unit Onboarding - Verify property documentation - Confirm unit specifications - Professional photography coordination - Accurate pricing guidance - Market positioning advice ### Owner Relationship Management - Regular performance updates - Transparent revenue reporting - Proactive issue resolution - Market insights sharing - Growth opportunity identification ## Troubleshooting ### Common Issues - **No map markers showing**: Check that filters aren't too restrictive - **Lead not appearing**: Ensure lead is properly associated with contact - **Tags not saving**: Check user permissions for tag management - **Proforma values not updating**: Verify numeric format and ranges - **Scout tools not visible**: Confirm Owner System is enabled ### Data Management - Regular owner data audits - Lead source tracking - Conversion funnel analysis - Data quality monitoring - Duplicate contact detection ## Related Features - [Sales Rooms](/docs/salesrooms/salesrooms-overview) - Marketing funnels for owner acquisition - [Lead Management](/docs/leads/lead-management) - Detailed lead tracking - [Tags Management](/docs/administration/tags-management) - Organizing contacts - [Groups Management](/docs/administration/groups-management) - Segmenting owners --- ### Tags Management Flexible labeling system for categorizing contacts, campaigns, and records with color-coded tags to improve organization, searchability, and automation. URL: /docs/administration/tags-management Tags: administration, tags, organization, categorization, labeling, automation, segmentation # Tags Management Tags provide a flexible way to categorize and organize contacts, campaigns, and other records. Use tags to create custom groupings, track attributes, and improve searchability across your system. ## Overview Tags help you: - Organize records with flexible labels - Create custom categorizations - Improve search and filtering - Track behaviors and attributes - Segment audiences effectively - Automate based on tag presence ## Understanding Tags ### What Are Tags? Tags are labels you can attach to records: - Simple text labels - No hierarchical structure - Multiple tags per record - Color-coded for visibility - Searchable and filterable ### Tags vs Other Organization Methods - **Tags**: Flexible, multiple labels - **Categories**: Single, hierarchical - **Custom Fields**: Structured data - **Groups**: Membership-based - **Segments**: Dynamic queries ## Creating Tags ### Adding New Tags 1. Navigate to **Settings** > **Tags** 2. Click **Create New Tag** 3. Enter tag details: - **Name**: Clear, descriptive label - **Color**: Visual identification - **Description**: Optional context - **Category**: Group related tags ### Tag Naming Best Practices - Use consistent naming conventions - Keep tags short and clear - Avoid special characters - Use lowercase for consistency - Create meaningful names ### Tag Categories Organize tags by type: - **Source Tags**: Lead origin - **Status Tags**: Current state - **Interest Tags**: Preferences - **Behavior Tags**: Actions taken - **Internal Tags**: Team use only ## Tag Management ### Tag List View The tag list displays: - Tag name and color - Usage count - Created date - Last used - Category - Actions ### Bulk Tag Operations - Merge similar tags - Delete unused tags - Export tag list - Import tags - Rename tags ### Tag Cleanup Regular maintenance tasks: - Remove duplicate tags - Standardize naming - Archive old tags - Merge similar tags - Update descriptions ## Applying Tags ### Manual Tagging #### Single Record 1. Open record (contact, deal, etc.) 2. Click **Add Tag** field 3. Type to search existing tags 4. Select or create new tag 5. Save changes #### Bulk Tagging 1. Select multiple records 2. Choose **Bulk Actions** > **Add Tags** 3. Select tags to apply 4. Confirm application 5. Review results ### Automatic Tagging #### Rule-Based Tagging Create rules to auto-apply tags: - Form submissions - Email interactions - Page visits - Purchase behavior - Score thresholds #### Workflow Tagging Add tags in automations: - Welcome series tags - Engagement level tags - Customer journey tags - Status update tags - Time-based tags ### Import Tagging Apply tags during import: - Map tag columns - Create tags on import - Apply to all imports - Conditional tagging - Validation rules ## Using Tags ### Search and Filter #### Quick Search - Type tag name in search - Auto-complete suggestions - Multiple tag search - Exclude tags - Save searches #### Advanced Filtering Filter records by tags: - Has any of these tags - Has all of these tags - Doesn't have tags - Tag combinations - Date tagged ### Segmentation Create segments using tags: - Single tag segments - Multiple tag logic - Tag + other criteria - Dynamic updates - Exclusion rules ### Campaign Targeting Use tags for: - Email list building - SMS campaigns - Audience selection - Content personalization - A/B test groups ## Tag Display ### Visual Indicators Tags appear as: - Colored badges - Inline labels - Tag clouds - List items - Filter chips ### Tag Colors - Custom color selection - Color significance - Consistency across system - Accessibility considerations - Color blindness support ### Tag Limits - Maximum tags per record - Character limits - Display limitations - Performance considerations - Best practices ## Tag Analytics ### Usage Reports Track tag effectiveness: - Most used tags - Tag growth over time - Tags by record type - User tagging patterns - Tag combinations ### Performance Analysis - Campaign performance by tag - Conversion rates by tag - Engagement by tag - Revenue by tag - Retention by tag ### Tag Insights - Discover tag patterns - Identify redundant tags - Find missing tags - Optimization opportunities - Trend analysis ## Advanced Tag Features ### Smart Tags Automatically applied based on: - Behavioral patterns - Calculated scores - Time-based rules - External data - AI predictions ### Tag Hierarchies While tags are flat, organize with: - Naming conventions - Color coding - Categories - Prefixes - Documentation ### Tag Inheritance - Parent-child relationships - Campaign to contact - Deal to contact - Company to contact - Custom inheritance ## Best Practices ### Tag Strategy - Plan tag structure - Document tag meanings - Train team members - Regular audits - Consistent application ### Tag Governance - Approval process - Naming standards - Usage guidelines - Access controls - Quality checks ### Performance - Limit active tags - Archive unused tags - Optimize tag queries - Index tag fields - Monitor impact ## Common Use Cases ### Lead Management - Lead source tracking - Lead quality scoring - Interest indicators - Engagement level - Sales stage ### Customer Service - Ticket categories - Priority levels - Issue types - Resolution status - Customer sentiment ### Marketing - Campaign participation - Content preferences - Channel preferences - Buyer personas - Lifecycle stage ### Sales - Deal stages - Opportunity size - Competition tracking - Win/loss reasons - Product interest ## Troubleshooting ### Common Issues - **Tags not showing**: Check permissions - **Duplicate tags**: Use merge tool - **Slow tag search**: Reduce tag count - **Tags not syncing**: Verify integration - **Missing tags**: Check filters --- ## Contacts ### Contacts Overview Learn how to navigate, search, organize, and manage your contacts in SendSquared URL: /docs/contacts/contact-overview Tags: contacts, overview, management, groups, segments, profiles, search, filter # Contacts Overview The Contacts section in SendSquared provides powerful tools for managing your customer relationships. This guide explores the main features of contact management, including contact listings, search functionality, groups, segments, and contact profiles. ## Accessing Contacts To access your contacts: 1. Navigate to **Audience** in the main menu 2. Select **All Contacts** from the submenu 3. The contacts listing page will load with your current contacts ## Contact Listing The contact listing provides a comprehensive view of all your contacts with powerful filtering and sorting capabilities. ### Understanding the Contact List The contact list displays key information for each contact: - Name - Email address - Phone number - Recent activity - Group membership - Communication status ### Filtering Contacts Use the filters at the top of the contact list to narrow down your view: 1. Click the **Filter** button to open the filter panel 2. Select from various filtering options: - **Contact Source**: Filter by how contacts were added (imported, manual, form submission, etc.) - **Group Membership**: Show only contacts in specific groups - **Tags**: Filter by applied tags - **Activity**: Filter by recent engagement or inactivity - **Custom Fields**: Filter by custom field values - **Opt-in Status**: Filter by communication preferences 3. Multiple filters can be combined for precise segmentation 4. Save frequently used filters for quick access ### Sorting Contacts Contacts can be sorted by various attributes: - Click any column header to sort by that field - Click again to toggle between ascending and descending order - Sort by name, email, last activity, or custom fields ## Contact Search The search functionality allows you to quickly find specific contacts: 1. Locate the search bar at the top of the contacts page 2. Enter search terms such as: - Name (full or partial) - Email address - Phone number - Company name - Custom field values ### Example Search For example, searching for "nicole@sendsquared.com" would immediately locate that contact's record. The search is intelligent enough to match partial information as well. ## Contact Groups Contact groups allow you to organize contacts into static collections, typically based on source or how they were added to your database. ### Accessing Groups 1. Navigate to **Audience → Groups** 2. View a list of all your current contact groups 3. See the number of contacts in each group ### Types of Groups Common group types include: - **Import Groups**: Automatically created when importing contacts - **Form Submission Groups**: Contacts who completed specific forms - **Manual Groups**: Contacts added directly to custom groups - **System Groups**: Default groups like "All Contacts" ### Creating a New Group To create a new contact group: 1. Click the **Add New Group** button 2. Enter a name and description for the group 3. Choose group settings, such as whether to auto-add new contacts 4. Click **Create Group** ### Managing Group Membership To add or remove contacts from a group: 1. Navigate to the group details page 2. Click **Add Contacts** to add new members 3. Select contacts from the list, or use search to find specific contacts 4. To remove contacts, select them and click **Remove from Group** ## Segments While groups are static collections, segments are dynamic, real-time filters that automatically update based on specific conditions. ### Accessing Segments 1. Navigate to **Audience → Segments** 2. View a list of all your current segments 3. See the number of contacts currently matching each segment ### Creating a Segment To create a new segment: 1. Click the **Create Segment** button 2. Name your segment 3. Add conditions that define the segment, such as: - **Contact Properties**: Email domain, location, custom fields - **Behavior**: Recent engagement, email opens, website visits - **Reservation Data**: Booking history, stay dates, property type - **Communication**: Email opt-in status, SMS subscriptions 4. Set the condition logic (AND/OR) between different criteria 5. Save your segment ### Segment Uses Segments are powerful for: - Targeted marketing campaigns - Personalized communication - Identifying high-value customer groups - Finding contacts who meet specific criteria for special offers ## Contact Profile The contact profile provides a comprehensive view of an individual contact and their relationship with your business. ### Accessing a Contact Profile 1. Click on a contact's name in the contact list 2. Search for a specific contact and click their result 3. The contact profile will open with detailed information ### Profile Overview The profile page is divided into several sections: #### Contact Information - Name, email, phone number - Address and location details - Communication preferences - Custom field values - Tags #### Activity Timeline - Chronological record of all contact interactions - Email opens and clicks - SMS messages sent and received - Website visits - Form submissions - Notes and manual activities #### Reservations - Complete booking history - Upcoming reservations - Past stays - Booking preferences - Revenue information #### Communication History - Email correspondence - SMS conversations - Phone call logs - Campaign participation #### Notes - Internal team notes about the contact - Conversation summaries - Important reminders - Customer preferences ### Tags and Custom Fields Two powerful features for organizing contact information: #### Tags - Labels that can be applied to contacts for quick filtering - Visible on the contact profile page - Add new tags directly from the profile - Click on existing tags to see all contacts with that tag #### Custom Fields - Additional data points specific to your business needs - Fully customizable field types (text, number, date, dropdown, etc.) - Can be required or optional - Searchable and filterable - Used in segments and automation rules ### Managing a Contact From the profile page, you can: - **Edit Contact Information**: Update basic details and custom fields - **Add Notes**: Document important information for your team - **Log Activities**: Record calls, meetings, or other interactions - **Apply Tags**: Add or remove organizational tags - **Change Group Membership**: Add to or remove from groups - **Set Preferences**: Update communication preferences - **View History**: See all past interactions in one place ## Best Practices for Contact Management ### Regular Database Cleaning - Periodically review and update contact information - Remove or merge duplicate contacts - Update inactive contacts - Verify email addresses and phone numbers ### Consistent Data Entry - Establish naming conventions for custom fields - Use standard formats for phone numbers and addresses - Create templates for common notes and activities - Train team members on proper data entry ### Strategic Grouping - Create logical, purpose-driven groups and segments - Avoid creating too many overlapping segments - Document the purpose of each group and segment - Regularly review group and segment effectiveness ### Privacy Compliance - Maintain accurate records of opt-ins and consent - Honor opt-out requests promptly - Store only necessary contact information - Follow data protection regulations for your region ## Next Steps After understanding the contacts overview, explore these related features: - [Importing contacts](./contact-import) - [Creating and managing segments](../segments/segment-overview) - [Contact Validation](./contact-validation) - [Contact Export](./contact-export) --- ### Adding Contacts Learn how to manually add individual contacts to your SendSquared account URL: /docs/contacts/contact-add Tags: contacts, add, manual, create, new contact, profile, groups # Adding Contacts This guide explains the two methods for manually adding individual contacts to your SendSquared account. ## Method 1: Using the Contact Profile Icon The quickest way to add a new contact is through the profile icon: 1. Look for the profile icon with a plus button (usually found in the top navigation or sidebar) 2. Click this icon to open a new contact profile page 3. Fill out the contact information in the form fields 4. **Important:** Select the group you want the contact to be added to - If you skip this step, the contact will be added to your overall contacts but not to a specific sending group 5. Click **Save Contact** to complete the process Remember to select a group for your new contact. Without assigning a group, you won't be able to include this contact in targeted campaigns. ## Method 2: Adding Through a Specific Group If you already know which group you want to add the contact to, you can: 1. Navigate to **Audience → Groups** 2. Select the specific group you want to add the contact to 3. Click the **Add Contact to This Group** button 4. Fill out the contact information in the form that appears 5. Click **Save Contact** to add the contact to the group ## Contact Information Fields When adding a contact manually, you may fill out any of the following information: - **Required fields:** - First Name - Last Name - Email or Phone Number (at least one is required) - **Optional fields:** - Address - City - State/Province - Postal Code - Country - Custom fields (if configured) ## Best Practices for Manually Adding Contacts ### When to Add Contacts Manually Manual contact addition is most appropriate when: - Adding a small number of contacts (1-5) - Adding VIP clients who require special attention - Adding contacts who approached you through non-digital channels ### Contact Validation - Verify email addresses and phone numbers for accuracy - Use standardized formats for consistency (e.g., +1 format for US phone numbers) - Check for existing duplicates before adding new contacts ### Group Organization - Create logical, well-named groups before adding contacts - Consider using a naming convention for your groups - Review group membership periodically to ensure contacts are properly categorized ### For Bulk Additions If you need to add multiple contacts at once, consider using the CSV import feature instead: 1. Navigate to **Audience → Import** 2. Follow the import wizard to upload your contacts spreadsheet ## Next Steps After Adding Contacts After manually adding contacts: 1. **Verify Opt-In Status**: Ensure contacts have opted in to receive communications 2. **Tag Appropriately**: Add relevant tags to help with future segmentation 3. **Send Welcome**: Consider sending a welcome message to newly added contacts 4. **Update Records**: Set a schedule to regularly review and update contact information --- ### Contact Merge Guide Learn how to merge duplicate contacts in SendSquared URL: /docs/contacts/contact-merge Tags: contacts, merge, duplicates, cleanup, combine, data management # Contact Merge This guide explains how to merge duplicate contacts in SendSquared, combining their information and communication history into a single profile. ## Setting Up Permissions Merging contacts is permission-based and requires specific access rights: 1. An agent admin must enable this permission in: ``` Global Settings → User/Agent Settings ``` 2. After permissions are set, you must log out and log back in for the changes to take effect. 3. Once permissions are active, you'll see the "Contact Merge" option under the Audience menu. ## The Merging Process ### Selecting Contacts to Merge 1. Navigate to **Audience → Contact Merge** 2. Find the first contact by clicking **Change Primary Contact** - This will be the main contact that remains after merging - Search for and select the desired contact 3. Find the second contact by clicking **Change Secondary Contact** - This contact's information will be merged into the primary contact - Search for and select the desired contact ### Selecting Fields to Merge 1. Review all available fields from both contacts: - First Name - Last Name - Email - Mobile Phone - Home Phone - Address - Address 2 - City - State - Postal Code 2. For each field, select which contact's information you want to keep - You must select values for all fields, including blank ones - Use the selection buttons to choose between primary and secondary contact information ### Completing the Merge 1. After selecting all fields, click the **Merge** button 2. The merging process may take several minutes, depending on how much communication history is associated with each profile 3. When complete, the two contacts will be combined into one profile ## What Gets Merged When contacts are merged, everything associated with both contacts is consolidated: - Contact information (name, email, phone, address) - Phone calls and voicemails - Notes - Reservations - Emails - Text messages (SMS) - Units - WhatsApp messages - Airbnb messages - Postcards - All phone numbers - All email addresses - Relationships - Leads - Tags - Communication history - Everything else associated with the contacts ## Important Notes - The merge process cannot be undone, so verify your selections before confirming - All communication history from both contacts will be preserved and linked to the merged contact - The secondary contact will no longer exist as a separate entry in your database - If both contacts have different email addresses or phone numbers, be sure to select which one should be the primary contact method ## Best Practices - Before merging, verify that the contacts are truly duplicates - Consider which contact has the most current and accurate information - When in doubt about which information to keep, prefer the most recently updated data - For contacts with extensive history, allow extra time for the merge to complete --- ### Importing Contacts Learn how to import contacts from a CSV file into SendSquared URL: /docs/contacts/contact-import Tags: contacts, import, CSV, upload, bulk, data # Importing Contacts This guide walks you through the process of importing contacts from a CSV file into SendSquared. ## Accessing Import Settings To begin importing contacts: 1. Click on the profile icon in the upper right corner 2. Select **Global Settings** from the dropdown menu 3. Scroll to the bottom of the page 4. Select **Import** ## Creating a Contact Group After accessing the import settings, you'll need to specify where your contacts will be stored: 1. Choose one of the following options: - **Create a new group**: Create a fresh contact group for the imported contacts - **Add to an existing group**: Add the imported contacts to a group you already have 2. If creating a new group, enter a name for the group in the field provided 3. Click **Next** to proceed ## Uploading Your CSV File Next, you'll upload your contact data: **Important**: SendSquared only accepts CSV (comma-separated values) files for contact imports. Other file formats such as Excel (.xlsx, .xls), text files (.txt), or database files are not supported. If your contacts are in another format, please convert them to CSV before attempting to import. 