Prerequisites
Before you start, make sure you have:
A ClickSend account
Your ClickSend API credentials
The [free Lead Capture Form plugin for WordPress]
Installing the Plugin
You can install the plugin in two ways:
Recommended (Direct via WordPress)
Log in to your WordPress Admin dashboard
Go to Plugins > Add New
Search for “ClickSend Lead Capture Form”
Click Install, then Activate
Manual Installation
Download the plugin
Go to your WordPress Admin > Plugins > Add New > Upload Plugin
Upload the .zip file, install, and activate
Authenticate Your ClickSend Account
Go to the ClickSend Lead Capture Form menu in your WordPress dashboard
Enter your ClickSend username and API key
Click Save Changes
Note: Use your API key, not your ClickSend password.
Set Up Automated SMS for Form Submissions
In the plugin settings, go to Form Actions
Choose the Contact List to add new leads
(You must create this list first in your ClickSend dashboard)
Customise your message content for:
Customer notifications – sent to the person filling out the form
Admin notifications – sent to your phone when someone submits a form
You can enable or disable admin SMS alerts
Use dynamic placeholders like [name] to personalise messages
You can add multiple admin phone numbers separated by commas
Click Save Form Settings
Customize Sender ID
You can use an Alpha Tag (like your business name) to brand messages
Must be 11 characters max, no spaces
To receive replies, use a dedicated number
[Buy one here]
Check [country support for Alpha Tags and inbound SMS]
Show/Hide Form Fields
On the same settings page, you can select which fields appear in your form. This lets you tailor the form to suit your website and lead capture needs.
Set Up Custom SMS Templates by Page
Go to Custom Message Menu > SMS Form Settings
Select a page from the Select Page dropdown
Create a unique message template for that page
Click Save Message
These custom templates will override the default message for that page. Saved messages will appear under the List Messages section.
Troubleshooting
If you're running into issues, check the following:
Authentication: Use your API key, not your password
Credit: Check your balance and top up
Required Fields: Ensure the phone number and message are present
Alpha Tag Issues:
Max 11 characters, no spaces
Check country support
Global sending may be needed for some countries — contact support
FAQs
Can I send messages from a business name (Alpha Tag)?
Yes. Just ensure it’s 11 characters or less, no spaces. Not all countries support alpha tags. See supported countries
Where can I see replies to my messages?
Check your inbound and outbound SMS history here