How to Automate SMS Notifications with Twilio

I build automate sms notifications twilio business systems that sends appointment reminders, alerts, and transactional messages. This runs as a background service that handles communication without manual intervention.

What You Need

• Python 3.9+
• API credentials for the messaging platform
• A server or VPS for hosting

Step 1: Set Up the Connection

pip install requests flask python-dotenv

import requests
import os
from dotenv import load_dotenv

load_dotenv()

API_TOKEN = os.getenv("BOT_TOKEN")

Step 2: Send Messages

def send_message(recipient, text):
    # Platform-specific sending logic
    print(f"Sending to {recipient}: {text}")
    return True

def send_template(recipient, template_name, params=None):
    print(f"Sending template '{template_name}' to {recipient}")
    return True

Step 3: Handle Incoming Messages

from flask import Flask, request

app = Flask(__name__)

@app.route("/webhook", methods=["POST"])
def handle_webhook():
    data = request.json
    sender = data.get("from", "")
    text = data.get("text", data.get("body", ""))

    response = process_message(sender, text)
    if response:
        send_message(sender, response)

    return "OK", 200

def process_message(sender, text):
    text_lower = text.lower().strip()

    if text_lower in ("status", "report"):
        return format_status_report()
    elif text_lower == "help":
        return "Commands: status, report, help"

    return None

Step 4: Build Notification Templates

def notify_new_lead(name, email, source):
    msg = f"New Lead: {name} ({email}) from {source}"
    send_message(os.getenv("ADMIN_CHAT_ID"), msg)

def notify_system_alert(service, status):
    msg = f"ALERT: {service} is {status}"
    send_message(os.getenv("ALERT_CHAT_ID"), msg)

def notify_daily_summary(metrics):
    msg = f"Daily: {metrics['leads']} leads, ${metrics['spend']} spend, ${metrics['cpl']:.2f} CPL"
    send_message(os.getenv("REPORT_CHAT_ID"), msg)

Step 5: Schedule Automated Messages

import schedule
import time

def daily_report():
    metrics = {"leads": 15, "spend": 500, "cpl": 33.33}
    notify_daily_summary(metrics)

schedule.every().day.at("09:00").do(daily_report)

# Run scheduler in background
while True:
    schedule.run_pending()
    time.sleep(60)

What to Build Next

Add two-way conversation handling so the bot can answer questions and take actions based on replies. Start with the five most common questions your team or customers ask.

Related Reading

• From Overwhelmed to Automated - practical guidance for building AI-powered business systems
• How to Set Up Automated Lead Notifications - getting the right alerts to the right people
• Setting Up Slack Notifications for Key Business Events - getting the right alerts to the right people