SMS autoresponders, also called text message auto-replies or automated SMS responses, let businesses automatically reply to incoming messages based on keywords or triggers. These auto-replies deliver instant information — like updates, confirmations, or offers — without requiring someone to reply manually.
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SlickText has powered over 124,000 text message programs since 2011.
Use SMS autoresponders to confirm signups, answer common questions, share business hours, deliver offers, or provide event details instantly. Responses can include links, personalization, and media, while built-in analytics help you measure engagement. For more advanced follow-up, an autoresponder can also start a multi-message workflow.
An SMS autoresponder is a prewritten text message that is sent automatically when a specific trigger occurs, such as someone texting a keyword, joining a subscriber list, or submitting a form. Businesses use SMS autoresponders to instantly share information, confirm signups, deliver offers, and acknowledge customer inquiries.
A basic autoresponder sends one immediate reply. For more advanced follow-up, SlickText workflows let you add delays, send multiple messages, branch contacts into different paths, and respond to their actions over time.
SMS autoresponders are the most common way that people are sending automated text messages. SMS autoresponders automatically send replies when triggered, whether to provide instant information or confirm a subscription.
That trigger might be a keyword someone texts in, like JOIN, HOURS, or INFO, but it can also be based on an action or condition inside your SMS marketing platform.
For example, you might send an automatic welcome message when someone joins a list, a confirmation after they fill out a form, a follow-up after they click a link, or an after-hours reply when someone texts your business outside normal operating hours.
In other words, SMS autoresponders are not limited to keyword replies. They can help your business respond instantly at key moments across the customer journey.
Setting up text message autoresponders can be broken down into two basic parts: setting up your keyword or trigger and then configuring your auto response SMS message. Our platform makes this process so easy that most people are up and running in a matter of minutes.
A keyword is a word or phrase that people can text to an SMS short code or phone number to trigger an autoresponder text message. A keyword can be more than one word but is recommended to be kept short, easy to spell, and easy to remember. You can set up as many or few keywords as you like, each with a dedicated auto-reply. You can use keywords to opt subscribers into a list, automatically reply with information, or both. Additionally, some modern autoresponders allow you to set up after-hours replies within the platform.
This is a text message that will be immediately sent back to people after they text a keyword to your number. An auto response text can be used to set expectations and provide important information to customers. The standard limit on text messages is 160 characters, however, our service allows your responses to be up to 1,600 characters if needed. You can even include a picture with your message to achieve greater engagement.
Using auto responses improves customer satisfaction and improves productivity by automating repetitive tasks. Auto responses can include a link to resources, help customers receive important updates, and provide next steps for further action.
By default, each keyword has just one automated text message response associated with it. In some cases, one response may not be sufficient. What if you need to provide a series of text messages or engage in two-way messaging to collect more information? Our drag-and-drop workflow tool enables you to build automated message sequences based on contact behavior or time.
Our reporting and analytics dashboard provides a wide array of data about the effectiveness of your texting program.
Including a link in automated text responses will help you understand who is engaging with each text message. Not only can you track the number of clicks, you can also track which individuals have clicked so that you can send future messages based on whether they did or did not take action.
Businesses across industries use SMS autoresponders to instantly answer common questions, share information, confirm signups, and deliver timely updates.
Popular use cases include:
SlickText can automatically send a response when someone:
Each trigger can deliver an immediate response, provide next steps, or begin a longer automated sequence.
