Setting your business hours.
Tell TapText when you're working, so the right auto-reply fires inside hours vs after hours.
Why business hours matter
When a customer texts you at 7pm on a Sunday, you don't want them sitting there expecting an instant reply. Business hours let TapText tell them when you'll actually get back to them.
Inside hours: a friendly "We've got your message, texting back shortly" auto-reply.
Outside hours: a different reply that sets the expectation ("Got it. We're closed 'til 7am Monday, first reply in the morning.").
Step 1. Set your hours
Go to Settings, then Business Hours. By default it's Mon to Fri, 9am to 5pm. Change it to whatever you actually work.
If you're a tradie working 6am to 4pm, set 6am to 4pm. If you're a hairdresser closing Mondays, untick Monday.
Step 2. Set your timezone
Make sure timezone is set to your local AU state: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart, Darwin. We don't auto-detect because daylight savings differs across states.
Step 3. Write the after-hours reply
This is the message customers get if they text outside your hours.
Good examples:
- "Cheers for the message. We're done for the day, first reply in the morning, around 7am."
- "Thanks! We're closed weekends. We'll text you back Monday."
- "Got it. We're on a job, reply within 2 hours."
Tip. Be specific about when you'll reply. "We'll get back to you ASAP" is corporate-speak. "Back to you by 9am Monday" is what a mate would say.
Step 4. Public holidays
In Settings, Business Hours, Public Holidays, tick which Australian public holidays should override the schedule. We pre-load NSW, VIC, QLD, SA, WA, TAS, NT, ACT calendars. Public holidays use your after-hours reply.
Edge case: overnight services
If you're a 24-hour locksmith or after-hours plumber, set your hours to 24/7 and write a single auto-reply that covers urgency:
"Got your message. If urgent, ring 0400 XXX XXX direct. Otherwise we'll text back within 30 minutes."