Article provided by BulkSMS
In the increasingly competitive space of SMS technology, choosing the right SMS provider for your business demands more than a simple price comparison. Although cost is important, there are a number of other aspects that should be taken into account before settling with an SMS provider. These include things like reliability, scalability, experience, message delivery rates, and reach, all of which play a vital role in the success of your SMS messaging campaigns and integrations.
We take a look at some of the top aspects that you should consider before choosing a bulk messaging provider for your business:
Cost
Cost not only refers to the price of a single message, but to all the fees related to joining and sending SMSes through a particular service provider. Things to look out for are whether or not there are any set up fees, if the advertised cost per SMS includes Value Added Tax, or if unused credits expire. Any one of these may unexpectedly push an SMS campaign over budget.
Reliability
When choosing an SMS provider, make sure that they offer a reliable, secure and established service with optimal customer support and service. In many cases, budget SMS providers can, and do, offer low cost SMS messages simply because they have not optimised their messaging routes or established a reliable support framework.
User friendly
One of the most overlooked considerations when choosing a bulk messaging provider is the service’s ease of use. Make sure that the provider offers an accessible and easy-to-use platform that meets all of your SMS messaging needs.
Easy integration
Choose an SMS service provider that offers an easy to integrate API with comprehensive documentation. This makes SMS enabling your website, mobile app or CRM system smooth and uncomplicated.
Message delivery rate
Not all SMS providers are created equal, especially when it comes to SMS delivery rate. With successful SMS delivery being a non-negotiable, make sure that you choose an SMS provider that has direct relationships with other established local and global aggregators and networks. This will ensure that the majority of your SMS messages are delivered with minimal delays and complications.
Experience and industry knowledge
It is important to look for providers that are familiar with industry regulations and that advocate best practice. Having a look at what memberships they have with relevant industry bodies or associations is a quick way to check this. Choose a provider that is trusted, experienced and has an established presence in the market.
Reach
Finally, choose a service provider that can guarantee global delivery to a range of networks. Your SMS provider should never limit service to just your home country.
Choosing an SMS service provider doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Sticking to this checklist will ensure that you choose a reliable provider that offers a user-friendly interface, expert knowledge, and excellent delivery with a global reach.