What Are Flows?
Flows are automations that send SMS messages to your customers when they take specific actions during their customer journey, like joining your list, viewing a product, or abandoning a shopping cart.
Think of them as smart messaging that runs on autopilot.
Getting Started with Flows*
Step 1: Go to the Flows section in your TxtCart dashboard (find it under "Messaging" in the left sidebar).
Step 2: Click the blue "+ Create Flow" button in the top-right corner.
Step 3: Choose how you want to start:
Use a Flow Template – Pick from our ready-made flows (like Welcome Series or Abandoned Cart) that you can use right away.
Create a Custom Flow – Build your own flow from scratch if you want full control.
Step 4: Click "Continue" to move forward.
Available Flow Templates
TxtCart offers pre-built templates to make setup super easy. Each template is already designed for a specific purpose. Just pick one and customize it to fit your brand!
Promotional Flows | Promotional Flows | Promotional Flows |
Transactional Flows | Transactional Flows | Transactional Flows |
Understanding Flow Settings
Once you've chosen a template or started a custom flow, you'll set up how it works:
1. Choose Trigger Event or Property
A trigger is the action that starts your flow.
Example: Send a message when someone abandons their checkout.
2. Once Per Subscriber Toggle (Recommended)
Turn this on or off to control whether a subscriber can enter this flow only one time ever, or multiple times.
3. Choose Compliance (Required)
Select whether your flow is Promotional or Transactional.
This determines what kind of messages you're sending and helps you stay compliant with SMS regulations.
4. Add Subscriber Filters (Optional)
Decide which customers can receive the flow.
Example: Only send to customers who've placed 2+ orders.
5. Set Frequency Filter (Recommended)
Control how often someone can enter the same flow.
Example: Allow entry only once every 30 days.
6. Add a Cancellation Trigger (Optional)
Stop the flow if a certain action happens.
Example: Remove someone from the flow if they complete their purchase.
7. Save Your Settings
Click "Save" in the bottom-right corner when you're done.
Customizing Your Flow
Now it's time to build out the actual messages and timing:
Add Actions to Your Flow
Drag and drop these actions into your flow:
Send Message – Send an SMS
Send Auto-Reply Text Message – Send a message that the recipient can reply to and trigger additional actions based on their response
Add Tag – Tag subscribers for better organization and classification
Add to Flow – Move subscribers into another flow
Link Clicked – Trigger actions when a link is clicked
Response Received – Take action when a subscriber replies
Wait – Pause for a certain amount of time before the next step
Decision – Branch your flow based on conditions
A/B Test – Test two different messages to see which one performs better
Optimized A/B Test – Automatically optimize between message variations
End Flow – Stop the flow for a subscriber
Personalize Your Messages
When creating a message, use the tools in the bottom-right corner:
Best Practices – Click to view messaging tips and guidelines for creating effective SMS content.
Emojis – Click the smiley face icon to add emojis to your message (this will reduce the number of characters that you can use per segment).
Short Links – Create shortened URLs that minimize the length of your message, are easier to read, and add UTM tracking.
Insert Dynamic Field – Add personalized variables like:
Subscriber details (first name, phone number, etc.)
Shop details (shop name, shop link, etc.)
Agent details (for customer service flows)
Product details (product name, price)
Variant details (variant name, price)
Add Discount Code – Create special offers for your customers:
Amount off products
Amount off order
Free shipping
Add Opt-Out Message – Include a compliant opt-out instruction so customers know how to unsubscribe from your messages.
Add Media – Click the media icon to include images or GIFs in the message. This will turn the message into an MMS.
Smart Sending – Choose to exclude customers who have recently received a text from you within a set period of time to minimize opt-outs.
Send Test Message – Preview what your SMS will looklike before activating the flow.
Note: Available links and tags depend on your trigger type. For example, checkout link only work with Checkout Started triggers.
Tip: Always send a Test Message to yourself before activating a flow to preview what the message will look like to your recipients.
Activating Your Flow
Once everything looks good with your flow, it's time to turn it on!
Step 1: Click "Schedule" or "Turn On" in the top-right corner.
Step 2: Choose when to start:
Activate Immediately – Click "Turn On" to immediately activate the flow.
Schedule for Later – Click "Schedule" and pick a specific date and time to activate the flow automatically at a later time.
That's it! Your flow is now live and working for you automatically.
Note: TxtCart adheres to TCPA-defined quiet hours for flows. Flow messages scheduled to be sent outside these quiet hours will be sent during the next waking hours window. Learn more about quiet hours here.
💡Tip:
Still have questions?
Please feel free to reach out to our wonderful Support team at support@txtcartapp.com or via Live Chat.