When a prospect calls and you can’t pick up, a fast, friendly text can save the sale. This guide shows you how to set up missed call text back the right way — with message templates, metrics, and compliance essentials tailored for small businesses.

Get a free demo

What is “missed call text back”?

Missed call text back is an automated SMS your business sends to a caller when you can’t answer. The goal is to acknowledge the call, set expectations, and offer an easy next step (book, reply with a question, or request a callback). Think of it as a 24/7 safety net for phone leads.

Research highlight
  • Up to 85% of customers whose calls go unanswered won’t call back — meaning one missed ring can become a lost lead unless you follow up fast (CallRail Small Business Marketing Benchmarks, 2025). See the CallRail benchmark. (callrail.com)
  • Consumers increasingly expect to text with businesses: 86% now opt in to receive business texts (EZ Texting, 2025). Read the 2025 Consumer Texting Report. (eztexting.com)
  • Speed matters: firms that contact a lead within an hour are nearly 7× more likely to qualify it than those waiting longer; after 24 hours, odds drop more than 60× (Harvard Business Review). Harvard Business Review (2011). (hbr.org)

Why it matters: the data

Missed calls happen when you’re with customers, on another line, or after hours. A short, helpful SMS keeps the conversation alive and gives prospects a low‑friction way to reply. It also signals reliability and reduces the odds they’ll try a competitor. The numbers above show the business case: most missed callers won’t try again, texting is widely accepted, and faster follow‑up dramatically boosts conversion. (callrail.com)

Pro tip: send your auto‑text within 1–2 minutes of the missed call, and offer 2–3 quick‑reply options (e.g., “1) Book, 2) Ask a question, 3) Request a callback”). This reduces back‑and‑forth and speeds qualified responses.

Step-by-step setup (with a simple checklist)

Before you start

  • Confirm your business texting setup (local 10‑digit number or toll‑free) and that SMS is enabled on your line(s).
  • Register for 10DLC if you send from a local number to U.S. recipients (brand + campaign). Carriers have been blocking unregistered traffic industry‑wide since late 2024. Industry cutoff summary. (telnyx.com)
  • Draft compliant opt‑in/opt‑out language for your website, intake forms, and first message (details below).

Configuration options

  1. Use your phone system’s missed‑call automation.

    Many VoIP and business phone providers can trigger an SMS on missed calls. Enable “missed call text” in settings, paste your message template, and test with a real mobile number.

  2. Use a lightweight workflow with your CRM or calendar.

    Some CRMs can create a contact from a missed call event and send a follow‑up text with a booking link. Keep it one click to schedule.

  3. Pair with an AI assistant on your site.

    Send your missed caller a text that links them to your website’s AI assistant to answer questions, collect details, or book — especially helpful after hours. You can add an AI sales agent in minutes with Small Business Chatbot.

Compliance watch (U.S.)

The FCC’s 2024 rulemaking standardized common opt‑out keywords (e.g., STOP, CANCEL, UNSUBSCRIBE) and requires honoring revocations “as soon as practicable,” not to exceed 10 business days. If your texting protocol can’t accept replies, you must disclose that and provide an alternate opt‑out method in each message. Federal Register summary of rule. (govinfo.gov)

Quick setup checklist

  • Write a 140–160 character message with your business name, short apology, and a clear next step.
  • Include “Reply STOP to opt out. Msg & data rates may apply.”
  • Send within 1–2 minutes of the missed call; schedule a second nudge 4–6 hours later if no reply.
  • Offer self‑service (book link) and a human fallback (request a callback).
  • Log outcomes in your CRM (replied, booked, requested callback, opted out).

Message templates that get replies

Service business (repairs, home services)

140–160 chars, brand first, one clear action

  • [Brand]: Sorry we missed your call. Need help fast? Reply 1 to book the next slot, 2 with your question, or 3 for a callback. Reply STOP to opt out.
  • [Brand]: Thanks for calling! Tap to book now: yoursite.com/book. Or reply 3 for a callback. Msg&data rates may apply. Reply STOP to opt out.

Local retail or showroom

  • [Brand]: We just tried to reach you. Want product info or to hold an item? Reply 1=Info, 2=Hold, 3=Callback. Reply STOP to opt out.

Professional services (legal, wellness, coaching)

  • [Brand]: Sorry we missed you. New client consults available this week. Reply 1 for calendar link, 2 with your question, or 3 for a callback.
Pro tip: If you include a link, use your own branded domain (not a public URL shortener) to reduce carrier filtering and build trust.

