In the YouTube video “Marketing For Your Plumbing Company – Missed Call Text Back,” Roger Wakefield discusses a crucial element of plumbing business success: answering the phone quickly and effectively, even when you can’t physically pick it up. Imagine a customer with a burst pipe or a flooded kitchen—they’re stressed, and the last thing they want is to leave a voicemail or wait hours for a callback. By the time you return their call, there’s a good chance they’ve already moved on to a competitor who answered right away.
Yet as a busy plumber, you may not always be able to stop what you’re doing, especially if you’re crawling under a house to fix a leak or working on a project that requires both hands. In this post, you’ll learn how Go High Level’s Missed Call Text Back feature can solve that exact problem, helping you capture and retain more customers—even when you’re elbow-deep in plumbing tasks. You’ll also discover why this strategy is a game-changer for boosting revenue, retaining clients, and standing out in the crowded residential service industry.
Why Immediate Response Matters
First to answer, first to win: In residential services, the first company to pick up the phone usually lands the job. It’s as simple as that. When plumbing emergencies happen, homeowners rarely shop around extensively. They look up a few local companies, call the first couple of numbers, and hire the first one that actually responds. If you miss that call, you risk missing out on a profitable job and a lifelong customer.
But immediate response doesn’t necessarily mean you, personally, have to grab the phone on the first ring. Thanks to automation tools like Go High Level, you can initiate a conversation with the customer even if you can’t physically talk at that moment. This might be the difference between losing a potentially lucrative job and retaining a satisfied, loyal client who will return to you for years to come.
Introducing the Missed Call Text Back Feature
Go High Level is a marketing automation platform that enables businesses—especially in the skilled trades—to handle leads and communications more efficiently. One of its standout features is Missed Call Text Back, which works as follows:
- Customer Calls Your Business Number
If you’re unable to answer because you’re on another line, on a job site, or simply juggling too many tasks at once, the call goes unanswered. - Automatic Text Message is Triggered
The moment you miss the call, Go High Level automatically sends a customizable SMS to the caller, letting them know you’ve received their call and will be in touch soon. You can personalize the text to reflect your company’s tone and style. - Customer Engages
Customers often reply, explaining their problem: “Hi, I’ve got a leak under my sink,” or “My water heater just flooded the garage—help!” With a simple automated text, you’ve opened a direct conversation line and assured them you care about their issue. - Follow-Up When You’re Ready
Once you’re able to pause and respond properly—via text or a phone call—you pick up the thread without losing the customer’s interest to a faster-responding competitor.
This process might sound like a small tweak, but it can have a massive impact on your plumbing business. It transforms the typical “voicemail and hope for a call back” scenario into an immediate engagement channel—one where the customer feels taken care of from the very first minute.
The Real-World Value of Faster Responses
Consider the lifetime value of a typical plumbing customer. Let’s say your average ticket is $500, and you know from your records that many of your repeat clients eventually spend several thousand dollars over the course of multiple visits. Missing one call could cost you hundreds or thousands of dollars—not just once, but repeatedly, if that customer would have recommended you to their friends and neighbors.
Do the Math
- Closing Rate: Perhaps you or your CSR closes around 70–90% of incoming calls.
- Average Ticket: $500 per job.
- Missed Calls per Day: 5? 10? 15?
Even if you miss just 10 calls per day, and you close 70% of those when you do respond, that’s 7 jobs lost daily. Multiply 7 jobs by $500, and you’re looking at $3,500 in daily revenue walking away. Over weeks, months, or years, the cumulative impact is enormous.
Customizing Your Automated Text Message
The beauty of Go High Level’s Missed Call Text Back feature lies in its flexibility. You can tailor the automated text to reflect your brand, your personality, or your immediate situation:
- Simple and Straightforward: “Hi, thanks for calling [Your Plumbing Company]. We’re assisting another customer right now, but we’ll get back to you ASAP. In the meantime, please let us know more about your issue.”
- More Personal: “Hi, this is [Your Name] at [Your Plumbing Company]. I’m with a customer at the moment, but I want to help you next. Tell me what’s going on and I’ll reach out as soon as I can.”
- Emergency Focus: “Thanks for calling. We understand plumbing emergencies can’t wait. Please share a brief description of the problem, and we’ll prioritize getting to you quickly.”
This kind of immediate acknowledgment comforts the caller. Instead of feeling ignored or worried, they know help is on the way. They’re much more likely to wait for your callback or at least engage in conversation via text.
Working on Your Business, Not Just In It
Michael Gerber’s famous advice—work on your business, not just in it—applies perfectly here. As a plumber:
- You’re often in your business, doing the hands-on work.
- You’re less often on your business, planning growth strategies and ensuring you never lose a lead.
Go High Level helps you automate a critical part of your customer acquisition process, freeing you to focus on the actual plumbing. This level of professional follow-up boosts your reputation and allows you to scale effectively, without needing to hire an entire admin team to handle calls.
Practical Steps to Get Started
If you’re convinced that Missed Call Text Back is right for your plumbing business, here’s how to begin:
1. Set Up a Go High Level Account
You can start at $97/month, which is likely far cheaper than losing even a single day’s worth of missed calls.
2. Configure Your Phone System
If you already have a business line, integrate it with Go High Level. This ensures that any missed call triggers an immediate text response.
3. Craft Your Auto-Reply
Write a short, personable message that reflects your brand voice. Keep it friendly, brief, and solution-focused.
