How does transactional SMS work in Recurly Commerce?

Transactional SMS keeps your subscribers informed on key events by sending real-time text alerts—no coding, no extra cost, and no spam.

Before you begin

• A valid mobile number must be on file for each subscriber

• If a subscriber opts out of SMS, they can only opt back in by updating their phone number on the subscription

• Limit to three active SMS notifications per subscriber to avoid over-messaging

What are transactional SMS?

Transactional SMS are short text messages automatically triggered by subscription events like order confirmations, payment failures, or upcoming renewals.

Why use them?

• Provide instant updates customers can see on the go

• Reduce support volume by alerting subscribers before issues escalate

• Customize each message to match your brand tone and voice

Recommended SMS to enable

We recommend turning on up to three of the most important alerts:

• Subscription created – Confirms a new subscription order

• Order placed – Confirms the order was successfully processed

• Failed payment method – Alerts the subscriber that payment didn’t go through

• Subscription cancelled – Confirms the subscription was canceled

• Product out of stock – Notifies the subscriber when a product in their subscription is unavailable

• Upcoming order – Reminds the subscriber about their next renewal 3 days in advance

How to customize SMS content

Use the built-in SMS editor to:

• Personalize messages with greetings or your brand name

• Adjust copy to fit your tone and style

• Preview each message before enabling it to ensure it reads clearly

Once enabled, SMS notifications will be sent automatically at the selected trigger points.

For more details, visit our Recurly Commerce Product Documentation.