In this article, we will show you how to set a call time window for your IVR campaigns. 

What is a call time window?

A call time window is the period when you want your IVR calls to be sent to participants.

For example, you may choose to send calls only between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays so participants don’t receive calls too early in the morning or too late in the evening.

Why is a call time window important?

Now you might be wondering how a call time window can be helpful to you. Turns out, it can be extremely helpful! Because if you make your calls at just the right time of day when you know your contacts are more readily available, then the likelihood of having your calls answered and surveys completed will go up! 

It’s also worth remembering that people are giving you their precious time by answering your questions, so it is only polite to be considerate of them and  not call them on weekends if you know that’s when they have time off, as well as not calling too early or too late depending on their work schedules.

There are other instances where it’s important to be mindful of the call times:

• Legal reasons. In some countries, it’s not permitted to make automated calls after a certain hour
• Culturally sensitive times. We’ve had clients in the past who have made sure to not call their participants during Muslim prayer times.
• Night time. While this may be kind of obvious, it’s important in case you have tens of thousands of calls going out and they go on for a while.
• Convenience. Your participants may simply not be available at certain times due to their activities and have made it known to you at what time they are available.

Check out our IVR guide to learn some of the best practices from the field to help make your campaign a success!

Call time window set up

Here’s how you can set up a call time window in your IVR campaign:

1. Go into the Campaigns tab at the top of the page:

2. Then select IVR Survey.

Go ahead and set up your IVR Survey by adding your voice messages and questions, choosing a Caller ID, and configuring Reconnect Calls, Retry Calls, and Voicemail Detection. Continue through the setup steps until you reach Call Windows.

3. Once you reach Call Windows, you can choose to call your contacts Anytime, or set a specific time zone, days, and hours for your calls.

In this example, calls are only allowed to go out Monday through Sunday, from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

4. Once you’ve finished setting your Call Windows, click Next and then click Set Live.

Your IVR Survey is now live, and you can start subscribing your contacts.

That’s it!