1. Click the upload area or drag your CSV file into the designated area 2. The system accepts comma-separated values (CSV) files 3. Ensure your file is under 50mb in size 4. Click **Next** after the file uploads successfully ## Mapping Contact Fields After uploading, you'll need to map the columns in your CSV file to SendSquared contact fields: 1. Review the data preview showing rows from your CSV file 2. For each column, select the appropriate SendSquared field from the dropdown menus 3. Common fields include: - First name - Last name - Email - Mobile phone - Address fields 4. Click **Next** when all fields are mapped ## Review and Configure Import Options Before finalizing your import, you'll have options to handle duplicate contacts: 1. Review the import details: - Number of records being imported - Target group for the imported contacts - Any header row settings 2. Configure duplicate handling: - **Add duplicate contacts to Groups**: Toggle on to allow contacts to exist in multiple groups - **Add duplicate contacts to Tags**: Toggle on to apply tags to existing contacts SendSquared automatically deduplicates contacts by email address. The duplicate options do not create duplicate contacts in the database but instead add existing contacts to groups or apply tags. 3. Click **Import List** to begin the import process ## Monitoring Import Status After starting the import: 1. Navigate to **Global Settings → Import Status** 2. You'll see a list of your imports with status indicators: - **Queued**: The import is waiting to be processed - **In Progress**: The import is currently being processed - **Finished**: The import has completed 3. For completed imports, expand the row using the drop-down arrow to see: - Number of records imported - Number of duplicates found - Any errors encountered - Records that couldn't be parsed ## Viewing Imported Contacts Once your import is complete: 1. Navigate to **Audience → Groups** 2. Locate your newly created or updated group 3. Click on the group name to view all contacts within that group ## Best Practices for Contact Imports ### Preparing Your CSV File - Include a header row with column names - Ensure email addresses are formatted correctly - Use consistent formatting for phone numbers - Separate first and last names into different columns ### Managing Duplicates - Use the "Add duplicate contacts to Groups" option when you want the same contact to appear in multiple groups - Remember that enabling this option will show contacts as "duplicates" in the import report, but they will still be added to the specified group ### Large Imports - Break very large contact lists into multiple smaller files - Process one file at a time to better track import progress - Allow sufficient time for large imports to complete --- ### Validating Contacts Learn how to check email validation status and manage contact verification in SendSquared URL: /docs/contacts/contact-validation Tags: contacts, validation, verification, email, deliverability, bounce # Validating Contacts SendSquared automatically validates all email addresses in your contact database to ensure deliverability and improve your sending reputation. This guide explains how to check validation status and manage your contact verification. ## Understanding Email Validation Email validation is an automated process that: - Verifies email addresses are properly formatted - Checks that domains exist and can receive email - Identifies potential delivery issues - Reduces bounce rates for your campaigns SendSquared performs this validation automatically whenever contacts are added to the system. ## Checking Verification Status To view the validation status of your contacts: 1. Click on the profile icon in the upper right corner 2. Select **Global Settings** from the dropdown menu 3. Scroll down and select **Contact Verification Status** ## Interpreting Verification Results The Contact Verification Service Overview provides three key metrics: ### Percent of Contacts Verified - This shows the overall percentage of your contacts that have completed the verification process - If this is below 100%, it means some contacts are still being verified ### Percent of Contacts Valid - This indicates the percentage of your contacts that are valid and able to receive emails from you - These are contacts with email addresses that passed verification ### Percent of Contacts Invalid - This shows the percentage of your contacts with email addresses that failed verification - These addresses are likely to bounce if you attempt to send to them ## Viewing Unverified Contacts To see which contacts have invalid email addresses: 1. From the Contact Verification Service Overview 2. Click the **View Unverified** button 3. Review the list of contacts with invalid email addresses This allows you to: - Identify contacts that need email address updates - Correct typographical errors in email addresses - Remove or update contacts with permanent delivery issues ## Waiting for Verification to Complete If your percent of contacts verified is less than 100%, it means the system is still validating newly added contacts. Wait until verification is complete before scheduling email campaigns to ensure all contacts are included. The verification process typically takes: - A few minutes for small imports (under 100 contacts) - Up to several hours for large imports (thousands of contacts) ## Improving Contact Validation Rates To maintain a high percentage of valid contacts: ### Regular Maintenance - Periodically review and correct invalid email addresses - Remove contacts with permanent delivery issues - Update contacts when you receive bounce notifications ### Import Practices - Ensure email addresses are correctly formatted in your CSV files - Validate email addresses at the point of collection (web forms, etc.) - Use double opt-in processes when collecting new subscribers ### Contact Cleanup - Remove obviously invalid email addresses before importing - Check for common typos in domain names (gmail.con, yaho.com, etc.) - Look for missing @ symbols or other formatting issues ## Importance of Email Validation Maintaining a clean, validated contact database has several benefits: - **Improved deliverability**: Fewer bounces lead to better sender reputation - **Higher engagement**: Your messages reach real, interested recipients - **Cost efficiency**: You're not paying to send to invalid addresses - **Better analytics**: Your campaign metrics reflect actual audience behavior ## Next Steps After ensuring your contacts are properly validated: 1. [Create segments](../segments/segment-overview) to target specific groups 2. [Design email templates](../editor-email/email-editor-overview) for your campaigns 3. [Send email campaigns](../campaigns/send-email-campaign) to engage with your validated contacts --- ### Exporting Contacts Learn how to export your contacts from SendSquared to a CSV file URL: /docs/contacts/contact-export Tags: contacts, export, CSV, download, backup, data # Exporting Contacts SendSquared allows you to export your contacts to a CSV file for backup purposes, data analysis, or transferring to other systems. This guide explains the simple process for exporting your contact database. ## Accessing the Export Feature To begin exporting contacts: 1. Click on the profile icon in the upper right corner 2. Select **Global Settings** from the dropdown menu 3. Scroll to the bottom of the page 4. Select **Export Contacts** ## Creating a New Export Once in the Export Contacts section: 1. Click the **Request New Export** button in the top right corner 2. Configure your export options ### Export Options When setting up your export, you can customize what data is included: - **Include All Groups**: Select whether to export contacts from all groups or just specific ones - **Include Tags**: Choose to include tags associated with contacts - **Delete Contacts**: Option to delete contacts after exporting (use with caution) If you select the option to delete contacts after export, the contacts will be permanently removed from your SendSquared account once the export is complete. This action cannot be undone. ## Processing the Export After configuring your export options: 1. Click **Save** to begin the export process 2. Your export will be queued for processing 3. Processing time varies depending on the number of contacts and server load ## Downloading Exported Contacts Once the export is complete: 1. Locate your export in the list of completed exports 2. Click the **Download Export** button 3. The CSV file will download directly to your computer ## Working with the Exported CSV The exported CSV file contains all contact information including: - Basic contact details (name, email, phone) - Address information - Custom fields - Group memberships - Tags (if selected in export options) You can open this file with: - Microsoft Excel - Google Sheets - LibreOffice Calc - Any spreadsheet software that supports CSV format ## Best Practices for Contact Exports ### Regular Backups - Schedule regular exports to maintain backups of your contact database - Store exported files securely as they contain potentially sensitive customer information ### Data Privacy Considerations - Ensure compliance with data protection regulations when exporting contact data - Implement appropriate security measures for stored export files - Consider anonymizing sensitive data if using exports for analysis purposes ### Export File Management - Use a consistent naming convention for export files - Document the date and purpose of each export - Delete old export files when they're no longer needed ## Troubleshooting If you encounter issues with your contact export: - **Export not starting**: Refresh the page and try requesting a new export - **Export taking too long**: Large contact databases may take extended time to process - **Download issues**: If the download fails, try again or contact support - **CSV formatting problems**: Ensure you're opening the file with appropriate spreadsheet software --- ### Exclude Contact from Email/SMS Learn how to exclude specific contacts from receiving automated emails and SMS messages URL: /docs/contacts/contact-disable-sending Tags: contacts, exclude, disable, opt-out, email, SMS, unsubscribe, communications, marketing, segments, tags # Excluding Contacts from Communications This guide explains how to exclude individual contacts from receiving automated communications in SendSquared, including emails and SMS messages. ## Overview Sometimes you may need to prevent a specific contact from receiving any further Emails or SMS messages. SendSquared provides an easy way to disable both email and SMS communications for individual contacts. ## How to Exclude a Contact ### Finding the Toggle Settings 1. Navigate to the contact you want to exclude 2. Look for **Send Settings** on the right-hand side of the contact page ### Disabling Email Communications 1. In the Send Settings section, you'll find the **Send Email** toggle 2. Click the toggle to disable emails for this contact The contact will no longer receive any automatic, manual or marketing emails. ### Disabling SMS Communications 1. Just below the email toggle, you'll find the **Send SMS** toggle 2. Click the toggle to disable SMS for this contact The contact will no longer receive any automated text messages ## How It Works - These toggles control whether messages (automations, campaigns, etc.) are sent to the contact - The settings are specific to each individual contact - You can toggle them on/off at any time - When disabled, the contact won't receive any automated messages of that type ## Important Notes - **Toggling off email communications blocks ALL emails** - including transactional, automated, and marketing emails - Manual sends will not be possible when toggled off - Changes take effect immediately - You can re-enable communications at any time by toggling them back on ### Alternative: Excluding from Marketing Only If you want to exclude a contact from marketing campaigns but still allow transactional or other emails, **using tags with segments is the preferred method**: 1. Add a tag like "No Marketing" or "Unsubscribed" to the contact 2. Create segments that exclude contacts with this tag 3. Use these segments when sending marketing campaigns This approach allows you to: - Continue sending important transactional emails - Honor marketing preferences without blocking all communication - Maintain flexibility in your communication strategy ## Use Cases Common situations where you might exclude a contact: - A guest has requested no further communications - Duplicate contacts that shouldn't receive messages - Contacts who have complained about message frequency - Do not rent, or other means for blocking a contact ## Visual Reference The Send Settings toggles appear on the right side of the contact page, with the email toggle above the SMS toggle. Simply click each toggle to enable or disable that communication channel for the specific contact. ## Related Documentation - [Contact Overview](./contact-overview) - [Adding Contacts](./contact-add) - [Contact Import](./contact-import) --- ## Leads ### Leads Overview A comprehensive guide to managing leads in SendSquared URL: /docs/leads/lead-overview # Lead Management Guide This guide explains how to effectively manage leads within the SendSquared platform. Understanding lead types, statuses, and workflows will help you organize and track potential business opportunities. ## Setting Up Lead Categories ### Lead Types Lead types identify what category a lead falls into. Your lead types are how you filter and organize your leads within the system. Examples of lead types include: - Reservation leads - Owner leads - Vendor leads To configure lead types, navigate to: ``` Global Settings → Lead Types ``` ### Lead Status Lead statuses represent the actions being taken on a lead. They should follow the workflow from open to closed. **Examples for reservation lead type:** - Follow-up - Booked - Not booked - Canceled **Examples for owner lead type:** - Engaged - Negotiation - Closed-won - Closed-lost Each lead type can have different lead statuses to match the workflow for that category. ### Lost Reasons If you're using a "lost lead" status (like "Not booked" or "Closed-lost"), we recommend creating lost reasons to track why leads don't convert. **Examples for reservation leads:** - Minimum night stay too long - Not pet friendly **Examples for owner leads:** - Chose another company - Price too high To configure lost reasons, navigate to: ``` Global Settings → Lost Reasons ``` These reasons help identify conversion blockers and may help improve future conversion rates. ## Creating and Managing Leads After determining your lead types and statuses, you can start creating leads. Leads can come from different sources: - Phone calls - Emails - Text messages - Web forms ### Creating a New Lead 1. Select your **lead type** (this will populate lead status options) 2. Choose the appropriate **lead status** 3. Enter a **lead subject** (a brief description) 4. Select the **contact** the lead is connected to - *Note: If creating a lead from a call, text, or email, this will be automatically filled* 5. Select the **source** (the form or channel where the lead originated) 6. Enter relevant details: - Arrival/departure dates - Number of adults/children/pets - Estimated value - Unit type 7. Assign an **agent** (defaults to creator but can be reassigned) 8. If the lead requires follow-up, set a **follow-up date** ## Follow-Up Process Follow-ups should never simply expire. They should progress to the next appropriate lead status: - If a contact needs more time, move the follow-up date forward - If they decide to book, change the status from "follow-up" to "booked" ### Booking Process When a contact makes a booking: 1. Enter the booking information into your PMS 2. Once complete, add the reservation number to the lead 3. Update the estimated value This process allows you to track conversion rates and revenue from won and lost leads. ## Viewing and Managing Leads ### Pipeline View The pipeline offers a visual way to view your leads: 1. Select your lead type 2. Filter by dates if needed 3. Drag and drop leads between columns to update statuses 4. View the total value of leads in each status ### Lead Reports #### Lead Revenue Report To view lead conversion data: ``` Reports → Lead Revenue Report ``` This report outlines: - Total leads by agent - Total time associated with leads - Won/lost status - Value of leads #### Lost Reasons Report To analyze why leads aren't converting: ``` Reports → Lead Lost Reasons ``` This report helps evaluate why potential guests are not booking and can inform process improvements. ## Best Practices - Always update lead statuses as they progress - Enter accurate estimated values for both won and lost leads - Use the pipeline view for a quick visual overview - Regularly review lost reason reports to identify improvement opportunities - Ensure all team members follow the same lead management process --- ### Lead Categories Learn how to create and manage lead categories to organize your different types of leads URL: /docs/leads/lead-categories # Lead Categories Lead categories in SendSquared provide a way to group similar lead types together for better organization and reporting. This guide explains how to set up and manage lead categories effectively. ## Understanding Lead Categories Lead categories are the highest level of organization in your lead management system. They allow you to: - Group related lead types together - Filter pipeline views by category - Create organizational hierarchies for your business opportunities - Generate reports based on category performance Think of lead categories as the broadest classification of your business opportunities. For example, a property management company might have categories like "Property Acquisition," "Guest Services," and "Vendor Management." ## Accessing Lead Category Settings To manage your lead categories: 1. Click on the profile icon in the upper right corner 2. Select **Global Settings** from the dropdown menu 3. Navigate to **Lead Settings** 4. Select the **Lead Categories** tab ## Creating a New Lead Category To add a new lead category: 1. Click the **Add Category** button 2. Enter a descriptive name for the category - Choose a name that clearly represents the group of lead types it will contain - Use consistent naming conventions for all categories 3. (Optional) Add a description to provide context 4. Select a color for visual identification in reports and pipelines 5. Click **Save** to create the category ## Managing Existing Categories From the Lead Categories screen, you can: ### Edit a Category 1. Find the category you want to modify 2. Click the **Edit** (pencil) icon 3. Update the name, description, or color as needed 4. Click **Save** to apply your changes ### Delete a Category 1. Find the category you want to remove 2. Click the **Delete** (trash) icon 3. Confirm the deletion when prompted Deleting a category that contains lead types will not delete the lead types themselves, but they will be left without a category. Consider reassigning lead types before deleting a category. ## Organizing Lead Types Within Categories After creating your categories, you'll assign lead types to them: 1. Navigate to **Lead Types** in the Lead Settings 2. When creating or editing a lead type, select the appropriate category from the dropdown 3. Save the lead type to associate it with the category This association allows you to: - Filter your pipeline view by category - Generate reports based on category performance - Quickly find related lead types ## Best Practices for Lead Categories ### Keep It Simple - Start with a small number of categories (3-5) and expand only if necessary - Use clear, concise naming that everyone in your organization understands ### Align with Business Structure - Consider structuring categories around your business units or departments - Align categories with how you report on business performance ### Consider the User Experience - Create categories that make sense from a user perspective - Think about how your team will filter and search for leads ### Review Periodically - Audit your categories every 6-12 months - Adjust categories as your business evolves or new opportunities emerge ## Example Lead Category Structure Here's an example category structure for a property management company: | Category | Description | Included Lead Types | |----------|-------------|---------------------| | Guest Services | Opportunities related to guests and their stays | Reservations, Guest Inquiries, Special Requests | | Property Acquisition | Opportunities to add new properties to portfolio | Owner Prospects, Property Listings, Partner Referrals | | Vendor Management | Opportunities with service providers | Maintenance, Cleaning, Amenities | | Marketing Partnerships | Promotional and cross-selling opportunities | Local Attractions, Event Venues, Activity Providers | ## Reporting on Lead Categories SendSquared provides several reports that utilize lead categories: 1. Navigate to **Reports → Lead Reports** 2. Select from available reports like: - Category Conversion Rates - Revenue by Category - Category Performance Trends These reports help you understand: - Which categories generate the most leads - Which categories have the highest conversion rates - The revenue impact of different categories - Performance trends over time by category ## Next Steps After setting up your lead categories, proceed to: - [Configure lead types](./lead-types) within each category - [Define lead statuses](./lead-statuses) for your lead workflow - [Set up your pipeline view](./pipeline-view) to visualize your leads --- ### Lead Types Learn how to create and manage lead types to track different categories of business opportunities URL: /docs/leads/lead-types # Lead Types Lead types in SendSquared allow you to categorize different kinds of business opportunities for tracking, filtering, and reporting. This guide explains how to set up and manage lead types effectively. ## Understanding Lead Types Lead types represent distinct business opportunity categories that your organization pursues. They allow you to: - Track different types of business opportunities separately - Apply specific statuses and workflows to each type - Generate targeted reports on performance by opportunity type - Filter and search leads based on their type Common examples of lead types include "Guest Reservations," "Owner Prospects," "Vendor Partnerships," or "Maintenance Requests." ## Accessing Lead Type Settings To manage your lead types: 1. Click on the profile icon in the upper right corner 2. Select **Global Settings** from the dropdown menu 3. Navigate to **Lead Settings** 4. Select the **Lead Types** tab ## Creating a New Lead Type To add a new lead type: 1. Click the **Add Lead Type** button 2. Fill out the following fields: - **Name**: A descriptive name for the lead type (e.g., "Owner Prospects") - **Category**: Select the lead category this type belongs to - **Description**: (Optional) Provide context for how this lead type is used - **Color**: Choose a color for visual identification in the pipeline 3. Click **Save** to create the lead type ## Configuring Lead Type Settings Each lead type can have specific settings that determine how it functions: ### Default Values You can set default values for various fields when this lead type is selected: - Default lead status - Default assignment - Default follow-up period - Default priority level ### Required Fields You can specify which fields are required for this lead type: - Contact information - Value fields - Custom fields - Follow-up settings ### Custom Fields You can create custom fields specific to this lead type: 1. Click **Add Custom Field** 2. Select the field type (text, number, date, dropdown, etc.) 3. Name the field 4. Set any default values 5. Specify if the field is required ## Managing Existing Lead Types From the Lead Types screen, you can: ### Edit a Lead Type 1. Find the lead type you want to modify 2. Click the **Edit** (pencil) icon 3. Update the settings as needed 4. Click **Save** to apply your changes ### Deactivate a Lead Type If you no longer need a lead type but don't want to delete it: 1. Find the lead type you want to deactivate 2. Toggle the **Active** switch to Off 2. Confirm the deactivation when prompted Deactivated lead types: - Won't appear in dropdown menus for new leads - Will still be visible in reports and on existing leads - Can be reactivated at any time ### Delete a Lead Type To permanently remove a lead type: 1. Find the lead type you want to remove 2. Click the **Delete** (trash) icon 3. Confirm the deletion when prompted Deleting a lead type that has existing leads will place those leads in an "Uncategorized" state. Consider deactivating instead of deleting if you have existing leads of this type. ## Lead Type Workflows Each lead type can have its own unique workflow: ### Associating Statuses with a Lead Type 1. Navigate to **Lead Statuses** in Lead Settings 2. When creating or editing a status, select which lead types it applies to 3. Arrange the order of statuses for each lead type to create a logical workflow This allows you to have different status sequences for different types of leads. For example: - A "Guest Reservation" might flow through: Inquiry → Quote Sent → Reserved → Stay Complete - An "Owner Prospect" might flow through: Initial Contact → Site Visit → Contract Negotiation → Signed ## Best Practices for Lead Types ### Tailor to Your Business Model - Create lead types that reflect your specific business operations - Consider the different customer journeys in your business ### Keep Naming Clear and Consistent - Use concise, descriptive names - Follow a consistent naming convention - Avoid acronyms that might confuse new users ### Limit the Number of Types - Start with only the essential lead types (3-7 typically) - Add more types only when clearly needed - Too many types can complicate reporting and confuse users ### Review and Refine - Periodically review the effectiveness of your lead types - Adjust based on user feedback and reporting needs - Archive outdated lead types rather than deleting them ## Example Lead Type Structure Here's an example lead type structure for a property management company: | Lead Type | Category | Description | Typical Workflow | |-----------|----------|-------------|------------------| | Guest Reservations | Guest Services | Inquiries about booking a stay | Inquiry → Quote → Booked → Checked-In → Completed | | Owner Prospects | Property Acquisition | Potential property owners interested in your management services | Lead In → Assessment → Proposal → Negotiation → Contract | | Maintenance Vendors | Vendor Management | Service