Twilio is one of the most reliable platforms for sending SMS and WhatsApp notifications to your users. Starting from Hydra Booking v1.11, you can seamlessly integrate Twilio into your Hydra Booking setup. This allows you to send booking-related notifications via SMS and WhatsApp directly to your customers, improving communication and enhancing the overall booking experience.
In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about integrating Twilio with Hydra Booking. From understanding how Twilio works to step-by-step guidance on connecting it to your Hydra Booking system, we’ll cover it all. Whether you want to send SMS reminders or WhatsApp booking confirmations, this integration can take your communication game to the next level.
Let’s dive in and get started!
What is Twilio?
Twilio is a cloud-based communication platform that allows developers and businesses to build and manage communication systems such as SMS, voice calls, WhatsApp messages, emails, and video directly within their applications or websites.
Instead of setting up complicated telecom infrastructure, you can use Twilio’s APIs to easily send text messages, make calls, or even handle customer service chats — all from your software.
In short, Twilio helps you connect with your users or customers in real time, using the channels they prefer.
Here are 5 key features of Twilio:
- SMS & MMS Messaging: Send and receive text or multimedia messages globally through a simple API.
- Voice Calls: Make and receive phone calls, including support for call routing, recording, and IVR (Interactive Voice Response).
- WhatsApp Messaging: Reach users on WhatsApp with rich, two-way messaging capabilities.
- Programmable Email: Send transactional and marketing emails using customizable templates and reliable delivery.
- Video & Chat APIs: Build secure video calling or live chat features directly into your apps for real-time communication.
How to Integrate Twilio with Hydra Booking?
Prerequisites
- Since Twilio integration is a pro feature, make sure you have a valid pro license for Hydra Booking. If you don’t have one yet, check pricing here.
- Ensure you have an active Twilio account. If you don’t have one yet, sign up here.
- Ensure you’ve updated the Hydra Booking Plugin to version 1.1.11 or higher and the Hydra Booking Pro Plugin to version 1.1.4 or higher.
Once you’ve fulfilled all the prerequisites, let’s begin the connection process.
Step 1: Get API Information from Twilio
First, you need to gather some essential information from your Twilio account, including your Account SID, Auth Token, and Virtual Number.
To get this information, log in to your Twilio account and you will get an interface like this.
Below you will find your Account SID, Auth Token, and Virtual Number. Be sure to copy and store them securely, as you will need these details later for integration and configuration.
Step 2: Configure the Hydra Booking Settings
After obtaining all the necessary information, it’s time to configure the Hydra Booking settings. From your WordPress Dashboard, navigate to Hydra Booking > Settings > Integration, locate the Twilio option, and click on the Connect button to begin the integration process.
After clicking the Connect button, a popup will appear with several fields that you need to fill out. Here’s a breakdown of each:
- From Number: Enter your Twilio virtual number here. This is the number from which the messages will be sent.
- Receiver Number: Input the phone number where you want to receive SMS or WhatsApp notifications.
- Account SID: Paste the Account SID you copied from your Twilio dashboard in Step 1.
- Access Token: Enter the Auth Token (also from Step 1), which Twilio uses to authenticate your account.
- Select Message Type: Choose the type of message you want to send—either SMS or WhatsApp, depending on your preferred method of notification.
Fill in all the required information according to your needs, then click on the “Save & Validate” button to complete the integration process. This will verify your Twilio credentials and ensure that your connection is properly established.
Step 3: Configure the Notification Settings
After successfully saving the settings, navigate to Hydra Booking > Settings > Notifications > Twilio. Here, you can configure the specific notifications you’d like to receive. Simply enable the type of notification, whether Booking Confirmation or Booking Pending.
For simplicity in this demonstration, we’ll use the Booking Confirmation notification. Once you enable this notification. Click on Edit to customize the notification message body according to your preference.
Here, you can add dynamic booking details such as the user’s name, date, time, or service information using predefined placeholders, ensuring your confirmation messages are clear and personalized.
Click on update to update the message body.
Now you have successfully integrate Twilio with Hydra Booking.
Integrating Twilio with Hydra Booking takes your booking experience to the next level by adding real-time communication capabilities. Whether it’s sending SMS confirmations, WhatsApp reminders, or important updates to users, Twilio ensures that your customers stay informed and engaged throughout the booking process. This powerful integration not only enhances user experience but also helps build trust and reduce missed bookings. With just a few simple steps, you can connect Twilio to your Hydra Booking setup and start delivering instant, reliable notifications to your users.
Still Not Clear? Please contact us. If you are a free User, you can open a ticket from here. If you are a pro user, you can open a ticket from here.