In this Article
What is a Transactional/Non-Promotional Message?
A Transactional/Non-Promotional message is a message directly related to a business transaction you have with a client.
Transactional/Non-Promotional Messages in Phorest
- Appointment Reminders
- Appointment Confirmations
- Consultation Form messages
- Video Consultation messages
- Rebooking SMS
- Post-appointment Review requests sent via the Marketing > Review section
- No Show notifications
- Email receipts
- TreatCard Referral confirmations
- The Welcome email under Marketing > Welcome Email.
- Care Instructions (Pre-care and aftercare).
Updating Client Reminder Consent
A client's consent settings for transactional/non-promotional messages can be seen and updated in their Client Card under Basic Information > Notifications > Reminder Consent.
Note: Clients will continue to receive the Appointment Confirmation Email regardless of their Reminder Consent status. However, the Confirmation SMS remains dependent on the client providing SMS Reminder consent.
What is a Marketing Message?
A Marketing message is a message sent to a client in an attempt to gain more business from the client. It is not related to an existing transaction you have had with the customer, and as such, it requires opt-in consent before sending such marketing.
Marketing Messages in Phorest
- Email campaigns/messages sent via the Marketing section
- SMS campaigns/messages sent via the Marketing section
- Messages sent via the Client Reconnect feature
- Messages sent via the Online Reputation feature
Updating Client Marketing Consent
A client's consent settings for marketing messages can be seen and updated in their Client Card under Basic Information > Notifications > Marketing Consent.
It is important to understand these differences and not use a Transactional/Non-Promotional message feature to send a message that will be interpreted as marketing to respect the client's privacy and remain compliant with GDPR (if applicable to your geographical location). For more information on GDPR and Phorest, check out our GDPR FAQ.
Inserting Links Into Your Phorest Messaging
You can include custom links in most communications that you send to your clients from your Phorest system.
When inserting custom links, it is very important that you understand the difference between transactional/non-promotional links and promotional links in order to remain compliant with your region's data privacy compliance laws (e.g. GDPR, CCPA).
Transactional/Non-Promotional Links
Transactional/Non-Promotional content or links provide valuable and relevant information to recipients without promoting products or services directly. Examples include:
- Treatment Preparation Guide
- Post-Care Instructions
- Safety and Hygiene Protocols
- Terms and Conditions (T&Cs)
Third-party links, such as Google reviews, are not permitted in your Phorest messaging if they are being used for promotional purposes.
Promotional Links
Promotional Links (Marketing): These links promote products, services, or offers. They typically require marketing consent from the recipient and may be subject to data privacy regulations in your region. Examples include:
- Promotional offers or discounts
- Product advertisements
- Promotional or seasonal campaigns
- New service launch
- Referral program
When determining whether a link is appropriate for a transactional/non-promotional email, consider whether it directly supports the recipient's current transaction or interaction and whether it aligns with the primary purpose of the email. If the link promotes non-essential content or requires marketing consent, it's likely better suited for a separate marketing communication rather than a transactional/non-promotional email.
By adhering to these guidelines, you can ensure that your transactional/non-promotional emails provide valuable and relevant information to recipients while maintaining compliance with GDPR regulations data privacy regulations in your region and respecting recipient preferences regarding marketing communications.