It is rapidly changing the conventional ways that used to dominate over the years. Hence, adapting to modern practices has become necessary to remain in the race. Using an SMS API to send messages to your customers is one such technique that continues getting bigger. What’s the reason behind this? Nowadays, people are all-time busy that reaching out to them becomes difficult. But one thing that remains close to them always is mobile phones. And that’s the reason why sending SMS is still an effective way to notify users for various use cases like login, password change, transaction, order update, etc. Don’t just go by the words; check out some interesting facts! Recent research showcases that about 5 billion people globally utilize SMS messages. And that’s 65% of the total population at present. This number is projected to reach 6 billion by 2025. Started making sense, right? SMS, being a powerful tool for engagement, allows businesses to send timely and concise messages to customers in an effort to help them with their products or services.
How do businesses leverage SMS?
Marketing campaigns for targeting potential customersReminders and alerts to notify customersSales promotions as SMSs have high opening ratesDiscounts vouchers or couponsVirtual giftsPassword confirmations to mitigate security issuesProduct verificationsTo facilitate order processingProduct launchesCustomer supportConducting surveys to gather feedback from customersCheck-ins and arrivalsTracking goods
Next, let’s know a bit about SMS API.
What’s an SMS API?
The software interface used to send a short message through programs is an SMS API. It utilizes a gateway that works as a “bridge” between the World Wide Web (WWW) and carrier networks, enabling the codes to pass through and reach the destination. It helps you to:
Send & receive SMSReview sent message status in real-time.
Benefits of using SMS API:
Automates the processes involved in sending and receive SMS messages. It reduces the requirement for manual management, thereby cuts down costs associated.Increased efficiency, productivity, and faster workflowTracking messages using delivery receiptsMessage tagging helps to match all responses corresponding to messagesFaster, secure, and reliable deliveryEffortless integration with different systemsThe clarity in reports and results
Choosing a decent provider for SMS API can be difficult at times. Certain aspects influence the quality of service. Hence, you must consider those aspects before making your commitment.
Time ⏱️
The overall process of getting an SMS API partner takes time. It includes hours of research and negotiations based on how many network operators are available in a country. Furthermore, integrating APIs also takes time in addition to testing and deployment. As time is money that you can’t afford to waste, compare which service provider can provide you with quality service in a decent time frame.
Features and Quality 💯
Features, API quality, functionality, as well as relation management count when it comes to having a beneficial and successful partnership. So, always check what they offer and compare to choose the right blend of all these ingredients. Besides, your partner must be focused on the future as well for enhancing customer satisfaction and integration of new channels and tools such as Telegram, WhatsApp, Viber, and more.
Compliance 👁️
Never overlook the compliance factor associated with the product. It includes the lawfulness, transparency, and quality of the presented documents like privacy policy and service agreement. In addition, check the physical security where they store and process data as well as the security measures practiced for systems like 2FA, limited access, encryption, etc.
Cost 💰
Finally, the cost is a big deciding factor, especially for small-scale businesses and startups. For that matter, check how much the overall service costs you with respect to what you are getting. If you find the correct balance, go for it. Without further ado, let’s jump on finding the best SMS APIs for your business!
TextMagic
Scale your conversations and exchange messages globally by integrating the TextMagic API into your existing business system. The REST API provides access to all of TextMagic’s features. You can use it to automate your communications via two-way SMS chat, distribution lists, and email to SMS. Send 10 or 10,000 personalized texts in seconds. Schedule one-time or recurring texts, and remove redundant contacts from your database before doing so. Always be there for your customers by setting up auto-responders and SMS templates for common queries. TextMagic features client libraries for 12 widely used programming languages, such as Java and Python, to simplify SMS API implementation. Each wrapper contains all the necessary API commands and tests required for installation. You can also read the extensive API documentation for step-by-step instructions about API key configuration. TextMagic follows the criteria set out in the SOC 2 framework and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Where available, TextMagic also provides single sign-on and two-factor authentication. Other TextMagic SMS API features
Callback URLsUnicode SMSSMS sender IDs in supported countriesVirtual SMS numbersText message schedulingLong text messages (up to 918 characters)Sub-accounts and role-based access.
