40 templates · Free to copy & adapt

Missed call text message examples.

Choose a category, copy a message and make it yours. Practical ideas for trades, appointments and everyday missed calls.

Find your message

Open a category to browse. Replace the [placeholders] and keep your final message within 160 characters.

Everyday missed calls

4 examples

A friendly starting point for almost any small business. Say who you are, acknowledge the call and explain what happens next.

Simple callback

Hi, thanks for calling [Business]. Sorry I missed you. I'll call you back as soon as I can.

Use when your availability varies and you cannot promise a specific time.

91 / 160 characters*

With a customer

Thanks for calling [Business]. I'm with a customer just now. I'll call you back when I'm free.

Reassure callers that you are working, without giving a long explanation.

94 / 160 characters*

Small team

Thanks for calling [Business]. Our team is busy at the moment. We'll return your call as soon as someone is free.

Use a team voice if more than one person handles your enquiries.

113 / 160 characters*

End-of-day callback

Hi, it's [Business]. Sorry we missed your call. We'll call you back before we finish today.

Only promise a same-day callback if you can consistently deliver it.

91 / 160 characters*

Plumbers, electricians & building trades

4 examples

Give callers a useful next step while your hands are full. A short description or photo on your own WhatsApp can help you prepare for the callback.

Plumber on a job

Thanks for calling [Business]. I'm on a plumbing job. I'll call back when free. Job details can go to WhatsApp: [WhatsApp link]

Link to your own business WhatsApp number and ask only for useful job details.

127 / 160 characters*

Electrician

Hi, it's [Business]. I'm working and can't answer safely. I'll call back when free. For enquiries: [website]

Avoid promising an immediate response while you are working.

108 / 160 characters*

Builder quote enquiry

Thanks for calling [Business]. I'm on site. For a quote, send your project details via [quote link]. I'll be in touch.

A short enquiry form can collect the type of project and its location.

118 / 160 characters*

Painter or decorator

Sorry I missed you, it's [Business]. I'm decorating today. Share room details and photos on WhatsApp: [WhatsApp link]

Photos can make the later conversation more useful; they are not a final quote.

117 / 160 characters*

Cleaning, gardening & home services

4 examples

Help customers explain the size, location and frequency of the job, without turning the first message into a questionnaire.

Domestic cleaner

Thanks for calling [Business]. I'm cleaning at the moment. For availability and a quote, visit [enquiry link].

Ask about property size and cleaning frequency on the enquiry page.

110 / 160 characters*

Gardener

Hi, it's [Business]. I'm out in a garden. I'll call back when free. Send garden photos to my WhatsApp: [WhatsApp link]

Useful for lawn care, hedge cutting and garden maintenance enquiries.

118 / 160 characters*

Window cleaner

Thanks for calling [Business]. I'm on my rounds. For a window cleaning quote, leave your postcode at [quote link].

Use the form to check whether the address is on a route you cover.

114 / 160 characters*

Handyperson

Sorry I missed your call to [Business]. Tell me about the job at [enquiry link] and I'll get back to you.

A simple description helps you distinguish a small repair from a larger project.

105 / 160 characters*

Hair, beauty & appointment businesses

4 examples

Send callers to a booking page they can use while you finish with your current client.

Hair salon

Thanks for calling [Business]. We're with clients. View appointments and book online: [booking link].

Link straight to your booking calendar rather than making callers search your homepage.

101 / 160 characters*

Barber

Hi, it's [Business]. I'm mid-haircut. You can check available slots here: [booking link]. I'll call back when free.

Use if your business takes appointments rather than walk-ins only.

115 / 160 characters*

Beauty therapist

Thanks for calling [Business]. I'm in a treatment. View services and appointment times at [booking link].

A service menu can help customers choose the right appointment length.

105 / 160 characters*

Appointment changes

Sorry we missed your call to [Business]. To request an appointment change, contact us at [email]. We'll confirm availability.

Do not imply that a requested change is confirmed before you have accepted it.

125 / 160 characters*

Driving, deliveries & mobile businesses

4 examples

Set an expectation that you will respond when you can stop safely. Keep the message useful without promising a rapid callback.

Driving instructor

Thanks for calling [Business]. I'm teaching a lesson. I'll call back between lessons when safe. Lesson enquiries: [website]

A dedicated lesson enquiry page can capture preferred days and experience level.

123 / 160 characters*

Mobile mechanic

Hi, it's [Business]. I'm working on a vehicle. For a booking enquiry, send vehicle details via [enquiry link].

Ask for the vehicle and problem on your form so the first conversation is more focused.

110 / 160 characters*

Delivery driver

Sorry I missed your call to [Business]. I'm driving and will call back when safely parked. Thanks for your patience.

Use a callback message when customers are likely to need a quick conversation.

116 / 160 characters*

Removals enquiry

Thanks for calling [Business]. We're on a move. Tell us your moving date and locations at [quote link] for a quote.

Moving dates and locations are a useful starting point before discussing access and volume.

115 / 160 characters*

Property & professional services

4 examples

Keep your tone clear and reassuring. Guide new enquiries to a relevant page or explain when someone will return the call.

Estate agent

Thanks for calling [Business]. I'm at a viewing. For property enquiries or viewing requests, visit [website].

Point to current listings or a viewing request page; a request is not a confirmed appointment.

109 / 160 characters*

Lettings office

Sorry we missed your call to [Business]. For routine maintenance requests, please use [report link].

Only use this for routine requests and keep your urgent contact process clearly available elsewhere.

