Home / , / SMS Management by Twilio

SMS Management by Twilio

9339 views
In this video, you will learn how to manage SMS notifications with Twilio in WPRentals. Watch Video on Youtube

Overview

WPRentals can send SMS notifications through the Twilio API.

Twilio is a third-party SMS service. To use SMS notifications in WPRentals, you need an active Twilio account, a Twilio phone number that can send SMS messages, and the Twilio API credentials added in the theme options.

https://www.twilio.com

Important: Twilio is not included with WPRentals. Twilio is a third-party service, and SMS costs, trial limits, destination rules, sender requirements, and delivery restrictions are managed by Twilio.

CONTENT

How SMS Notifications Work

When a supported action happens on the website, WPRentals can send an SMS notification through Twilio.

The general flow is:

  1. A supported action happens on the website, such as phone validation, a booking request, a confirmed booking, a new message, a listing submission, or a membership action.
  2. WPRentals checks if SMS management is configured.
  3. WPRentals checks if the related SMS message/template has content.
  4. WPRentals checks if the recipient has a valid phone number when the SMS requires one.
  5. The SMS is sent through Twilio.
  6. Twilio handles final SMS delivery.
Important: WPRentals triggers the SMS request, but Twilio sends the message. If Twilio rejects or fails to deliver the message, check the Twilio logs for the exact reason.

Before You Start

Before enabling SMS notifications, make sure you have:

  • An active Twilio account.
  • A Twilio phone number that can send SMS messages.
  • Your Twilio Account SID.
  • Your Twilio Auth Token.
  • The Twilio phone number added in WPRentals.
  • The SMS templates completed for the notifications you want to send.
  • User phone numbers saved in the correct format, when the SMS goes to a user.
Important: Phone numbers should use the full international format, including country code. For example: +12345678901.

Create a Twilio Account and Phone Number

Step 1: Create a Twilio Account

Go to Twilio and create an account:

https://www.twilio.com/en-us

Follow Twilio’s account setup steps and verify your email and phone number when required.

Step 2: Buy or Select a Twilio Phone Number

In your Twilio account, go to:

Phone Numbers > Buy a Number

Select your country and choose an SMS-enabled number.

Important: The Twilio number must support SMS. Not all phone numbers or countries support the same SMS features.

Twilio Costs and Trial Limits

Twilio is a paid third-party service. Costs can depend on the country, SMS destination, sender type, number type, carrier fees, and Twilio account setup.

Twilio trial accounts may also have limitations, such as restrictions on which phone numbers can receive SMS messages.

Always check the official Twilio pricing and account rules before using SMS on a live website:

https://www.twilio.com/en-us/sms/pricing

Important: Do not use old sample prices from documentation as final pricing. Twilio pricing can change and can be different from one country to another.

Add Twilio Settings in WPRentals

After you create the Twilio account and phone number, add the Twilio details in WPRentals.

Go to:

Theme Options > SMS Management

Add the following details:

  • Twilio Phone Number – the Twilio sender phone number.
  • Twilio Account SID – copied from your Twilio account.
  • Twilio Auth Token – copied from your Twilio account.
  • SMS messages/templates – add text only for the SMS notifications you want to send.

Important: Copy the Account SID and Auth Token exactly from Twilio. If these details are wrong, SMS sending will fail.

SMS for Phone Number Validation

The SMS for Phone Number Validation message is used to validate the user phone number saved in the user profile.

The user adds the phone number from:

User Dashboard > My Profile

When validation is triggered, WPRentals sends a PIN code by SMS to the phone number added in the user profile.

Important: If the phone number is missing, incomplete, not saved in international format, or blocked by Twilio account restrictions, the validation SMS may not be received.

How SMS Templates Work

Each SMS field in Theme Options > SMS Management is connected to a specific website action.

Add message text only for the SMS notifications you want to send.

If an SMS message field is empty, that SMS notification will not be sent.

Keep SMS messages short and clear. Long SMS messages can be split into multiple SMS parts by Twilio, which may increase the SMS cost.

Important: SMS notifications are separate from email notifications. Email can work even if SMS is not configured, and SMS can fail if Twilio settings, phone numbers, or SMS templates are not correct.

Available SMS Notifications

The SMS fields available in Theme Options depend on the WPRentals version and enabled website features.