providers for property maintenance | Screening → Selection → Contracted → Active → Review | | Local Partnerships | Marketing Partnerships | Local businesses for cross-promotion | Initial Contact → Meeting → Partnership Proposal → Agreement | ## Using Lead Types in Day-to-Day Operations ### Creating New Leads When creating a new lead: 1. Select the appropriate lead type from the dropdown 2. Notice how available statuses and fields change based on the type 3. Required fields will be marked for completion ### Filtering in Pipeline View In the pipeline view: 1. Use the lead type filter to focus on specific opportunity types 2. Switch between lead types to manage different aspects of your business 3. Save filtered views for quick access to common searches ### Reporting by Lead Type In the reports section: 1. Generate reports filtered by lead type 2. Compare performance across different lead types 3. Analyze conversion rates, cycle times, and value by lead type ## Next Steps After setting up your lead types, proceed to: - [Define lead statuses](./lead-statuses) for each type - [Configure lead categories](./lead-categories) to organize your lead types - [View the pipeline](./pipeline-view) to see your leads in action --- ### Lead Statuses Learn how to create and manage lead statuses to track the progression of leads through your sales pipeline URL: /docs/leads/lead-statuses # Lead Statuses Lead statuses in SendSquared define the stages that leads move through in your sales pipeline. They control the workflow of each lead and create the kanban board columns in your visual pipeline view. This guide explains how to set up and manage lead statuses effectively. ## Understanding Lead Statuses Lead statuses represent the current state of a lead in your sales process. They allow you to: - Track the progression of leads through your sales funnel - Visualize your pipeline with kanban boards - Create stage-appropriate tasks and follow-ups - Generate reports on pipeline health and conversion rates Lead statuses are specific to lead types, allowing you to create different workflows for different kinds of opportunities. ## Accessing Lead Status Settings To manage your lead statuses: 1. Click on the profile icon in the upper right corner 2. Select **Global Settings** from the dropdown menu 3. Navigate to **Lead Settings** 4. Select the **Lead Statuses** tab ## Creating a New Lead Status To add a new lead status: 1. Click the **Add Status** button 2. Fill out the following fields: - **Name**: A descriptive name for the status (e.g., "Initial Contact") - **Description**: (Optional) Provide context for when this status should be used - **Color**: Choose a color for visual identification in the pipeline - **Associated Lead Types**: Select which lead types can use this status - **Status Category**: Choose from: - **Open**: Lead is active and in progress - **Won**: Lead has successfully converted - **Lost**: Lead has been lost or abandoned - **Order**: Set the position of this status in the pipeline sequence 3. Click **Save** to create the status ## Status Categories Explained SendSquared uses three main status categories that affect how leads are handled: ### Open Statuses - Represent active leads still in progress - Appear in the active pipeline view - May require follow-up actions - Examples: "New Lead," "In Discussion," "Proposal Sent" ### Won Statuses - Represent successfully converted leads - Move leads to the "Won" section of reports - Typically trigger celebration or next steps - Examples: "Booked," "Contract Signed," "Deal Closed" ### Lost Statuses - Represent opportunities that didn't convert - When selected, prompt for a lost reason - Move leads to the "Lost" section of reports - Examples: "Declined," "No Response," "Chose Competitor" ## Configuring Status Workflows Every lead type can have its own sequence of statuses, creating a customized workflow: ### Setting Status Order 1. In the Lead Statuses screen, use the **Order** field to set the sequence 2. Lower numbers appear earlier in the pipeline 3. The same status can have different positions in different lead type workflows ### Creating a Logical Progression When designing your status sequence, consider: - The natural flow of your sales process - Key decision points and milestones - Handoff points between team members - When follow-ups should occur ## Managing Existing Statuses From the Lead Statuses screen, you can: ### Edit a Status 1. Find the status you want to modify 2. Click the **Edit** (pencil) icon 3. Update the settings as needed 4. Click **Save** to apply your changes ### Deactivate a Status If you no longer need a status but don't want to delete it: 1. Find the status you want to deactivate 2. Toggle the **Active** switch to Off 3. Confirm the deactivation when prompted Deactivated statuses: - Won't appear in dropdown menus for new leads - Will still be visible on existing leads and in reports - Can be reactivated at any time ### Delete a Status To permanently remove a status: 1. Find the status you want to remove 2. Click the **Delete** (trash) icon 3. Confirm the deletion when prompted Deleting a status that has existing leads will leave those leads without a status. You'll need to update those leads with a new status. Consider deactivating instead of deleting if you have existing leads with this status. ## Pipeline Visualization Lead statuses form the columns in your kanban board pipeline view: 1. Navigate to **Leads → Pipeline** 2. Select a lead type to view its pipeline 3. Each column represents a status in the sequence you defined 4. Leads move from left to right as they progress through your sales process 5. Use the drag-and-drop interface to move leads between statuses ## Automating Status Transitions You can set up automation rules based on status changes: ### Automatic Follow-ups 1. Navigate to **Automation → Lead Rules** 2. Create a rule triggered by a status change 3. Define the follow-up action (email, task, notification) ### Status-based Assignments 1. Configure rules to assign leads to specific team members based on status 2. Automatically notify the team when a lead reaches a critical status 3. Set SLA timers for response times at different statuses ## Best Practices for Lead Statuses ### Create a Clear Progression - Design statuses that follow a logical sequence - Make each status clearly distinct from others - Ensure the team understands when to move a lead to the next status ### Balance Detail and Usability - Include enough statuses to track key milestones - Avoid too many statuses that make the process cumbersome - Typically 5-8 statuses work well for most pipelines ### Use Consistent Naming - Create a naming convention for all statuses - Consider using action-oriented names ("Contacted" vs. "Contact") - Use similar status names across lead types where possible ### Regular Review and Optimization - Analyze which statuses have bottlenecks - Review conversion rates between statuses - Adjust based on team feedback and performance data ## Example Status Workflows Here are example status workflows for different lead types: ### Guest Reservation Lead Type 1. **New Inquiry** (Open) - Initial contact from potential guest 2. **Information Sent** (Open) - Rate information and availability shared 3. **Follow-up** (Open) - Actively engaging with the prospect 4. **Quote Sent** (Open) - Formal reservation quote has been sent 5. **Holding** (Open) - Tentative reservation, awaiting confirmation 6. **Booked** (Won) - Reservation confirmed and deposit received 7. **Cancelled** (Lost) - Reservation was booked but later cancelled 8. **Not Booked** (Lost) - Inquiry did not result in a booking ### Owner Prospect Lead Type 1. **New Lead** (Open) - Initial identification of potential property owner 2. **Initial Contact** (Open) - First outreach made 3. **Meeting Scheduled** (Open) - Property assessment planned 4. **Proposal Presented** (Open) - Management offer shared 5. **Negotiation** (Open) - Discussing terms and addressing concerns 6. **Contract Sent** (Open) - Final agreement sent for signature 7. **Signed** (Won) - Contract signed, property onboarding begins 8. **Lost** (Lost) - Owner decided not to proceed ## Reporting on Lead Statuses SendSquared provides several reports that utilize lead statuses: 1. Navigate to **Reports → Lead Reports** 2. Select from available reports like: - Conversion Rates by Status - Time in Status - Pipeline Value by Status - Status Transition Analysis These reports help you understand: - Where leads typically get stuck - How quickly leads move through each status - Which statuses have the highest drop-off rates - The value of your pipeline at each stage ## Next Steps After setting up your lead statuses, proceed to: - [Lead Types](./lead-types) to define different lead workflows - [Lead Categories](./lead-categories) to organize your lead types - [Pipeline View](./pipeline-view) to visualize your leads --- ### Pipeline Learn how to use the visual pipeline to track and manage your leads through their lifecycle URL: /docs/leads/pipeline-view # Understanding and Using the Pipeline The SendSquared Pipeline provides a visual kanban-style board to track leads through your sales process. This guide explains how to use the pipeline effectively to manage your opportunities. ## Accessing the Pipeline To access the pipeline view: 1. Navigate to **Sales** in the main menu 2. Select **Pipeline** from the submenu 3. The pipeline view will load with your current leads organized by status ## Pipeline Interface Overview The pipeline interface consists of several key elements: ### Filtering and Navigation At the top of the screen, you'll find filtering options: - **Select a Lead Category**: Filter by lead category - **Select a Lead Type**: Filter by lead type (e.g., Sales) - **Select Agents**: Filter by assigned agent - **Date Filters**: Filter by date range ### Status Columns The main board consists of columns representing each lead status: - Each column represents a status in your lead workflow - Status columns are arranged from left to right in the order you defined - Examples include: New Lead, Discovery Meeting Scheduled, Discovery Meeting Completed, etc. ### Lead Cards Within each column, you'll see cards representing individual leads: - Each card shows key information about the lead - Cards can be dragged between columns to update their status ## Understanding Lead Cards Each lead card in the pipeline displays important information at a glance: ### Card Elements - **Lead Name**: The name of the primary contact - **Company/Property**: The associated organization or property - **Value**: The estimated value of the opportunity - **Follow-up Date**: When the next follow-up is scheduled - **Assigned Agent**: Icon indicating who owns the lead - **Comments/Notes**: Indicator showing if there are notes attached - **Additional Fields**: Custom fields may appear depending on your setup ### Card Actions Hovering over a card reveals additional actions: - **Quick Edit**: Make changes without opening the full lead record - **View Details**: Open the complete lead record - **Add Note**: Quickly add a note to the lead - **Schedule Follow-up**: Set or update the follow-up date ## Working with the Pipeline ### Moving Leads Through Stages To update a lead's status: 1. Locate the lead card in its current status column 2. Click and drag the card to the appropriate new status column 3. Release to drop the card in the new column 4. The lead status will automatically update in the system This drag-and-drop functionality makes it easy to visually track a lead's progress through your sales process. ### Column Summaries At the top of each status column, you'll see summary information: - **Total Value**: The combined value of all leads in that status - **Total Leads**: The number of leads in that status This gives you a quick overview of your pipeline health and distribution. ### Sorting and Organizing Leads within each column can be organized: - By default, leads are sorted by follow-up date - You can manually arrange leads by dragging them up or down within a column - Prioritize your most important leads by moving them to the top ## Filtering the Pipeline The pipeline view can be filtered to focus on specific segments: ### Lead Category and Type Filters 1. Use the **Select a Lead Category** dropdown to filter by category 2. Use the **Select a Lead Type** dropdown to focus on specific types 3. The pipeline will update to show only leads matching your criteria ### Agent Filters 1. Click the **Select Agents** dropdown 2. Choose one or more agents to filter by 3. The pipeline will display only leads assigned to the selected agents ### Date Filters 1. Use the date range selectors to filter by: - Today (quick filter) - Start date to End date (custom range) 2. The pipeline will show leads with follow-up dates in the selected range ## Pipeline Best Practices ### Regular Pipeline Reviews - Schedule weekly pipeline reviews with your team - Discuss leads that haven't moved to the next stage - Identify bottlenecks in your sales process - Ensure all team members are updating lead statuses promptly ### Lead Prioritization - Focus on high-value leads first - Pay special attention to leads with upcoming follow-up dates - Identify and address stalled leads (those that haven't moved stages in a while) - Create a system for visual indicators (e.g., color coding for priority) ### Pipeline Management - Regularly clean up your pipeline by updating or archiving old leads - Set realistic follow-up dates to maintain an actionable pipeline - Use the summary values to track your pipeline health over time - Adjust your lead statuses if certain stages are consistently skipped or too crowded ## Example Pipeline Workflow Here's an example of how leads might flow through your pipeline: 1. **New Lead**: A new opportunity enters the pipeline 2. **Discovery Meeting Scheduled**: Initial consultation is set up 3. **Discovery Meeting Completed**: First meeting has occurred 4. **Full Demo Scheduled**: Product/service demonstration is planned 5. **Proposal Sent**: Formal offer has been provided 6. **Ownership**: Final negotiations and closing This workflow can be customized to match your specific sales process. ## Next Steps After becoming familiar with the pipeline view, explore these related features: - [Lead Overview](./lead-overview) - [Lead Statuses](./lead-statuses) - [Lead Types](./lead-types) --- ### Lead Management Comprehensive lead tracking system for managing sales pipeline, categorizing leads, tracking sources, visualizing pipeline progress, and optimizing conversion rates. URL: /docs/leads/lead-management Tags: leads, sales, pipeline, crm, lead-scoring, conversion, nurturing, sales-funnel # Lead Management The Lead Management system provides comprehensive tools for tracking, nurturing, and converting leads through your sales pipeline. It includes lead categorization, source tracking, status management, and pipeline visualization. ## Overview Lead Management enables you to: - Track leads through the entire sales cycle - Categorize and prioritize leads effectively - Monitor lead sources and ROI - Visualize pipeline progress - Automate lead nurturing - Analyze conversion metrics ## Lead Components ### Lead Categories Organize leads by type or business segment: - **Residential**: Home buyers/renters - **Commercial**: Business properties - **Investment**: Investment opportunities - **Referral**: Partner referrals - Custom categories based on your business #### Managing Categories 1. Navigate to **Settings** > **Lead Categories** 2. Click **Add Category** 3. Define: - Category name - Color coding - Default priority - Auto-assignment rules - Associated workflows ### Lead Sources Track where your leads originate: - **Online Sources**: - Website forms - Social media - PPC campaigns - Organic search - Email campaigns - **Offline Sources**: - Phone calls - Walk-ins - Events - Referrals - Print advertising #### Source Management 1. Go to **Settings** > **Lead Sources** 2. Create detailed source tracking: - Primary source - Sub-sources - Campaign attribution - Cost per source - Conversion tracking #### Source Analytics - ROI by source - Conversion rates - Lead quality scores - Time to conversion - Source trends over time ### Lead Status Management Track lead progress with customizable statuses: #### Default Statuses - **New**: Uncontacted leads - **Contacted**: Initial contact made - **Qualified**: Meets criteria - **Proposal**: Offer presented - **Negotiation**: Terms discussion - **Won**: Converted to customer - **Lost**: Did not convert #### Custom Status Configuration 1. Access **Settings** > **Lead Statuses** 2. Add custom statuses: - Status name and color - Position in pipeline - Automation triggers - Required fields - Time limits #### Status Workflows - Automatic status updates - Notification rules - Task creation - Follow-up scheduling - Escalation procedures ### Lead Types Classify leads by intention or product interest: - **Buyer**: Purchase intent - **Seller**: Listing interest - **Renter**: Rental inquiries - **Investor**: Investment opportunities - Custom types for your business #### Type Configuration - Set default workflows per type - Assign specialized teams - Create type-specific forms - Define conversion criteria - Track type performance ### Lost Reason Management Track why leads don't convert: #### Common Lost Reasons - **Price**: Budget constraints - **Timing**: Not ready to buy - **Competition**: Chose competitor - **No Response**: Unable to contact - **Not Qualified**: Doesn't meet criteria - **Location**: Geographic mismatch #### Lost Reason Analytics - Identify improvement areas - Track reason trends - Agent performance insights - Product/service feedback - Win-back opportunities ## Pipeline Management ### Pipeline Views Visualize your lead flow: #### Kanban Board - Drag-and-drop lead cards - Visual status progression - Quick actions per card - Filter by multiple criteria - Bulk actions #### List View - Detailed lead information - Sortable columns - Advanced filtering - Bulk operations - Export capabilities #### Calendar View - Follow-up scheduling - Activity timeline - Task deadlines - Appointment booking - Event tracking ### Pipeline Customization - Create multiple pipelines - Industry-specific stages - Probability percentages - Value calculations - Time-in-stage tracking ### Pipeline Automation - Auto-move based on actions - Stage-specific tasks - Email sequences - Notification rules - SLA monitoring ## Lead Scoring ### Automatic Scoring Points assigned based on: - Demographic fit - Behavioral actions - Engagement level - Source quality - Time factors ### Score Components - **Profile Completeness**: Data quality - **Engagement**: Email, call, web activity - **Intent Signals**: Form submissions, downloads - **Fit Score**: Ideal customer match - **Activity Recency**: Recent interactions ### Using Lead Scores - Prioritize follow-ups - Route to appropriate agents - Trigger automations - Segment campaigns - Forecast conversions ## Lead Assignment ### Assignment Rules Automatically distribute leads based on: - Geographic territory - Product expertise - Workload balance - Performance metrics - Round-robin - Lead score thresholds ### Manual Assignment - Reassign leads - Team collaboration - Temporary coverage - Escalation paths - Assignment history ## Lead Nurturing ### Automated Workflows Create sequences for: - Welcome series - Educational content - Product information - Event invitations - Re-engagement campaigns ### Personalization - Dynamic content - Behavioral triggers - Stage-specific messaging - Interest-based content - Timing optimization ### Multi-channel Nurturing - Email campaigns - SMS follow-ups - WhatsApp messages - Phone call scheduling - Direct mail integration ## Lead Conversion ### Conversion Process 1. **Qualification**: Verify lead quality 2. **Needs Analysis**: Understand requirements 3. **Solution Presentation**: Present offerings 4. **Objection Handling**: Address concerns 5. **Close**: Finalize agreement 6. **Handoff**: Transition to customer success ### Conversion Tracking - Conversion rates by: - Source - Type - Agent - Campaign - Time period - Revenue attribution - Cycle time analysis ## Analytics and Reporting ### Lead Reports - **Volume Reports**: Lead flow over time - **Source Analysis**: Performance by origin - **Conversion Funnel**: Stage-by-stage analysis - **Agent Performance**: Individual/team metrics - **ROI Reports**: Revenue vs. cost analysis ### Key Metrics - Lead velocity - Conversion rates - Average deal size - Sales cycle length - Cost per acquisition - Lifetime value ### Dashboards - Real-time metrics - Customizable widgets - Drill-down capabilities - Scheduled reports - Mobile access ## Best Practices ### Lead Capture - Optimize forms for conversion - Use progressive profiling - Implement lead magnets - A/B test landing pages - Track form analytics ### Response Time - Set SLA goals - Automate initial response - Route by urgency - Monitor response times - Alert on delays ### Data Quality - Required field validation - Duplicate prevention - Regular data cleaning - Enrichment services - Standardized formats ### Team Collaboration - Shared lead notes - Activity history - Task assignments - Internal messaging - Handoff protocols ## Integration Features ### CRM Integration - Bi-directional sync - Field mapping - Conflict resolution - Real-time updates - Historical data ### Marketing Tools - Campaign attribution - Lead scoring sync - Behavioral tracking - Form integration - Analytics sharing ### Communication Platforms - Email integration - Call system connection - SMS capabilities - Chat integration - Social media monitoring ## Mobile Lead Management ### Mobile App Features - Lead capture on-the-go - Quick actions - Offline capability - Push notifications - Voice notes ### Field Sales Support - Route planning - Check-in features - Document scanning - Signature capture - Real-time updates --- ### Reservations Management Complete booking system for managing reservations, tracking availability, identifying booking gaps, and optimizing occupancy rates across properties and services. URL: /docs/leads/reservations-management Tags: leads, reservations, bookings, availability, occupancy, gap-analysis, property-management, revenue-optimization # Reservations Management The Reservations Management system provides comprehensive tools for handling bookings, managing availability, tracking reservation gaps, and optimizing occupancy across your properties or services. ## Overview Reservations Management enables you to: - Handle bookings across multiple properties/services - Track availability in real-time - Identify and fill reservation gaps - Manage guest information - Process payments and deposits - Generate booking confirmations ## Reservation Types ### Accommodation Reservations - Hotel rooms - Vacation rentals - Short-term rentals - Corporate housing - Extended stays ### Service Reservations - Tours and activities - Equipment rentals - Meeting spaces - Amenities - Transportation ### Event Reservations - Venue bookings - Catering services - Event packages - Group bookings - Special occasions ## Creating Reservations ### New Reservation Process 1. Navigate to **Reservations** > **New Reservation** 2. Select property/service 3. Choose dates and times 4. Enter guest information 5. Add special requests 6. Process payment 7. Send confirmation ### Reservation Details #### Guest Information - **Primary Guest**: Name, contact details - **Additional Guests**: Names and ages - **Contact Methods**: Email, phone, address - **Preferences**: Special requirements - **History**: Previous stays #### Booking Information - Check-in/out dates - Number of nights - Room/unit type - Rate plan - Total cost - Payment status #### Special Requests - Early check-in - Late checkout - Bed preferences - Dietary restrictions - Accessibility needs ## Reservation List Management ### List View Features The reservation list provides: - All active reservations - Filter by status - Sort by date - Search functionality - Quick actions ### Reservation Statuses - **Pending**: Awaiting confirmation - **Confirmed**: Booking confirmed - **Checked In**: Guest arrived - **Checked Out**: Stay completed - **Cancelled**: Booking cancelled - **No Show**: Guest didn't arrive ### Quick Actions - View details - Modify reservation - Process payment - Send messages - Cancel booking - Check in/out ## Reservation Gap Management ### Understanding Gaps Reservation gaps are periods with no bookings that represent lost revenue opportunities. ### Gap List View The Reservation Gap List shows: - Unbooked periods - Gap duration - Lost revenue potential - Historical occupancy - Suggested actions ### Gap Analysis Features #### Identifying Gaps - Automatic gap detection - Visual calendar view - Gap size filters - Seasonal patterns - Trend analysis #### Gap Metrics - Number of gap nights - Average gap length - Revenue impact - Occupancy rate - Comparison periods ### Filling Gaps #### Strategies - **Dynamic Pricing**: Adjust rates for gaps - **Special Offers**: Create gap-filling promotions - **Last-Minute Deals**: Target spontaneous bookers - **Package Deals**: Bundle services - **Extended Stay Discounts**: Encourage longer bookings #### Automated Actions - Price adjustments - Marketing campaigns - Partner notifications - Social media posts - Email alerts ## Availability Management ### Calendar View Visual availability display: - Color-coded status - Drag-and-drop booking - Multi-property view - Rate variations - Minimum stay rules ### Availability Rules #### Booking Rules - Minimum/maximum stay - Arrival/departure days - Advance booking limits - Blackout dates - Seasonal restrictions #### Rate Management - Base rates - Seasonal pricing - Weekend rates - Dynamic pricing - Group rates ### Inventory Control - Room/unit allocation - Overbooking management - Maintenance blocks - Owner stays - Channel distribution ## Channel Management ### Distribution Channels - Direct bookings - OTA connections (Booking.com, Expedia) - Airbnb integration - Corporate accounts - Group bookings ### Channel Synchronization - Real-time availability updates - Rate parity management - Booking import - Inventory distribution - Commission tracking ## Payment Processing ### Payment Options - Credit/debit cards - Bank transfers - Payment plans - Deposits - Gift certificates ### Payment Workflow 1. **Deposit Collection**: Secure booking 2. **Balance Due**: Track remaining payment 3. **Payment Processing**: Charge cards 4. **Refunds**: Handle cancellations 5. **Reconciliation**: Match payments ### Financial Security - PCI compliance - Secure storage - Fraud detection - Chargeback handling - Payment verification ## Guest Communication ### Automated Messages - Booking confirmation - Pre-arrival information - Check-in instructions - During-stay follow-up - Post-stay feedback ### Communication Templates - Welcome messages - House rules - Local recommendations - Check-out procedures - Review requests ### Multi-channel Communication - Email - SMS - WhatsApp - In-app messaging - Phone integration ## Reporting and Analytics ### Occupancy Reports - Daily occupancy - Monthly trends - Year-over-year comparison - Forecast accuracy - Revenue per available room (RevPAR) ### Financial Reports - Revenue by period - Average daily rate (ADR) - Commission analysis - Payment reconciliation - Tax reports ### Guest Analytics - Source analysis - Repeat guest rate - Length of stay - Geographic distribution - Booking patterns ### Gap Analysis Reports - Gap frequency - Revenue loss - Fill rate success - Pricing effectiveness - Marketing ROI ## Mobile Management ### Mobile Features - View reservations - Process check-ins - Update availability - Communicate with guests - Access reports ### Field Operations - Mobile check-in - Digital signatures - Photo documentation - Issue reporting - Real-time updates ## Integration Features ### Property Management System (PMS) - Two-way sync - Unified inventory - Centralized rates - Guest profiles - Housekeeping status ### Revenue Management - Dynamic pricing engines - Competitor analysis - Demand forecasting - Rate optimization - Market data ### Accounting Integration - Automated invoicing - Revenue recognition - Tax calculation - Financial reporting - Accounts receivable ## Advanced Features ### Group Reservations - Room blocks - Group rates - Rooming lists - Master billing - Event coordination ### Corporate Accounts - Negotiated rates - Direct billing - Usage reports - Account management - Loyalty programs ### Package Management - Create packages - Bundle services - Promotional offers - Seasonal packages - Upsell opportunities ## Cancellation Management ### Cancellation Policies - Policy templates - Flexible options - Penalty calculations - Grace periods - Force majeure ### Cancellation Process - Policy enforcement - Refund calculations - Rebooking options - Waitlist management - Communication ## Best Practices ### Operational Efficiency - Streamline check-in/out - Automate communications - Optimize pricing - Monitor performance - Train staff regularly ### Guest Experience - Quick response times - Clear communication - Flexible policies - Personal touches - Issue resolution ### Revenue Optimization - Dynamic pricing - Channel diversification - Gap management - Upselling strategies - Direct booking incentives ## Troubleshooting ### Common Issues - **Double Bookings**: Check synchronization - **Payment Failures**: Verify card details - **Availability Errors**: Review channel settings - **Communication Gaps**: Check automation rules - **System Conflicts**: Audit integrations ### System Maintenance - Regular updates - Data cleanup - Performance monitoring - Backup procedures - Security patches --- ## Segments ### Quick SMS to a Segment Learn how to quickly send an SMS message to an entire group or segment of contacts directly from the Segments page. URL: /docs/segments/send-quick-sms # Send a Quick SMS to a Group or Segment Learn how to quickly send an SMS message to an entire group or segment of contacts directly from the Segments page. ## Overview The quick SMS feature allows you to instantly send a text message to all contacts within a specific segment or group without needing to create a full campaign. This is perfect for time-sensitive announcements, urgent updates, or simple communications to targeted audiences. ## Accessing Segments and Groups 1. Navigate to **Audience** from the left-hand sidebar 2. Select **Segments** or **Groups** from the submenu You'll see a list of all your segments and groups with the following information: - **Name** (on the left) - **Total** contacts - **Verified** contacts - **Subscribed** contacts - **Opted in SMS** contacts - **Subscribed SMS** contacts - **Sendable Email** contacts - **Sendable SMS** contacts :::tip Column Visibility You can toggle these columns on or off using the controls at the top of the list to customize your view. ## Sending a Quick SMS ### Step 1: Locate Your Target Segment or Group Find the segment or group you want to send an SMS to from the list. ### Step 2: Click the SMS Button On the far right of each row, you'll see several action buttons: - **Edit/View** - **SMS** - **Settings** cog Click the **SMS** button for your target segment or group. ### Step 3: Compose Your Message The **SMS Contact** modal will open with the following options: #### Text Message - Enter your message in the main text box - Keep in mind SMS character limits (160 characters for standard SMS) #### From Number - Select which phone number to send from using the dropdown - This will be one of your configured business phone numbers #### Media Attachments - **Upload Asset**: Attach Images or other media files from your asset library #### Content Blocks and Templates - **Content Block**: Select from pre-saved response messages (formerly called Quick Replies) - **SMS Template**: Choose from your saved SMS templates to populate the message ### Step 4: Send Your Message Once you've composed your message and configured all settings: 1. Review your message for accuracy 2. Confirm the recipient count shows the expected number of contacts 3. Click **Send Message** to deliver the SMS to your entire segment or group ## Best Practices ### Message Content - Keep messages concise and clear - Include a clear call-to-action if needed - Consider time zones when sending to large audiences ### Timing - Avoid sending during late night or early morning hours - Consider your audience's location and typical active hours - Be mindful of business hours for professional communications ### Compliance - Ensure recipients have opted in to receive SMS messages - Include opt-out instructions when required - Follow local SMS marketing regulations ## Troubleshooting ### SMS Button Not Available - Verify the segment/group has contacts with valid phone numbers - Check that contacts have opted in to receive SMS messages - Ensure your account has SMS sending capabilities enabled ### Message Not Sending - Confirm your from number is properly configured - Check that the message doesn't exceed character limits - Verify you have sufficient SMS credits in your account ## Related Topics - [Segment Overview](segment-overview.md) - Learn about creating and managing segments - [SMS Campaigns](../campaigns/send-sms-campaign.md) - Create more detailed SMS campaigns - [SMS Editor](../sms/sms-editor-overview.md) - Advanced SMS message creation --- ### Segments Overview Learn how to create and manage segments to target specific contacts URL: /docs/segments/segment-overview # Segments Overview This guide provides an overview of creating and using segments in SendSquared. Segments allow you to create targeted lists for email marketing, one-off communications, or internal CRM purposes. ## Getting Started with Segments To access segments, navigate to: ``` Audience → Segments ``` Segments allow you to set parameters to find specific categories of contacts. They reference **all contacts** in your SendSquared account, not just reservations. Segments can be simple or complex depending on your needs—from finding contacts with a specific reservation type to adding multiple conditions to target a very specific group. ## Planning Your Segments Before creating a segment, it's helpful to write down what you're trying to accomplish. For example: > "I want to find people arriving between April 1st-April 30th that have not canceled and have a reservation type of owner." This planning helps you determine which conditions to add and what logic type to use. ## Understanding Segment Types SendSquared offers various condition types for building segments. Below is an overview of the main categories. For a comprehensive list of all available conditions, operators, and value types, see the [Condition Model for Segments and Automations](../reference-guides/segment-model). ### Property Segments Property segments reference contact properties such as: - First name - Last name - Address - Email - Phone number **Example Use Case:** Drive-in marketing for last-minute openings, targeting people within a specific driving radius by postal code. ### Reservation Segments The most common segment type, referencing all reservations from your PMS system: - Arrival/departure dates - Number of nights - Occupants - Future reservations - Unit information - Reservation type - Cancellation status ### Segment Type This allows you to reference other segments you've already built. For example: - "Is in segment" conditions - "Is not in segment" conditions This helps you build on existing segments without duplicating conditions. ### SMS Type Identifies contacts based on SMS conversations or when texts were received. ### SMS Opt Finds contacts who have opted in or out of specific SMS numbers. ### Tag Type Locates contacts with specific tags that you've manually applied. ### Lead Type Helps categorize leads based on information in SendSquared: - Lead status (follow-up, closed, etc.) - Lost reasons - Lead types For detailed information on all available condition fields, operators, and value types for each segment category, refer to the [Condition Model Reference](../reference-guides/segment-model). ## Understanding Logic Types Logic types determine how conditions relate to each other: ### AND Logic - Used when contacts must meet ALL conditions - Example: "Find contacts arriving after April 1st AND before April 30th" ### OR Logic - Used when contacts can meet ANY of the conditions - Example: "Find contacts in postal code 12345 OR postal code 67890" ### Logic Blocks - Conditions in the same block are connected with the same logic type - Different blocks are connected with AND logic - Organize related conditions in the same block for clarity ## Building a Segment Example Let's build the example segment mentioned earlier: 1. **Block 1: Arrival Date Range** (using AND logic within the block) - Condition 1: Reservation arrival is greater than or equal to April 1st - Condition 2: Reservation arrival is less than or equal to April 30th 2. **Block 2: Not Canceled** - Condition: Reservation canceled is Null 3. **Block 3: Reservation Type** - Condition: Reservation type equals Owner Time (or whatever value your PMS uses) 4. **Save and Name Your Segment** - Use a descriptive name like "April 1-30 Owner Time" ## Segment Processing After saving a segment: 1. The system will show "Loading" while it scans all contacts 2. Processing time varies from seconds to 15 minutes depending on complexity 3. Refresh your screen to see the completed segment and contact count ## Common Segment Use Cases - **Return Stay Marketing:** Has future reservation equals false - **Unit-Specific Communication:** Reservation unit equals [specific unit] - **Lead Follow-up Management:** Lead status equals follow-up - **Drive Market Targeting:** Contact postal code is in [list of zip codes] - **Lost Lead Recovery:** Lead lost reason equals "too expensive" ## Important Notes - Segments are **dynamic** and refresh approximately every 15 minutes - Contacts automatically enter or leave segments as they meet or no longer meet conditions - Reference your PMS exactly as values appear there (e.g., "Owner Time" vs. "O") - If you change unit names in your PMS, update them in SendSquared as well ## Best Practices - Start simple and experiment with different segment types - Use clear, descriptive naming conventions - Build segments in advance of when you'll need them (allow processing time) - Regularly review your segments to ensure they're still relevant - Use segments as building blocks for more complex targeting For a complete reference of all available segment conditions, operators, and value types, see the [Condition Model for Segments and Automations](../reference-guides/segment-model). For additional help with segments, contact [support@sendsquared.com](mailto:support@sendsquared.com) --- ## Inbox ### Inbox Overview Learn how to use the multi-channel inbox and communication features of the SendSquared dashboard URL: /docs/inbox/inbox-overview # Inbox Overview The SendSquared Inbox is a unified communication hub that consolidates all guest interactions across multiple channels - SMS, Email, WhatsApp, and Airbnb - into a single, manageable interface. This guide covers how to effectively use each channel and manage conversations across your team. ## The Multi-Channel Inbox The inbox provides a centralized location for managing all guest communications, with dedicated sections for each communication channel. Each channel maintains its own queue while sharing common features like assignment, notifications, and completion tracking. *The SendSquared inbox showing multiple communication channels* ### Accessing the Inbox 1. Log in to SendSquared with your agent credentials 2. Navigate to **Inbox** on the left-hand side menu 3. Select your desired channel: **SMS**, **Email**, **WhatsApp**, or **Airbnb** 4. Use filters to view assigned conversations, unread messages, or completed items ## Channel-Specific Features ### SMS Channel The SMS channel handles all text message conversations with guests and leads. Key features include: *SMS conversation interface showing message threading and contact details* - **Real-time messaging**: Instant delivery and receipt of text messages - **Message threading**: All messages with a contact are grouped in a single conversation - **Quick replies**: Access to pre-configured response templates - **Contact context**: View guest information and reservation details alongside the conversation - **Delivery status**: Track sent, delivered, and read receipts - **MMS support**: Send and receive images and multimedia content ### Email Channel The Email channel manages all email communications: *Email inbox showing message list and preview pane* #### Viewing and Managing Emails When viewing the email inbox, you'll see all messages configured to come directly into SendSquared: - **New/unread emails** appear with a bold indicator - **Read emails** are automatically marked but can be toggled back to unread - **Subject lines** and sender information are prominently displayed - **Preview text** shows the first lines of each message - **Attachments** are indicated with a paperclip icon #### Responding to Emails To reply to an email: 1. Select the email you want to respond to 2. Click the **Reply** button 3. Choose your **From** email address (important if responding as a specific agent) 4. Optionally select a pre-configured template 5. Edit the content as needed 6. Modify the subject line if necessary 7. Click **Send Message** or schedule the email for later delivery ### WhatsApp Channel The WhatsApp integration provides business messaging capabilities: - **Business API integration**: Full WhatsApp Business Platform support - **Rich media**: Send images, documents, and location information - **Template messages**: Use pre-approved message templates for proactive outreach - **Quick replies**: Suggested response buttons for common questions - **Status indicators**: See when messages are sent, delivered, and read ### Airbnb Channel The Airbnb channel syncs messages from your Airbnb listings: - **Automatic sync**: Messages from Airbnb are automatically imported - **Guest context**: See reservation details alongside conversations - **Response time tracking**: Monitor your Airbnb response rate - **Unified inbox**: Manage Airbnb messages without leaving SendSquared ### Email Templates You can use pre-designed templates when replying to emails: - Choose a template from the dropdown menu - Edit the template content as needed for personalization - If you select multiple templates, they will stack in the body (remember to delete unwanted templates) Not all email templates are available for replies by default. Your implementation rep or customer success rep will need to change the email type to make templates available for replies. ## Core Inbox Features ### Assignment System The assignment feature helps distribute work across your team efficiently: *Assignment dropdown showing team member options* #### How Assignment Works 1. **Unassigned conversations** appear in the general inbox queue 2. **Assign to yourself** to take ownership of a conversation 3. **Assign to team members** to distribute workload 4. **Reassign** conversations as needed for coverage or expertise 5. **Filter by assignment** to see only your assigned items or those of specific team members #### Assignment Best Practices - Assign high-priority conversations immediately - Use round-robin assignment for even distribution - Reassign when specialized knowledge is needed - Check assigned but incomplete items regularly ### Notification System Stay informed about new messages and important updates: #### Types of Notifications - **New message alerts**: Desktop and mobile push notifications - **Assignment notifications**: When conversations are assigned to you - **Mention alerts**: When team members @mention you in internal notes - **Response reminders**: For messages requiring timely responses #### Managing Notifications 1. Configure notification preferences in your user settings 2. Set quiet hours to avoid after-hours alerts 3. Choose between email, SMS, or push notifications 4. Customize alerts by channel or priority level ### Marking Conversations Complete Properly closing conversations keeps your inbox organized: *Interface showing how to mark conversations as complete* #### When to Mark Complete - Guest inquiry has been fully resolved - Reservation-related questions have been answered - Follow-up tasks have been created if needed - No further action is required #### Completing Conversations 1. Click the **Complete** checkbox or button 2. Add an internal note if needed for context 3. The conversation moves to the completed view 4. Can be reopened if the guest responds again #### Viewing Completed Items - Toggle the "Show Completed" filter to see closed conversations - Search completed items for reference - Review completion rates for performance tracking ## Advanced Features ### Internal Notes and Collaboration - Add internal notes to conversations for team context - @mention team members for attention - Share important information without guest visibility - Track conversation history and agent actions ### Bulk Actions - Select multiple conversations for bulk assignment - Mark multiple items as complete simultaneously - Apply tags or labels to groups of conversations - Export conversation data for reporting ### Search and Filters Powerful search capabilities help you find conversations quickly: - **Search by contact**: Name, email, or phone number - **Search by content**: Keywords within messages - **Filter by date**: Specific date ranges - **Filter by status**: New, unread, assigned, completed - **Filter by channel**: Focus on specific communication types - **Filter by tags**: Custom labels and categories ## Contact Profiles From both email and SMS views, you can access detailed contact profiles: 1. Click on the contact's name to view their profile 2. From the profile, you can: - See all communication history - Reply to emails and texts - View the email log for reference - Update missing contact information ## Content Blocks Content Blocks (formerly called Quick Replies) are templated responses for frequently asked questions or common communications, available for both email and SMS. ### Creating Content Blocks 1. Go to **Global Settings → Content Blocks** 2. Click **Add New Content Block** 3. Label the block with a descriptive name 4. Add your text content (can include unit descriptions, website links, etc.) 5. Set the status to **Active** 6. Click **Save** 7. Refresh your SendSquared session for the content block to appear in the dropdown menu ### Using Content Blocks When responding to a message: 1. Click on the Content Blocks dropdown menu 2. Select the appropriate content block 3. Edit if necessary before sending ## Workflow Best Practices ### Daily Inbox Management 1. **Start with unassigned**: Check for new unassigned conversations first 2. **Review your assignments**: Focus on conversations assigned to you 3. **Clear unread messages**: Ensure all new messages are addressed 4. **Complete resolved items**: Mark conversations complete as you finish them 5. **Reassign if needed**: Transfer conversations requiring different expertise ### Response Time Management - **SMS**: Aim to respond within 5 minutes during business hours - **Email**: Respond within 1 hour for urgent matters, 4 hours for general inquiries - **WhatsApp**: Match SMS response times for active conversations - **Airbnb**: Maintain response times to preserve Superhost status ### Team Coordination - **Use assignments** to clearly define ownership - **Add internal notes** for context and handoffs - **Set up notifications** to stay informed about assignments - **Review completed items** to learn from team responses - **Create templates** from successful responses ### Quality Assurance - **Proofread before sending** all responses - **Use templates as starting points**, then personalize - **Include all necessary information** in first response when possible - **Follow brand voice guidelines** consistently - **Escalate complex issues** to supervisors when appropriate ## Integration with Other Features ### CRM Integration - **Contact profiles**: Access full guest history from conversations - **Lead creation**: Convert inquiries into leads directly from inbox - **Reservation context**: View booking details alongside conversations - **Activity tracking**: All communications logged to contact records ### Automation Integration - **Trigger automations**: Inbox events can trigger automated workflows - **Auto-assignment rules**: Route conversations based on criteria - **Auto-responses**: Set up out-of-office and initial response messages - **Escalation rules**: Automatically escalate unresponded messages ### Reporting and Analytics - **Response time metrics**: Track team performance - **Volume reports**: Monitor message volume by channel - **Assignment analytics**: Review workload distribution - **Completion rates**: Measure conversation resolution ## Related Resources - [Assignment Paradigms](../paradigms/overview#assignment) - Deep dive into assignment strategies - [Notification Setup](../paradigms/overview#notifications) - Configure