Sending SMS directly within a journey lets you connect with your audience in real time alongside your email and other touchpoints. This guide walks you through how to set up the purple Send SMS component, configure it for marketing or transactional messages, and make use of URL tracking for maximum engagement.

Step 1 - Locate the purple Send SMS component and drag and drop it in

In your journey builder, open the right-hand side pop-out menu.
Find the purple Send SMS component and drag it into your journey area.

Step 2 - Configure your SMS message

Once you drop the component into your journey, a configuration window will appear. Here you can:

  • Name the component

  • Set an SMS sender name

  • Enable or disable replies

  • Add an opt-out link (required for marketing messages under UK GDPR)

  • Write your SMS text - use the ? button for important SMS guidelines

  • Select an audience type - marketing or transactional

  • Add campaign tags

  • Choose whether the journey continues immediately after dispatch or waits for SMS delivery confirmation

Step 3 - Add URL tracking and shortening (optional)

If you include URLs in your SMS, you can track clicks and shorten links to save characters:

  • Place your URL inside a placeholder in the format:
    [url=http(s)://yourlink.co.uk]
    For example: [url=http://force24.co.uk]

  • The URL will automatically be shortened to a format like: http://sm5.co/XXXXXX and tracked in Force24

  • Important: Do not use a pre-shortened URL here, as it will be shortened again automatically, which may cause issues

Step 4 - Save and connect your journey

Once your SMS is ready, click Save. Connect the component to your other journey steps as usual.

Any contacts who reach this step in the journey - and have a valid mobile number - will be sent the SMS according to the journey logic.