Link tracking in SMS automation
The link tracking feature allows you to track how many recipients click on links in your SMS automations. This number is also known as the click through rate or link CTR (click through rate).
In other words, link tracking gives you access to valuable data about the performance of your messages. You can use this knowledge to continuously optimise the messages in your SMS automations to increase recipient engagement and encourage them to click through your links.
How to use shortened links in SMS automation
Before you get started: You need to create a subdomain before you can use the link shortener feature in your SMS messages. See how to set up a subdomain here: Guide: Setting up a subdomain.
Once you've created a subdomain, you're ready to use prepended links in your SMS automations. Here's how you do it:
- In inMobile: Go to the menu item "SMS automations".
- Click on "Create new SMS automation".
- Fill in the fields provided:
Title: Enter a title for your automation for internal use.
Recipients: Select the list you want to use as a trigger - or create a new list.
Segmentation: If you need to segment your list of recipients further, select "Segmentation" here.
Country code: Specify whether you only want to send messages to one country or to everyone on the list regardless of the country code.
Advanced: Should a recipient be able to receive the message multiple times if they unsubscribe and rejoin the flow? Then you need to opt in here.
Sending window: Set your desired sending window for the messages in the flow. - Click on "Next".
- Choose whether you want to unsubscribe from your messages and click "Next". Note. Unsubscribing is required by law in SMS marketing messages.
- Click "Create message" and write the first SMS in your SMS automation. Paste your entire link in the message field.
- To insert a link with link tracking, activate "Link tracking / link shortener" and select the domain you want to use. In the example message to the right, you can see how your link will look to the recipient.
- Once you have written your message, select a send time and click "Save".
- If you want to create more messages in your automation, follow the same procedure as above by clicking "Create message".
- When you're done creating your messages, click "Next" and then "Activate automation". Your automation is now active.
Benefits of link tracking
By tracking the number of clicks on links in your SMS messages, you can gain several benefits. This includes access to valuable data and greater link credibility.
Increased conversions
By including links in your SMS communication, you can guide recipients to your website or other specific landing pages that are relevant. This increases the likelihood of recipients responding to your message and creates more conversions in SMS campaigns.
Valuable data collection
With inMobile's ability to insert links into your SMS messages, you get access to valuable data. This is especially important for those who work with SMS marketing or SMS for e-commerce, but can also be relevant in other contexts. Knowledge about engagement and clicks can help you understand what works well and what doesn't and optimise future campaigns accordingly.
Read more about link tracking for SMS marketing >>
Bonus: Link tracking also shortens your link
If your link is very long, there is an added benefit to using the link tracking feature. inMobile automatically shortens your link so that the only thing the link will consist of is your subdomain/8-9 characters. This is smart considering the limitations of the SMS format.
This potentially saves you a lot of characters and at the same time makes your link look credible because your brand name remains in the link.