Missed call text-back is the single highest-ROI automation for service businesses. When you can’t answer the phone, the caller gets an instant SMS so they don’t call a competitor. Here’s how to set it up in 15 minutes.
Option 1: GoHighLevel (recommended)
If you’re using GHL: go to Automation → Create Workflow → Start from Scratch. Set trigger: Call Status → select ‘No Answer’, ‘Busy’, and ‘Voicemail’. Add a Wait step: 1 minute (gives them time to leave a voicemail). Add action: Send SMS. Write your message: ‘Hi {{contact.first_name}}, sorry we missed your call! We’re currently with another customer. How can we help? You can also book a time here: [your booking link]’. Save and activate. Done.
Option 2: using a third-party SMS provider
If you’re not on GHL, services like Twilio, MessageBird, or SimpleTexting offer missed call text-back via their APIs. You’ll need to configure call forwarding from your existing number and set up the auto-reply logic. This takes 30-60 minutes and costs $20-50/month depending on volume.
Option 3: Google Voice + Zapier
For the budget-conscious: set up a Google Voice number, forward your business calls to it, and use Zapier to trigger an SMS when a call goes to voicemail. This is the cheapest option ($0-20/month) but less reliable than dedicated solutions.
Crafting the perfect text-back message
Keep it personal, short, and action-oriented. Include: an apology for missing the call, reassurance that you’ll respond soon, and an alternative action (reply to SMS, book online, or describe their need via text). Avoid sounding robotic — write it like you’d text a customer yourself.