SMS Gateway Providers Comparison 2020

What Are ClickSend’s Mass Text Message Prices?

ClickSend have exclusive pricing for businesses in the United States with the prices of outbound SMS messages shown to the right (these prices are excluding taxes). All inbound text message responses from recipients are free, therefore enabling successful two-way communication.

The only additional fee for mass text messaging services is associated with a dedicated number. This costs $5 per month with no setup fees. An American business can also decide to purchase a dedicated short code phone number for $1700 per month. ClickSend is always time efficient, with your phone number, including dedicated short numbers taking only minutes to set up.

When comparing the prices offered by ClickSend to other leading mass text message providers and network operators, the results showed that ClickSend’s pricing is amongst the lowest costs.

After analysing the pricing schedules offered by the leading SMS gateway providers in the United States, the prices vary up to 60%. This variation can be based on the network operators and service level agreements offered by the SMS provider. It can also be based on set-up fees, contract duration requirements and other additional fees.

Overall, the charges offered by ClickSend are extremely competitive at most usage brackets when compared to other SMS service providers or SMS aggregators. This is also reinforced with large volumes of text messages where ClickSend is prepared to match any cheaper quote offered by their competitors. Of course, such cheaper pricing is based on comparable volume. ClickSend ensures that their prices are regularly checked against other SMS providers and adjusted so customers always get the best prices to send SMS messages, whether small or large volumes.

Other SMS providers offer alternative pricing models. A leading mass texting provider such as Clickatell provides a more premium pricing plan that works off a customized monthly schedule, with an average cost of $0.0075 per SMS. Whereas the SMS gateway provider Twilio is suited for larger enterprises also offer pricing models of pre-paid 5 million SMS messages for $0.0075 per SMS.

Is ClickSend Suitable For Premium Text Message Requirements?

While ClickSend offers the lowest prices (as proven by their price beat guarantee), they also have the best service level agreement of 100% up-time guarantee.

The 100% SLA is why not only USA companies but some of the largest global companies including Uber, Siemens and Intel rely on ClickSend.

They also have a high capacity network ensuring that critical time-sensitive text messages are delivered promptly. This network is why ClickSend is reviewed to be a leading text message provider for the distribution of mass text messages worldwide.

What Business SMS Customer Support Does ClickSend Offer?

ClickSend head office is based in Perth, Australia. There is no need to visit the location to setup an account with phone numbers operating on a 24/7 basis for businesses in the United States:

• (832) 843-8000
• (844) 859-29111

It’s worth noting that ClickSend may appear to be a cheap ‘no frills’ provider but they have services equivalent to premium providers with a lower per unit text message cost. Their customer service personnel are highly trained professionals and will provide all the technical assistance for developers setting up their SMS campaigns or SMS API. ClickSend also provide an online messaging service to provide immediate assistance.

What SMS Gateway And Mass Text Message Services Does ClickSend Offer?

ClickSend is a reliable SMS gateway provider that enables efficient mass distribution of text messages to global audiences. SMS messages are sent quickly and easily with high-speed connections through direct telecommunication carriers, rather than using both direct and hybrid carrier networks. Their gateway routes are through major American mobile phone carriers including Verizon and AT&T. Over 7 million text messages are able to be delivered weekly with ClickSend’s SMS gateway capacity. ClickSend states that text messages are delivered within a matter of seconds with an SMS gateway up-time of 100%. This is highly competitive compared to other leading SMS gateway providers.

There are three main ways that mass text messages can be distributed, including:

1) Web SMS

The web SMS option allows companies to send mass text messages from their PC with no software download requirements. All the core features to send text messages exist with individual or mass text message options available. For mass SMS campaigns, a business simply needs to upload contact lists online and a large-scale SMS broadcast can commence. This will enable mass text messages to be sent and stored either temporarily or permanently on a user’s sim card.

2) SMS API

For American businesses that have their own CRM software or messaging infrastructure, the SMS API may be the optimal solution. The SMS API integration is relatively easy, allowing firms to automate messages using the company’s existing software systems. The SMS API can be accessed using the majority of programming languages with a SDK in PHP available on their website.

3) Email To SMS

The email to SMS gateway through ClickSend is compatible with any email provider, including Gmail, Microsoft Live Mail, and Outlook. Using e-mail packages, SMS marketing campaigns or SMS reminders and alerts can be sent, which include free deliverability reports. No extra software is required to use this method with users just requiring to forward the message to the number in the subject line or simply download a plugin to Outlook.

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What Is An SMS Gateway?

SMS gateway is offered by an SMS service provider and enables a computer, CRM, or email system to send and receive mass text messages. This is done through reliable telecommunication network operators. Communication messages are sent through USA’s leading Short Message Services (SMS) mobile networks. This enables businesses to send and receive text messages to individuals, or a large number of contacts they wish to target.

SMS Gateway Applications:

• Web SMS or Online SMS Gateway – no additional software required
• Email SMS – integrating SMS with e-mail software
• API and Rest API SMS Services – utilising existing CRM software or business applications

Users should note that the SMS text messages have a 160 character limit. Therefore, messages exceeding this limit will be split into multiple messages, which may result in higher charges. Additionally, the speed and price of text messages sent will depend on the route taken by the USA mobile network and provider. Most SMS gateway providers also offer MMS gateway capabilities.

