Missed-Call Text-Back for Trades With Twilio

Part of our Small Business Automation guide: what to automate first and the 10 easiest wins.

The problem

On the tools, up a ladder or driving between jobs, you can’t answer the phone, and most callers ring the next tradie instead of leaving a message. An instant text keeps the job yours.

What you need: a Twilio number plus Zapier or Make

A Twilio number that your mobile forwards unanswered calls to. Twilio is a pay-as-you-go service that gives you a phone number your automation can use to send texts.
A Zapier or Make account. Both are tools that connect apps together without code, and their free plans are fine to start with.
About 20 minutes and a second phone to test with.

Setup with Zapier

Buy a local Twilio number and set your mobile to forward unanswered calls to it.
Create a Zap with Twilio, New Call, filtered to the statuses no-answer and busy.
Add Twilio, Send SMS to the caller, asking what the job is and where it is.
Add an SMS alert to yourself with the caller’s number.
Test it from another phone, then turn it on.

Setup with Make

Use Twilio, Watch Calls with a status filter.
Add two Create a Message steps, one to the caller and one to you.
Turn it on.

Text-back message template for tradies

G’day, it’s [Business]. Sorry we missed you, we’re on a job. Reply with what you need and the suburb, and we’ll call back today.

Messages about a customer’s own job or booking are service messages, not marketing. Keep them free of promotions. Check SMS and email rules in your country (TCPA and CAN-SPAM in the US, the Spam Act in Australia, PECR and GDPR in the UK and EU, CASL in Canada). This isn’t legal advice.

FAQ

Will it text my mates and family too?

Yes, unless you add a filter that skips saved contacts. Keep a short list of numbers to skip in a Google Sheet and check it before the text sends.

Does it work with ServiceM8 or Tradify?

Yes. Add a step that creates a new lead or job in your job software with the caller’s number. That way the enquiry is waiting for you when you get off the tools.

Can I keep my mobile number?

Yes. Set your mobile to forward unanswered calls to your Twilio number. Customers still ring your usual number and never see the Twilio one unless they get the text.

What should the text ask for?

Ask what the job is and the suburb, so you can call back ready to quote. Keep it short and put your business name at the start. If you send a follow-up later, add “Reply STOP to opt out”.

Affiliate disclosure: some links earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.

One-page checklist: Missed-call text-back for trades

☐ Buy a local Twilio number and set your mobile to forward unanswered calls to it.

☐ Create a Zap with Twilio, New Call, filtered to the statuses *no-answer* and *busy*.

☐ Add Twilio, Send SMS to the caller, asking what the job is and where it is.

☐ Add an SMS alert to yourself with the caller's number.

☐ Test it from another phone, then turn it on.

Consent note: only message people who have contacted you or agreed to hear from you, and include a way to opt out. This isn't legal advice.

Full guide: https://www.automatequick.com/guides/missed-call-text-back-tradies

Which should I choose?

Free guide

Build it yourself

About 30 to 60 minutes
Some tech skill needed: you add and connect each step yourself
Step-by-step instructions for Zapier, Make or n8n
Costs nothing from us

Use the free guide →

Ready-made pack · US$19

Import it and you're done

Done in about 10 to 20 minutes for most setups
Messages already written
START HERE PDF with every click explained
Made for owners with zero tech skills

Get the ready-made pack →

Get the pack and follow the step-by-step guide.

See what you get

Either way, you'll still need your own Zapier, Make or n8n account, plus any tools it connects to (like Twilio for texts, which charges usage fees).

Get it ready-made or set it up yourself

Missed-call text-back for trades: template pack: Make blueprint, n8n workflow, Zapier read-me and a setup guide PDF with ready-written texts for tradies (AU/US/UK notes).US$19 + tax where applicable

Skip the build. Import it, connect your accounts, done in about 10 to 20 minutes for most setups. Messages already written. See what you get

Set it up myself · free guide

You'll still need your own Zapier, Make or n8n account, plus Twilio for texts (usage fees apply).

Includes a step-by-step guide.

Faulty or not as described? We'll fix it or refund you.