Send test SMS messages

Test your SMS messages by delivering them to a registered phone number for a 1-to-1 look at what your contacts will see.

While our SMS preview feature gives you a quick look at how your messages will appear, you’ll only be able to see your variables and get a general idea of how your longer messages will be split. With a test send, you’ll see exactly what your contacts will experience before launching full campaigns.

Important: Test sends still count toward your monthly send count. In addition, test sends must adhere to quiet hours.

• Set up your account for tests
• How to send a test SMS

Set up your account for tests

To complete a test send, you must have purchased the SMS marketing add-on and have completed the registration process. To send your first test, you’ll need to add a phone number and opt that number in to receive SMS messages.

Once a number has been added for SMS test sends, an ‘SMS Test Sends’ list will be auto-generated, containing your testing phone number(s). These numbers will be contacts in your Constant Contact account—contacts that have opted in for SMS—but they will not be included in your standard lists alongside all of your other contacts. Instead, they will be contained in this auto-generated list. 

Add a contact to receive test SMS sends

1. Draft your SMS message and click Schedule.
   
   Note: While variables such as [[FIRSTNAME]] can be used within your messages, they cannot be used within a URL. For example, creating an SMS with the message "Visit our website at www.mycompany.com/[[FIRSTNAME]]" will result in an error and prevent the SMS from being sent.
    
   
   
   
   
2. Expand the Send test dropdown.  
3. Click Sign up to send yourself a test or click Share link to share the sign-up form with a coworker.
   
   Note: Sending charges apply.
   
   
   
   
4. Enter your First name.
5. Enter your Last name. 
6. Check the Text me with news & offers button.
7. Enter the phone number to use for testing. 
8. Click Join test send list. 
   
   
   
   
9. Check your text messages and reply "Yes" to complete double opt-in.

How to send a test SMS

1. Draft your SMS message and click Schedule. 
   
   Note: While variables such as [[FIRSTNAME]] can be used within your messages, they cannot be used within a URL. For example, creating an SMS with the message "Visit our website at www.mycompany.com/[[FIRSTNAME]]" will result in an error and prevent the SMS from being sent.
   
   
   
   
2. Expand the Send test dropdown.
3. Click Send test. 
   
   

Inspect the test SMS message that was sent to your phone number and make any necessary adjustments.

Note: Free trial customers cannot complete a test SMS send; however, you can preview your SMS message to get an idea of what your contacts will experience. 

Questions?