What is missed call text back?

Missed call text back is an automatic text sent to anyone who calls your business and doesn't get an answer. It goes out within seconds, from your business number, and asks what they need. The caller ends up talking to you by text instead of dialing the next company on the list.

This guide explains how it works, what the first text should say (with examples you can adapt), whether it's legal, and what missed calls may be costing you.

Why missed calls cost you jobs

When you're on a job and can't pick up, most callers don't leave a voicemail. They call the next company on the list. Three situations cause most of it:

• You're on a job. Hands full, under a sink or on a roof. You can't answer, and the customer won't wait.
• It's after hours. Emergencies don't keep office hours. Evening and weekend callers want an answer now.
• Voicemail is a dead end. Most people hang up instead of leaving a message and call the next business they find.

How missed call text back works

1. A call is missed. A customer calls your business line and you can't pick up.
2. They get a text. Within seconds they get a friendly text from your business asking what they need.
3. The conversation continues. They reply by text, get your booking link and choose a time that suits them.
4. You get the job. The appointment lands on your calendar and you get a notification with the details.

Your customers keep calling the number they already know. Nothing changes for them or for you, except that fewer of them slip away.

What should the first text say?

Keep it short, say who you are, and ask one easy question. A good first text:

• names your business, so it doesn't look like spam;
• says sorry you missed them and asks what they need;
• gives a next step, like a link to book a time;
• tells them they can reply STOP to opt out.

Here are three examples you can adapt. Swap in your business name and booking link.

From there you or your team can reply yourselves, or let the booking link do the work.

What do missed calls cost you?

Rough numbers. Put in your own and assume only half of those callers would have booked. The math: missed calls a week × 50% × average job value × 52 weeks ÷ 12 months.

Is it legal to text people who called you?

Yes, when it's done properly. The person has just called your business, every message identifies your business, and anyone can reply STOP to opt out at any time. We register your texting with US carriers as part of setup.

Should you set it up yourself or have it done for you?

You can set it up yourself with texting software. You'd connect it to your number, write the messages, set up online booking and register your texting with US carriers.

Or you can have it done for you. With LoopLead, we build it, test it, run it and keep it compliant. You don't need to learn any software. Setup is usually about a day of our time; carrier registration can take a few extra days, and we handle it.

What does LoopLead cost?

• Core: $147/month. Instant text-back to every missed call, an online booking link, instant alerts to your phone, an enquiry tracker, and texting registration handled with US carriers.
• Growth: $297/month. Everything in Core, plus smart text replies that answer common questions and help the caller book a time, automatic Google review requests after every job, a past-customer campaign and a monthly results report.

No setup fee. Month-to-month, no contract. Founding clients keep their price for 12 months. And if you don't see results in the first 60 days, we refund you and part as friends.

Running a plumbing business? See missed call text back for plumbers.

Want to see it on your own number?

Book a 10-minute call. We'll show you how it would work on your own number, with no pressure and no jargon.

Book a 10-minute call