SMS Field Who Receives It When It Is Used Related Help
SMS for Phone Number Validation User Sends a PIN code to validate the phone number added in My Profile.
SMS for New user admin notification Site admin Notifies the site admin when a new user registers.
SMS for Password Reset Request Registered user Sent when a registered user starts the forgot password process.
SMS for Password Reseted Registered user Sent after the password reset process is completed.
SMS for Approved Listings Listing owner / submitted user Sent when a submitted listing is approved manually or automatically. Approve Listings
SMS for Admin – Expired Listing Site admin Sent when a user resubmits an expired listing after renewing or managing membership access. Membership Submission
SMS for Paid Submission Site admin Sent when a new paid submission is added while paid submission is enabled. Paid Submission
SMS for Featured Submission Site admin Sent when a featured submission/payment action is created while paid submission is enabled. Paid Submission
SMS for Account Downgraded User Sent when the user account is downgraded after buying a package with fewer listing limits. Membership Submission
SMS for Membership Cancelled User Sent when the user membership expires, is cancelled, or recurring payment cannot be processed. Membership Submission
SMS for Free Listing Expired User Sent when a free listing reaches its expiration date. Membership Submission
SMS for New Listing Submission Site admin Sent when a new listing is submitted on the website.
SMS for Recurring Payment User Sent when a membership is renewed through recurring payment. Membership Submission
SMS for Membership Activated User Sent when a membership is activated after the purchase is validated. Membership Submission
SMS for Update Profile Site admin Sent when a registered user updates the profile.
SMS for Booking Confirmed – User Renter / user who sent the booking request Sent when the user booking request is confirmed. Booking Process
SMS for Booking Confirmed Property owner Sent when a booking request for one of the owner properties is confirmed and payment/deposit flow is completed. Booking Process
SMS for Booking Confirmed – no deposit Property owner Sent when a booking request is confirmed and no deposit is required. Booking Process
SMS for Inbox – New Message Message recipient / property owner Sent when a new message is sent through the website messaging or Contact Owner flow. Contact Owner Form
SMS for New Booking Request Property owner Used for booking request or manual booking related notifications, depending on the booking action. Manual Bookings
SMS for User – New Booking Request Property owner Sent when the owner receives a new booking request for one of their listings. Booking Process
SMS for Invoice generation User who sent the booking request Sent when the owner approves the request and an invoice/payment is required. Booking Process
SMS for Booking request rejected User who sent the booking request Sent when the owner rejects the booking request. Booking Process
SMS for Booking Request Cancelled Property owner Sent when the user cancels a booking request before paying the deposit. Booking Process
SMS for Booking Period Cancelled User who sent the booking request Sent when the owner cancels a confirmed booking period. Booking Process
SMS for New wire Transfer User who starts the wire transfer request Sent when the user initiates a wire transfer request. Wire Transfer
SMS for Admin – New wire Transfer Site admin Sent when the admin receives a new wire transfer request. Wire Transfer
SMS for Invoice Payment Reminder User with an eligible confirmed booking Sent by the automatic reminder flow when a confirmed booking still has a pending balance according to the theme payment reminder logic. Booking Process
Important: Some SMS labels can sound similar because they are connected to different sides of the same booking flow. After adding SMS text, test the exact action to confirm who receives the message.

How to Test SMS Notifications

After configuring SMS Management, test one SMS type at a time.

  1. Go to Theme Options > SMS Management.
  2. Check that the Twilio phone number, Account SID, and Auth Token are correct.
  3. Add text for the SMS notification you want to test.
  4. Make sure the recipient user has a valid phone number saved.
  5. Trigger the exact website action connected to that SMS.
  6. Check if the SMS is received.
  7. If the SMS is not received, check your Twilio logs.

Examples:

  • To test phone validation, trigger phone validation from My Profile.
  • To test a booking SMS, create a test booking request and continue through the booking action connected to that SMS.
  • To test a Contact Owner SMS, send a test message from a property page.
  • To test a listing approval SMS, submit and approve a test listing.

Troubleshooting

SMS is not received

  • Check that SMS Management is configured in Theme Options > SMS Management.
  • Check that the Twilio phone number is correct.
  • Check that the Twilio Account SID is correct.
  • Check that the Twilio Auth Token is correct.
  • Check that the SMS message field is not empty.
  • Check that the recipient phone number is valid.
  • Use full international phone format, including the country code.
  • Check if your Twilio account can send SMS to that destination country.
  • Check Twilio logs for the exact error.

SMS works for one user but not another

  • Compare the phone number format for both users.
  • Check if the user phone number exists in My Profile.
  • Check if the user phone number is validated when validation is required.
  • Check if the destination country is allowed by the Twilio account.
  • Check Twilio logs for the failed SMS.

Email works, but SMS does not

  • Email notifications and SMS notifications are separate systems.
  • Email can work even if Twilio is not configured.
  • Check Twilio credentials, SMS template text, recipient phone number, and Twilio logs.

SMS is sent from Twilio but not delivered

  • Check Twilio delivery logs.
  • Check if the destination phone number can receive SMS.
  • Check if the destination country is supported by your Twilio account.
  • Check if your Twilio trial or account setup has sending limitations.
  • Contact Twilio support if the message is accepted by Twilio but not delivered.

Twilio trial account issues

  • Twilio trial accounts may have restrictions.
  • Some accounts may only send SMS to verified recipient numbers.
  • Some messages may include Twilio trial branding.
  • Check the Twilio Console for the current limits on your account.

Important Notes

  • WPRentals SMS notifications use Twilio.
  • Twilio is a third-party paid service and is not included with the theme.
  • SMS costs and restrictions are controlled by Twilio.
  • SMS settings are managed from Theme Options > SMS Management.
  • The Twilio phone number, Account SID, and Auth Token must be correct.
  • Each SMS notification needs message text added in its field.
  • If an SMS field is empty, that SMS will not be sent.
  • User phone numbers should use international format.
  • Some SMS notifications require the user phone number to be validated.
  • SMS delivery errors must be checked in the Twilio account logs.
  • Email and SMS notifications are separate. Email can work even if SMS is not configured.