The 4 step SMS gateway process is shown below:

What American Regulations Should I Consider?

When sending any text message campaign within the Unites States, businesses must meet the Federal Trade Commission CAN-SPAM Act (2009). The law states that no company can send legally unsolicited electronic messages. This applies to text messages or email through gateway with the following main guidelines:

1. Don’t use false or misleading header information.
2. Don’t use deceptive subject lines.
3. Identify the message was an ad.
4. Tell recipients where you’re located.
5. Tell recipients how to opt out of future text messages sent by you.
6. Honour opt out requests promptly.
7. Monitor what others are doing on your behalf.

In terms of compliance, the US SMS provider must feature a strong privacy policy, be compliant to the CAN-SPAM act, have detailed terms and conditions, and identify a policy for acceptable use. To learn more about direct marketing compliance and security, you can visit the Federal Trade Commission web site for more details.

Tips For Sending Business Text Messages

Before conducting an SMS marketing campaign, businesses must identify a list of target audiences’ mobile phone numbers and get permission from those audiences that they want to receive mass text messages. This can be through sending short codes to opt-in to marketing messages, signing up online, or through a written form.

Whilst text messages can be as long as 160 characters, research has shown that shorter, concise text messages perform the best.

Thus, it is recommended that messages don’t require the recipient to scroll, as these receive the highest open rates.

A mobile phone is a personal device, therefore, businesses must respect the audience’s personal space. Mass text messages that are unexpected can be intrusive and not read correctly, therefore businesses should ensure the messages are functional, yet courteous. Businesses can use customization tools to help maximise relevance and timeliness so customer’s don’t receive text messages at inconvenient times.

Whilst mass text messages are highly effective, businesses must not use bulk SMS gateways too frequently as a marketing channel. American businesses should aim for less frequent, concise messages to ensure that audiences don’t get annoyed and unsubscribe. Businesses can align their SMS marketing campaigns with other communication platforms such as emails in order to spread the message across multiple mediums.

Mobile communication can be extremely effective for any business to form lasting relationships with audiences. However, businesses must ensure that the text message delivers useful information such as SMS notifications, reminders, alerts, or special offers. As long as the message is sent with a legitimate purpose, audiences will want to continue to receive them in the future.

The resellers SMS process has become a popular way for “resellers” to purchase text message credit from bulk SMS providers which they then resell to their customers in smaller batches. Bulk SMS gateway providers such as ClickSend provide specific resellers SMS plans.

Discover our SMS marketing guide to learn more about the benefits and best practices for businesses in 2020.

SMS Marketing Guide >>

Premium SMS Providers

Premium direct gateway carriers enable businesses of any size to send text messages to customers, staff members and stakeholders. Messages will be sent directly to the leading US text message service providers. A text message gateway enables a computer to distribute and accept text message transmissions to and from a telecommunications network. Most text messages are routed into the mobile phone networks. ClickSend is an SMS gateway provider which uses a direct route, meaning the mobile carrier will always be highly reputable, and usually based on America.

Businesses should consider a reliable premium SMS text message gateway provider if they have any of the following requirements:

• Text messages which are time restricted or reliant
• Text message alerts
• Text messages with private content
• Importance on recipient’s ability to reply
• Marketing communication campaigns
• Reminders or alerts for appointments and bookings

What Is An SMPP Gateway?

SMPP gateway (Short Message Peer to Peer Protocol) is widely used within the telecommunications industry. It exchanges text message services between Short Messaging Entities (ESME) or Short Message Service Centers (SMSC). A level-7 TCP/IP protocol guarantees fast and efficient SMS message delivery. The SMPP can send and receive text messages from mobiles, including CDMA, UTMTS, GMA and UMTS phones.

How Can An American Business Integrate An SMS API?

Utilising an API is common for businesses in the United States that have large-scale communication requirements. Developers can connect to the SMS gateway through their preferred API from SMPP, Java, .NET, PHP or SOAP. Most providers will support SDKs through documents, sample cost, and reusable libraries. Businesses must ensure they choose a provider that encompasses support levels that match their understanding of the SMS API. Some businesses may need more of a hands-on approach.

When setting up an API, the mass text message provider will supply a sample code. This will allow a business to connect to a SOAP API regardless of SMS API language preferred. A provider like MessageMedia has samples including o Java, GitHub in C3, Bash & Python, and PHP. Other languages such as Powershell, C++, and Ruby can also be utilised. When opting for a provider, businesses should ensure they talk to their support team and specialist SMS API technical support team of further information.

What Are The Benefits Of An SMS API Integration To A Text Message Platform?

API integration is so popular because:

• Two-Way Messaging: The ability to send and receive text message to and from American SMS networks.
• Message Tagging: A two-way mass text message feature that reports on the application that an outbound message reply corresponds to.
• Delivery Reporting: Ability to track the text message’s exact time it is received by a mobile, providing businesses with a full delivery audit-trail.
• Validity Period: Ability to specify how long a text message should be valid for. After this specified time, if an SMS has not been delivered it doesn’t get delivered, thus saving businesses money on invalid mobile numbers.
• API Web Push: Real-time delivery of inbound text messages to a URL for quick replies of staff and customers.