How Does ClickSend Bulk Text Message Pricing Compare?
ClickSend have exclusive pricing for American businesses with the prices of outbound SMS messages shown to the right. All inbound text messages are free with the provider.
The only additional fee for mass text messaging services is associated with a dedicated number. This costs $3.86 a month with no setup fees. A provider can also choose their own number when available. Getting a dedicated number also only takes minutes with ClickSend.
All prices shown on the table to the right and the ClickSend website excludes taxes and is in US Dollars.
When the ClickSend prices were compared to the other bulk text message providers the finding was they offer some of the lowest costs.
When comparing the pricing schedules for a range of mass text messaging providers, the price variance can be as high as 60%. This variation can be based on the networks (grey vs major providers) and service level agreements offered by the provider. It can also be based on set-up fees, contract duration requirements and other fees charged on-top of usage. It should be noted that Clicksend has no contract or set-up fees. Two-way SMS service where both an SMS is sent and received also have no additional charge. This means that it can reduce overall text messaging costs as some providers charge for each text message received for such type of communications.
Overall, ClickSend charges that are advertised are extremely competitive at most usage brackets compared to their competitors. This is also reinforced with large batches of text messages where ClickSend is prepared to discuss possibly of matching against any other mass SMS providers to win the business. If course, such cheaper pricing is based on comparable volume. ClickSend ensures that their prices are regularly checked against competitors and adjusted so customers always get the best deal. They state they will beat any cheaper quotes.
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 not only USA-wide but global allowing for international SMS delivery also leading ClickSend to be one of the leading providers.
What Business SMS Customer Support Does ClickSend Offer?
ClickSend head office is based in Perth. There is no need to visit the location to setup an account with a 1800 number operating on a 24/7 basis. This is much more superior than other similar type of SMS bulk providers who either offer two numbers:
(832) 843-8000
(844) 859-29111
It’s worth noting that ClickSend may appear to be a cheap ‘no frills’ provider but they do have all services equivalent of what appears to be more premium providers with a lower per unit text message cost. Their customer service personnel are well trained and will provide all the technical assistance for developers setting up their SMS campaigns or an SMS API.
What SMS Gateway And Bulk Text Message Services Does ClickSend Offer?
When it comes to bulk distribution and the use of reliable gateway provider, it can be seen that ClickSend provides a high-speed connection through their direct telecommunication carriers rather than using both direct and hybrid carrier networks. Their gateway routes are through major carriers including Verizon and AT&T. The SMS Gateway capacity is able to match major SMS firms with over 7 million text messages delivered weekly. ClickSend states that text messages are delivered within a matter of seconds with an SMS Gateway up-time of 100%, which is a real asset compared to other similar bulk providers.
Mass texting can be distributed in a number of different ways such as:
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 just needs to upload a contact lists online and a large-scale SMS broadcast can commence.
2) SMS API
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 is compatible with Microsoft Office or Apple Mail. Using these e-mail packages SMS marketing campaigns or even SMS reminders can be send 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.
What Is An SMS Gateway?
An SMS gateway allows a CRM, computer or e-mail to send and receive text messages through telecommunication network providers. Messages are routed through Short Message Services (SMS) mobile networks such as Telstra, Verizon and Vodafone. Most text message Gateways support various text messaging formats.
Applications of an SMS Gateway include:
Web SMS with contacts uploaded without software
E-mail SMS integrating SMS with e-mail programs
API SMS Services utilising CRM software
Within USA, text message gateways will either directly route to the major providers such as Optus, Telstra, Vodafone or aggregators. This will impact the speed and prices of text messages sent.
It should be noted that short message service (SMS) also known as a “text message” has a limit of 160 characters when send to another device. This means that messages exceeding this character limit will be split into multiple parts which may lead to higher sending charges.
What American Regulation Should I Consider?
When sending any text message campaign within USA, you must meet the commonwealth Spam Act 2003. Within USA the law states that no company can send legally unsolicited electronic messages. This applies to text messages through gateway with any message requiring:
Consent – The receiver must have provided consent to receive text messages or be an existing customer who has an existing business relationship
Identify – All text messages need to identify what business they came from
Unsubscribe – There needs to be functionality to unsubscribe from future business SMS correspondence (2 way SMS). A company needs to ensure any such request is processed within five days.
