Are you looking for an SMS provider How to choose the best or thinking about switching platforms? We analyze the factors you should consider when comparing providers to help you make the right decision. Bulk SMS offers the best rates in terms of message open rates and engagement. It’s an extremely effective channel for running marketing campaigns, sending urgent reminders and alerts, and improving customer service.
However, for it to work as effectively as possible, you need a reliable, secure, and reputable SMS provider. Someone who can help you achieve your marketing and communication goals.
There are many companies How to choose the best offering SMS services and SMS APIs for businesses—each with seemingly different features. So, we’ve put together this guide to help you decipher the technicalities and choose the right provider for your business.
Whether you’re looking for a new SMS provider or considering switching platforms, here we analyze some of the decisive factors you should consider.
What factors to consider when choosing an SMS provider
Each organization will impose different requirements on its SMS provider.
Medical practices can reduce belgium whatsapp number data appointment no-shows and save time with automated appointment reminders and confirmations , while an e-commerce company can use them to boost its marketing initiatives with personalized promotions and SMS surveys .
Regardless of the industry, there are a few key aspects to prioritize when looking for a new SMS service or API provider: excellent security and compliance, affordability, exceptional customer service, simple integration, and ease of use.
The best SMS service providers will also know your industry well. They can help you solve your business needs, rather than acting as mere suppliers.
They will continually innovate so you can have the best features to meet your customers’ needs and expectations at all times.
We reveal 13 key features how to choose the best consider when searching for a supplier:
1. Security and regulatory compliance
How to choose the best the most important aspect to consider when choosing a new bulk SMS provider is security and regulatory compliance. This not only protects your reputation and can prevent you from facing hefty fines, but it also gives customers peace of mind knowing their information is protected.
Companies collect a multitude of sensitive customer data,How to choose the best such as mobile phone numbers, payment information, email addresses, purchase history, and income levels. Keeping this information secure is your responsibility, so choose your SMS service provider with the utmost care.
Check security certifications and regulatory grow and segment your email list compliance. For example, whether it complies with shipping restrictions or whether it has ISO 27001 certification, which means your customer data is protected to the highest level and complies with current legislation, including the GDPR. We recommend reading each provider’s privacy and data protection policy and informing yourself of your own responsibilities.
Does the provider encourage the use of sign-up and unsubscribe processes (which is a legal requirement)? Does it implement one-time passwords, two-factor authentication (2FA), and SMS alerts to prevent fraud?
2. Cost
All marketers seek the best return on investment, so price is always an important consideration. Look for an SMS provider that is cost-competitive, but without compromising on service quality.
When evaluating different providers, always check the pricing plan for any hidden fees. Take advantage of free trials to experiment with the platform before committing (learn about our free trial here !).
As with any other investment, request rates to calculate which one best fits your budget. In any case, always consider aspects such as security, certifications, and quality of customer service in addition to price. This will give you better results in the long run and provide greater peace of mind for both you and your clients.
3. Do you have a verified sender ID service?
Verified sender identification is also essential for preventing fraud. It gives customers the peace of mind that your message is legitimate. Instead of displaying a mobile phone number, the company name will be displayed. This conveys a professional image and boosts brand recognition.
Channels like WhatsApp and RCS (Rich Communication Service) allow you to create a business profile to offer greater security and transparency. Customers can click on it to view your information. You can customize it with your brand colors and logo to instill greater trust and create a consistent customer experience.
4. Easy integration
If you’re going to integrate an SMS API into your existing CRM system or software, you should consider the simplicity of the process.
Find out how long the integration process takes, what IT support is required, and whether the new platform will integrate with your existing technology stack. If the answer is “yes,” the vendor is likely a good fit for your organization.
A seamless installation simplifies the transition period. You should also consider scalability. Will the provider be able to support more contacts and campaigns? And offer you truly global reach as your business grows?
The Publi SMS platform is easy to set up and requires no IT support. This ensures your team can get up and running in minutes. It can be integrated with existing software. And, once set up, you’ll have access to hundreds of message templates to get started right away.
