Key Factors to Consider Before Selecting an SMS API Provider

Simple integration. Instant reach. Unparalleled engagement opportunities. SMS is still a fantastic tool for effectively putting your marketing and communications plan into action. According to a recent Gitnux SMS marketing survey, 62% of customers have signed up to get text messages from at least one company in the last year. 

Confirmations are the most sought SMS message types and nearly 64% of participants in a study had said delivery confirmations as their favourite one. Customers love receiving SMS messages from brands with offers that are relevant to their interests (43%), and discounts based on past purchases (48%). 

There are several companies in the SMS market that provide SMS API services. So, it is important to choose the right service provider. But don’t worry. Here are some important factors to take into account when selecting an sms service provider. 

Security Considerations

Unsecured SMS APIs are vulnerable to hacking by spam providers and other unscrupulous individuals. So, it is advisable to choose a service provider who can guarantee safe and high-quality network routing for your messages. 

Evaluate the processes and security precautions that the SMS API provider has put in place to safeguard private data. A secure SMS communications protocol called SMPP should be able to be integrated with the platform, and all SMS traffic should ideally be encrypted from beginning to end. 

Reliability

Having a strong network architecture is crucial to preventing SMS messages from being misdirected or not reaching their intended recipient. It is not wise to merely rely on an open-source bulk SMS gateway as it often experiences network problems, hacks, or crashes. Hundreds of thousands of messages can be handled by a stable network architecture, which is guaranteed by a reputable sms service provider.

Scalability

The architecture and strength of a sms api integration and supporting infrastructure have a significant impact on how scalable it is. Massive traffic spikes can be handled by an enterprise-grade SMS API’s scalable, resilient architecture. Therefore, you can be sure that only trustworthy messaging service providers can fulfill your business requirements and give you the flexibility to grow your SMS traffic and campaigns as needed. 

Compliance Status

Relevant legal requirements and regulatory compliance guidelines must be followed when selling SMS services. This is particularly true when it comes to bulk SMS messaging. For example, customers must give explicit consent before subscribing to an SMS text list, and recipients of texts must be given exact details on how to opt out of receiving future messages.

Therefore, the SMS API provider you select must guarantee that it will comply with all relevant legal and regulatory criteria that are applicable to the location at which text messages are sent. 

Billing and Pricing Structure

Make sure you understand the SMS API provider’s pricing structure before making a decision. Certain SMS API providers charge using credits, where a single text message of 160 characters or less is usually equivalent to one credit. 

A lot of SMS API providers charge for all messages sent over their API, whether or not they are really delivered. The countries to which you will be delivering the majority of your messages may also have an impact on pricing structures. 

Extensive Network Coverage

Wide network coverage is also necessary for businesses who wish to use SMS capability, to ensure that customers get text messages regardless of their location. It is important to bear this in mind to guarantee successful SMS marketing campaigns. In order to handle any potential problems, your companies should look for an SMS API supplier that offers global support 24/7 and has network coverage in your regions.

Wrapping it Up

The user-friendly, quick, and simple wizard-driven code creation process of Gupshup’s SMS APIs offers worldwide SMS coverage. With the help of a large network and carrier-grade platform from Gupshup, you can communicate with your consumers in both directions through Tier 1 connections. Also, you can generate highly customized SMS notifications with unparalleled flexibility using Gupshup’s SMS API. With Gupshup, a reliable bulk sms service provider, you can find all the above-mentioned factors for the suitable SMS API provider.