Compliance basics: consent, 10DLC, and opt-outs

1) Get and document consent

  • For conversational follow‑ups (e.g., call‑related texts), tell callers you may text them about their inquiry and include opt‑out instructions on forms and your site.
  • Confirm opt‑in in your first message and log consent where you store contacts.

2) Register 10DLC for local numbers

If you text from a local 10‑digit number to U.S. recipients, carriers require 10DLC registration (brand + campaign) through The Campaign Registry via your provider. Unregistered traffic has been broadly blocked on U.S. routes since December 1, 2024. Details. (telnyx.com)

3) Honor opt-outs quickly

  • Support standard keywords: STOP, QUIT, END, CANCEL, UNSUBSCRIBE, OPT OUT; send one confirmation text with no marketing content.
  • Process revocations within 10 business days; sooner is better. FCC rule text. (govinfo.gov)

This article is general information, not legal advice. When in doubt, consult counsel on TCPA and state rules.

How to measure success and improve

  • Reply rate: % of missed‑call texts that get a response within 24 hours.
  • Booking rate: % of texts that result in an appointment or sale.
  • Time to first reply: median minutes from missed call to your SMS — aim for under 2 minutes.
  • Opt‑out rate: keep under ~1–2% on service messages; if higher, review frequency and content.
  • Revenue saved: value of bookings from missed‑call texts ÷ total calls missed.
Why speed pays: Faster outreach correlates with higher qualification odds — companies contacting leads within an hour are nearly 7× more likely to qualify them; after a day, odds plunge 60× (Harvard Business Review). Source. (hbr.org)

Troubleshooting and edge cases

  • Landline callers: Your SMS won’t deliver. Consider an automated voicemail with a short URL or a callback pledge.
  • After‑hours surge: Batch a courteous follow‑up next morning and keep your link to book/self‑serve visible 24/7.
  • Carrier filtering: Avoid public URL shorteners, add your brand name up front, and keep messages transactional and specific.
  • High opt‑outs: You may be texting too frequently or without clear value. Add context (“about your call at 3:42 PM”) and reduce nudges.

What you can automate with Small Business Chatbot

Small Business Chatbot adds an always‑on AI sales assistant to your website and pairs well with missed call text back. When someone texts after a missed call, point them to your assistant to answer questions, qualify the lead, and book directly on your calendar — without waiting on a live agent.

Capture more from every call

  • Instant answers and lead capture on your site
  • Bookings routed to your inbox and calendar
  • Works alongside your current phone system

Book a demo

Explore how our assistant connects with your tools on the integrations page, and see real‑world results from teams like yours in our customer reviews.

Frequently asked questions for missed call text back

Do I need consent to text someone who just called my business?
Yes. Best practice is to obtain and log consent for call‑related texts and include opt‑out instructions in your first message and on your site. The FCC also requires honoring reasonable opt‑out requests within 10 business days. Rule summary. (govinfo.gov)
What should my first auto‑text include?
Business name, brief apology, context (about their call), a clear next step (book, reply, or callback), and opt‑out language (e.g., “Reply STOP to opt out. Msg&data rates may apply.”).
How fast should the message go out?
Within 1–2 minutes. Faster follow‑up is strongly correlated with higher qualification and conversion rates. (hbr.org)
Do I need to register for 10DLC?
If you text from a local 10‑digit number to U.S. recipients, carriers require brand and campaign registration. Unregistered traffic has been broadly blocked since late 2024. Details. (telnyx.com)
What if the caller used a landline?
They can’t receive SMS. Make sure your voicemail mentions a short booking link and that your follow‑up process includes a call back.
How do I measure ROI?
Track reply rate, booking rate, and revenue from appointments that originated from missed‑call texts. Compare against your baseline before automation.
Will people actually text a business back?
Yes — texting with businesses is now mainstream. 86% of consumers report opting in to business texts (2025). EZ Texting report. (eztexting.com)

Wrap‑up

Automating missed call text back is one of the fastest, lowest‑cost ways to save leads you’re already generating. Keep messages short, send them quickly, make the next step obvious, and stay compliant. If you also want a friendly assistant to answer questions and book appointments on your site, try Small Business Chatbot — it pairs perfectly with your phone workflow.

Structured data for FAQ