Add-on: Twilio SMS guide

Integrating Twilio with Storeganise allows operators to send SMS messages to customers efficiently. Follow these steps to set up the integration and start sending notifications.

Terminology

• Operator: The business uses Storeganise.
• User: The customer receiving the messages.
• Operator's Phone Number: The number from which SMS messages will be sent.
• User's Phone Number: The number that will receive SMS messages.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Log in to Your Account
   • Access Storeganise, head to the Add-on section in the main settings, and click the “+” icon to enable your Twilio account.
2. Obtain and Create API Keys in Twilio

   • Navigate to the "API Keys and Token" section in your Twilio console.

     

   • Locate your account SID.

     

   • Create a new API key if you haven’t already. Note that the API key secret is only shown once when you create it, so store it securely.
3. Enable Country Code in Twilio
   • Go to the "Messaging Geographic Permissions" tab.

     • Search for “Geographic Permissions” and click “SMS Geographic Permissions”

       

   • Search for the country you want to send messages to
     • Click the checkbox on the country code for the region(s) where you want to send messages.
4. Configure the Add-On in Storeganise
   • Go to the add-on page in your Storeganise account.
   • Click “+” and add Twilio
   • Input the following values in the settings:
     • Default country code (your customer’s country code; e.g., US country code is +1)
     • Account SID
     • API key SID
     • API key secret
   • Edit the message templates for your Job Unit Move-In Completed and Job Unit Move-In Created events. See here for a list of available placeholders & message templates.
     • If the placeholder is incorrect in the message, the SMS message will still be sent, but the place where the placeholder is will remain blank
5. Set Up Event Notifications

• Event 1: Job Unit Move-In Created

• Go to the Customer Portal or Management Portal
• Book a unit as a test.
• After clicking the "Submit Booking" button on the customer portal or creating the upcoming move-in from the management portal, this event will trigger, sending a message to the user booking the unit. Verify this by checking the message sent to your phone.

• Event 2: Job Unit Move-In Completed
  • Go to the "Admin Portal."
  • Search for a user with a pending moving job.
  • Click the "Complete Move-In" step to trigger this event. A message will be sent indicating the job is complete. Verify by checking the new message on the screen.

6. Format User Phone Numbers

• Ensure all user phone numbers are in the correct format to be accepted by Twilio:
  • Include the country code and symbol (e.g., +14166390873 for a Canadian number) in the user’s details on Storeganise.
  • The add-on automatically sets the number for Twilio, removes spaces or other characters, and prepends the country code.

7. Link Your Twilio Phone Number

• Purchase phone numbers from Twilio for this integration.

  (Specific information for DACH users: Twilio number in DACH region)

• If using other phone numbers, ensure they comply with Twilio’s telecommunications requirements. Note that Storeganise support does not cover securing compliant phone numbers.

Using Placeholders

• If a placeholder is incorrect in the message, the SMS will still send, but the place where the placeholder is will remain blank.
• Common placeholders:
  • {{user.name}}
  • {{user.firstName}}
  • {{site.title.en}}
  • {{unit.name}}
  • {{unitRental.startDate}}

Message Templates

Template 1: Customer Books a Unit

Message 1:"Hi {{user.firstName}} , your booking at {{site.title.en}} is confirmed! Unit #{{unit.name}} , Check-in: {{unitRental.startDate}} . Thank you!"

Message 2:"Hi {{user.firstName}} ! Unit {{unit.name}} is ready for you to move into on {{unitRental.startDate}}. Your access code is {{unit.customFields.access_code}} .

Changing the Sender’s Name

• The Alphanumeric Sender ID feature allows changing the sender name but is not available in all countries. Check the list of supported countries.
• To enable this feature:
  1. Go to Phone Numbers > Alphanumeric Sender ID in the Twilio console.
  2. Click Add a new Sender ID and fill in the form. If registration is required, follow Twilio's instructions.

1. Find out more information [here]

Troubleshooting

• Ensure API keys and other configuration details are correct.
• Verify phone numbers are in the correct format in your Storeganise account.
• Check country codes and GeoPermissions settings in Twilio.
• Review message templates for placeholder accuracy.

For further assistance, refer to the video demo linked at the beginning of this guide or consult Twilio's support resources.