Here are a few ways businesses use text message auto-replies:
| Use Case | Keyword | Example Auto-Reply |
|---|---|---|
| New subscriber welcome | JOIN | Thanks for joining! Enter code VIP15 for 15% off your first order: [link] |
| Business hours | HOURS | We’re open Mon–Fri 9am–6pm and Sat 10am–3pm. View holiday hours here: [link] |
| Event information | EVENT | Thanks for your interest! Doors open at 6pm. View parking, schedule, and ticket details here: [link] |
| Real estate listing | 123 MAIN | Thanks for asking about 123 Main St. View photos, price, and open house details here: [link] |
| App download | APP | Download our app here: [link]. Reply HELP if you need assistance. |
| After-hours reply | Triggered by any message received after business hours | Thanks for reaching out! Our team is offline right now, but we’ll reply during business hours. In the meantime, our FAQs may have the answer you need: [link] |
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Setting up text autoresponders should be very simple. With SlickText, it only takes a few minutes to create a keyword and auto-response message. Plus, built-in SMS compliance features make it easier to follow opt-in and opt-out requirements.
Send instant replies to incoming texts or build multi-step follow-ups with triggers, conditions, delays, and branching. SlickText gives you the flexibility to start simple and add more automation as your needs grow.
With SlickText, incoming text messages are always free. You only pay for outbound messages, so you can keep conversations going without worrying about additional charges for customer replies.
SMS autoresponders are included in every SlickText plan. Plans start at $29/month for 500 message credits, plus applicable carrier fees. No feature upgrades required.
View PricingThe best SMS autoresponder is one that allows you to automatically reply to incoming texts using keywords, triggers, and scheduling. Look for features like customizable responses, workflow automation, personalization, analytics, and easy setup. The ideal solution should also support multiple triggers, integrations, and compliance tools to manage opt-ins and opt-outs.
SMS autoresponder costs vary depending on the provider, number of messages sent, and included features. Most platforms offer autoresponders as part of their SMS marketing plans, with pricing typically based on monthly message volume. Some providers include autoresponders at no extra cost, while others charge for advanced automation capabilities.
An SMS autoresponder is an automated text message that's instantly sent to someone after they text a specific keyword to your business phone number or short code. Also called text message auto-replies, they deliver immediate responses without manual intervention. For example, when a customer texts "HOURS" to your number, they automatically receive your store hours. Autoresponders are commonly used for subscription confirmations, delivering on-demand information, discount codes, event details, and instant customer support responses.
Setting up an automatic text reply involves two simple steps. First, create a keyword—a word or phrase people text to trigger the response (like "JOIN" or "INFO"). Keep keywords short, easy to spell, and memorable. Second, write your auto-response message, which can be up to 1,600 characters and even include images. Most SMS platforms like SlickText let you set this up in minutes through an intuitive dashboard. You can create unlimited keywords, each with its own automated response, and even build multi-message sequences using workflow automation tools.
Yes. Many SMS autoresponders can send multiple messages as part of a sequence or workflow. For example, you can send an immediate confirmation message followed by additional texts minutes, hours, or days later. This allows businesses to create automated follow-ups, onboarding sequences, or drip-style campaigns.
Yes. SlickText lets you include links in standard SMS autoresponders and add images, GIFs, or other supported media with MMS. You can also track clicks on links to measure engagement and use that information in future campaigns or automated workflows.
Any word or phrase you configure can trigger an autoresponder. Common keywords include: STOP, CANCEL, UNSUBSCRIBE (required opt-out keywords), JOIN, START, SUBSCRIBE (opt-in keywords), INFO, HOURS, MENU, LOCATION (information requests), COUPON, DEAL, SALE (promotional triggers), and HELP (support requests). You should choose keywords that are short (ideally one word), easy to spell, memorable, and relevant to your offer. You can create as many custom keywords as needed, each with its own automated response message.
SMS autoresponders send pre-written automated text replies triggered by specific keywords, while chatbots use conversational AI to understand and respond to various inputs dynamically. Autoresponders are simpler, more reliable, and perfect for delivering consistent information like discount codes, hours, or subscription confirmations. Chatbots offer more flexibility for complex conversations but require more setup and can sometimes misunderstand requests. For most businesses, autoresponders provide the right balance of automation and reliability for common customer interactions.
SlickText has powered over 124,000 text message programs since 2011.