your notification preferences - [Content Block Templates](./setting-up-quick-replies) - Create and manage response templates - [Automation Overview](../automations/automation-overview) - Set up automation workflows --- ### Setting Up and Using Content Blocks Learn how to create and use Content Blocks to send consistent responses to customers URL: /docs/inbox/setting-up-quick-replies # Setting Up and Using Content Blocks Content Blocks (formerly called Quick Replies) allow you to send consistent standard responses via email or SMS to customers. These pre-written messages can be customized using text, tokens, or links that you frequently send to prospective and current guests. ## What Are Content Blocks? Content Blocks are pre-formatted response templates that can be quickly inserted into emails or SMS messages. They help: - Maintain consistent messaging across your team - Save time when sending common responses - Ensure accurate information is shared with customers Common use cases include: - Website links - Unit descriptions - Frequently asked questions - Booking policies - Directions and check-in information ## Creating Content Blocks To set up Content Blocks: 1. Navigate to **Global Settings** 2. Click on **Content Blocks** 3. Click **Add New Content Block** ### Configuration Options When creating a new Content Block, you'll need to provide: - **Block Name**: Give your Content Block a descriptive name that clearly identifies its purpose and type - Use a consistent naming convention to make finding specific blocks easier - Example: "FAQ - Pet Policy" or "Link - Booking Page" - **Block Type**: Select the type of communication this block will be used for - Email - SMS - Both - **Block Content**: Enter the actual text of your content block in the text box - You can include formatting, links, and tokens as needed - Keep blocks concise and focused on a single topic ## Best Practices for Content Blocks ### Content Organization - **Group similar blocks**: Create categories of blocks (FAQs, Policies, Links, etc.) - **Use clear naming conventions**: Make names descriptive and searchable - **Keep content updated**: Regularly review and update Content Blocks to ensure information is current ### Effective Content - Include personalization tokens where appropriate (guest name, reservation dates, etc.) - Keep messages conversational but professional - For longer information, consider linking to a webpage rather than including all details ## Using Content Blocks After setting up your Content Blocks: 1. **Refresh your session** to make the new blocks available 2. When composing an email or SMS: - Place your cursor where you want to insert the Content Block - Click the Content Blocks dropdown - Select the desired block from the list ### Advanced Usage - **Multiple blocks**: You can use as many Content Blocks in a single message as needed - **Combined with templates**: Content Blocks can be used in conjunction with email templates - **Customization**: After inserting a Content Block, you can edit the text to personalize it further ## Example Content Blocks Here are some examples of useful Content Blocks to consider creating: ### Booking Information ``` You can check availability and make a reservation directly on our website at: [YOUR BOOKING URL]. This will show you real-time availability and our best rates. ``` ### Check-in Details ``` Check-in time is 4:00 PM. Our office is located at [ADDRESS]. If you'll be arriving after 6:00 PM, please let us know so we can arrange for after-hours check-in. ``` ### Pet Policy ``` We do allow pets at select properties for an additional fee of $[AMOUNT] per night. Please note there is a maximum of 2 pets per property, and weight restrictions may apply. ``` ## Troubleshooting If you don't see your Content Blocks in the dropdown: - Make sure you've refreshed your session after creating the blocks - Check that you have permission to use Content Blocks - Verify the Content Block is configured for the communication type you're using (email or SMS) --- ## Campaigns ### Sending an Email Campaign Learn how to create and send email campaigns using your existing templates URL: /docs/campaigns/send-email-campaign Tags: campaigns, email, marketing, send, templates, scheduling # Sending an Email Campaign Once you've created and finalized your email templates, you're ready to send your first email campaign. This guide walks you through the process step-by-step. ## Prerequisites Before starting your email campaign: - ✅ Ensure you have at least one verified sending email address - ✅ Create and save your email template(s) - ✅ Build your recipient segments or groups - ✅ Test your email content for mobile responsiveness - ✅ Verify all links and merge tags work correctly ## Starting a New Campaign To begin creating a new email campaign: 1. Navigate to **Campaigns** in the main menu 2. Click the **New Email Campaign** button :::tip Pro Tip Schedule your campaigns during business hours (9 AM - 5 PM) in your recipients' time zones for optimal open rates. ## Selecting Your Template The first step is choosing which template to use for your campaign: 1. Browse through your available email templates 2. Select the template you want to use for this campaign 3. Click **Next** to proceed ## Making Last-Minute Edits After selecting your template, you'll have one final opportunity to make edits: 1. Review your email content and design 2. Make any necessary last-minute changes to the template Any changes made at this stage will **only** apply to this specific campaign. The original template in your template library will not be affected. 3. When you're satisfied with how the email looks, click **Next** ## Setting Campaign Details Now you'll configure the core details of your campaign: **Subject Line Best Practices** 1. Enter a **Subject Line** for your email - Keep it under 50 characters for mobile optimization - Use personalization tokens like `{{first_name}}` when appropriate - Avoid spam triggers (ALL CAPS, excessive punctuation!!!, "FREE") - A/B test different subject lines for better performance **Preview Text Optimization** 2. Add a **Preview Text** that will appear in recipients' inboxes - Use 35-90 characters for optimal display - Complement your subject line, don't repeat it - Create urgency or curiosity to encourage opens - This text appears after the subject in most email clients **Sender Configuration** 3. Select your **Sending Email Address** from the dropdown menu - This is especially important if you have multiple validated sending addresses - Use a recognizable sender name and email - Avoid "no-reply" addresses when possible - Consider using a person's name for higher engagement 4. Click **Next** to continue ## Selecting Recipients Next, determine who will receive your campaign: 1. Choose the **Groups** or **Segments** you want to target - You can select multiple groups or segments - The estimated recipient count will update as you make selections 2. Review the estimated number of recipients 3. Click **Next** to proceed to scheduling ## Scheduling Your Campaign Now you'll decide when to send your campaign: 1. Select the **Date** and **Time** when you want your campaign to be sent 2. Choose your sending method: - **Standard Send**: Delivers your email to all recipients at the scheduled time - **Smart Send**: Begins at the scheduled time but optimizes delivery for each recipient within the next 120 hours 3. Click **Next** to continue **Choosing Between Standard and Smart Send** When deciding between sending options: **Use Standard Send when:** - Your content is time-sensitive (sales, events, holiday promotions) - Your message has an expiration date - You need everyone to receive the information simultaneously - You're promoting a limited-time offer (like Black Friday sales) **Use Smart Send when:** - Your content is not time-sensitive (monthly newsletters, general updates) - You prioritize engagement rates over immediate delivery - You're sending evergreen content - You want to optimize for open rates Smart Send analyzes when each recipient is most likely to be active in their inbox and delivers your email during that optimal time window. ## Finalizing Your Campaign The last step is to name your campaign and schedule it: 1. Enter a **Campaign Name** - This is for internal use only and won't be visible to recipients - Use a descriptive name that will help you identify this campaign later 2. Review all campaign details 3. Click **Send Campaign** to schedule your campaign ## Viewing Scheduled Campaigns After scheduling your campaign: 1. Navigate to **Campaigns → All Campaigns** 2. You'll see your newly scheduled campaign in the list 3. The status will show as "Scheduled" with the planned send date and time ## Monitoring Campaign Performance Once your campaign begins sending: 1. Go to **Campaigns → All Campaigns** 2. Click on your campaign name to view its performance 3. You'll see metrics such as: - **Open rate**: Percentage of recipients who opened your email - **Click rate**: Percentage who clicked any link in your email - **Bounce rate**: Emails that couldn't be delivered - **Unsubscribe rate**: Recipients who opted out - **Delivery status**: Real-time sending progress **Understanding Your Metrics** **Industry Benchmarks** - **Average Open Rate**: 15-25% (varies by industry) - **Good Open Rate**: 25-35% - **Excellent Open Rate**: 35%+ **Click-Through Rates** - **Average CTR**: 2-5% - **Good CTR**: 5-10% - **Excellent CTR**: 10%+ **Warning Signs** - **High Bounce Rate** (above 5%): Clean your email list - **High Unsubscribe Rate** (above 1%): Review content relevance - **Low Open Rate** (below 10%): Check subject lines and sender reputation ## Understanding Email Attachments in Campaigns ### Why PDF Attachments Are Not Supported for Mass Campaigns SendSquared does not support attaching PDFs or other files to mass email campaigns. This intentional limitation protects your sender reputation and ensures maximum deliverability for your campaigns. **The Problem with Mass Email Attachments** **1. Spam Filter Triggers** - Major email providers (Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo) automatically flag bulk emails with attachments as potential spam - PDF attachments in mass emails are one of the strongest spam indicators - Even legitimate campaigns with attachments often land in spam folders - Spam filters have learned that 70%+ of malicious emails contain PDF attachments **2. Security Concerns** - PDFs can contain embedded malware, phishing links, or malicious scripts - Email providers scan attachments aggressively, often blocking entire campaigns - Recipients are increasingly wary of opening attachments from marketing emails - Corporate firewalls frequently block all mass emails with attachments **3. Deliverability Impact** - Attachments dramatically increase email size, triggering size-based filters - Large campaigns with attachments can damage your entire domain's sender reputation - ISPs (Internet Service Providers) throttle or block senders who include attachments in bulk mail - Once flagged as a spam sender, it can take months to rebuild reputation **4. Performance Issues** - Attachments increase email size by 10-100x, slowing delivery - Recipients on mobile devices may not download large emails - Email clients often block automatic attachment downloads - Increased bandwidth costs for both sender and recipients **5. Compliance and Legal Risks** - GDPR and privacy laws require extra consent for sending attachments - Attachments can't be easily unsubscribed from or deleted - Document tracking becomes complex with downloaded attachments - Risk of accidentally sending wrong or outdated documents to thousands **The Individual Email Exception** While mass campaigns don't support attachments, **individual emails sent through SendSquared do allow PDF attachments**. This distinction exists because: **One-to-One Communication Is Different:** - Individual emails with attachments appear legitimate to spam filters - Personal context makes attachments expected and welcome - No risk of mass distribution damaging sender reputation - Recipients are more likely to trust attachments in personal correspondence **When to Use Individual Email Attachments:** - Sending contracts or proposals to specific clients - Sharing personalized reports or invoices - Providing requested documents to individual contacts - Following up with specific attachments after a conversation **Better Alternatives to PDF Attachments in Campaigns** Instead of attaching PDFs to your mass campaigns, consider these proven alternatives that maintain high deliverability: **1. Hosted Documents with Link Tracking** ```html Download Our Complete Guide (PDF) ``` **Benefits:** - Full tracking of who downloads your document - Ability to update the document without resending emails - No impact on email deliverability - Can gate content behind forms for lead capture **2. Landing Pages with Embedded Content** Convert your PDF content into a responsive landing page: - Better mobile experience than PDFs - SEO benefits from indexed content - Interactive elements and videos possible - Built-in analytics and conversion tracking **3. Cloud Storage Links** Use services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or your own cloud storage: - Documents always up-to-date - Access control and expiration dates - No email size limitations - Professional appearance **4. Content Blocks Within Email** Include key PDF content directly in your email: - Immediate visibility without downloads - Higher engagement than attachment clicks - Mobile-optimized presentation - Direct call-to-action buttons **5. Resource Centers** Create a dedicated resource section on your website: - Central location for all documents - Better user experience for browsing multiple resources - Opportunity for content discovery - Lead nurturing through gated content **Implementation Examples** **❌ What Not to Do:** ``` Subject: Monthly Newsletter Attachment: newsletter_march_2024.pdf (2.5MB) Body: Please see attached newsletter... Result: 65% spam folder placement, 12% open rate ``` **✅ Recommended Approach:** ```html Subject: Your March Newsletter - New Resources Inside
Hi {{first_name}},
Your March newsletter is ready with exclusive insights on...
Read Newsletter OnlinePrefer PDF? Download PDF Version
Result: 98% inbox placement, 34% open rate, full download tracking ``` **Technical Considerations** **Email Size Limits Without Attachments** - **Gmail**: 25MB total, but flags anything over 102KB - **Outlook**: 20MB limit, warns at 10MB - **Yahoo**: 25MB limit, filters large emails aggressively - **Corporate**: Often 10MB or less, with attachment stripping **With SendSquared's Approach** - Average campaign email: 15-50KB - Fast delivery and rendering - No size-based filtering - Consistent cross-platform experience **Industry Statistics on Attachments** Research from major email service providers shows: - **Spam Classification**: Emails with PDF attachments are 5.6x more likely to be marked as spam - **Open Rates**: Campaigns without attachments have 23% higher open rates - **Click Rates**: Link-based resources get 42% more clicks than attachment downloads - **Mobile Impact**: 68% of mobile users won't download email attachments - **Security Concerns**: 91% of cyber attacks start with email attachments **FAQ About Email Attachments** **Q: But my competitors send PDFs in their email campaigns. Why can't I?** A: They're likely experiencing poor deliverability. Track their emails - you'll often find them in spam folders. Just because it's possible doesn't mean it's effective. **Q: What if my PDF is very small (under 100KB)?** A: Size isn't the primary issue - it's the presence of an attachment in bulk email that triggers filters. **Q: Can I send PDFs to a small list of 50 people?** A: Even small bulk sends with attachments risk spam classification. Use individual emails or hosted links instead. **Q: How do I track engagement without attachments?** A: Link tracking provides better analytics than attachments ever could, including download time, location, and repeat access. **Q: What about sending invoices or statements?** A: Transactional emails (invoices, statements) should be sent individually through your billing system or as one-to-one emails, not marketing campaigns. ## Best Practices for Email Campaigns **Timing Your Campaigns** - Consider your audience's time zone when scheduling - Business emails typically perform better on weekdays during business hours - Test different send times to find what works best for your audience **Subject Lines** - Keep subject lines under 50 characters - Avoid spam trigger words ("Free," "Act Now," excessive punctuation) - Create a sense of value or urgency - Consider personalizing with recipient's name or location **Campaign Testing** - Send test emails to yourself before scheduling - Preview your email on both desktop and mobile devices - Check all links to ensure they work properly - Verify that personalization tokens resolve correctly **Follow-Up** - Plan for follow-up campaigns based on engagement - Consider sending a targeted follow-up to non-openers - Analyze performance metrics to improve future campaigns ## Common Mistakes to Avoid **Before Sending** - ❌ **Not testing on mobile devices** - Over 50% of emails are opened on mobile - ❌ **Forgetting to proofread** - Typos damage credibility - ❌ **Missing unsubscribe link** - Required by law (CAN-SPAM, GDPR) - ❌ **Using purchased email lists** - High bounce rates, spam complaints - ❌ **Ignoring time zones** - Sending at 3 AM local time **Content Mistakes** - ❌ **Image-only emails** - Many email clients block images by default - ❌ **Broken links** - Always test every link before sending - ❌ **Generic messaging** - Personalize content for better engagement - ❌ **Too many CTAs** - Focus on one primary action - ❌ **Misleading subject lines** - Damages trust and increases unsubscribes **Technical Mistakes** - ❌ **Not authenticating domain** - Poor deliverability without SPF/DKIM - ❌ **Sending to entire list at once** - Segment for better results - ❌ **Ignoring bounces** - Clean your list regularly - ❌ **Not tracking results** - Can't improve what you don't measure - ❌ **Same sender name always** - Test personal vs. company names ## Quick Campaign Checklist Before hitting send, verify: - [ ] Subject line is compelling and under 50 characters - [ ] Preview text complements the subject line - [ ] All links tested and working - [ ] Images have alt text - [ ] Mobile preview looks good - [ ] Personalization tokens tested - [ ] Unsubscribe link present - [ ] Sending time is optimal for recipients - [ ] Target segment is correct - [ ] Test email sent to team - [ ] Grammar and spelling checked - [ ] Call-to-action is clear - [ ] From name and email are recognizable - [ ] Reply-to address is monitored --- ### Common Campaign Error Codes Understanding and resolving common error codes when sending campaigns URL: /docs/campaigns/common-error-codes Tags: campaigns, errors, troubleshooting, email, sms, postcard, debugging # Common Campaign Error Codes When sending email campaigns, you may occasionally encounter error messages. This guide explains the most common campaign errors, their causes, and how to resolve them. ## Contact-Related Errors ### No Contacts to Process **Error Message:** "Campaign has no contacts to process for any of its groups" **Cause:** This error occurs when you've created a campaign but the selected groups contain no valid contacts who can receive your message. **Resolution:** 1. Check that your selected groups contain contacts 2. Verify that contacts in these groups have valid contact information (email addresses for email campaigns, phone numbers for SMS campaigns) 3. Consider creating a new segment with valid contacts ### Invalid Contact Data **Error Message:** "Contact [ID] has no primary email address" **Cause:** The campaign includes contacts who don't have a primary email address assigned. **Resolution:** 1. Update contact records to include primary email addresses 2. Create a segment that filters for contacts with email addresses 3. Use contact validation tools to identify incomplete records ### Unvalidated Email Addresses **Error Message:** "Contact [ID] primary email is not validated" **Cause:** Contacts in your campaign have email addresses that haven't been validated yet. **Resolution:** 1. Run the email validation process on your contact list 2. Create a segment that only includes contacts with validated emails 3. Remove unvalidated emails from your campaign segments ### Contact Communication Preferences **Error Message:** "Contact [ID] is not allowed to receive email" **Cause:** Some contacts in your campaign have the "don't send email" flag enabled in their preferences. **Resolution:** 1. Respect these preferences and exclude these contacts from campaigns 2. Create segments that filter out contacts who have opted out of communications 3. Review your opt-in procedures to ensure clear consent ## Template-Related Errors ### Template Formatting Issues **Error Message:** "Template formatting issue" **Cause:** The selected template contains merge tags or formatting that cannot be properly compiled. **Resolution:** 1. Check your template for broken or incorrect merge tags 2. Test the template with a sample contact 3. Verify that all merge tags reference valid contact fields ### Missing Unsubscribe Link **Error Message:** "No unsubscribe link found. Force added one at the end of the template" **Cause:** Your email template doesn't include the required unsubscribe link. **Resolution:** 1. Add an unsubscribe link to your template using the following format: ```html Unsubscribe ``` 2. Place the unsubscribe link in your template footer 3. Check campaign preview to verify the unsubscribe link appears correctly ## Account Limit Errors ### Daily Sending Limit **Error Message:** "Daily send limit would be reached by this campaign" or "Max daily send limit reached" **Cause:** Your campaign would exceed your account's daily email sending limit. **Resolution:** 1. Reduce the size of your campaign 2. Split the campaign into smaller batches sent over multiple days 3. Upgrade your plan to increase your daily sending limits 4. Wait until the daily metrics reset (occurs automatically every 24 hours) ### Monthly Sending Limit **Error Message:** "Monthly send limit would be reached by this campaign" or "Max monthly send limit reached" **Cause:** Your campaign would exceed your account's monthly email sending limit. **Resolution:** 1. Reduce the size of your campaign 2. Delay some campaigns until the next billing cycle 3. Upgrade your subscription to increase monthly limits 4. Wait until the monthly metrics reset (occurs automatically each month) ### Email Quality Issues **Error Message:** "Max complaints reached" **Cause:** Your account has reached the maximum allowed complaint rate for email sends. This occurs when recipients mark your emails as spam. **Resolution:** 1. Review your email content for spam triggers 2. Ensure your contact list consists of people who have opted in 3. Implement a sunset policy for unengaged contacts 4. Wait until the daily complaint metric resets **Error Message:** "Max bounces reached" **Cause:** Your account has reached the maximum allowed bounce rate for email sends. This occurs when emails cannot be delivered due to invalid addresses. **Resolution:** 1. Clean your contact list to remove invalid email addresses 2. Implement regular email validation processes 3. Remove contacts with a history of bounces 4. Wait until the daily bounce metric resets ## Subscription-Related Errors ### Inactive Subscription **Error Message:** "Subscription is not active for this company" or "Company subscription is not active" **Cause:** Your account's subscription is not active, preventing campaign sending. **Resolution:** 1. Check your subscription status in billing settings 2. Update payment information if necessary 3. Contact customer support to resolve subscription issues ### Email Features Disabled **Error Message:** "Email is disabled for company" **Cause:** The email feature has been disabled for your company account. This can happen for several reasons: 1. **Manual Administrative Action**: An administrator may have disabled email sending for your account 2. **Automatic Disabling Due to Bounces**: The system automatically disables email when your account exceeds the maximum allowed bounce rate 3. **Automatic Disabling Due to Complaints**: The system automatically disables email when your account exceeds the maximum allowed complaint rate **How automatic