100 / 160 characters*

Accountant

Thanks for calling [Business]. I'm in a meeting. I'll return your call when free. For appointment enquiries: [booking link]

Keep account details and personal documents out of the initial text.

123 / 160 characters*

Consultant

Hi, it's [Business]. I'm with a client. To arrange an introductory call, choose a time here: [booking link].

A short introductory appointment can be easier to book than an open-ended callback.

108 / 160 characters*

Food, events & hospitality

4 examples

Give people a direct route to opening information, bookings or an event enquiry while you are serving customers.

Restaurant bookings

Thanks for calling [Business]. We're busy serving. Check table availability and book at [booking link].

Use a live booking page if you have one, so the text does not promise an available table.

103 / 160 characters*

Takeaway information

Sorry we missed your call to [Business]. Find our menu, opening times and ordering options at [website].

Keep the linked page current, especially around bank holidays.

104 / 160 characters*

Event photographer

Hi, it's [Business]. I'm photographing an event. Send your date and venue at [enquiry link] and I'll get back to you.

Collect the event date early so you can check your availability.

117 / 160 characters*

Caterer

Thanks for calling [Business]. We're preparing food. For event catering, share your date and guest numbers at [quote link].

Your enquiry form can ask about the event before you discuss menu options.

123 / 160 characters*

After hours, weekends & time away

4 examples

These are messages you can select manually when your availability changes. Update the wording when you return; the examples do not imply automatic scheduling.

Closed for the evening

Thanks for calling [Business]. We're closed for today. We'll return your call on our next working day. Hours: [website]

Use next working day if your opening days vary, and keep your hours easy to find.

119 / 160 characters*

Weekend message

Hi, it's [Business]. We're closed for the weekend. We'll call back on Monday. You can send an enquiry at [enquiry link].

Change the day for bank holidays or whenever Monday is not your next working day.

120 / 160 characters*

Short holiday

Thanks for calling [Business]. We're away until [date]. For enquiries, visit [website]. We'll respond after we return.

Replace the date before saving, and restore your usual message when you return.

118 / 160 characters*

Fully booked today

Thanks for calling [Business]. We're fully booked today. Check future appointments at [booking link] or we'll call you back.

Use this only while it is accurate; a message cannot check your diary for you.

124 / 160 characters*

Booking links, quotes & WhatsApp

4 examples

Choose one main action. A caller should be able to understand the message and know exactly where to go next.

Online booking

Sorry I missed your call to [Business]. You can choose an appointment here: [booking link]. Thanks for getting in touch.

Replace the placeholder with your complete working booking URL.

120 / 160 characters*

Quote form

Thanks for calling [Business]. For a quote, tell us what you need at [quote link]. We'll review your enquiry and get back to you.

Explain on the form whether you need a visit before providing a price.

129 / 160 characters*

Your own WhatsApp

Hi, it's [Business]. Sorry I missed you. Send your enquiry to my WhatsApp here: [WhatsApp link]. I'll respond when free.

Use a link to your own number, such as wa.me/ followed by your number in international format.

120 / 160 characters*

Email enquiry

Thanks for calling [Business]. I can't answer right now. Please email your enquiry to [email] or I'll call back when free.

A short business email address is easier to read and leaves more room for your message.

122 / 160 characters*

Different tones for your business

4 examples

Pick the voice that sounds like you. The most useful message is usually warm, specific and honest about your availability.

Warm and personal

Hi, thanks for giving [Business] a call. Sorry I couldn't pick up. I'll give you a ring as soon as I'm free.

A natural choice for a sole trader whose customers usually speak directly to them.

108 / 160 characters*

Professional and concise

Thank you for calling [Business]. We are unavailable at present and will return your call as soon as possible.

Suitable when you want a straightforward message without informal language.

110 / 160 characters*

Very short

Sorry we missed you. Thanks for calling [Business]. We'll call you back when we're free.

A shorter template gives a longer business name more room.

88 / 160 characters*

Helpful with a link

Thanks for calling [Business]. We'll call back when available. In the meantime, services and opening hours are at [website].

Use a genuinely useful destination rather than adding a link for its own sake.

124 / 160 characters*

*Counts include the placeholders exactly as shown. Your final business name, links and contact details will change the count. Templates are illustrative wording ideas, not real customer messages.

Before you use a template

Replace every placeholder, test your links and check the final character count in your message settings. Give callers one clear next step and only promise a callback time you can meet.

Read the message guidelines

A few useful answers

Missed call message questions

What should an automatic missed call text say?

Name your business, acknowledge the missed call and give one useful next step. That might be a callback, a booking link, your email address or a link to your own WhatsApp. Keep any promise about your response time realistic.

Can a customer reply to a TextTheCaller message?

No. Messages are sent from your business name, not a reply-enabled phone number. Give callers a working booking link, email address, your own WhatsApp link or a callback expectation instead of asking them to reply to the text.

How long can my message be?

TextTheCaller allows up to 160 characters. These templates fit within that limit as written, but replacing a placeholder with a longer business name or URL changes the length. Check the final message in your TextTheCaller settings before saving.

Can I copy and adapt these examples?

Yes. Choose an example, copy it and replace every bracketed placeholder with your own details. Check that links work and that the message matches your availability, then save it in your TextTheCaller message settings.

Do the after-hours examples change automatically?

These are wording ideas to choose manually, not an automatic schedule. Change your message when your availability changes and restore your usual wording when you return.

Should I include a booking link or WhatsApp link?

Use the route that best suits the enquiry. A booking link helps customers choose an appointment. A link to your own WhatsApp number can help them share job details or photos. Choose one main action and test the destination before using it.

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