By default, Responsly SMS surveys send respondents a link to a web form. This is the most common approach — the survey opens in a mobile browser and respondents fill it in there.
However, Responsly also supports a fully native SMS mode where the entire survey happens inside the messaging app itself. No link is sent. No browser is opened. Respondents simply reply to each message with a number or short text.
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How it works
- Responsly sends the first question as a plain SMS message.
- The respondent replies directly — for example, typing
4for a rating. - Responsly receives the reply and automatically sends the next question or a follow-up.
- Once all questions are answered, a thank-you message is sent.
The entire conversation stays inside the native SMS app. Respondents never need to tap a link, open a browser, or load any page.
When to use native SMS surveys
Native SMS mode works best when:
- completion rate is a priority — removing the link-tap step reduces drop-off significantly,
- your audience has limited internet access — SMS replies work on any mobile network without data,
- you’re running short surveys — NPS, CSAT, or a 2–3 question check-in are ideal fits,
- you want a conversational feel — the back-and-forth format feels natural and personal.
Setting up a native SMS survey
- Go to Contacts → Distributions and click Create Distribution.
- Select SMS as the distribution channel.
- In the distribution settings, switch the mode from Web link to Native SMS (reply-based).
- Compose your questions — each question becomes a separate outgoing message.
- Optionally configure follow-up questions triggered by specific answers.
- Set the thank-you message shown at the end of the conversation.
- Send or schedule the distribution.
Tips for better results
- Keep questions short and scannable. Respondents read the message quickly — make it easy to understand in one read.
- Use a clear scale. For ratings, always spell out what each number means in the message itself (e.g. 1 = Very bad, 5 = Excellent).
- Limit the number of questions. Native SMS surveys with 1–3 questions consistently achieve the highest completion rates.
- Personalise the opening message. Using the respondent’s first name (
{{first_name}}) in the first message increases engagement. - Send at the right time. SMS surveys sent mid-morning on weekdays typically get faster replies.
FAQ
Does the respondent need internet access to reply?
No. Because replies are plain SMS messages, they work on any mobile network without a data connection or smartphone. This makes the method ideal for reaching audiences in areas with limited internet access.
Can I use branching and conditional logic?
Yes. You can set up follow-up questions that are sent only when a respondent gives a specific answer — for example, sending a follow-up only to people who replied with 1 or 2 (negative ratings).
How many questions can a native SMS survey have?
There is no hard limit on the number of questions. Each question is sent as a separate message after the previous one is answered. Keep in mind that longer surveys may have lower completion rates, so we recommend keeping it to 3–5 questions.
Can I customise the messages?
Yes. Each outgoing message — the question, the follow-up, and the thank-you — can be fully customised with your own text, including the respondent's name as a variable for personalisation.
