What to text back when you miss a call

When you're on a job or driving to the next one, you can't answer every call. The person calling usually has something they want handled soon. If nobody picks up and nothing comes back, they might call the next business on their list.

A short text back, sent automatically when you miss the call, gives them a reason to wait for you.

Why a text helps

A missed call with no reply leaves the caller guessing whether you're even open. A quick text tells them a real business got the call and someone will get back to them. It also gives them a way to tell you what they need without leaving a voicemail or calling again.

Set it up once

You don't need to send these by hand. Look in your business phone app or your phone provider's settings for something called "missed call text," "auto-reply," or "text back." Many business phone services have it.

If you use a regular cell phone for the business, check whether it has an auto-reply you can turn on while you're working. If you can't find a setting, ask your phone provider what they offer.

Turn it on for your work hours first. You can add an after-hours version later.

What the text should say

Keep it short. Name the business, say when you'll call back, and give them a way to get started now. Here's a sample you can adjust:

Hi, this is [business name]. Sorry I missed your call. I'll call you back by [time]. If it's easier, reply here with what you need and your address.

And one for after hours:

Thanks for calling [business name]. We're closed right now. We open again at [time]. Reply with what you need and we'll call you back then.

Use your real business name and a callback time you can stick to. Skip links, long lists of services, and anything that reads like an ad. The point is to let them know you saw the call.

Keep the promise

Only promise a callback time you can actually hit. If the text says you'll call back within the hour, call within the hour. If a job runs long, send a quick update with a new time.

Check the replies

Texts that come in during a job are easy to miss. Pick a couple of set times, like lunch and the end of the day, to read and answer them. When people reply with what they need, you can call back already knowing the job, which makes the call shorter for both of you.

Make texting easy to find

If you're set up to take texts, put that next to your phone number on your website and your Google Business Profile. Someone who can't talk at work might text you instead of calling.

If you want your website to make it easy for people to call or text you, talk with Hexacomb. You run the business. We take care of your website.