Set up missed-call text-back
Miss a call while you are on the tools and the caller automatically gets a text with your booking link, so you never lose the job to the next trade who picks up.
What it does
Missed-call text-back keeps your existing business number. When a call goes unanswered, it diverts to your dedicated TradeBooked number, which hangs up and instantly texts the caller your booking link.
You keep working. The caller gets a reply in seconds instead of ringing the next trade on their list.
One automated text is sent per caller every 24 hours, and STOP / START opt-outs are handled for you.
Why it is worth setting up
Most people who reach a missed call do not leave a voicemail and do not call back. A booking link sent within seconds turns that lost call into a booked job while you finish what you are doing.
Missed calls while you are on the tools
Plumbers, sparkies and gas engineers spend the working day with one hand on a tool and the other not on a phone. Mobile-originated calls in the UK are still falling year on year (Ofcom), and customers increasingly expect a reply via text or a booking link, not voicemail-roulette.
Text-back closes the gap without you stopping what you are doing: the caller gets a useful next step the moment you cannot answer, and you pick the job up from the booking link instead of from a guessed-at voicemail.
Before you start
You will need:
- A TradeBooked account on the Autopilot plan
- Missed-call text-back switched on in Settings, which provisions your dedicated forwarding number
- Your mobile (works on iPhone and Android) and about two minutes
Setup steps are in your dashboard
This is a Autopilot feature. Sign in on a Autopilot plan to see the step-by-step setup for your number.
Common questions
Does the customer know the text is automated?
The message is written in your business name and reads like a normal reply with your booking link. You can personalise the wording in Settings.
Will my phone still ring normally?
Yes. The forwarding only kicks in when you do not answer, when your line is busy, or when your phone is off. Incoming calls ring you first.
How often does a caller get texted?
One automated missed-call text per caller every 24 hours. STOP and START opt-outs are handled automatically.
What should the auto-text say?
Keep it short and human, in your business name. A plumber might write: "Hi, missed your call, on a job. Book me here: {link} or text 8AM to 6PM and I will come back to you." Personalise it in Settings using {name}, {business} and {link}.
Will the customer think it is an AI bot?
It is your number, your business name, your wording. There is no AI voice and no "this is an automated assistant" line. The customer just gets a normal-looking text from you with your booking link.
Does this work out of hours and on weekends?
Yes. The forwarding codes are set on your phone, so the auto-text fires whenever you do not answer, evenings, weekends and bank holidays included. Customer reminders and STOP / START handling continue to apply.
What if I am in a loft or van with no signal?
The unreachable code (**62*) handles that case. The text-back queues at the network and sends once the customer is reachable, so the booking link still lands even when your phone was offline at the moment of the call.
What plan do I need?
Missed-call text-back is part of the Autopilot plan.
What happens if I turn it off or cancel?
Switch it off in Settings and cancel the forwarding codes on your phone. We release your dedicated number near its next monthly charge, so re-enabling later gives you a new number to set up again.
Related guides
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References
This is general guidance, not legal, tax or financial advice. For your own circumstances, speak to a qualified professional.
Still stuck? Email support@tradebooked.co.uk.