5. Speed of delivery
SMS messages are perfect for urgent communications because they’re instant and don’t depend on an internet connection. Because they’re delivered directly to the recipient, there’s less risk of them getting lost in the inbox or getting lost in the spam folder.
A good bulk SMS provider offers fast bulgaria business directory delivery speeds. This is especially important for communications such as medical test results, limited-time promotions, or contacting staff or customers in the event of an emergency. Whether you’re sending a single text message or tens of thousands, you need a reliable, secure, and scalable platform that’s—above all—fast and easy to use.
6. How many messages can be sent at once?
Whether you’re a small business or a growing brand, your SMS service provider should have the infrastructure to send thousands of text messages at once.
7. Is it easy to personalize messages?
All marketers know that personalization is key to the best marketing campaigns. In fact, 71% of customers expect personalized communications , and 76% say they feel frustrated if they don’t receive them.
Your SMS provider should offer customization options. This way, you can ensure that your texts are relevant, engaging, and meet customer expectations. This will improve your conversion rate and the ROI of your marketing spend.
With SMS Publi, you can easily personalize your SMS messages. You can add fields such as first name, last name, gender, or age. You can also customize information such as appointment dates and times, and send them in bulk or automatically.
8. Does the provider offer bulk SMS?
Bulk SMS is essential for sending information quickly and affordably. Your provider should offer a bulk SMS platform that allows you to automate SMS messages and, at the same time, customize texts to send them to a group of contacts or an entire list.
9. Does the provider offer automated SMS?
Find out if your SMS provider offers automation options, which are essential for saving you time and money.
Text messages about order updates, appointment reminders and confirmations, call triage, or meeting reminders can all be easily automated. This allows you to reduce pressure on your team and combat appointment absenteeism. Technology should allow SMS to be triggered automatically, so you don’t have to do anything.
Around 83% of customers expect immediate interaction when contacting a company. And SMS automation means you can confirm receipt of their message immediately to improve satisfaction.
10. Does the provider offer WhatsApp, RCS and email?
SMS is a unique channel on its own. But with WhatsApp, RCS, and email, you can create an omnichannel strategy to improve reach and engagement. Using other channels alongside SMS also demonstrates that you’re taking your customers’ communication preferences into account. This can improve satisfaction rates.
WhatsApp has two billion active users , so its reach is exceptional. It’s an ideal channel for customer service and e-commerce. You can send and receive messages, receive read receipts, send longer texts, attach documents, and share interesting videos and images.
RCS allows you to send text messages that are longer than SMS and include rich cards, such as QR codes and reply buttons. It’s interactive and can improve the customer experience and engagement. And, if a customer’s device doesn’t support RCS, the message is automatically converted and sent as SMS.
Email is an extremely valuable channel for your marketing campaigns, especially when used in conjunction with other channels. You can include more detailed information, multimedia elements, attachments, and links to improve conversions. It also allows you to track your open and click rates to evaluate your campaign’s performance.
11. Can you send and receive messages?
Your SMS provider should offer two-way conversation options to help you resolve customer inquiries and complaints, as well as schedule interviews or appointments. SMS allows for two-way conversation, but you can also opt for one-way communication if you don’t require a response.
12. Reports
By measuring your SMS campaigns, you ensure you get the best return on your investment.
Choose a provider that offers message reporting with delivery confirmations, delivery rates, conversion rates, cost per conversion, and click-through rates. This data is essential for calculating the ROI of your marketing initiatives. It provides valuable insight into who is interacting with your messages.
You’ll also know how many customers unsubscribe from your SMS or if you have outdated mobile numbers. SMS surveys allow you to obtain real-time responses and download your results reports in a spreadsheet or as a visual analysis, such as a pie chart or bar graph.
13. Experience and competence
Choose a reliable supplier. They have the experience and expertise to ensure fast delivery, and whose industry knowledge allows them to understand your specific communication needs. Does the supplier offer positive reviews, case studies , or testimonials?
SMS Publi has over 20 years of experience in SMS across a variety of sectors, including healthcare, retail, e-commerce, education, and travel.
Offers free customer service 24/7. Someone is always available to answer questions and provide assistance.