Sending text messages to multiple people can be quite tedious when using a mobile phone. Our web service is an efficient communication solution that allows you to send bulk text messages, both in France and worldwide, at highly competitive rates.

What is an SMS gateway?

An SMS gateway allows you to send and receive text messages, or Short Message Service (SMS), in bulk from a computer. Most of them support media conversion and various formats from emails.

An SMS gateway gives you the opportunity to send and receive SMS and other media in two ways:

• via a platform: a web application that allows you to log in from any device with internet access to send and receive SMS without needing a phone number or a local phone line
• via an API: connect your software to our SMS gateway to send and receive SMS directly within the applications you already use

The benefits of using an SMS gateway for sending SMS

For your technical team:

• Improved and/or automated sending processes
• Centralized administration
• Secure and automated messaging
• 24/7 accessibility for all users
• No maintenance or hardware costs

For your marketing and communications team members:

• Instant message delivery to their customers and prospects
• Improved customer relationships
• Compliance with current regulations regarding SMS messaging
• Live tracking of messages and statistics
• Reducing operating costs

Applications and features of an SMS gateway

Sending SMS via email

By using an SMS gateway, you can draft your SMS directly from your inbox. You also have the option to manage different types of text messages and delivery times by configuring advanced settings from your email address.

Implementing an alert system

Integrating messaging solutions via an SMS gateway is a highly effective way to send alerts or notifications. It offers fast message delivery and receipt on the recipient's mobile phone or email, which is particularly useful in emergencies or for customers who are frequently on the road.

6 key questions to help you choose your SMS gateway service

1) What is the payment method?

SMS gateways can generally be divided into two categories regarding payment methods:

• Credit-based: You purchase a certain number of credits. Sending an SMS costs you one or more credits depending on the country you are sending your communication to. For example, sending an SMS to India might cost you 1 credit, while sending a message to the United States might cost you 2 credits.
• SMS-based: You purchase a specific number of messages. The cost of sending a single message is the same regardless of the destination or the gateway used.

Octopush, for example, operates on a purchased SMS volume basis because it is a more intuitive system. The cost of an SMS varies depending on the quantity you need and the type of SMS you want to send. As a customer, it is simpler to purchase the balance of SMS you will actually use.

2) Does the messaging provider require a minimum purchase quantity?

Some companies require a minimum purchase amount. For example, you might be required to buy 1,000 credits at a time. If you are unsure about the success of your marketing campaign, opt for a provider that does not require a minimum amount.

You will have plenty of time to increase the number of messages sent once the success of your campaign is confirmed by an increase in your user base.

3) Does your order have an expiration date?

On some platforms, credits expire after a certain period, rendering the purchased messages unusable. Choosing a provider with such restrictions should be done with full awareness and following a precise estimate of the traffic data generated by your software.

Octopush, for example, does not impose an expiration date on your SMS, only on your account. For security reasons, if you do not log in to your account for a full year, it becomes inactive and is automatically closed.

4) How good is the network coverage?

Network coverage is a key factor, as it is entirely possible that a router may not be able to deliver your messages in certain countries or via specific mobile carriers. You can generally find a detailed list of covered countries and carriers on the service provider's website.

Some SMS routing platforms offer very competitive rates, but be careful, as their network coverage quality can be quite poor. Your messages may never reach their destination, or they may arrive with significant delays and, most importantly, very inconsistently.

You can check with their customer service to see if their service covers the region you are interested in, but the most effective way to see for yourself is to send a test SMS. Some companies, like Octopush, offer test SMS credits so you can verify the delivery capacity, speed, and accuracy of the messages you enter on the platform.

5) Is your system compatible with the API provided by the SMS gateway?

Integrating an SMS gateway service into your application offers undeniable advantages. You will be able to send automated, pre-formatted messages to your customers, which will save you time and improve the customer experience.

Each software interface is designed according to a specific "protocol," which corresponds to how data is transmitted between computers. These protocols generally include:

• HTTP, the most common and easiest to use.
• HTTPS, for encrypted and therefore secure data.
• SMTP, for using SMS from an email application.

It is therefore wise to check that your software is compatible with the provider's API before committing, or at least that it supports all protocols, as is the case with Octopush.

6) Is the API easy to use?

Every API comes with documentation that provides developers with instructions on how to integrate and use it with your software. However, some companies do not take this seriously and provide documentation that offers little value, eventually wasting your time or even forcing you to switch providers.

As a general rule, API implementation documentation is public, so check with your developers to ensure everything is detailed and understandable. This will save you time and effort in the long run, you can be sure of that!