# SMS Center - Getting Started > Category: SMS Center > Canonical URL: https://crazytel.com.au/knowledgebase/article/smscenter-basics This guide covers the basics for Crazytel's new SMS Center; inbound setup, outbound setup, contact lists, opt-out lists. # SMS Center - Getting Started Crazytel's new SMS Center has been built from scratch to provide a more robust and feature-rich experience for managing SMS services. This guide covers the basics of getting started with the new SMS Center. ## Accessing the SMS Center The SMS Center can be accessed from the main navigation menu in the MyAccount portal. Look for the **SMS Center** option in the left-hand navigation panel. This will take you to the *SMS Command Center Dashboard* which provides an overview of your SMS usage. ## Setting up a Virtual Mobile Number for inbound SMS messages This guide assumes you already have a Virtual Mobile Number. If you do not, see the guide "Buying Numbers" for more information.
Setting up inbound SMS routing 1. Click **Number Management** to view all SMS-capable numbers on your Crazytel account. 1. Click **Manage** next to the number you want to use for SMS messages. 1. Locate the **SMS Routing** section for the number, and click **Add SMS Route** to add a new route. 1. Select the **SMS Route** from the drop-down menu - for an explanation of each route type, check the **Understanding SMS Routing** button in this section for the latest details. 1. Set the **SMS Destination** for the number, based on your route type. 1. Click **Save Changes** to save the route. SMS Messages sent to this number will now route according to the rules you have set. Multiple routes can be added to a single number.
## Setting up a Virtual Mobile Number for Outbound SMS messages There are dozens of ways to send an SMS message with Crazytel's new SMS Center. This guide covers the 3 following methods. For methods not in this guide, check the **All about SMS Center** guide.
SMS Messages from SIP Trunks or CrazyPBX Extensions Configure the SIP Trunk or CrazyPBX Extension's SMS Sender ID. Send an SMS message from the linked device/application.
SMS messages from email
Setup 1. Navigate to **Email-to-SMS** using the navigation menu on the left 1. Click **Add new Authorized Email** on the right-hand side 1. Type in the **Sender email address**. This email address cannot be used for any other email-to-SMS configuration with Crazytel. 1. Set the **Caller ID/DID (Sender)** that SMS messages should be sent using 1. *(optional):* Set the **MAX Segments** to limit the length of SMS messages sent from this email address. (Max 10) 1. *(optional):* Set the **Reporting** level for this email address. 1. *(optional):* Set a **Description** for this configured email (i.e. Jody's Email) so this email can be easily identified in the future. 1. Click **Save mapping** to save the email-to-SMS configuration.
Sending an SMS message from email Crazytel offers 2 SMS sending methods via email: - **Email body as message**: Send an SMS message by typing the message in the email body. This ignores any text in the subject of the email, allowing easy internal ID of sent emails (i.e. Appointment reminder for Steve - 11/11/2026) 1. From an Authorised email address, write an email to `gateway+@sms.crazytel.com.au`, replacing `` with the phone number you want to send the SMS to. 1. Type your message in the body of the email. > ⚠️ **Important**: *ALL* text in the email body will be sent, including any email signature/footers. Make sure to remove these, or disable them for the `@sms.crazytel.com.au` domain. 1. Click **Send** to send the SMS message. - **Email subject as message**: Send an SMS message by typing the message in the email subject. This ignores any text in the body of the email, like your email signature. 1. From an Authorised email address, write an email to `gateway++subject@sms.crazytel.com.au`, replacing `` with the phone number you want to send the SMS to. 1. Type your message in the subject of the email. 1. Click **Send** to send the SMS message.
SMS messages from the SMS Center Crazytel's new SMS Messaging center allows you to send SMS messages directly from the website, and updates conversations in real time! No more refreshing the page waiting for a new message... 1. Navigate to **Inbox & Chat** (existing conversation) or **New Message** (new conversation) in the navigation menu 1. Click an existing conversation and start typing a reply, or click **Start New Chat** to send an SMS message to a new contact 1. Select the **From** number (Caller ID) that the SMS message should be sent from 1. Type the **To** number (phone number) that the SMS message should be sent to, or select from your contact list 1. *(optional):* Click **Bulk Send** to send the message to multiple numbers.
Expand for Bulk Send options - Paste numbers in the **Paste Numbers** field - Add contacts from your address book - Select a contact list - Any combination of the above
1. *(optional):* Click **Schedule** to schedule the message for a later time, then select a date and time to send the message. 1. *(optional):* Click **Opt-out list** to send the SMS messages to an opt-out list 1. Type your message in the **Message** box, then click **Send message** (or **Schedule message**)
## SMS Templates Typing SMS messages by hand *sucks*. Copy-pasting is a good invention, but only works if you store the SMS message somewhere else, which means you also need to open that location before copy-pasting... SMS Templates removes the need for all this hassle!
