Let Clients Book and Ask Questions Over Text, 24/7
Voka’s two-way SMS lets clients book appointments and ask questions by text around the clock, meeting them where they prefer to communicate.
Why Two-Way SMS Booking Matters
Clients increasingly prefer texting over phone calls. Texting offers convenience, less friction, and fits naturally into their daily routines. For businesses, this means missing out on bookings and client questions if you rely solely on calls or web forms.
Voka solves this with two-way SMS conversational booking. Clients can text to book appointments or ask questions anytime, day or night, without waiting on hold or navigating complex menus. The same AI receptionist that answers your phone answers the texts, with your business info and booking tools.
Who Benefits
- Service Providers across all verticals—salons, consultants, fitness centers—where client communication is key.
- Operations Teams who want to reduce call volume and streamline client interactions.
- Clients who want quick, convenient access to booking and support without calling.
How It Works
- Two-Way SMS Messaging: Clients text your own verified toll-free business number. Voka’s AI handles booking conversations and answers common questions automatically.
- Conversational Booking: When a booking integration is connected, the AI guides clients through available times and books the appointment by text.
- Escalation Flag: You set an escalation keyword. When a client texts it, the AI stops replying and the thread is flagged Escalated in your Voka dashboard, so your team can follow up directly. You can't reply from the Voka dashboard, and the flag doesn't text or email you.
- Integration with Calendars: Bookings go straight into your connected booking system—Square Appointments, Acuity, Calendly or Google Calendar.
- Opt-Outs: STOP and other opt-out requests are honoured automatically.
Setting It Up
- Connect Your Calendar: Connect Square, Acuity, Calendly or Google Calendar so the AI can book by text.
- Add SMS: Texting needs the SMS add-on and your own verified toll-free number (verification takes days, and it isn't available on the free trial's shared number).
- Turn On Two-Way Texting: It is off by default; turn it on per assistant, with a per-conversation reply cap (default 50).
- Set an Escalation Keyword: Choose the word that stops the AI and flags the thread for your team.
- Test and Launch: Run test conversations to check booking and escalation before telling clients.
Before and After Voka SMS Booking
| Before | After |
|---|---|
| Clients must call during business hours to book or ask questions. | Clients book and get answers anytime via text—no hold. |
| High call volume interrupts staff, reducing productivity. | AI handles routine requests, freeing staff to focus on complex tasks. |
| Booking platforms require manual entry or separate systems. | Bookings go straight into your connected booking system. |
| Clients frustrated by limited communication options. | Clients communicate on their preferred channel, improving satisfaction. |
Voka’s two-way SMS conversational booking is a no-fluff, effective way to meet clients where they want to communicate—via text. It reduces friction and gives clients a channel they prefer, with a clear flag when a conversation needs a person.
Ready to add 24/7 SMS booking and support to your business? Get started with Voka today.