TrueDialog
TrueDialog is ideal for organizations looking for true native integrations. Particularly for MS Dynamics/D365, users can send and receive messages directly from it without having to go to another application. The same thing is true for Salesforce.com users — making it simple in either CRM to be alerted to, tag to correct leads or contacts, to ensure you’re following up on conversations immediately. TrueDialog also has a UI to easily access and set up your account, enabling customers to send texts literally in no time. But for those customers that have specific needs to build around, they also have an API too. Lastly, their incredible pricing per message is because they have direct-to-carrier relationships. Other features: Concierge Customer Service: Onboard and utilize all features through U.S.-based customer service Short and Long Codes: Shortcodes for mass marketing & long codes for 2-way customer service Reliable Infrastructure: ISO 9001 cloud database with 99.9% uptime & reliable delivery
Vonage
Create memorable customer journeys with the help of quality conversations using Vonage. It lets you book appointments, orders, confirm deliveries, etc., safely and seamlessly. Deliver timely alerts regarding pending appointments, keep your customers engaged, and send SMS at the right time. Validate users through SMS or voice codes on their mobile phones. Re-route your messages proactively to ensure the best delivery. Reduce the likelihood of unpredictable SMS delivery by eliminating the complexity involved with regulations and global carriers. The API comes with automatic Unicode translation along with shortcodes for simpler messages. It offers local numbers for 76 countries, persistent sender IDs, and high deliverability. It enables two-way messaging, smart splitting, 10 DLC, and programmable phone numbers. Stay compliant as Vonage automatically queues bulk messages and reassembles long text messages seamlessly based on carrier specifications. They help you resolve issues quickly and provide sub-accounts for better organization of services and applications, along with dashboard analytics to check the performance of your campaigns.
Textlocal
Over 1000 developers have found that integrating the SMS API of Textlocal with their apps, website, or CRM is effortless. It all starts by sending a message and a phone number to their gateway. Textlocal supports different languages, including Java, PHP, C, .NET, Ruby, and Python. The status of their Platinum Partner Operator guarantees high-quality text service with a capability of 8,000 messages per second. The SMS API personalizes the messages, schedules them, provides delivery receipts, and extracts results from surveys and mobile forms. You can return messages in the form of XML or JSON files for stress-free inclusion in an application or CRM. You get clever features with this SMS API where you can create, delete, or manage contact groups. Form short URLs, create rules for responding to forward messages, retrieve reports, SMS/MMS balances, and many more.
Bandwidth
The powerful and easy-to-integrate SMS API – Bandwidth is both a network operator and a CPaaS provider. As a result, it offers better flexibility, control, and insights you are craving. Send messages hassle-free on its tier-1 network to get accelerated deliverability, ROI, and deeper insights for your text alerts or surveys. With Bandwidth, you are not dealing with a middleman as they own, as well as operating a robust network that is spread nationwide. Enjoy the endless flexibility of the SMS API, and do not restrict yourself when it comes to group messaging or the number of characters. It also eliminates the need to encounter pin codes or bots. Features:
Supports MMS, pictures, gifs, and moreBi-directional emojis and codesThe capability of 100+ MPSRedundant networkHigh-volume supportText alerts and notificationsIntegration of text messages into business emails
SimpleTexting
SimpleTexting is a one-stop solution for all your messaging needs, including marketing, CRM integrations, and employee communication. It is a REST API for text messaging that you can integrate easily with an SMS gateway through your applications. It reduces the need for you to build a complete messaging platform from scratch. Simply plug into SimpleTexting and use it stress-free. The API is not only developer-friendly, but they also guarantee 99.95% uptime for it. You get customer support in three ways – phone, email, and chat. Get high throughput rates for bulk messaging and flexible plans made for every business size. Real-time analytics for quick data collection helps you measure your list growth, opt-in sources, and unsubscribes. You get dedicated numbers, check if your calls are getting accepted, and handle unsubscribe requests, delivery reports, and easy-to-use web hooks.
Plivo
Exchange text messages with your valuable customers globally through Plivo. You get great delivery rates even during high-scale messaging with the lowest latency. They have engineered Plivo to exhibit high availability and extreme reliability. Besides, you get GDPR compliance and Privacy Shield to protect your data and maintain privacy. You can use local phone numbers to send SMS to any country worldwide and receive SMS from 14 countries. Customize your sender ID corresponding to your brand with alphanumeric characters, which is applicable in 100 countries apart from the US and Canada for outbound messages. Plivo supports any type of character set, longer message concatenation, message queuing, feedback API, sticky sender, number pooling, default purging, and more.