disabling works:** - Each account has configurable thresholds for daily bounce and complaint rates - The system continuously monitors these metrics for all outgoing emails - When either metric exceeds your account's threshold, a safety mechanism is triggered - This safety feature automatically disables email sending for your account - The system records the reason for disabling (either "Bounce Limit Exceeded" or "Complaint Limit Exceeded") **Understanding bounce and complaint metrics:** - **Bounces**: Occur when emails cannot be delivered to the recipient's inbox - **Complaints**: Occur when recipients mark your emails as spam - The system tracks these metrics daily and resets them every 24 hours - When either metric exceeds your account's threshold, email sending is automatically disabled **Resolution:** 1. Review your bounce and complaint reports to identify problematic contacts or email content 2. Clean your contact lists to remove invalid email addresses 3. Improve email content to reduce the likelihood of spam complaints 4. Wait for the daily metrics to reset (happens automatically every 24 hours) 5. Contact support to request manual re-enabling of your email feature 6. Consider implementing better email validation practices to prevent future issues ### Missing Company Information **Error Message:** "Company is missing or no subscription or no metrics" **Cause:** The system cannot find necessary company information, subscription details, or metrics needed to process your campaign. **Resolution:** 1. Verify your company profile is complete 2. Confirm you have an active subscription 3. Contact support if you believe this is an error in the system ## Import-Related Errors ### Pending Imports **Error Message:** "At least one group had a pending import at action build time" **Cause:** You're trying to send a campaign to a group that still has contacts being imported. **Resolution:** 1. Wait for all imports to complete before sending the campaign 2. Check import status in the Groups section 3. The system will automatically retry this campaign once imports are complete ## Technical Errors ### Invalid Action Type **Error Message:** "Campaign tried to build action on a [Action Type]" **Cause:** The campaign is attempting to use an action type that isn't supported for campaigns. **Resolution:** 1. Select a valid campaign action type (Email, SMS, Postcard) 2. Contact support if you believe this is a system error ### Invalid Template Reference **Error Message:** "[Type] Template with id [ID] is not valid" **Cause:** The campaign references a template that doesn't exist or is invalid. **Resolution:** 1. Select a different template for your campaign 2. Verify that the template hasn't been deleted 3. Create a new template if needed ## Best Practices to Avoid Errors ### Pre-Campaign Checklist - Validate your contact list before sending - Test your template with a sample contact - Verify that all selected groups contain valid contacts - Check that you have sufficient sending capacity in your plan - Ensure all imports are completed before scheduling ### Regular Maintenance - Clean your contact database regularly - Remove invalid email addresses - Update contact preferences based on engagement - Archive old or unused templates - Monitor your sending reputation ### When to Contact Support If you encounter persistent errors not covered in this guide, contact support with: 1. The campaign ID (found in the campaign URL) 2. The specific error message 3. Steps you've already taken to resolve the issue 4. Screenshots of the error if available --- ### Sending a Postcard Campaign Learn how to create and send physical postcard campaigns to your contacts URL: /docs/campaigns/send-postcard-campaign Tags: campaigns, postcard, direct-mail, marketing, send, physical # Sending a Postcard Campaign SendSquared allows you to send physical postcards to your contacts, providing a tangible touchpoint that can complement your digital marketing efforts. This guide walks you through creating and sending postcard campaigns. ## Understanding Postcard Campaigns Postcard campaigns offer several unique benefits: - Higher engagement rates than digital-only communications - Tangible reminders of your business that remain in customers' homes - Ability to reach customers who are less digitally engaged - Stand out from the digital noise in customers' inboxes ## Starting a New Postcard Campaign To begin creating a new postcard campaign: 1. Navigate to **Campaigns** in the main menu 2. Click the dropdown next to "New Campaign" 3. Select **New Postcard Campaign** ## Selecting a Template Choose a template for your postcard: 1. Browse the available postcard templates 2. Select the template that best fits your campaign goals 3. Click **Next** to proceed *If you haven't created postcard templates yet, you can do so under **Templates → Postcard Templates*** ## Designing Your Postcard After selecting a template, you'll enter the design editor: 1. Customize the template with your images and text 2. Design both the front and back of the postcard - Front: Usually features an eye-catching image with minimal text - Back: Contains your main message, contact information, and recipient address area 3. Use the preview tool to see how your postcard will look when printed 4. Click **Next** when you're satisfied with the design Remember to leave space for the recipient's address and postage on the back of the postcard. The editor will indicate these reserved areas with outlined boxes. ## Setting Campaign Details Configure the core details of your campaign: 1. Enter a **Campaign Name** (internal use only) 2. Select your **Return Address** from the dropdown menu 3. Add any special instructions for printing or mailing 4. Click **Next** to continue ## Selecting Recipients Determine who will receive your postcard campaign: 1. Choose the **Groups** or **Segments** you want to target - Ensure selected contacts have valid mailing addresses - The system will flag contacts with incomplete address information 2. Review the estimated number of recipients 3. Click **Next** to proceed to scheduling Only contacts with complete mailing addresses will receive postcards. Before sending, verify that your target audience has valid, complete address information. ## Scheduling Your Campaign Now you'll decide when to send your campaign: 1. Select the **Date** when you want your campaign to be sent - This is when the postcards will be processed and sent to the printer - Allow 5-7 business days for printing and delivery 2. Choose a **Priority** level (if available): - Standard: Normal processing time - Rush: Expedited printing and mailing (additional fees apply) 3. Click **Next** to continue ## Reviewing and Confirming Before finalizing your campaign: 1. Review all aspects of your postcard campaign: - Design preview - Recipient count - Estimated cost - Scheduled send date 2. Make any necessary adjustments by going back to previous steps 3. Click **Confirm and Send** to schedule your campaign ## Monitoring Campaign Status After scheduling your campaign: 1. Navigate to **Campaigns → All Campaigns** 2. Filter by "Postcard" to see your postcard campaigns 3. The status will update as your campaign progresses: - Scheduled - Processing - Printing - Mailed - Completed ## Tracking Delivery and Performance SendSquared provides tracking information for your postcard campaigns: 1. Click on your campaign name in the All Campaigns list 2. View the campaign dashboard to see: - Number of postcards successfully mailed - Delivery timeline - Any address issues or returned mail - Campaign cost breakdown ## Best Practices for Postcard Campaigns ### Design Considerations - Use high-resolution images (at least 300 DPI) - Limit text to key messages—postcards are visual media - Ensure text is large enough to read easily - Include a clear call to action - Maintain brand consistency with your other marketing materials ### Timing Your Campaigns - Allow sufficient time for printing and delivery - Consider seasonal factors that might affect mail delivery - Coordinate postcard campaigns with your digital marketing efforts for maximum impact ### Address Verification - Regularly update contact addresses in your database - Run address verification before major campaigns - Consider using NCOA (National Change of Address) updates for your database ### Measuring Success - Create unique tracking URLs or QR codes for your postcards - Use specific phone extensions or landing pages to track responses - Send follow-up surveys to gauge campaign impact - Track increases in website traffic or phone calls following delivery --- ### Sending a SMS Campaign Learn how to create and send SMS campaigns to engage with your contacts via text message URL: /docs/campaigns/send-sms-campaign Tags: campaigns, sms, text-messaging, marketing, send, mobile # Sending an SMS Campaign SMS campaigns can achieve significantly higher open and engagement rates than email, making them perfect for time-sensitive communications. This guide walks you through creating and sending SMS campaigns in SendSquared. ## Understanding SMS Campaigns SMS (text message) campaigns have several advantages: - 98% open rates, typically within minutes of receipt - Direct delivery to your contacts' most personal device - Brief, concise messaging that demands attention - Ideal for time-sensitive information and urgent updates ## Starting a New SMS Campaign To begin creating a new SMS campaign: 1. Navigate to **Campaigns** in the main menu 2. Click the dropdown next to "New Campaign" 3. Select **New SMS Campaign** ## Selecting a Template or Creating a Message You have two options for your SMS campaign: ### Using a Template 1. Select the **Use Template** option 2. Browse available SMS templates 3. Choose the template you want to use 4. Click **Next** ### Creating a Custom Message 1. Select the **Create Custom** option 2. Enter your message in the text field 3. Use the personalization tokens if needed (e.g., {'{first_name}'}) 4. Click **Next** ## Setting Campaign Details Configure the core details of your campaign: 1. Enter a **Campaign Name** (for internal reference only) 2. Select your **Sending Phone Number** from the dropdown menu - This must be a validated number in your SendSquared account 3. If applicable, customize the **Opt-out Message** - The default is typically "Reply STOP to unsubscribe" - This is required by regulations in most countries 4. Click **Next** to continue SMS campaigns are subject to strict regulations. Ensure your message includes required opt-out instructions and that all recipients have explicitly opted in to receive SMS communications. ## Selecting Recipients Determine who will receive your SMS campaign: 1. Choose the **Groups** or **Segments** you want to target - Ensure selected contacts have valid mobile phone numbers - Verify that contacts have opted in to receive SMS communications 2. Review the estimated number of recipients 3. Click **Next** to proceed to scheduling ## Scheduling Your Campaign Now you'll decide when to send your campaign: 1. Select the **Date** and **Time** when you want your SMS campaign to be sent 2. Choose your sending method: - **Standard Send**: Delivers your message to all recipients at the scheduled time - **Staggered Send**: Delivers messages in batches over a specified period to prevent overwhelming your team with responses 3. If choosing Staggered Send, specify: - The duration over which to send (e.g., 2 hours) - The batch size (e.g., 50 messages per batch) 4. Click **Next** to continue ### When to Use Staggered Send Staggered Send is particularly useful when: - You expect recipients to respond or take action - You have limited staff to handle incoming responses - You want to spread out the load on your customer service team - You're sending to a very large audience ## Reviewing and Confirming Before finalizing your campaign: 1. Review all aspects of your SMS campaign: - Message content - Sending number - Recipient count - Scheduled send time - Estimated cost (based on message length and recipient count) 2. Make any necessary adjustments by going back to previous steps 3. Click **Confirm and Send** to schedule your campaign ## Monitoring Campaign Status After scheduling your campaign: 1. Navigate to **Campaigns → All Campaigns** 2. Filter by "SMS" to see your text message campaigns 3. The status will show as "Scheduled" with the planned send date and time ## Tracking Responses One of the advantages of SMS campaigns is the ability to receive direct responses: 1. Navigate to **Inbox → SMS** 2. Responses to your campaign will appear here 3. You can reply directly to individual responses 4. Set up notifications to alert your team when responses come in ## Best Practices for SMS Campaigns ### Message Content - Keep messages under 160 characters when possible to avoid splitting - Be clear and concise—get to the point immediately - Include a clear call to action - Personalize when appropriate (e.g., include recipient's name) - Always identify your business—never send anonymous texts ### Timing Considerations - Send during appropriate hours (typically 8am-8pm in recipient's time zone) - Avoid early mornings, late evenings, and major holidays - Consider the urgency of your message when selecting send time - Leave adequate time between SMS campaigns to avoid message fatigue ### Compliance Requirements - Only send to contacts who have explicitly opted in to receive SMS - Always include opt-out instructions - Honor opt-out requests immediately - Maintain records of opt-ins and opt-outs - Be aware of frequency limitations in your jurisdiction ### Response Management - Have team members ready to respond to incoming messages - Create templated responses for common questions - Set expectations for response times - Use conversation history to provide personalized service ## SMS Campaign Use Cases - **Appointment Reminders**: Reduce no-shows with timely reminders - **Flash Sales**: Drive immediate action for limited-time offers - **Event Updates**: Send last-minute changes or important information - **Delivery Notifications**: Update customers on order status - **Service Outage Alerts**: Quickly notify affected customers - **Reservation Confirmations**: Provide peace of mind for guests - **Payment Reminders**: Reduce late payments with gentle nudges --- ### Using the View in Browser Feature Learn how the View in Browser feature works and how to use it effectively in your email campaigns URL: /docs/campaigns/view-in-browser Tags: campaigns, email, view-in-browser, features, troubleshooting # Using the View in Browser Feature The "View in Browser" feature allows recipients to see your email content in their web browser instead of their email client. This guide explains how this feature works and how to use it effectively. ## Understanding View in Browser The "View in Browser" feature serves several important purposes: 1. Provides a way for recipients to view your email if it doesn't display correctly in their email client 2. Creates a web-accessible version of your personalized email 3. Allows recipients to view the email content even after deleting the email ## How View in Browser Works ### In Campaign Reports vs. Recipient Experience There's an important distinction between how emails appear in different contexts: 1. **Campaign Report View**: When you click "View in Browser" from a campaign report, you'll see the original template without personalization tokens replaced. This is because this view isn't connected to a specific contact. 2. **Recipient Experience**: When a recipient clicks "View in Browser" in their email, they see a fully personalized version with all tokens replaced with their specific information, including proper footer branding. To see exactly what a specific recipient received, navigate to their contact record, find the email in their email log, and view it there. ## Adding View in Browser to Your Templates To include a "View in Browser" link in your email templates: 1. Open your email template in the editor 2. Place your cursor where you want the link to appear (typically near the top of the email) 3. Click the "Special Links" dropdown in the editor toolbar 4. Select "View in Browser" 5. Customize the link text if desired (default is "View in Browser") ## Best Practices for View in Browser ### Placement - Position the link near the top of your email (typically in the preheader area) - Use clear, recognizable text like "View in Browser," "View as Webpage," or "View Online" - Consider adding brief context such as "Having trouble viewing this email? View in Browser" ### Design Considerations - Make the link noticeable but not distracting - Ensure the link appears in a similar location across all your templates for consistency - Test the link on both desktop and mobile devices ### When to Emphasize This Feature Emphasize the "View in Browser" link more prominently when: - Your email contains complex formatting or interactive elements - You're sending to an audience that may use older email clients - Your email includes important visual elements like charts or product images ## Troubleshooting View in Browser ### Common Issues #### Issue: The browser view doesn't show personalization **Solution**: When viewing from the campaign report, personalization won't display. View from a specific contact's email log instead. #### Issue: The browser view shows different branding than the email **Solution**: Verify that your template includes the correct branding elements. The browser view from a contact's perspective will match what they received in their email. #### Issue: Recipients report that the link doesn't work **Solution**: Ensure your campaign was sent from a properly configured sending domain and that the link wasn't modified or broken during editing. ## Monitoring Browser Views You can track how many recipients are using the "View in Browser" feature: 1. Go to **Campaigns → All Campaigns** 2. Click on your campaign name to view its performance 3. Look for the "Browser Views" metric in the engagement section This data can help you understand how many recipients are relying on the browser version versus viewing directly in their email client. ## View in Browser vs. Landing Pages It's important to understand the difference between these two features: - **View in Browser**: Creates a web version of your email exactly as it was sent, including all personalization - **Landing Pages**: Custom web pages that can be linked from your email but offer different content and functionality For many campaigns, you may want to use both: the "View in Browser" option for those who have display issues, and landing pages for additional content or conversion opportunities. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Why does the View in Browser from the campaign report look different? When viewing from the campaign report, you're seeing the original template without personalization. This is because this view isn't connected to a specific contact. ### Will recipients see our company branding in the browser view? Yes, recipients will see the exact same content, including your company branding and footer, that they received in their email when they use the View in Browser link. ### Is the browser view tracked in our analytics? Yes, browser views are tracked and reported in your campaign analytics alongside opens, clicks, and other engagement metrics. --- ## Sms ### 10DLC Registration Guide Step-by-step guide to registering your brand and campaign for 10DLC SMS messaging with The Campaign Registry URL: /docs/sms/10dlc-registration # 10DLC Registration Guide 10DLC (10-Digit Long Code) registration is required for all businesses sending A2P (Application-to-Person) SMS messages in the United States. This guide walks you through the complete registration process with The Campaign Registry (TCR) and carrier approval. :::info What is 10DLC? 10DLC uses standard 10-digit phone numbers for business messaging with higher throughput than regular numbers but at a lower cost than short codes. Registration is mandatory for compliance and deliverability. ## Before You Begin: Required Information Gather all necessary information before starting your 10DLC registration: ### Contact Information - ✅ First name and last name - ✅ Email address (must be able to receive verification emails) - ✅ Phone number - ✅ Job title ### Company Information - ✅ Company name (must match tax documents exactly) - ✅ Company website URL - ✅ Company address (must match tax documents) - ✅ Employer Identification Number (EIN) or Tax ID Number (TIN) - ✅ Alternate business ID type (DUNS, GIIN, LEI, or none) - ✅ Business entity type: - Private profit - Public profit - Non-profit - ✅ Business industry (select closest match) ### Messaging Information - ✅ Description of SMS use case - ✅ Opt-in consent gathering method - ✅ Auto-reply messages for keywords - ✅ Privacy policy link (must be active) - ✅ Terms of service link (must be active) - ✅ Five sample messages :::warning Important Ensure your privacy policy and terms of service are published and accessible before starting registration. See our [SMS Opt-in Requirements](sms-opt-in-requirements.md) guide for compliance details. ## Step 1: Start the Registration Form ### Access Your Registration Link 1. Use the unique 10DLC registration link provided by SendSquared 2. Contact support@sendsquared.com if you haven't received your link 3. Have all required information ready before starting ### Initial Setup - Enter your contact information - Verify your email address - Set up authentication if required ## Step 2: Enter Business Information ### Company Details 1. **Legal Business Name** - Enter exactly as it appears on tax documents - Include any legal designations (Inc., LLC, etc.) - Avoid abbreviations unless they're in your legal name 2. **Business Address** - Provide complete street address - Must match tax document address - Include suite/unit numbers if applicable 3. **Website URL** - Must be active and accessible - Should display your business name - Include privacy policy and terms links ### Tax Information 1. **EIN/TIN Entry** - Enter without dashes or spaces - Double-check for accuracy - Must match IRS records 2. **Alternate Business IDs** - DUNS Number (if available) - GIIN (for financial institutions) - LEI (for legal entities) - Select "None" if not applicable 3. **Business Entity Type** - **Private Profit**: Most businesses - **Public Profit**: Publicly traded companies - **Non-Profit**: 501(c) organizations ### Industry Selection - Choose the closest matching industry - If no exact match, select the most similar option - Use "Other" only as last resort (requires detailed description) ## Step 3: Describe Your Use Case Provide a clear, detailed description of how you'll use SMS: ### Good Description Example: > "We send transactional messages for vacation rental bookings including booking confirmations, check-in instructions, and checkout reminders. We also send promotional messages about special offers and last-minute availability to guests who have explicitly opted in to marketing communications." ### Poor Description Example: > "We send text messages to customers." ## Step 4: Configure Auto-Reply Messages Each auto-reply MUST include your brand/program name: ### START/Opt-in Response ``` You have successfully opted in to receive messages from [Your Brand Name]. Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply. Reply STOP to opt out or HELP for assistance. ``` ### STOP/Opt-out Response ``` You have been unsubscribed from [Your Brand Name] SMS messages. No further messages will be sent. Reply START to resubscribe. ``` ### HELP Response ``` [Your Brand Name] SMS Help: For support, call [phone] or email [email]. Message frequency varies. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply STOP to cancel. ``` ## Step 5: Create Sample Messages Provide five sample messages that accurately represent your use case: ### Tips for Writing Sample Messages 1. **Match Your Actual Use Case** - Don't use generic templates - Reflect real messages you'll send - Include variety of message types 2. **Use Variables Correctly** ``` Format: [variable_name] Examples: [first_name], [appointment_date], [order_number] ``` 3. **Include Required Elements** - Brand identification in each message - Opt-out instructions in at least 2 samples - Clear, professional language ### Sample Messages for Hospitality Industry #### Vacation Rental/Property Management ``` Sample 1 (Booking Confirmation): [Your Brand]: Booking confirmed for [property_name] from [check_in] to [check_out]. Check-in instructions will be sent 24hrs before arrival. Questions? Reply or call [phone]. Sample 2 (Check-in Reminder): Hi [first_name], your check-in at [property_name] is tomorrow at [time]. Door code: [code]. WiFi: [network]/[password]. Text STOP to opt out. Sample 3 (During Stay): [Your Brand]: How's your stay at [property_name]? Need anything? Our team is here to help. Reply with requests or call [phone]. Sample 4 (Checkout Reminder): Reminder: Checkout from [property_name] is tomorrow at [time]. Please leave keys [location]. Thanks for staying with [Your Brand]! Reply STOP to unsubscribe. Sample 5 (Marketing): [Your Brand] Special: Save [discount]% on [location] properties for [dates]. Book at [website] with code [promo_code]. Limited availability. Text STOP to opt out. ``` #### Hotel ``` Sample 1 (Reservation Confirmation): [Your Brand] Hotel: Reservation confirmed for [check_in] to [check_out]. Confirmation #[number]. Check-in after [time]. Reply or call [phone] for assistance. Sample 2 (Pre-Arrival): Welcome [first_name]! Your room at [Your Brand] Hotel is being prepared for tomorrow's arrival. Check-in: [time]. Parking info at [link]. Text STOP to opt out. Sample 3 (Welcome Message): [Your Brand]: Welcome! Your room [room_number] is ready. WiFi: [network]/[password]. Dial 0 for front desk. Spa bookings: [phone]. Enjoy your stay! Sample 4 (Checkout Reminder): [Your Brand] Hotel: Checkout is tomorrow at [time]. Express checkout available via TV or app. Thank you for staying with us! Reply STOP to unsubscribe. Sample 5 (Loyalty Program): [Your Brand] Rewards: You've earned [points] points! Book your next stay by [date] for double points. Reserve at [website] or call [phone]. Text STOP to opt out. ``` #### Waterpark/Resort ``` Sample 1 (Ticket Confirmation): [Your Brand] Waterpark: Tickets confirmed for [date]! [quantity] passes. Order #[number]. Gates open [time]. Show this text for entry. Reply STOP to opt out. Sample 2 (Visit Reminder): Hi [first_name]! See you tomorrow at [Your Brand] Waterpark! Arrive early for parking. Weather looks great! Cabana rentals still available: [link]. Text STOP to unsubscribe. Sample 3 (Park Updates): [Your Brand]: Welcome! Download our app for wait times and mobile food ordering. Locker rental at Guest Services. Today's events at [link]. Have a splashing day! Sample 4 (Weather/Operations): [Your Brand] Alert: Due to weather, [attraction] is temporarily closed. All other attractions open. Rain checks available at Guest Services. Updates: [website]. Sample 5 (Season Pass Offer): [Your Brand]: Thanks for visiting! Upgrade to a Season Pass today and save [discount]%! Valid rest of season. Purchase by [date] at [link]. Text STOP to opt out. ``` ## Step 6: Submit Your Registration ### Final Review Checklist - [ ] Company name matches tax documents exactly - [ ] Address matches tax documents - [ ] EIN/TIN is correct - [ ] Website is active and accessible - [ ] Privacy policy is published and linked - [ ] Terms of service is published and linked - [ ] Sample messages reflect actual use case - [ ] Auto-replies include brand name - [ ] Opt-out instructions are included ### Submission Process 1. Click **Submit** button 2. Note your registration ID for reference 3. Check email for any verification requests ### Email Verification :::note For Public Companies Public profit entities require email verification. Check your inbox for a verification email that's valid for 10 days. ## Post-Submission Process ### Approval Timeline - **Standard approval**: 2-7 business days - **Complex use cases**: Up to 2 weeks - **With information requests**: Add 2-3 days per round ### Status Monitoring 1. Check dashboard for updates 2. Respond promptly to information requests 3. Keep documentation ready ### Common Follow-up Requests - Additional sample messages - Use case clarification - Updated privacy policy - Business verification documents - Website updates ### After Approval 1. **Campaign ID Issued**: Save for your records 2. **Phone Numbers Provisioned**: Numbers activated for messaging 3. **Test Messaging**: Send test messages to verify 4. **Gradual Rollout**: Start with small volume, then scale ## Troubleshooting Registration Issues ### Common Rejection Reasons #### Business Verification Issues - **Problem**: Company name doesn't match records - **Solution**: Use exact legal name from tax documents #### Invalid Website - **Problem**: Website not accessible or missing information - **Solution**: Ensure site is live with company info visible #### Insufficient Use Case Description - **Problem**: Description too vague - **Solution**: Provide specific, detailed explanation #### Non-Compliant Sample Messages - **Problem**: Messages don't match use case - **Solution**: Create realistic samples that reflect actual usage ### Resubmission Process 1. Review rejection feedback carefully 2. Address all identified issues 3. Update registration information 4. Add clarification notes 5. Resubmit with changes documented ## Best Practices for Approval ### Do's ✅ - Use your legal business name exactly - Provide working website with business info - Write detailed use case descriptions - Create realistic sample messages - Include opt-out in sample messages - Respond to requests quickly ### Don'ts ❌ - Don't use abbreviations unless legal - Don't submit with broken website links - Don't use generic sample messages - Don't skip required fields - Don't ignore follow-up requests - Don't change use case after approval ## Frequently Asked Questions **Q: How long does 10DLC registration take?** A: Typically 2-7 business days for standard cases, up to 2 weeks for complex use cases. **Q: Can I edit my registration after submission?** A: Yes, but it may reset the review process. Contact support for guidance. **Q: What if my business doesn't have an EIN?** A: Sole proprietors can use SSN, but EIN is strongly recommended for privacy. **Q: Can I register multiple brands?** A: Yes, each legal entity needs separate registration. **Q: What happens if my registration is rejected?** A: You'll receive specific feedback and can resubmit after addressing issues. **Q: Do I need separate registration for different use cases?** A: Yes, each distinct use case requires its own campaign registration. **Q: Can I start sending immediately after approval?** A: Yes, but start with low volume and gradually increase. ## Related Resources - [SMS Opt-in Requirements](sms-opt-in-requirements.md) - Compliance and consent requirements - [SMS Editor Overview](sms-editor-overview.md) - Creating and sending SMS messages - [SMS Campaign Setup](sms-campaign-setup.md) - Campaign configuration ## Getting Help For assistance with your 10DLC registration: - Email: support@sendsquared.com - Include your registration ID if available - Provide screenshots of any errors - Share your use case details for guidance --- ### SMS Opt-In API Integration Complete guide for implementing SMS opt-in via the SendSquared API URL: /docs/sms/sms-opt-in-api # SMS Opt-In API Integration ## Overview The SMS Opt-In API allows you to programmatically opt-in users to receive SMS notifications through SendSquared. This integration is essential for maintaining compliance while keeping your customers informed throughout their journey. ## Why Use SMS Opt-In API? Integrating the SMS opt-in feature into your workflow significantly improves user engagement and satisfaction by: - Keeping customers informed at every step - Enabling real-time notifications - Providing automated communication touchpoints - Ensuring regulatory compliance ## API Endpoint ``` PUT https://app-api.sendsquared.com/v1/public/opt-in/ ``` ## Authentication All requests must include an API key in the headers: ```http x-api: YOUR_API_KEY_UUID ``` Your API key can be found in your SendSquared dashboard under **Settings → API Keys**. Keep this key secure and never expose it in client-side code. ## Request Format ### Required Headers ```http Content-Type: application/json x-api: YOUR_API_KEY_UUID ``` ### Request Payload The payload must include the following fields: | Field | Type | Required | Description | |-------|------|----------|-------------| | `mobile_phone` | string | Yes | Mobile phone number in E164 format (e.g., `+11234567890`) | | `ip_address` | string | Yes | User's IP address for compliance tracking | | `user_agent` | string | Yes | User's browser user agent string | | `opt_in_number_id` | string | Yes | The specific opt-in number ID from your campaign | ### Example Payload ```json { "mobile_phone": "+11234567890", "ip_address": "192.168.1.1", "user_agent": "Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64) AppleWebKit/537.36", "opt_in_number_id": "num_1234567890abcdef" } ``` ## Code Examples ### cURL ```bash curl -X PUT https://app-api.sendsquared.com/v1/public/opt-in/ \ -H "Content-Type: application/json" \ -H "x-api: YOUR_API_KEY_UUID" \ -d '{ "mobile_phone": "+11234567890", "ip_address": "192.168.1.1", "user_agent": "Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64) AppleWebKit/537.36", "opt_in_number_id": "num_1234567890abcdef" }' ``` ### JavaScript (Fetch API) ```javascript const optInUser = async (userData) => { const response = await fetch('https://app-api.sendsquared.com/v1/public/opt-in/', { method: 'PUT', headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json', 'x-api': 'YOUR_API_KEY_UUID' }, body: JSON.stringify({ mobile_phone: userData.phone, ip_address: userData.ipAddress, user_agent: navigator.userAgent, opt_in_number_id: 'num_1234567890abcdef' }) }); if (!response.ok) { throw new Error(`HTTP error! status: ${response.status}`); } return await response.json(); }; ``` ### Python ```python def opt_in_user(phone, ip_address, user_agent, opt_in_number_id): url = "https://app-api.sendsquared.com/v1/public/opt-in/" headers = { "Content-Type": "application/json", "x-api": "YOUR_API_KEY_UUID" } payload = { "mobile_phone": phone, "ip_address": ip_address, "user_agent": user_agent, "opt_in_number_id": opt_in_number_id } response = requests.put(url, headers=headers, data=json.dumps(payload)) if response.status_code == 200: return response.json() else: raise Exception(f"API request failed with status {response.status_code}") ``` ### PHP ```php $phone, 'ip_address' => $ipAddress, 'user_agent' => $userAgent, 'opt_in_number_id' => $optInNumberId ); $options = array( 'http' => array( 'header' => "Content-Type: application/json\r\n" . "x-api: YOUR_API_KEY_UUID\r\n", 'method' => 'PUT', 'content' => json_encode($data) ) ); $context = stream_context_create($options); $result = file_get_contents($url, false, $context); if ($result === FALSE) { throw new Exception('API request failed'); } return json_decode($result, true); } ?> ``` ### Node.js (Axios) ```javascript const axios = require('axios'); const optInUser = async (phoneNumber, ipAddress, userAgent, optInNumberId) => { try { const response = await axios.put( 'https://app-api.sendsquared.com/v1/public/opt-in/', { mobile_phone: phoneNumber, ip_address: ipAddress, user_agent: userAgent, opt_in_number_id: optInNumberId }, { headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json', 'x-api': 'YOUR_API_KEY_UUID' } } ); return response.data; } catch (error) { console.error('Opt-in failed:', error.response?.data || error.message); throw error; } }; ``` ## Response Format ### Success Response (200 OK) ```json { "success": true, "message": "User successfully opted in", "data": { "contact_id": "con_1234567890abcdef", "phone_number": "+11234567890", "opt_in_status": "active", "opted_in_at": "2024-03-28T12:00:00Z" } } ``` ### Error Responses #### 400 Bad Request ```json { "success": false, "error": "Invalid phone number format", "error_code": "INVALID_PHONE_FORMAT" } ``` #### 401 Unauthorized ```json { "success": false, "error": "Invalid API key", "error_code": "INVALID_API_KEY" } ``` #### 409 Conflict ```json { "success": false, "error": "Contact already opted in", "error_code": "ALREADY_OPTED_IN" } ``` #### 422 Unprocessable Entity ```json { "success": false, "error": "Missing required field: opt_in_number_id", "error_code": "MISSING_REQUIRED_FIELD" } ``` ## Phone Number Formatting Phone numbers must be in E164 format, which includes: - The `+` prefix - Country code - No spaces, dashes, or parentheses ### Examples | Country | Format | Example | |---------|--------|---------| | United States | +1XXXXXXXXXX | +11234567890 | | United Kingdom | +44XXXXXXXXXX | +447911123456 | | Canada | +1XXXXXXXXXX | +14165550123 | | Australia | +61XXXXXXXXX | +61412345678 | ### JavaScript E164 Formatter ```javascript function formatToE164(phoneNumber, countryCode = '1') { // Remove all non-numeric characters const cleaned = phoneNumber.replace(/\D/g, ''); // Add country code if not present const withCountryCode = cleaned.startsWith(countryCode) ? cleaned : countryCode + cleaned; // Add + prefix return '+' + withCountryCode; } // Examples formatToE164('(123) 456-7890'); // Returns: +11234567890 formatToE164('07911 123456', '44'); // Returns: +447911123456 ``` ## Best Practices for Integration ### Recommended Opt-In Locations Integrate the opt-in API at strategic points in your user journey: 1. **Booking Process** - After reservation confirmation - During guest information collection 2. **Checkout Flow** - On the payment confirmation page - After successful transaction 3. **Contact Forms** - When users provide their mobile number - During account registration 4. **Profile Management** - In user account settings - During profile updates ### Implementation Checklist - [ ] Store API key securely (environment variables) - [ ] Validate phone numbers before sending - [ ] Capture accurate IP address and user agent - [ ] Handle all possible error responses - [ ] Implement retry logic for network failures - [ ] Log opt-in attempts for compliance - [ ] Display clear opt-in language to users - [ ] Provide opt-out instructions ### User Consent Language Always display clear consent language before opt-in: ```html ``` ## Getting IP Address and User Agent ### Server-Side (Recommended) #### Node.js/Express ```javascript app.post('/opt-in', (req, res) => { const ipAddress = req.headers['x-forwarded-for'] || req.connection.remoteAddress; const userAgent = req.headers['user-agent']; // Process opt-in with these values }); ``` #### PHP ```php $ipAddress = $_SERVER['HTTP_X_FORWARDED_FOR'] ?? $_SERVER['REMOTE_ADDR']; $userAgent = $_SERVER['HTTP_USER_AGENT']; ``` #### Python/Flask ```python from flask import request @app.route('/opt-in', methods=['POST']) def opt_in(): ip_address = request.headers.get('X-Forwarded-For', request.remote_addr) user_agent = request.headers.get('User-Agent') # Process opt-in ``` ### Client-Side (Less Secure) ```javascript // Get user agent const userAgent = navigator.userAgent; // Get IP address (requires external service) fetch('https://api.ipify.org?format=json') .then(response => response.json()) .then(data => { const ipAddress = data.ip; // Use for opt-in }); ``` :::warning Security Note Never expose your API key in client-side code. Always make opt-in requests from your backend server. ## Testing Your Integration ### Test Phone Numbers SendSquared provides test phone numbers for different scenarios: | Number | Scenario | Response | |--------|----------|----------| | +15555550100 | Successful opt-in | 200 OK | | +15555550101 | Already opted in | 409 Conflict | | +15555550102 | Invalid format | 400 Bad Request | | +15555550103 | Blocked number | 422 Unprocessable | ### Using Postman 1. Create a new PUT request 2. Set URL to `https://app-api.sendsquared.com/v1/public/opt-in/` 3. Add headers: - `Content-Type: application/json` - `x-api: YOUR_API_KEY_UUID` 4. Add body (raw JSON): ```json { "mobile_phone": "+15555550100", "ip_address": "192.168.1.1", "user_agent": "PostmanRuntime/7.28.4", "opt_in_number_id": "num_test" } ``` ## Webhook Integration SendSquared can notify your system when opt-in status changes: ### Webhook Events - `sms.opted_in` - User successfully opted in - `sms.opted_out` - User opted out (via STOP text) - `sms.opt_in_failed` - Opt-in attempt failed ### Webhook Payload Example ```json { "event": "sms.opted_in", "timestamp": "2024-03-28T12:00:00Z", "data": { "contact_id": "con_1234567890abcdef", "phone_number": "+11234567890", "opt_in_number_id": "num_1234567890abcdef", "campaign_id": "cam_1234567890abcdef" } } ``` ## Error Handling Best Practices ### Retry Logic ```javascript const optInWithRetry = async (userData, maxRetries = 3) => { let lastError; for (let attempt = 1; attempt <= maxRetries; attempt++) { try { return await optInUser(userData); } catch (error) { lastError = error; // Don't retry on client errors (4xx) if (error.response && error.response.status < 500) { throw error; } // Wait before retrying (exponential backoff) const waitTime = Math.min(1000 * Math.pow(2, attempt - 1), 10000); await new Promise(resolve => setTimeout(resolve, waitTime)); } } throw lastError; }; ``` ### User-Friendly Error Messages ```javascript const getErrorMessage = (errorCode) => { const messages = { 'INVALID_PHONE_FORMAT': 'Please enter a valid phone number with country code', 'ALREADY_OPTED_IN': 'You are already subscribed to SMS notifications', 'INVALID_API_KEY': 'Configuration error. Please contact support.', 'MISSING_REQUIRED_FIELD': 'Please fill in all required fields', 'BLOCKED_NUMBER': 'This phone number cannot receive SMS messages' }; return messages[errorCode] || 'An unexpected error occurred. Please try again.'; }; ``` ## Compliance and Regulations ### TCPA Compliance Ensure your opt-in process complies with TCPA requirements: 1. **Clear and Conspicuous Disclosure**: Clearly state that users are opting in to receive SMS messages 2. **Express Written Consent**: Obtain affirmative consent (checkbox, button click) 3. **Message Frequency**: Disclose how often messages will be sent 4. **Charges**: Include "Message and data rates may apply" 5. **Opt-Out Instructions**: Provide clear unsubscribe instructions ### GDPR Considerations For EU users: - Obtain explicit consent - Provide clear information about data processing - Allow users to withdraw consent easily - Document consent timestamp and method ## Troubleshooting ### Common Issues and Solutions | Issue | Possible Cause | Solution | |-------|---------------|----------| | 401 Unauthorized | Invalid API key | Verify API key in dashboard | | 400 Bad Request | Incorrect phone format | Ensure E164 format with + prefix | | Network timeout | Slow connection | Implement retry logic | | No SMS received | Number not verified | Check number status in dashboard | | Duplicate opt-ins | Missing deduplication | Check before sending request | ### Debug Logging ```javascript const debugOptIn = async (userData) => { console.log('Opt-in attempt:', { phone: userData.phone, timestamp: new Date().toISOString() }); try { const result = await optInUser(userData); console.log('Opt-in successful:', result); return result; } catch (error) { console.error('Opt-in failed:', { status: error.response?.status, error: error.response?.data, message: error.message }); throw error; } }; ``` ## Support If you encounter issues with the SMS Opt-In API: 1. Check the [API Status Page](https://status.sendsquared.com) 2. Review your API logs in the dashboard 3. Contact support at support@sendsquared.com 4. Include your request ID and timestamp for faster resolution --- ### SMS Opt-in Requirements & Compliance Complete guide to SMS opt-in consent methods, web form requirements, privacy policies, TCPA compliance, and CTIA guidelines URL: /docs/sms/sms-opt-in-requirements # SMS Opt-in Requirements & Compliance ## Why SMS Opt-in Requirements Matter for Hospitality ### The Business Challenge In the hospitality industry, businesses naturally want to communicate with three distinct groups: #### For Guest Communications: - **Current Guests**: Actively staying at your property - **Past Guests**: Previous visitors who may book again - **Future Guests**: Potential customers considering your property #### For Vacation Rental Owner Communications: - **Current Owners**: Properties actively in your management portfolio - **Past Owners**: Former clients who may return - **Future Owners**: Prospects considering your management services ### The Critical Problem: Future Relationships The biggest compliance challenge comes with that third group - **future guests and future owners**. Here's why: **You cannot legally text people you have no relationship with.** This is where many hospitality businesses unknowingly violate federal law. Common illegal practices include: - ❌ Purchasing phone lists and texting "hot leads" - ❌ Texting people who filled out a general inquiry form - ❌ Sending promotional texts to numbers from business cards - ❌ Texting attendees from a trade show or open house - ❌ Using phone numbers given for one purpose (like maintenance) for marketing ### Why the Law is So Strict The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) was created because: 1. **Privacy Protection**: Cell phone numbers are considered private 2. **Cost to Recipients**: Historically, recipients paid for incoming texts 3. **Intrusive Nature**: Texts are more intrusive than email 4. **Spam Prevention**: Without strict rules, phones would be overwhelmed with spam #### The Real-World Impact - **Federal Law (TCPA)**: Violations result in $500-$1,500 per message in statutory damages - **Carrier Enforcement**: Non-compliance leads to message filtering, blocking, or account termination - **State Laws**: Additional penalties and private rights of action in many states - **Class Actions**: SMS violations frequently result in class action lawsuits with multi-million dollar settlements ### The Solution: Proper Opt-in Procedures The good news is that gaining legitimate consent is straightforward when you follow the proper procedures. This guide will show you exactly how to: - ✅ Create compliant web forms that convert visitors into opted-in contacts - ✅ Set up keyword campaigns for easy mobile opt-ins - ✅ Train staff on verbal consent procedures - ✅ Document consent properly to protect your business - ✅ Build a legally compliant SMS database that drives bookings :::danger Critical Legal Requirement SMS messaging without proper opt-in consent can result in TCPA violations with fines up to $1,500 per message. Always obtain and document explicit consent before sending any SMS messages. ## Legal Framework ### Key Laws & Regulations #### TCPA - Telephone Consumer Protection Act (47 U.S.C. § 227) **Synopsis**: Federal law requiring prior express written consent for automated marketing texts and prior express consent for non-marketing texts to cell phones. - [Full Text](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/47/227) - [FCC TCPA Rules](https://www.fcc.gov/sites/default/files/tcpa-rules.pdf) (47 CFR § 64.1200) - **Key Section**: § 227(b)(1)(A) - Prohibits automated calls/texts without consent - **Penalties**: $500-$1,500 per violation #### CTIA Messaging Principles and Best Practices **Synopsis**: Industry guidelines that carriers enforce through The Campaign Registry for A2P messaging compliance. - [CTIA Guidelines](https://www.ctia.org/the-wireless-industry/industry-commitments/messaging-principles-and-best-practices) - Requires clear opt-in, easy opt-out, and transparent messaging practices - Violation results in carrier filtering or blocking #### CAN-SPAM Act (15 U.S.C. § 7701) **Synopsis**: While primarily for email, applies to commercial SMS requiring accurate sender info and opt-out mechanisms. - [Full Text](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/chapter-103) - **Key Section**: § 7704(b) - Applies to "commercial electronic mail messages" to wireless devices #### State Laws Many states have additional requirements: - **California**: [CA Business & Professions Code § 17529.5](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=BPC§ionNum=17529.5) - **Florida**: [Florida Statutes § 501.059](http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0500-0599/0501/Sections/0501.059.html) - **Washington**: [RCW 19.190](https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=19.190) ## Key Compliance Principles Based on the legal framework above, here are the five core principles you must follow: 1. **Prior Express Written Consent**: Required for all marketing messages (TCPA § 64.1200(a)(2)) 2. **Clear Disclosures**: All fees, frequency, and terms must be conspicuous (CTIA § 2.1) 3. **Easy Opt-Out**: STOP must work at all times (TCPA § 64.1200(a)(3)) 4. **No Pre-Checked Boxes**: Consent must be affirmative action (FCC 2015 Order) 5. **Documentation**: Keep consent records minimum 4 years (FCC guidance) ## Opt-in Consent Methods The Campaign Registry and carriers recognize five primary methods for collecting opt-in consent. Each has specific requirements that must be met for compliance. ### 1. Web Form Opt-ins Online forms with explicit SMS consent checkboxes ### 2. Mobile/Keyword Opt-ins Text-to-join using keywords like "START" or "JOIN" ### 3. Point-of-Sale Opt-ins In-person consent at physical locations ### 4. Paper Form Opt-ins Physical forms with written consent ### 5. Phone Call Opt-ins Verbal consent via phone or IVR systems ## Web Form Opt-in Requirements Web forms are the most common opt-in method and must include **ALL** of the following elements per [47 CFR § 64.1200(a)(2)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-64/subpart-L/section-64.1200): ### Required Elements Checklist #### ✅ Program Information - **Program Name**: Your organization/brand name (TCPA § 64.1200(a)(2)) - **Message Description**: Clear explanation of message types - Example: "Receive booking confirmations, check-in instructions, and special offers" #### ✅ Required Disclosures - **Fee Disclosure**: "Message and data rates may apply" (CTIA requirement) - **Frequency Disclosure**: (TCPA § 64.1200(a)(2)) - "Message frequency varies" OR - "Up to [X] messages per [time period]" - Example: "Up to 4 messages per month" #### ✅ Opt-out Instructions - **STOP Command**: "Text STOP to cancel" (CTIA Messaging Principles § 4.2) - **HELP Command**: "Text HELP for help" (CTIA Messaging Principles § 4.3) - Must be clearly visible, not hidden in fine print #### ✅ Legal Documents - **Privacy Policy Link**: Active, accessible link (TCPA § 64.1200(a)(2)) - **Terms of Service Link**: Active, accessible link - Both must be functional and lead to actual policies #### ✅ Consent Checkbox Critical requirements per [FCC 2015 TCPA Order](https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-15-72A1.pdf) (¶¶ 23-24): - ❌ **CANNOT be pre-checked** - ❌ **CANNOT be required** for form submission - ✅ **MUST be separate** from email consent - ✅ **MUST be explicit** for SMS only ### Complete Web Form Example ```html ``` ### Technical Implementation #### Frontend JavaScript ```javascript document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', function() { const smsOptInCheckbox = document.getElementById('sms-opt-in'); const checkoutForm = document.getElementById('checkout-form'); // Track opt-in interaction for analytics smsOptInCheckbox.addEventListener('change', function() { if (this.checked) { // Track engagement if (typeof gtag !