Add your first customer
Last updated: Aug 24, 2026
To add a customer, open Customers in the left sidebar, click Add Customer, and fill in the form — only a first name and a 10-digit US phone number are required. Click the Add Customer button at the bottom of the form to save. The new customer appears in your directory immediately and is ready to be attached to jobs, texts, estimates, and invoices.
Before you start
- You need an owner, admin, or dispatcher login — technicians cannot create customers.
- Have the customer's phone number handy: it is required, and it is what links their texts and calls back to their record.
Step 1 — Open the Add Customer form
- Click Customers in the left sidebar.
- Click Add Customer (top right). A form slides in from the right.
Step 2 — Fill in the details
| Field | Required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| First Name | Yes | The only required name field |
| Last Name | No | |
| Phone | Yes | 10-digit US number — no country code |
| No | Must be a valid address if entered | |
| Street Address | No | Start typing and pick from the address suggestions — it fills city, state, and zip for you |
| City / State / Zip | No | Filled automatically when you pick a suggested address |
| Notes | No | Internal notes — gate codes, preferences, anything your team should know |
The address matters more than it looks: it powers the dashboard map and technician routing, so enter it when you have it.
Step 3 — Save
Click Add Customer at the bottom (or Cancel to discard). While it saves the button reads "Creating...", then the form closes and the customer appears in the directory list.
Importing an existing list
Moving from another system? Click Import (next to Add Customer) to upload your customer list from a spreadsheet instead of typing each one. See Import review links for the similar bulk-import pattern used elsewhere in Dispatch Bros.
Troubleshooting
- "First name is required" — the first name field is empty. Every customer needs at least a first name.
- "Phone must be 10 digits" — enter exactly ten digits (area code + number). Drop the leading 1 and any spaces, dashes, or parentheses — the field formats it for you.
- "Invalid email" — the email field has something that isn't a valid address. Fix it or clear the field; email is optional.
- "Failed to save customer. Please try again." — a network hiccup. Your typed values are still in the form; click Add Customer again.
- The customer already exists — search the directory first (by name, phone, email, or city) before adding. If you end up with two records for the same person, see merge duplicate customers.
FAQ
What is the minimum I need to add a customer?
A first name and a 10-digit US phone number. Everything else — last name, email, address, notes — is optional.
Why does it say the phone must be 10 digits?
Dispatch Bros stores US phone numbers in a standard format so texting and caller ID matching work. Enter the 10-digit number without the leading 1 or any country code.
Can I import my existing customer list?
Yes — the Customers page has an Import button next to Add Customer that accepts a spreadsheet upload.
Do I have to add a customer before creating a job?
No. The New Job form takes the customer's name and phone directly and creates the customer record for you. Adding customers first is useful when you're migrating an existing list.