SMS Gateway as a Rediscovered Treasure for Companies

Learn how bulk SMS can increase sales rates.

The length of SMS, or text messages is limited to 160 characters from the GSM alphabet. However, the shortage of characters does not stop text messaging from being one of the most successful communication channels, because SMS is enabled on virtually 100% of mobile and smart phones. That is why SMS marketing is being used by such companies as American Express, PayPal, Lufthansa, BMW, and many other well-known brands. To send millions of text messages, these companies needed a powerful tool that could get their message across. This is where SMS Gateways come into play.

What is an SMS Gateway and how can it increase my revenue?

In a nutshell, SMS Gateway is a web-based app (basically a website), which allows users to send text messages to their customers’ phone numbers (naturally, with their permission). At the same time, an SMS Gateway has the capacity to receive messages from users, which makes communication interactive. The SMS Gateway can be used for transactional and promotional purposes.

Transactional messages include: Promotional messages include:
  • Appointment reminders
  • Location-based promotions
  • Call notifications
  • Discount notifications
  • One time passwords
  • Promotion alerts
  • Transaction alerts
  • Information services
  • Payment reminders
  • Result notifications
  • Booking confirmations
  • Short surveys
  • Account updates
  • 'Text & Win' competitions

The variety of messages that can be sent using an SMS Gateway gives the platform the possibility to become a useful tool for any business from any industry that wishes to stay competitive. A powerful SMS Gateway should do more than just send text messages, it will make sure that your message gets delivered. When choosing an SMS Gateway, look for an intelligent message sending feature. The platform will try to send the message several times, in case the message wasn’t delivered, you will get a notification. It will give you the possibility to check the phone number and see what can be fixed to deliver the message to the recipient.

Another feature to look for is for optimal real-time routing. The platform will support an intelligent algorithm that will manage flexible and dynamic routing. Flexible routing allows to create different rules for each destination one wishes to send messages to, and at the same time, to route a certain set of messages through different outbound routes or carriers to one destination.

Dynamic routing allows to change routing on the fly with no need to restart the system. Routing ensures your messages are delivered as quickly as possible – without compromising security or reliability in the process.

A user-friendly graphical interface is very important when it comes to user experience. No one is willing to spend an hour trying to figure out how a message can be sent. In addition to that, look for a reporting tool in the SMS gateway platform that will be easy to manage and understand. Your non-techie employees don’t have to struggle while working with the platform.

What is an SMS gateway? It is a tool that will take you closer to your customers and will increase your customer conversion rates if used wisely.