== 'undefined') { gtag('event', 'sms_consent_checked', { 'event_category': 'checkout', 'event_label': 'sms_opt_in' }); } } }); // Form submission handler checkoutForm.addEventListener('submit', function(e) { const phoneInput = document.getElementById('phone'); const smsOptIn = smsOptInCheckbox.checked; if (smsOptIn) { // Basic validation if (!phoneInput.value || phoneInput.value.length < 10) { e.preventDefault(); alert('Please provide a valid phone number for SMS notifications.'); phoneInput.focus(); return false; } // Add timestamp for consent tracking const timestamp = document.createElement('input'); timestamp.type = 'hidden'; timestamp.name = 'sms_opt_in_timestamp'; timestamp.value = new Date().toISOString(); this.appendChild(timestamp); } }); }); ``` For complete phone validation and E164 formatting, see the [SMS API Integration guide](/docs/sms/sms-opt-in-api#phone-number-formatting). #### A/B Testing Opt-in Language Test different opt-in text to optimize conversion: ```javascript const optInVariants = { A: "Get exclusive deals and updates via text. Msg & data rates apply.", B: "Join our VIP text club for special offers! Standard rates apply.", C: "Text me booking confirmations and special offers. Msg frequency varies." }; // Randomly assign variant const variant = Object.keys(optInVariants)[Math.floor(Math.random() * 3)]; document.querySelector('.opt-in-text').textContent = optInVariants[variant]; // Track which variant was shown if (typeof gtag !== 'undefined') { gtag('event', 'sms_opt_in_variant', { 'variant': variant }); } ``` ### Implementation Tips 1. **Visibility**: All disclosures above the fold when possible 2. **Clarity**: Use plain language, avoid legal jargon 3. **Separation**: Keep SMS consent separate from other consents 4. **Documentation**: Screenshot your form for registration 5. **Testing**: Always test form submission and data capture ## Mobile/Keyword Opt-in Requirements Mobile opt-ins allow customers to text a keyword to subscribe. Requirements per [CTIA § 2.1.2](https://www.ctia.org/the-wireless-industry/industry-commitments/messaging-principles-and-best-practices) and [TCPA § 64.1200](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/section-64.1200) include: ### Signage/Advertisement Requirements All promotional materials must display (CTIA § 2.1 and TCPA § 64.1200(a)(2)): ``` 📱 Join Our Guest Text Club! Text STAY to 55555 What you'll receive: ✓ Exclusive guest offers & early booking deals ✓ Reservation confirmations & check-in details ✓ Property updates & local area alerts Message frequency varies. Up to 4 msgs/month. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply STOP to cancel, HELP for help. Terms: example.com/terms Privacy: example.com/privacy ``` ### Auto-Response Requirements #### Initial Opt-in Response ``` Welcome to [Resort/Hotel Name] SMS! You'll receive up to 4 msgs/month with booking confirmations, check-in info & exclusive guest offers. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply STOP to cancel, HELP for help. Terms: example.com/terms ``` #### Double Opt-in (If Required) ``` [Resort/Hotel Name]: Reply YES to confirm subscription to our guest SMS program. You'll receive up to 4 msgs/month about your stays and special offers. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply STOP to cancel. ``` ### Keyword Configuration Standard keywords that MUST be configured per [CTIA § 4.0](https://www.ctia.org/the-wireless-industry/industry-commitments/messaging-principles-and-best-practices): - **START/SUBSCRIBE/JOIN**: Opt-in confirmation (CTIA § 4.1) - **STOP/UNSUBSCRIBE/CANCEL**: Opt-out confirmation (CTIA § 4.2) - **HELP/INFO**: Support information (CTIA § 4.3) ## Point-of-Sale Opt-in Requirements For in-person registrations at physical locations per [TCPA § 64.1200(a)(1)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/section-64.1200): ### Verbal Disclosure Script ``` "Would you like to receive text messages from [Hotel/Resort Name] with reservation confirmations, check-in information, and exclusive guest offers? You'll receive up to 4 messages per month. Message and data rates may apply. You can opt-out anytime by texting STOP." ``` ### Written Requirements - Display terms and conditions visibly - Provide privacy policy access - Document consent method - Train staff on requirements ### Documentation Best Practices - Use tablet/digital forms when possible - Include timestamp and location - Store consent records securely - Maintain for minimum 4 years ## Paper Form Opt-in Requirements Physical forms must include all web form requirements: ### Paper Form Template ``` GUEST SMS PROGRAM SIGNUP □ YES, I want to receive text messages from [Hotel/Resort Name] Mobile Number: _________________________ By providing your mobile number and checking the box above, you consent to receive recurring automated reservation confirmations, check-in details, and promotional text messages from [Hotel/Resort Name]. • Message types: Booking confirmations, check-in info, special offers • Message frequency: Up to 4 messages per month • Message and data rates may apply • Text STOP to cancel anytime • Text HELP for assistance • Consent is not a condition of booking Privacy Policy: www.example.com/privacy Terms of Service: www.example.com/terms Signature: ______________________ Date: __________ ``` ## Phone Call Opt-in Requirements Verbal consent requires specific disclosures per [TCPA § 64.1200(a)(1)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/section-64.1200) for non-marketing and § 64.1200(a)(2) for marketing: ### IVR Script Template ``` "To receive text messages about your reservations, check-in details, and exclusive guest offers from [Hotel/Resort Name], press 1. You'll receive up to 4 messages per month. Message and data rates may apply. You can opt-out anytime by texting STOP. For our privacy policy, visit example.com/privacy. Press 1 to confirm or 2 to decline." ``` ### Live Agent Script ``` "I can also sign you up for text message updates about your stay, including check-in details, property information, and exclusive guest offers. You'd receive up to 4 messages per month, and message and data rates may apply. You can opt-out anytime by texting STOP. Would you like to receive these guest text messages?" ``` ### Documentation Requirements - Record verbal consent (where legal) - Log timestamp and agent ID - Send confirmation text immediately - Store records for 4+ years ## Privacy Policy Requirements :::warning Critical Compliance Element Missing or non-compliant privacy policies are the #1 cause of 10DLC registration rejections per TCR and CTIA guidelines. ### Required SMS Section Your privacy policy MUST include per [TCPA § 64.1200(a)(2)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/section-64.1200) and [CTIA Guidelines](https://www.ctia.org/the-wireless-industry/industry-commitments/messaging-principles-and-best-practices): ```markdown ## SMS/Text Messaging When you opt-in to receive text messages from [Company Name], we collect your mobile phone number and consent preferences. ### Information We Collect - Mobile phone number - Opt-in source and timestamp - Message interaction history - Opt-out preferences ### How We Use Your Mobile Information - Send reservation confirmations and updates - Send check-in and checkout reminders - Send exclusive guest offers (with consent) - Provide property support and assistance - Emergency or weather-related property notifications ### CRITICAL REQUIRED STATEMENT: "Mobile information will not be shared with third parties/affiliates for marketing/promotional purposes. All the above categories exclude text messaging originator opt-in data and consent; this information will not be shared with any third parties." *Required by CTIA Messaging Principles § 5.1.3 and TCR registration guidelines* ### Your Rights - Opt-out anytime by texting STOP - Request data deletion - Update communication preferences - Access your information ### Message Frequency & Charges - Frequency: [Specify, e.g., "Up to 4 messages per month"] - Message and data rates may apply - Contact your carrier for rate details ``` ### Privacy Policy Generators Free tools to create compliant policies: - [TermsFeed Generator](https://www.termsfeed.com/privacy-policy-generator/) - [Termly Generator](https://termly.io/products/privacy-policy-generator/) - [FreePrivacyPolicy.com](https://www.freeprivacypolicy.com/) **Important**: Always have legal counsel review generated policies. ## Terms of Service Requirements ### SMS-Specific Terms Section ```markdown ## SMS Terms and Conditions ### Service Description [Hotel/Resort Name] SMS service provides reservation confirmations, check-in/checkout reminders, property updates, and exclusive guest offers via text message. ### Enrollment By opting in via our website, texting a keyword, or other method, you agree to receive recurring automated text messages. ### Message Types - Transactional: Reservation confirmations, check-in details, checkout reminders - Promotional: Special rates, package deals, seasonal offers - Service: Property updates, weather alerts, local area notifications ### Message Frequency - Varies based on account activity - Maximum: [X] messages per [time period] - You control frequency through preferences ### Costs - Message and data rates may apply - Check with your wireless carrier - [Company] does not charge for messages ### Opt-Out - Text STOP to any message - Call [phone number] - Email [email address] - Opt-out is immediate ### Help - Text HELP for assistance - Email: support@example.com - Phone: [phone number] ### Supported Carriers - Compatible with major US carriers - Not liable for carrier delays - Delivery not guaranteed ``` ## CTIA Compliance Guidelines The Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA) sets industry standards enforced through [CTIA's Messaging Principles and Best Practices](https://www.ctia.org/the-wireless-industry/industry-commitments/messaging-principles-and-best-practices): ### Core Requirements 1. **Clear & Conspicuous Consent** (CTIA § 2.1) - Explicit opt-in required - Clear program description - No deceptive practices 2. **Message Content Rules** (CTIA § 3.0) - Identify sender clearly - Include program name - Regular opt-out reminders (monthly minimum) 3. **Prohibited Content (SHAFT)** (CTIA § 6.0) - **S**ex/adult content - **H**ate speech - **A**lcohol (restricted) - **F**irearms - **T**obacco/vaping 4. **Frequency Compliance** (CTIA § 2.1.4) - State frequency clearly - Adhere to stated frequency - Update if frequency changes 5. **Age Requirements** (CTIA § 2.1.5) - Minimum age 13 (18 for certain content) - Parental consent for minors ([COPPA compliance](https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/rules/childrens-online-privacy-protection-rule-coppa)) - Age verification when required ## Compliance Best Practices ### Documentation Requirements #### What to Document (per TCPA § 64.1200(a)(2) and FCC guidelines) - Opt-in source and method - Timestamp of consent - IP address (for web forms) - Version of terms accepted - Opt-out requests and timestamps #### How Long to Keep Records - **Minimum**: 4 years ([FCC statute of limitations](https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/stop-unwanted-robocalls-and-texts)) - **Recommended**: 6 years (some state statutes) - **Best Practice**: Indefinitely (for defense against claims) ### Opt-out Management #### Immediate Processing (CTIA § 4.0 and TCPA § 64.1200(a)(3)) - Process within 24 hours maximum (CTIA requirement) - Send confirmation message - Remove from all SMS lists - Document opt-out #### Opt-out Confirmation Message ``` You have been unsubscribed from [Hotel/Resort Name] SMS messages. No further messages will be sent. Reply START to resubscribe. ``` ### Quiet Hours - Respect 8am-9pm local time - Account for time zones - Allow exceptions only with explicit consent - Consider local regulations ## Compliance Checklist ### Pre-Launch Requirements - [ ] Privacy policy includes SMS section with required statement - [ ] Terms of service includes SMS terms - [ ] Web forms have all required elements - [ ] Consent checkboxes are NOT pre-checked - [ ] Opt-out instructions are clear and visible - [ ] Message frequency is disclosed - [ ] "Msg & data rates may apply" disclosure present - [ ] Links to legal documents are functional - [ ] Keyword auto-replies configured - [ ] Documentation system in place ### Ongoing Compliance - [ ] Process opt-outs within 24 hours - [ ] Include opt-out instructions regularly - [ ] Maintain consent records - [ ] Monitor compliance metrics - [ ] Regular staff training - [ ] Update policies as needed - [ ] Audit consent practices - [ ] Review message content - [ ] Track frequency compliance - [ ] Handle complaints promptly ## Best Practices for Legally Building Your SMS List ### Converting Inquiries to Opt-ins When someone inquires about your property or services, you have a golden opportunity to gain consent: #### The Right Way: 1. **Inquiry Form**: "Interested in Ocean View Villa?" 2. **Follow-up Call/Email**: "Thanks for your interest! Would you like to receive text updates about availability and special offers?" 3. **Consent Capture**: Use compliant web form or verbal consent script 4. **Welcome Text**: Send immediate confirmation of opt-in 5. **Result**: Legally opted-in contact you can market to #### The Wrong Way: - ❌ Adding inquiry phone numbers directly to SMS campaigns - ❌ Assuming interest equals consent - ❌ Texting without explicit opt-in ### Strategic Opt-in Opportunities #### For Hotels & Resorts: - **Booking Process**: Add SMS opt-in checkbox to reservation forms - **Check-in**: Tablet-based consent during registration - **Concierge Desk**: Train staff to offer SMS updates for amenities - **WiFi Landing Page**: Exchange WiFi access for SMS consent - **Loyalty Programs**: Include SMS as a benefit with clear opt-in #### For Vacation Rentals: - **Property Inquiry Forms**: Separate checkbox for SMS updates - **Owner Onboarding**: Include SMS consent in management agreements - **Guest Booking**: Add opt-in to rental agreements - **Property Tours**: Capture consent during showings - **Owner Referral Programs**: Text updates about referral rewards ### Building Compliant Campaigns #### High-Converting Keyword Campaigns: ``` Text BEACH to 55555 Get exclusive last-minute deals on beachfront properties! Plus instant alerts when your favorite properties become available. ``` **Why This Works:** - Clear value proposition - Specific benefits - Easy action step - All required disclosures included #### Web Form Best Practices: **DO:** - ✅ Place opt-in near valuable content (availability calendars, pricing) - ✅ Offer exclusive SMS-only benefits - ✅ Use clear, benefit-focused language - ✅ Make the checkbox prominent but not required **DON'T:** - ❌ Hide the opt-in in lengthy terms - ❌ Bundle with other permissions - ❌ Use vague language like "updates" - ❌ Make opt-in mandatory for booking ### Maximizing Opt-in Rates While Staying Compliant 1. **Timing is Everything** - Best time: During positive interactions (booking confirmation, check-in) - Worst time: After complaints or service issues 2. **Value Exchange** - Offer exclusive SMS-only discounts - Provide early access to availability - Send local area insider tips - Give priority booking status 3. **Staff Training** - Create laminated script cards - Role-play consent conversations - Track opt-in rates by staff member - Reward compliant high performers 4. **Multiple Touchpoints** - Website forms - Email signatures with keyword - Business cards with text-to-join - QR codes in lobbies/properties - Social media campaigns ## Common Violations & Penalties ### TCPA Violations ([47 U.S.C. § 227(b)(3)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/47/227)) - **Penalty**: $500 per violation (negligent), $1,500 per violation (willful) - **Common Causes**: - No consent documentation (violates § 64.1200(a)(2)) - Pre-checked boxes ([FCC 2015 Order](https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-15-72A1.pdf) ¶ 23) - Required consent for purchase (violates § 64.1200(a)(2)) - Ignoring opt-outs (violates § 64.1200(a)(3)) ### Carrier Violations (CTIA enforcement) - **Penalty**: Service suspension/termination via TCR - **Common Causes**: - High complaint rates (CTIA § 7.0) - Prohibited content (CTIA § 6.0) - Frequency violations (CTIA § 2.1.4) - Missing disclosures (CTIA § 2.1) ## Frequently Asked Questions **Q: Can I use one checkbox for both email and SMS consent?** A: No, SMS consent must be separate and explicit per [FCC 2015 TCPA Order](https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-15-72A1.pdf) ¶ 24. **Q: What if someone says they didn't opt-in?** A: Immediately honor their opt-out request and provide consent documentation if available. **Q: Can I require SMS opt-in for bookings?** A: No, consent cannot be a condition of booking or reservation. **Q: How often should I include opt-out instructions?** A: At minimum monthly for active users, and in every promotional message. **Q: Can I import an existing SMS list?** A: Only if you have documented proof of compliant consent for each number. **Q: Do transactional messages need consent?** A: Yes, all automated SMS messages require prior express consent per [TCPA § 227(b)(1)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/47/227), including transactional messages. **Q: What's the minimum age for SMS consent?** A: 13 years old, or 18 for certain content types. Parental consent required for minors. **Q: Can I text guests who gave their number for other purposes?** A: No, you need explicit consent specifically for SMS messaging per [TCPA § 64.1200(a)(2)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/section-64.1200) - consent must be for the specific purpose. ## Related Resources - [10DLC Registration Guide](10dlc-registration.md) - Complete registration process - [SMS Editor Overview](sms-editor-overview.md) - Creating and sending messages - [SMS Campaign Setup](sms-campaign-setup.md) - Campaign configuration ## Getting Support For compliance questions or assistance: - Email: support@sendsquared.com - Include specific scenarios for guidance - Request compliance review if needed --- ### SMS Web Chat Widget Complete guide to implementing SendSquared's SMS Web Chat widget on your website for instant guest engagement and lead capture URL: /docs/sms/sms-web-chat # SMS Web Chat Widget Transform your website visitors into engaged leads with SendSquared's SMS Web Chat widget - a powerful tool that bridges the gap between web browsing and instant text messaging communication. ## Overview The SMS Web Chat widget appears as an unobtrusive chat bubble on your website that, when clicked, opens a beautifully designed interface titled **"We'll text you"**. This allows website visitors to instantly connect with your team via SMS without leaving your site or downloading any apps. :::tip Why SMS Web Chat? - **95% open rate** for SMS vs 20% for email - **Instant engagement** with prospects while they're actively browsing - **Mobile-friendly** communication that follows guests beyond your website - **Compliant opt-in** collection built into every interaction ## Key Features ### Real-Time Guest Engagement - Instant SMS connection with website visitors - Seamless transition from web browsing to text conversation - No app downloads or account creation required - Works on all devices and browsers ### Smart Call Plans - Different templates for business hours vs after-hours - Day-specific messaging strategies - Timezone-aware scheduling - Automatic routing to appropriate team members ### Complete Customization - Match your brand colors and style - Custom greeting messages - Position anywhere on your page - Multiple campaigns for different purposes ### Compliance Built-In - TCPA-compliant opt-in collection - Automated consent documentation - Clear disclosure of messaging terms - One-click opt-out handling ## Getting Started ### Step 1: Access Chat Campaigns 1. Log into your SendSquared dashboard 2. Navigate to **Campaigns** → **Chat Campaigns** 3. Click **"Add new SMS Chat Campaign"** ### Step 2: Configure Basic Settings #### Campaign Name Choose a descriptive name for internal reference (e.g., "Website - General Inquiries", "Booking Page - Support") #### Phone Number Selection Select which phone number will send/receive messages: - Choose from your provisioned 10DLC numbers - Consider using different numbers for different campaigns - Ensure the number has appropriate messaging capacity #### Widget Appearance - **Color**: Select a color that complements your website (#F79D65 in example) - **Position**: Choose from: - bottom-left - bottom-right - top-left - top-right #### Template Selection Choose from pre-built templates or create custom ones: - Template 1-10: Various styles and messaging approaches - Custom templates can be created in the Template editor ### Step 3: Set Up Call Plans Call Plans allow you to display different messages and route to different teams based on time of day and day of week. #### Business Hours Configuration Configure separate schedules for each day: ``` Sunday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Monday: 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM Tuesday: 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM Wednesday: 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM Thursday: 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM Friday: 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM Saturday: 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM ``` #### Template Assignment by Time For each time period, you can assign: - **Different SMS templates**: Vary your messaging approach - **Routing values**: Send to different team members - "Standard" - Regular support team - "After Hours" - On-call team - "VIP" - Specialized agents #### Every Day Hours Override Set universal hours that apply to all days unless specifically overridden. ### Step 4: Get Your Install Code Once configured, click **"Get Install Code"** to generate your unique JavaScript snippet: ```html ``` ## Installation Guide ### Basic Installation #### For Standard Websites Add the code just before the closing `` tag: ```html