Creating a template 1. Under **Configuration** on the navigation menu, click **Quick Template** 1. Click **+ New Template** 1. Set a **Template Name** - something logical (i.e. "Appointment Reminder") 1. Set a **Category** for the template (i.e. "Reminder") 1. Fill out the **Template Body** with your message. Any variables should be wrapped in double curly braces (i.e. `{{date}}`), for example: `{{first_name}}, your appointment is scheduled for {{date}} at {{time}}. Please call 1300 123 456 if you need to reschedule.` 1. Enter any variables in the **Variables** field, separated by commas (i.e. `date,time`) > Some variables are pre-configured, like `first_name` and `last_name` from contacts lists! 1. Set the **Picker Visibility** to *Active* to make the template available in the SMS center 1. *(optional):* Enter an **Admin note** to help you remember what the template is for
Using a template 1. When sending a new SMS message, click the template picker at the bottom of the message box 1. If any variables are required, a pop-up box will display asking for user input. Enter the information for each variable as required, then click **Apply template** > Pre-configured variables like `first_name` and `last_name` will be automatically replaced with the corresponding values from the contact list. 1. Proof read your SMS message - variables entered in the above step are not checked for formatting or spelling at all! 1. Click **Send message**, or enable optional features like scheduling or opt-out lists
## Opt-Out Lists Contact lists are great for sending SMS marketing, or bulk SMS updates to people, however, per ACMA SMS SPAM laws, marketing messages must: - Identify you as the sender (see [SMS Templates](#SMS-Templates)) - Contain your contact details (see [SMS Templates](#SMS-Templates)) - Make it easy to unsubscribe (covered in this section)
Make an Opt-Out List 1. Under **Configuration** on the navigation menu, click **Opt-out Management** 1. Click **+ Create List** on the top right 1. Enter a **Name** for the list and set a **Slug** (unique list Identifier) 1. *(optional):* Enter a **Description** to help you remember what the list is for 1. *(optional):* Enter a **STOP confirmation message**, that is sent to customers to confirm they have unsubscribed 1. *(optional):* Enter a **HELP message**, that is sent to customers when they text "HELP" to your shortcode 1. *(optional):* Enable **Use as default opt-out list** to use this opt-out list unless another Opt-out list is specified 1. Click **Save List**
Configure your Opt-out List Under **Choose the working list**, click the new list, then click **Use** to change its configuration. The following options are available:
Entries | Manage the list of phone numbers that have unsubscribed 1. **Add Phone:** Manually stop a single number from receiving SMS messages in this list. Set an optional Audit note for later reference. 1. **Bulk import:** Manually stop multiple numbers from receiving SMS messages in this list. Numbers must be entered on new lines, or separated by commas. Set an optional Audit note for later reference. 1. **Unsubscribed number table:** Manually resubscribe numbers, if needed.
DIDs | Allow phone numbers to Opt-Out by texting a different number - **Add DID:** Add a phone number to the list of numbers that can be used to opt-out of messages sent from this list. If customers text STOP to the mapped DID, they will be unsubscribed from this list.
Check | Check if a number is in this list, or another list - **Phone to Check:** Search for a number to see if it is subscribed to any contact lists.
## Contact lists Contact lists allow you to bulk send SMS messages to a specific collection of people. This allows you to segment your audience and send targeted messages to specific groups (i.e. customers, employees, sales promotions, etc).
Make a Contact List 1. Under **Address Book** on the navigation menu, click **Contact Lists** 1. Click **+ New List** in the list window on the left. Unique destination groups require unique lists. 1. Enter a **List Name** for the list and set a **Description** to explain the list's purpose 1. *(optional):* Link an Opt-Out List to automatically add numbers that text STOP to this list > ⚠️ **IMPORTANT:** Any marketing list must have a linked [Opt-Out](#Make-an-Opt-Out-List) list to comply with anti-spam regulations. 1. *(optional):* Set the list as **Active in SMS list pickers** to make it available for selection when sending SMS messages 1. Click **Save List**
Populating a Contact List 1. Select the list you wish to add the contacts to from the **Contacts Lists List** panel on the left 1. Click **Add** to add contacts to the list. Enter the **Phone Number**, **First Name**, **Last Name**, and any **Notes** for this contact, then click **Save Contact** 1. *(optional):* Import a bulk list of contacts using the **Import CSV** button. > ⚠️ **IMPORTANT:** The CSV file must match the expected format. Download and populate the example .csv file to ensure contacts import correctly. 1. *(optional):* **Clear All** to remove all contacts from the list. (not recommended) ### Contact List Options: - **Edit:** Change the Contact list's core settings (name, description, opt-out list, etc.) - **Pause:** Temporarily disable this list (uncheck **Active Only** in the list panel to the left to show paused lists) - **Delete:** Remove this list entirely (use with caution)
Configure your Contact List Under **Choose the working list**, click the new list, then click **Use** to change its configuration. The following options are available:
Entries | Manage the list of phone numbers that are in this list - **Add Phone:** Manually add a single number to this list. Set an optional Audit note for later reference. - **Bulk import:** Manually add multiple numbers to this list. Numbers must be entered on new lines, or separated by commas. Set an optional Audit note for later reference. - **Subscribed number table:** Manually remove numbers, if needed.
DIDs | Allow phone numbers to Subscribe by texting a different number - **Add DID:** Add a phone number to the list of numbers that can be used to subscribe to this list. If customers text SUBSCRIBE to the mapped DID, they will be subscribed to this list.
Check | Check if a number is in this list, or another list - **Phone to Check:** Search for a number to see if it is subscribed to any contact lists.