From a compliance aspect, the SMS provider needs to feature a strong privacy policy, be SPAM compliant, have extensive terms and conditions and clear acceptable use policy. To learn more about direct marketing compliance you can view the information commissioner website direct marketing section.
Tips For Sending Business SMS Messages
Research has shown that short text messages perform the best. While 160 characters can exist within a text message, short and sharp messages that don’t require scrolling receive the optimal open rates and engagement. Try to only provide a single message, whether a greeting, reminder, offer or referral.
A mobile is personal so understand an individual’s personal space. Unexpected bulk SMS messages can be intrusive so ensure they are functional and courteous but not too familiar. Customisation tools can help maximise relevance but there is always a line an advertiser shouldn’t cross. Also, understand when the recipient will receive the text and reliability of the gateway. Nobody wants to receive a text at midnight!
Don’t over-use the bulk SMS gateway marketing channel – Infrequent and brief messaged from businesses will ensure that users don’t unsubscribe from the communication. Use other channels such as e-mails to regularly update e-mails but avoid text messages for such communications.
Make sure you have a legitimate reason to send SMS messages – Ensure every message passes on useful information, acts as a reminder or clarifies an arrangement. As long as it has a legitimate use to an individual they will be happy to receive more text messages in the future.
Using A Premium SMS Provider
If your business send SMS messages to customers, clients, stakeholders or staff, then a premium direct gateway carrier is for you. Your message will be delivered directly to major text message service providers (such as Telstra & Optus). A text message gateway allows a computer to distribute or accept business SMS marketing transmissions to or from a telecommunications network. Most messages are usually routed into the mobile phone networks. ClickSend is one such example of an SMS gateway provider using a direct carrier.
Need for a reliant premium SMS text message gateway provider when:
Time reliant SMS
SMS alerts
SMS where content is highly private
Return messages from your customers are highly important
Marketing and communication campaigns
Reminders for appointments and delivering of a particular service
What is an SMPP Gateway?
An SMPP stands for a Short Message Peer to Peer Protocol. The SMPP gateway protocol is used within the telecommunication industry that exchanges SMS services between Short Messaging Entities (ESME) or Short Message Service Centers (SMSC). As a level-7 TCP/IP protocol is ensures speedy SMS message delivery. The SMPP can receive and send messages from mobiles including CDMA, UTMTS, GMA and UMTS phones.
How Can An American Business Integrate An SMS API?
Utilising an API is common practice by American businesses that have large-scale text message requirements. Developers connect to the SMS gateway through their preferred API from SMPP, Java, .NET, PHP or SOAP. Most providers will support SDKs through sample cost, documents and reusable libraries. Make sure the provider you choose has support levels that match your understanding of an SMS API as you may need a hands-on provider.
When setting up your API, the American SMS provider will provide you with sample code. This will allow you to connect to a SOAP API regardless of SMS API language you prefer. A provider like MessageMedia has samples o Java, GitHub in C3, Bash & Python as well as PHP. Other languages such as C++, Ruby and Powershell can also be utilised. Just talk to their support team when you first join and talk to their specialist SMS API technical support software person.
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 messages to the major American SMS networks and receive replies from the users.
Message Tagging: A two-way SMS feature that reports on the exact application that an outbound message reply corresponds to.
Delivery Reporting: Track your text messages exact time they are received to handsets providing you a full delivery audit-trail.
Validity Period: Specify just how long a text message should be valid for so after this time, if the SMS has not been delivered it doesn’t get delivered.
API Web Push: Get real-time delivery of inbound text messages to a URL for quick replies of staff, customers unlike polling that can take time to validate
SMS Gateway Frequently Asked Questions
What is API SMS Gateway?
An API allows simply query parameters via URLs that provide SMS gateway instructions to send text messages. This can be enabled through scripting language such as PHP that can be integrated to web forms and other applications.
How Does A SMS Work?
SMS is abbreviated for short message service. It’s a communication method that allows mobile phone to communicate with each other. An SMS gateway also allows computers and e-mail to also send and receive text messages making it suitable for businesses.