TeleSign
Foster effective communications with your customers throughout their journey using TeleSign. It provides timely and personalized data through SMS-based reminders, alerts, notifications, one-time-passcodes (OTP), invites, and more automated messages from applications or websites. Get higher retention and conversion rates by providing a personalized experience to your customers that makes them feel valuable to trigger an emotional response. TeleSign is a developer-friendly API that is easy to integrate and test, so you can start using the API quickly. They also help you with clear documentation, reporting, and developer tools to get a better idea. Features:
Employs the waterfall approach through multiple routes for better deliverabilitySupports long messages by separating texts of 160+ characters depending on the operator’s requirements and device type.Formats end-users phone numbers properly.Smart message splits to prevent the breaking of important information like email addresses and URLsShortens longer URLs into lesser characters that make easy-to-send linksOffers activity tracking to understand end-user behavior for conversions and click-throughComplaint to the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA)Reliable coverage in 87 countries worldwideAutomated opt-out managementManage SMS campaigns via a dynamic dashboard and templates
Sinch
Make a wonderful business relationship with your customers by using the SMS API by Sinch. Connect on the channel having the highest open rates, reach, and read rates. Their carrier network, with over 250 direct connections, enables every message to be delivered to when and where it matters. Add an extra layer of security through Verified SMS, post verification of which your organization’s profile is displayed along with name, logo, preview link, and description. Utilizing its intelligent routing and local operator network, Sinch ensures faster delivery and reasonable pricing for all its services. It is easy to use for both developers and non-developers. Now, it offers an option to create custom integrations for 100s of third-party applications via the automated workflows of Zapier. Choose either 1-way or 2-way SMS, whatever you feel is the need of the hour. Its 2-way communication is available in 60+ countries without dealing with any local operator.
CM.com
Reach your audience located worldwide to improve their experience using SMS API by CM.com. Their SMS Gateway comes with detailed documentation. Initiate your SMS marketing and include a landing page on your SMS to enhance the mobile experience of your customers. Move one step closer to serving your customers by sending them routine updates, notifications, and alerts when it matters the most. Integrate their SMS Gateway through SMPP and HTTP to leverage over 60 direct carriers to deliver messages worldwide. CM.com’s API helps you generate one-time passwords and deliver them through SMS while also enabling you to validate the response. They provide a clear and concise dashboard where you can see all the configurations as well as reports for analytics.
Twilio
Keep exchanging messages globally using Twilio, which millions of developers love. It lets you deploy notifications as well as reach your users reliably with intelligent routing, phone numbers from 32 countries, and redundancy. It lets you handle responses automatically and offers intuitive chatbots. You can also set triggered alerts to notify your users. Offer personalized support through dialogue workflows, which can route easily to 2-way conversations. Create stronger customer relationships using the API and scale your conversations to extend support to groups on WhatsApp, SMS, and chat. You can build AI-powered bots to help your customers. Customize opt-ins, opt-outs, keywords, and help messages. Twilio lets you code in your preferred language and perform tasks faster, leveraging helper libraries, debugging and monitoring tools, documentation, and a serverless environment for hosting your codes. You get SMS features like:
Alphanumeric sender IDsMMS-enabled phone numbers in Canada and the USShortcodes in CA, UK, and the USMessage queuing and expiration settingScaler and sticky senderSmart content management through encoding, concatenation, etc.
Twilio offers multi-channel messaging via SMS, Slack, and Alexa. It authenticates users with a push notification or 1-time passcode. It validates real humans to prevent fraud and hides phone numbers to protect identity. Twilio is compliant with GDPR data protection, SOC-2 certification for 2FA, and ISO 27001.
Conclusion
This modern-day world has introduced us to many incredible technologies and solutions for thriving our businesses. But SMS is still relevant and comes in handy to notify your users regarding many things like transactions, new arrivals, password change, and a lot more. Thus, go for the best SMS API and continue sending messages that add value to the lives of your customers.
