You can setup an SMS number on the Communication > Communication Options page to start using SMS. Search by area code to find a phone number. Outside of US and Canada you can use your own number to send SMS so just enter it into the Communication Options under SMS Phone Number. Once SMS is enabled you will be able to set which events trigger text messages using the other tabs on the Communication Options page (Office, Sitters and Clients).
Staff will have a Communication Preference setting on their My Account page where they can decide whether they receive "Both Email and SMS" (the default), "Email Preferred" or "SMS Preferred". Clients have the same setting on their My Info page (which you can change in the Client Profile).
In the US & Canada pricing is 3/4 cent per outgoing text (incoming texts are free), with a $1.50 minimum fee each month. Outside the US & Canada the minimum fee is the same, but the per-SMS price is different (see below). Your current usage/price can be found on your My Plan page. Monthly pricing examples:
- 50 texts: $1.50
- 200 texts: $1.50
- 500 texts: $3.75
- 1000 texts: $7.50
- 2000 texts: $15.00
- 5000 texts: $37.50
Per-SMS Rates by Country
- US & Canada: $0.0075/text
- United Kingdom: $0.03/text
- Ireland: $0.015/text
- Australia: $0.04/text
- New Zealand: $0.1/text
- South Africa: $0.02/text