Preview Your SMS Messages Before Sending
TL;DR:
- Always preview your SMS before sending to catch errors and formatting issues
- Check how your message displays on different mobile devices
- Use your platform's preview and test message features to spot problems early
- Send test messages to yourself or a small group before launching campaigns
- Fixing issues before sending saves time and protects your professional reputation
Previewing your SMS messages isn't optional if you want your campaigns to work properly. One typo or broken link can undermine your entire message, and once you've hit send, there's no taking it back.
Most messaging platforms give you preview tools for good reason. Your message might look perfect on your computer screen but turn into a mess on someone's phone. Character limits, line breaks, and formatting can all shift when your message reaches different devices.
Check for Common Problems
Start with the basics. Look for spelling mistakes, broken links, and missing information. Read your message out loud to catch awkward phrasing or unclear instructions.
Pay attention to how your message flows. SMS messages are short, so every word matters. If something sounds off when you read it back, your recipients will notice too.
Check your links work properly. Click through to make sure they go to the right page and display correctly on mobile. A broken link wastes your entire campaign.
Test on Mobile Devices
Your message will be read on phones, so preview it on the smallest screen you can find. What looks fine on desktop often breaks down on mobile.
Check how line breaks appear. Some platforms handle formatting differently, and your carefully structured message might become a wall of text.
If your message includes special characters or emojis, make sure they display correctly across different devices. Not all phones handle these the same way.
Use Platform Preview Features
QuickSMS and similar platforms offer preview tools that show exactly how your message will appear to recipients. Use them every time.
Send test messages to yourself first. This gives you the real recipient experience and often reveals issues you missed in the preview screen.
Consider sending tests to different phone types if possible. Android and iPhone can display messages slightly differently.
What to Look For
Your call-to-action should be crystal clear. If you're asking people to do something, make sure the instructions are simple and the next steps are obvious.
Check your timing. If your message references a specific date or deadline, make sure it's accurate and gives people enough time to respond.
Verify any personalisation works correctly. If you're using names or custom fields, test with different data to make sure nothing breaks.
TL;DR:
Before you launch your next SMS campaign, spend five minutes using your platform's preview and test features. Catching problems before they reach your audience saves embarrassment and keeps your campaigns effective.
FAQs
Should I preview every SMS I send?
Yes, even short messages. Typos and formatting issues can happen in any message, and previewing takes seconds.
What's the difference between preview and test message features?
Preview shows you how the message looks on screen. Test messages actually send the SMS to you or a small group so you can see the real recipient experience.
Do I need to test on multiple devices?
If you're sending to a large audience, it's worth checking how your message appears on different phone types. Most issues will show up on any mobile device though.
How many test messages should I send?
One to yourself is usually enough for simple messages. For complex campaigns with links or formatting, consider testing on a few different devices.
Jargon Buster
SMS Preview – A feature that shows how your message will look to recipients before you send it
Test Message – Sending your campaign to yourself or a small group to check for problems
Character Limit – The maximum number of letters, numbers, and symbols allowed in an SMS message
Mobile Optimisation – Making sure your message displays properly on phone screens
Wrap-up
Taking a few minutes to preview and test your SMS messages prevents bigger problems later. Use your platform's preview tools, send test messages to yourself, and check everything twice before hitting send. Your recipients will get cleaner, more professional messages, and you'll avoid the headache of fixing problems after the fact.
Learn about QuickSMS: https://www.quicksms.com/