You might know how to create a hyperlink that opens a new website when someone clicks on it. You can even create links that automatically open an email app when someone clicks on it.

But there’s a good chance you don’t know how to create a link that opens someone’s texting app.

SMS URLs are like magic links for texting apps. Clicking on them opens up a new chat in your messaging app, with phone numbers and a ready-to-go message. They’re like shortcuts that make it super easy for your customers to reach you in a flash, or for your team to shoot a message to your contacts in no time. It’s all about making communication quick and effortless!

Here’s what they are, how to set them up, and how to use them.

What Is an SMS URL?

Ever heard of SMS URLs or the cool click-to-text feature? They’re like special hyperlinks. Imagine this: you click one on a webpage, and boom! Your texting app on your phone opens up, with the number and a ready-to-go message all set. It’s like having a shortcut to text effortlessly from your computer or smartphone. Super handy, right?

When would I use an SMS URL?

Here are two possible uses for these links: first, you might want to add them to your website so that customers can reach you faster. They’ll tap on your link, navigate immediately to their app, and be ready to text your brand immediately. This can be especially good for subscribing your customers faster to your double opt-in lists.

Alternatively, you may have an online database of customers—through, for example, Salesforce or HubSpot—and you want to be able to text them just by clicking on their numbers. This is another case in which a link to SMS might be useful

How to Create HTML SMS Links

Write your text message that will populate when your customers’ apps launch. This message should reflect the message above. For example, if your SMS link is located on your customer service page, use a general message, like “Hello, I have a question.” If your SMS link is located in a description to claim an offer, you can use “Send this text to join the BRAND SMS Club and claim your exclusive offer.”

Create your hyperlink. Use the same process as you do when adding an HTML link to copy on your website, whether you’re editing the website’s HTML directly or using a CMS like Shopify or WordPress.

If you’re editing the HTML directly, set up your HREF attribute like this:

<a href="sms:+PHONENUMBER?&amp;body=KEYWORD OR BODY">Text</a>

OR

<a href="sms:%2B19082400280?body=KEYWORD OR BODY">Text</a>

Where to Place SMS URLs on Your Website

SMS URLs are useful tools whether you want to help customers reach your team faster or empower your team to reach customers more easily. Still, you want to be mindful of when you display a click-to-text hyperlink. With the immediate action that SMS URLs initiate, you want your customer to know that clicking on the SMS URL is going to open their texting app. Set that expectation clearly, otherwise, there’s a chance that you’ll lose that potential customer.

Depending on how you’d like to use these URLs, there are two alternatives:

1. To help customers reach you faster…consider a website widget. This is a small, clickable image in the corner of your website. Customers can click to either start a chat with your team or send a text to seamlessly and explicitly subscribe the lead to your SMS list.
2. To make it easier for your team to text customers…consider SMS integrations. You can integrate with your favorite CRM system or ticketing platform to message directly from that interface through a seamless tab.

Whether you choose SMS URLs or SMS integrations, this method will help streamline the process of messaging with customers.