# Customise outbound SMS notifications
URL: https://support.starshipit.com/articles/115000906983-customise-outbound-sms-notifications
Canonical: https://support.starshipit.com/articles/115000906983-customise-outbound-sms-notifications
Markdown: https://support.starshipit.com/articles/115000906983-customise-outbound-sms-notifications.md
Updated: 2026-05-07

> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://support.starshipit.com/llms.txt).

> Learn how to customise SMS notifications for outbound shipments in Starshipit.

:::warning
Notifications will not be sent for "Pickup In Store" and "Plain Label" orders when on a Trial Subscription due to spam protection measures.
:::

## Integrate your SMS account

To send SMS with Starshipit, you'll need a Kudosity account. For details on creating and integrating an account, check out our [support guide.](/articles/notifications-branded-tracking-rules-child-accounts/notifications/how-to-set-up-kudosity)

## Choose when to send delivery updates

Starshipit can manage an SMS template for each different delivery status and will trigger an SMS only for the checked status. For example, you can choose to send an email or SMS when an order label is printed to when the order is delivered.

1. In [Starshipit](https://app2.starshipit.com/), navigate to **Settings** > **Tracking and Notifications**.
2. Enable the checkbox for the delivery stages you want to notify a customer.
3. Click **Save**.

![mceclip1.png](/uploads/articles/notifications-branded-tracking-rules-child-accounts/notifications/customise-outbound-sms-notifications/image_360005132236.png)

## Set your Sender ID

You can configure a sender ID if you'd like your SMS messages to come from your company name or number.

1. Ensure you've [set up the Sender ID in Kudosity](https://help.kudosity.com/s/article/44001076914-how-to-define-a-custom-sender-id?).
2. Go to **Settings** > **Tracking and Notifications** > **Custom Sender ID** and enter your Sender ID.
![Custom Sender ID setting](/uploads/articles/notifications-branded-tracking-rules-child-accounts/notifications/customise-outbound-sms-notifications/image_12576076268047.png)
3. Click **Save.**

## Edit the SMS template

1. In [Starshipit](https://app2.starshipit.com/), navigate to **Settings** > **Tracking and Notifications**.
2. Click on **SMS Template** for the delivery stage you want to edit.
3. From the editor, you can modify the SMS template as required.
4. Click **Save**.

![SMS template editor](/uploads/articles/notifications-branded-tracking-rules-child-accounts/notifications/customise-outbound-sms-notifications/image_9486097809935.png)

## Use the Starshipit variable

Use Starshipit variables to personalise your email and include information about the order.

### Variables:

* **Recipient** **Name**: Name of your customer
* **Our Ref**: Sender's reference (e.g. sales order number)
* **Their Ref**: Receiver's reference (e.g. purchase order number)
* **Courier Name**: The courier used to ship the parcel.
* **Tracking Number**: Tracking number associated with the parcel
* **Tracking URL**: Tracking URL associated with the parcel
* **Company Name**: Your company name
* **Telephone**: Your contact number

## Important Information

The maximum character limit for SMS notifications is 160. If you exceed this limit, the notification will be treated as two or more text messages. If you include an Emoji your text message character limit is reduced from 160 to 70 per SMS.

Many eCommerce platforms (including **Shopify** and **Magento**) include notification options which email customers when the status of an order is updated. If you have opted to write back the status to your eCommerce platform, you may need to consider whether your customers are receiving duplicate notifications and then enable/disable notifications, as required.