4. Test the Feature
Call your own number from a different phone and let it ring until you miss it. Confirm you receive the text back. Check how quickly it arrives and whether the wording feels right.
5. Monitor and Adjust
Over time, you might tweak the message based on customer feedback. You might also explore other Go High Level features, like automated follow-ups or scheduling, to further enhance your workflow.
Beyond Just Plumbing: A Universal Strategy
While the spotlight here is on plumbing, Missed Call Text Back is a strategy that benefits:
- Electricians
- HVAC technicians
- Roofers
- Handypeople
- Landscapers
- Garage door specialists
- Any service-based business
The principle remains the same: people who don’t get an answer move on to the next option. If your text response arrives quickly, you can keep them engaged long enough to convert them into paying customers.
Turning Leads into Loyal Customers
Rapid response is a massive trust-builder. When a homeowner is stressed about a leak or a backed-up drain, a prompt acknowledgement that you’re on it can set you apart from the competition.
- Build Confidence
A quick text shows you’re proactive and reliable. That impression makes the homeowner more comfortable trusting you with their home. - Reduce Anxiety
Plumbing problems can escalate quickly, so hearing from you—even via text—calms the customer. They know you’ll be following up, which helps them stop searching for the next available plumber. - Start the Conversation
Once they reply with details, you can provide a rough estimate or timeframe. This keeps them emotionally invested in your company. They’ve already started the conversation, so they’re less likely to abandon it. - Schedule Faster
If you’re on the job or it’s after hours, you can still confirm their appointment time as soon as you see the text. They no longer have to wait until you’re free to answer calls in real time.
Leveraging Referrals and Reviews
A quality experience during a stressful moment often leads to positive reviews on Google, Yelp, or Facebook. Even more importantly, satisfied customers spread the word to friends and neighbors. When you capture those calls with an immediate text, you’re increasing the chances that:
- They recommend you next time someone asks for “a good plumber” on social media.
- They remember your prompt response when they need future plumbing work.
- They share their positive experiences through word of mouth.
Those intangible benefits can grow your revenue well beyond the initial job. Each new customer becomes a potential brand ambassador, singing your praises about how responsive and courteous you were—even without picking up the phone in that moment.
Calculating the Return on Investment
Some business owners hesitate to invest in more software, fearing it’s just another expense. But consider:
- Subscription Cost: Starting at $97/month with Go High Level.
- Potential Job Value: $500 on average, with the possibility of thousands over a customer’s lifetime.
If Missed Call Text Back helps you capture just one job a month that you otherwise would have lost, it likely pays for itself. In reality, you’ll likely recapture many more than one customer. That’s a high ROI for a relatively low monthly cost.
Additional Features Worth Exploring
Once you’ve set up Missed Call Text Back, you might be intrigued by Go High Level’s broader capabilities:
- Automated Follow-Up Campaigns
Keep in touch with leads who reached out but didn’t schedule. You can nurture them with emails or texts until they’re ready to book. - Appointment Scheduling
Let customers pick an available time slot without multiple back-and-forth calls or messages. - Review Management
Encourage satisfied clients to leave positive reviews, enhancing your online reputation. - Custom Marketing Funnels
Create and track landing pages for specific promotions or services, improving your lead capture and conversion rates.
These tools can help you streamline your overall marketing strategy, making it easier to manage leads, schedule jobs, and collect payment. That’s a full-scale approach to “working on your business,” not just day-to-day tasks.
Overcoming Common Objections
“I already have a CSR to answer calls.”
Even the best customer service rep can’t catch every call if they’re away from their desk or busy helping someone else. The Missed Call Text Back feature serves as a backup and extends availability beyond standard office hours.
“My customers prefer talking on the phone.”
Yes, many do. However, customers also appreciate quick acknowledgement. A text message doesn’t replace phone conversations—it simply provides reassurance until you can call them back. If a customer truly prefers direct phone contact, they’ll know you’re reaching out soon.
“I’m too busy to set up a new tool.”
The initial setup is straightforward, and once you configure it, the system works on autopilot. You’ll save time in the long run by not having to chase down missed callers or guess how many leads slipped through the cracks.
Creating a Customer-Centered Culture
When a potential client has a plumbing emergency, they need help fast. Speed and communication are key to excellent customer service. By using automation, you demonstrate respect for their time and their problem. Even if you’re physically unavailable, you’re digitally present.
In a sector where many providers still rely on outdated approaches to customer communication (like purely relying on voicemail), adopting Missed Call Text Back is a competitive advantage. It shows that you:
- Embrace modern technology to serve customers better.
- Value prompt communication.
- Strive to meet customers where they’re most comfortable (on their phones).
Final Thoughts
A missed call no longer has to mean a missed opportunity. With Go High Level’s Missed Call Text Back, you can instantly engage the customer, keep the conversation going, and dramatically improve your chances of landing the job. This simple but powerful automation puts money back in your pocket and projects a professional, reliable image.
Beyond one-off calls, each of these customer interactions can become a long-term relationship—one where the homeowner trusts you enough to recommend you to friends, family, and neighbors. For plumbing companies seeking growth, strong reputation, and stable revenue, marketing via immediate text response is a must-have strategy.
If you’re looking to stop losing leads and start booking more jobs, check out Go High Level’s Missed Call Text Back feature. It may be the simplest, most cost-effective solution you implement this year to grow your plumbing business.