How Does An SMS Gateway Work?
A text message gateway acts as a relay. It translates from one protocol to another through SMSCs (SMS centres). These SMS centres includes wireless networks that handle forwarding, routing store and other SMS gateway operations ensuring the messages are delivered to the destination mobile phone.
What Does SMS Integration Mean?
SMS integration is when businesses use their existing database or CRM to target their customers through an SMS Gateway service provider. This can include targeting customers with promotions, news and other information. This integration can use automation to communicate with customers at various forms of the consume life cycle.
What Is the Difference Between SMS and MMS?
SMS means short message service while MMS means Multimedia Messaging Service. This is the next level of a text message allowing video, audio and picture content to be send to a mobile device. Sending an MMS can lead to a premium price depending on the text message gateway used.
What Is A Secure E-mail To SMS Gateway?
E-mail security gateways have gained popularity as they monitor the e-mails that are processed to be send to mobile devices. They can assist in preventing unwanted content from been delivered that can be caused by phishing attacks, SPAM and malware.
Can You Send An Anonymous Text?
This depends on the regulation of the country you operate in and your provider. Most countries require providers to have an opt-out functionality and ways to contact the SMS sender. Ensure you meet these requirements to remain compliant.
Opportunities of a Free Trial to test SMS Gateway USA providers
One of the values of assessing the functionality, reliability and efficiency of the SMS Gateway list of providers is by testing them through the offers of using their free trial period or the provision of a range of SMS that are allocated to test their service. It can vary from free 5 SMS to 25 SMS dependent on the providers offer. In the case of the five selected Gateway providers, Message Bird does not offer such offer and Nexmo will charge two (2) Euro. ClickSend, SMS Global, Burst SMS and SMS Solutions all offer a free trial based either on number of text messages or a period of time.
Integrate SMS by SMS Gateway USA providers
The use of flexible SMS API, Gateway providers can integrate SMS services into their own system and application for better functionality required by the client. New SMS integrations can often added later on. Most of the SMS Gateway list shown have an API that can send more than 100 messages at any one time with the right type of application. For example, one is able to check the balance, delivery status of a single or group SMS without the need to login to the web interface. The official Microsoft ASP.NET Site is available for PHP, Ruby and .NET.There is no concern about shared resources since these providers have dedicated SMS API servers, thus allowing text messages and responses to be distributed efficiently and reliably. A number of these providers have quick integrations, connected with applications such as MailChimp, Infusionsoft, Campaign Monitor and Zapier.
Text Message Gateway USA Services on offer
A US text message gateway is essentially an online platform that provides a client with the means to send mass text messages within seconds of the command to send. It acts as a conduit between the user and the telecommunication network so that a reliable service is provided. There is premier and hybrid telecommunication services, the latter being cheaper overseas providers which can be not as efficient as those within USA. Many of the Gateway USA providers like ClickSend, use national dependable carriers such as Telstra, Optus and Vodafone with an up-time of 99.9% or better with many having a 100% money back reliability guarantee. In most cases, American text message Gateway providers have customer care centres in USA to respond quickly to any concerns or information need for distribution of text messages. They provide an SMS service to engage with customers as well as measure and track campaign performance.
About This SMS Gateway List
Our comparison was completed in January 2018. The table above shows the final five USA providers while other SMS providers were considered such as MessageMedia, Nexmo, SMS Central, SMS Broadcast, Wholesale SMS, EZ Texting, Clickatell, and Clicksend. The information was all sourced from the web SMS provider’s websites with correspondence only made at time to verify information published. As this information came from the websites with no automation used it’s recommended that you verify the data shown on this site within the providers website. This can verify your decision when selecting from the SMS Gateway list to find a provider that’s right for you.
USA SMS Gateway List
Compare Text Message Gateway Provides Designed For American Businesses.
Based on a number of criteria that matters to American businesses, ClickSend was the leading Mass Text Messaging provider based on their:
ClickSend have exclusive pricing for American businesses with the prices of outbound SMS messages shown to the right. All inbound text messages are free with the provider.
