Send text reminders to clients who rarely check their email More clients miss your emails than you might think
Some clients check every text but rarely open an email. With Picktime, you can send appointment confirmations and reminders straight to their phones, so important details don't get lost in an unread inbox. It's a simple way to keep clients informed and help them remember their appointments.
Three reasons an SMS reminder gets noticed when an email doesn't
The reminder shows up where they're already looking
Your client has an appointment in an hour. The last thing you want is their reminder sitting in an inbox they won't open until tonight. A text reminder can pop up right on their lock screen, putting the appointment details in front of them while there's still time to act.
Some clients read texts. Emails? Not so much
You know those clients. They gave you their email address years ago, but getting them to open an email is another story. Yet they'll check a text while standing in line for coffee. Picktime's text appointment reminders give you another way to reach them, without hoping they'll suddenly start checking their inbox.
Same appointment details, no extra writing
You've already got your confirmation and reminder messages set up. Why write everything twice? Picktime’s appointment scheduling software uses the same text appointment reminder templates for SMS, so you can send those familiar appointment details by text without starting from scratch.
Reminder: you are booked in at 11:15 today with Maya.
Reminder: you are booked in at 11:15 today with Maya.
Reminder: you are booked in at 11:15 today with Maya.
Different businesses. Same problem: clients who don't check email.
Some clients spend their day with patients, some behind a salon chair, and others out on the road. Their routines are different, but one thing is the same: they're far more likely to check their phone than open an email.
Medical practices
An email address doesn't mean an email gets read.Some patients check every email. Others barely open their inbox. And when an appointment has been booked weeks in advance, an unread reminder can easily turn into a missed visit. A text sends the appointment details straight to their phone, where they're more likely to see them.
See medical scheduling
Salons and barbers
Six weeks ago, they booked. Today, they've forgotten.Your client booked their Saturday haircut six weeks ago. Since then, life got busy, and the appointment slipped their mind. A quick text the night before can remind them while there's still time to show up or reschedule, instead of leaving you with an empty chair during your busiest hours.
See salon scheduling
Hire and rental
Your customer is on the road. Their inbox isn't.It's almost 8 AM. Your customer is meant to collect their equipment, but they're busy loading the van or heading to a job site. Checking email isn't on their to-do list. A text appointment reminder puts the pickup details right on their phone, so they can see them before it's time to collect.
See equipment rental schedulingSMS is on the paid plans, because each message costs something
On Pro
- SMS reminders, a text before the appointment
- SMS notifications
- Email reminders
- Customizable emails
- Reviews
On Starter
- SMS reminders, a text before the appointment
- SMS notifications
- Email reminders
- Email notifications
- Reviews
On Free
- No SMS reminders
- Email notifications
- No email reminders
- Unlimited appointments
- Clients move and cancel their own bookings
Reaching people by email
Confirmations and the other event emails are on the free plan, and email reminders are on the paid ones.
Reaching them by text
SMS notifications and reminders are on the paid plans.
The reminder was delivered, but why didn't they show up?
There is always that one client who has been coming to you for years but has never once replied to an email. The address is correct, every reminder gets delivered, but none of them seem to get read. And they are not the only one. More clients ignore their inboxes than you might think.
For those clients, the reminder isn't arriving late. It isn't being seen at all. You only find out when the appointment time comes, the room is ready, and the client is nowhere to be seen. Your calendar says the reminder was sent. But sending it and having someone read it are two very different things.
Some clients never open an email, but they'll read a text in seconds. Picktime's text appointment reminders give those unread emails another way to reach your clients. Send confirmations and reminders straight to their phones, where they're more likely to see them. Fewer missed messages, fewer forgotten appointments, and less time wondering why the client never showed up.
Every text costs money to send, which is why SMS notifications and reminders are available on Picktime's paid plans. Email notifications at the time of booking remain free on every plan.
3 weeks beforeAppointment booked.Confirmation sent. Delivered. Never opened.
By email only
- The evening beforeReminder sent. Delivered again. Unread, just like the last six.
- 9:00 AMAppointment time. The room is ready. The client isn't there.
No-show9:00 AM
The same messages as a text
- 3 weeks beforeConfirmation arrives as a text Sent straight to their phone, where they're more likely to see it.
- The evening beforeSeen on the lock screen The reminder pops up right where they're already looking.
- 9:00 AMThe client turns up Fewer missed messages, fewer forgotten appointments.
Kept9:00 AM
The booking was confirmed, and every email went out as expected. But none of them were read.
What people say about Picktime
Great free scheduling tool. The ability to book directly from Google Maps and to start charging for appointments! It is crazy how many free features Picktime gives you. I also like how I can manage multiple accounts for my staff.
Great free software. I have had a great overall experience with Picktime. It has been great to have a link I can send to my customers for them to follow and schedule an appointment. I love that this is free!
This program is very essential for us, because it helps us to schedule the appointments we have with colleagues from other companies, clients and new staff of the organization. Every time we schedule an appointment there is never a clash of schedules.
FAQs
Can Picktime send automatic appointment reminders by text?
Yes. Picktime can automatically send SMS reminders before scheduled appointments. You can choose how far in advance reminders are sent, and Picktime handles delivery based on your notification settings. This helps customers remember their appointments without your team having to send individual messages.
What types of booking updates can I send by text?
Picktime supports SMS notifications for new bookings, rescheduled appointments, and cancellations. You can also enable text notifications for supported class and resource bookings. These updates help customers stay informed about changes to their schedules without requiring your team to contact each person individually.
How do I set up text reminders for appointments?
Go to Setup > Notifications > Customers in your Picktime account. Under Reminders, enable SMS reminders, select how far in advance you want them sent, and save your settings. Picktime will then send reminders automatically according to your preferences, helping you manage upcoming appointments with fewer manual follow-ups.
Can I choose which text notifications customers receive?
Yes. Picktime lets you manage which SMS notifications are enabled for different booking activities. Under Setup > Notifications > Customers, you can select notifications for new appointments, reschedules, and cancellations. This gives you control over the booking updates customers receive and helps keep communication relevant.
Can I send both email and text reminders for appointments?
Yes. Picktime supports both email and SMS appointment reminders. You can enable the available reminder options from your notification settings and choose when they are sent. Using both channels helps customers stay informed about upcoming bookings and gives them another opportunity to notice important appointment details.
How can I check which SMS notifications Picktime has sent?
You can review outgoing SMS activity through Picktime's message logs. Go to Setup > Notifications > Settings and open the SMS logs from the SMS credits section. This helps you check SMS notification history when customers have questions about booking confirmations or appointment reminders.
How many SMS credits do text appointment reminders use?
Each text appointment reminder uses one SMS credit in Picktime. Starter and Pro include SMS credits, and you can purchase additional credits under Setup > Notifications > Settings. Unused included credits do not carry over to the next billing period, while purchased credits carry forward.
Is SMS available on Picktime's Free plan?
No. Picktime's Free plan includes email booking notifications but does not include SMS notifications or reminders. SMS and email reminders are available on Starter and Pro, with SMS usage based on available message credits. For current plan details, check out Picktime pricing.
Something not answered here? Search the help centre.
Keep Clients on Track with Text Reminders
Send timely SMS reminders straight to your clients' phones, helping them remember appointments and show up on time.