A step-by-step guide to enabling SMS alerts so you're notified the moment a potential customer submits an intake form — and can respond before competitors do.
Navigate to Settings in BidSwift and enter your mobile phone number in the Notifications section. This is the number that will receive SMS alerts for new leads.
Toggle on SMS notifications for new lead submissions. You'll receive a text within seconds of a customer submitting your intake form.
Use your own phone or ask a trusted friend to submit a test lead through your intake form. Confirm that the SMS arrives promptly with the customer's name, address, and requested service.
Prepare a standard first response message you can send within minutes of receiving a new lead. Something like: "Hi [Name], this is [Your Name] from [Company]. I got your estimate request! I'll have a quote to you by end of day."
Studies show lead conversion rates drop by 80% when response time exceeds 5 minutes. Set a goal of responding to every new lead within 15 minutes during business hours.
Response speed is your single biggest competitive advantage. Most competitors take hours or days to respond.
Set up a saved response on your phone with your standard first-contact message so you can respond with 2 taps.
Consider setting up push notifications as a backup — if SMS ever fails, you'll still get instant alerts in your browser.
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