Payment options offered by SMS Gateway service providers

SMS gateway service providers all offer different payment plans and options, depending on the product or service you are interested in. In general, SMS messages and credits are purchased from a website, so naturally, most gateway providers support online credit card payment, PayPal, check payment, direct deposit, or a wire transfer. Cash payments will most likely not be accepted as electronic transfers are more secure and comes with a clear proof of payment. Most SMS gateway service providers offer a web-based account management system where you can manage your entire SMS campaign from one central location. The ease of use will differ and some will have features that others don’t. For instance, you can get features like IP locking, low credits/ SMS messages alerts, detailed reports, sub user management and SMS routing options. SMS routing options might have a direct effect on your payment options. The reason being: sometimes you may not want to allow your staff members to send SMS messages to destinations that cost too many credits. If your company sets up an SMS messaging system for staff members to contact clients in South Africa, you may want to disable the sending of SMS messages to other countries. Also, some networks are cheaper but not so reliable, while others are expensive but much more dependable. Keep in mind that the and reliability as the costs of SMS services and...

Are SMS gateway services providers protocol/interface specific?

SMS gateway services providers usually only support certain protocols and interfaces. This might place a limit on the what, how and where of their products and services. What protocols and interfaces do these service providers typically use? HTTP: This is very simple to use and the most commonly supported protocol for sending and receiving text messages. However, it is not very secure. When logging in to an online portal where you have to submit sensitive personal information like your bank account details, service providers will use HTTPS (HTTP + SSL encryption) to ensure your safety. HTTPS encrypts data so your information can’t be stolen online. XML over HTTP / HTTPS: A SMS gateway services provider will use XML over HTTP / HTTPS for sending bulk SMS messages because it enables the submission of a large amount of SMS messages in a single HTTP request. SMTP: For sending email to SMS / or SMS to email messages. FTP: One or more SMS messages are put in a text file and uploaded to the SMS gateway provider’s FTP server. Like XML over HTTP / HTTPS, FTP is a better choice than HTTP / HTTPS for sending bulk SMS messages since it enables the submission of a large amount of SMS messages in a single upload. SMPP: The SMPP protocol is – Standard operator GSM interface. If you are unsure if a SMS gateway services provider has the means to develop and support your intended product, you can ask for more information on the protocols and interfaces they...

Make mobile aggregation services work for you

When is the last time you were excited about interacting with your clients? If client communication conjures up pictures of blood, sweat and tears, you will be relieved to know that mobile aggregation services can turn your marketing strategies completely around – without breaking your back or your bank. Send your clientele informative, educational and promotional material via wireless applications. They can receive these messages directly on their phone (e.g. a SMS or MMS) or you can they can follow a link from their phone to a website or online portal where they can subscribe to your products or services. Your marketing strategy will determine what you use and when / how you implement everything. Mobile aggregation services are managed by qualified and competent service providers, so it is not like you have to work out an elaborate plan on how to get things done. This also makes mobile marketing a better choice than email marketing as you can leave everything to the professionals and don’t need to struggle with unnecessary hassles like email servers and the likes. Stay in touch with your clients and maintain competitive advantage. Your text message can reach your clientele before they see the advertisement of your competitor in a newspaper. And because your messages are text based, it is easy for your customer to forward it to their friends and family and spread the word. Mobile aggregation services can also boost your company’s reputation and increase your “visibility”. Clients are reminded more often of your existence, so when they are in need of the kind of services or products you offer; your company...

Do SMS Gateway services providers have hidden costs?

When signing up for any kind of service, you always need to have a clear the water” first and determine the effectiveness of an SMS campaign amongst your clientele, it will be in your best interest to choose a service provider that doesn’t have minimum purchase requirements. This way you can experiment and add or subtract from your SMS campaign. Another important question concerns time limits. Do you have to use your SMS purchase within a specific timeframe, or does it roll over to the next month? If your credit expires quicker than you can use it, you might want to look at a SMS gateway services provider with more leeway when it comes to message expiration. Protect your interest. Ask for all costs pertaining to SMS gateway services to be explained in detail before you accept a contract from a...

3 Important questions to ask a SMS gateway services provider

When looking for a SMS gateway service provider, it you X amount of credits, but you are paying as you go rather than buying a bunch of credits at the beginning of the month. In our next articles we will explore more SMS gateway services...