Carriers expect every text to say who it is from, so keep the name short and recognizable.
Optional. Tailors the wording to your kind of business.
Optional. Every character of the link counts toward the length, so use the shortest link you have.
Recommended. It tells people how to stop texts, which carriers look for. It adds 23 characters.
Your missed-call texts
Add your business name above to replace YOUR BUSINESS.
Smart quotes typed on a phone are turned into plain ones so each text stays in GSM-7, which fits 160 characters instead of 70. Want to check your own wording? Try the SMS character counter.
Want every call answered instead? See how FrontDesk Talk works.
A quick text can save a call you missed
Someone who calls and gets no answer usually moves on to the next business. A text a few seconds later tells them you saw the call and want to help. Plenty of people would rather text anyway, especially at work or somewhere noisy.
This generator writes ready-to-send missed call texts for during hours or after hours, in your tone, with your booking link if you have one. Each template shows its character count and how many message parts it takes, so you know exactly what your customer receives.
How to use the missed call text generator
1
Add your business name
Keep it short and recognizable. Every text should say who it is from, and every character counts.
2
Pick the timing and tone
Choose during or after hours, then friendly, professional, or short. Add a booking link if callers can book online.
3
Check the count and copy
Look for templates that fit in one text, copy the one you like, and paste it into your phone system or texting tool.
The 160-character limit
A standard text holds 160 characters from the GSM-7 alphabet: letters, numbers, and common punctuation. Go over and the message is split into parts of 153 characters each, because a little of every part is used to stitch them back together. Your customer sees one message, but most providers bill per part.
Why one character can cut the limit to 70
If a text contains anything outside GSM-7, like an emoji, a curly apostrophe, or some accented letters, the whole message switches to Unicode (UCS-2). The limit drops to 70 characters, or 67 per part. Phones often insert curly quotes on their own, so this generator uses plain apostrophes and flags anything that would switch the encoding.
Why the opt-out line matters
Carriers screen business texts, and messages that don’t say who they are from or how to stop them are more likely to be filtered. “Reply STOP to opt out” covers the second part. Federal rules under the TCPA also apply to business texting, including honoring opt-outs, so ask your texting provider or a lawyer about consent for your situation.
What makes a good missed call text
Say who you are, mention the missed call, and give one clear next step: reply here, or book with a link. Skip anything that needs a long answer. Send it within a minute or two of the missed call, while the caller is still deciding who to call next.
Or let FrontDesk Talk handle it
Answer the call, and text back anyone who hangs up
FrontDesk Talk answers every call 24/7, and Talk Back texts anyone who hangs up early. Real Talk is $199 a month, books appointments too, and has no contract. You keep your number.
Questions
How long should a missed call text be?
Under 160 characters if you can, so it arrives as one message. Every template here shows its count. A booking link adds its full length, so use the shortest link you have.
Do I need to include “Reply STOP to opt out”?
It is strongly recommended in the first text you send someone. It tells people how to stop messages, which carriers look for when they filter business texts. Leave it on unless your texting provider adds it for you.
Why does a template say Unicode or UCS-2?
It contains a character outside the standard text alphabet, often a curly apostrophe, a long dash, or an emoji. Swap it for a plain version and the limit goes back to 160.
Can I send these from my cell phone?
You can paste one in by hand, but an automatic text back needs a phone system or texting service that knows when a call was missed. Business texting from a local number also has to be registered with US carriers (called 10DLC), which your provider walks you through.
Should I send a different text after hours?
Yes. After hours, say you are closed and that you will reply when you open, so the caller isn’t waiting on an answer tonight. If you have a booking link, after hours is when it helps most.
Does FrontDesk Talk send missed call texts?
Yes. FrontDesk Talk answers every call 24/7, and Talk Back texts anyone who hangs up early. Talk Back is included on Real Talk ($199 a month) and up.
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