Nurturing your brand on the web and on mobile heavily relies on your ability to communicate, integrate, and connect your products and services with different software programs. Application programming interfaces (APIs) are crucial to doing this well in the world of business text messaging with the most simplicity, safety, and flexibility..
For businesses it goes a step further, they can now integrate all kinds of business messaging like Viber bulk messaging and SMS messaging into their existing platform via an interface known as SMS API. This then enables them to send high-quality messages to a broad audience at once.
What Is an SMS API?
SMS: Short Message Service
API: Application Programming Interface
An SMS API is an interface that allows your business to integrate SMS messaging into your existing software platforms that enable the code needed to send short messages.
You get a unique SMS channel for sending and receiving all messages quickly and easily through any website or application.
An SMS API integration builds a reliable and open connection between an app and SMS provider and enables your business to operate 24/7, providing customer notifications and information even outside business hours.
How Does It work?
Emails, for example, often require hands-on operations that slow you down and make your business communications seem inconvenient and outdated to your customers. If you rely on human intervention to handle everyday transactions, it would increase the possibility of unnecessary errors and this might drain resources better used elsewhere.
SMS APIs connect to the platform, and after you’re integrated, the API protocols enable you to send SMS automatically. A contact list is very simply uploadable at the BSG account, up to 100 MB and various formats are supported.
What Is HTTP?
The Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) is used to load web pages using hypertext links. HTTP is an application layer protocol devised to transfer information between networked devices and runs on top of other layers of the network protocol stack.
The SMS HTTP interface is an application hosted on a server that listens for HTTP requests containing SMS message data. It processes the HTTP requests and their associated SMS message data and sends the required SMS messages for onward delivery. The SMS HTTP interface sends back an HTTP response containing information about the submitted SMS messages such as the message identifiers of the sent SMS messages.
The SMS HTTP interface also includes a callback application which sends back delivery reports. The callback application achieves this by sending HTTP callback requests to your HTTP server (which must return an appropriate response) in order for delivery reports to be received.
What Is REST?
The REST API provides an interface for delivering SMS messages around the world.
The SMS REST web service expects a JSON (Javascript Object Notation) request that defines the message you wish to send. The service replies with a JSON response that acknowledges your request including an identifier for your reference. A call-back service is also available to inform you of the delivery status of a message once it has been processed.
While web-based applications require internet connectivity, SMS APIs do not. Your messages will be delivered to your audience provided they have a cell phone.
How Can You Use SMS API?
You can send bulk SMS using our network and to get started, BSG can help you integrate your current platforms with SMS API.
Your bulk SMS account can also be activated with a number of credits meaning that you can send transactional messages and run tests to ensure that everything works the way you want it to. The protocols can make a huge difference in how you deal with your customers, new and old.
What Are the Benefits?
With 96% of smartphone owners texting, Worldwide Texting Statistics pegs it at more than 22 billion texts every day which proves that using SMS is incredibly fast and cost-effective. This means your marketing strategy can be significantly strengthened. Here are a few benefits your business can get from using SMS APIs:
Automation
SMS API allows you to automate the process of sending and receiving messages. It also boosts your overall workflow and reduces dependency on manual labor.
Speed and Security
You can send hundreds of text messages within seconds due to the transfer and delivery speed. BSG SMS gateway guarantees complete data protection. You can also use SMS messaging to generate two-factor authentication API codes for your customers in order to secure their data on your platform
Customization
Whatever industry you are in, you get the freedom to access the components of your service provider’s gateway and incorporate them into your own system.
Tracking
With SMS APIs you can easily track message delivery time. You can audit the whole process with smart multi-layer statistics, and study why some messages were not delivered.You can also create short links with tracking for your promotional SMS that would give you brand visibility.
Convergence
With the bulk SMS gateway service, you can merge several services into one effective control center with the ability to set filters, message parameters, and dashboards in a single interface.
Data Precision
You will always have precise data of your SMS marketing campaign results which are trackable too. Apply multi-level filters for reports with convenient export options.
We know this can be exciting for your business, and sometimes we get carried away by the sheer ease that comes with technology, there are a few important things you have to check before your SMS API goes live:
- Make sure you check your code for possible errors so that it functions the way you want and you don’t end up using up your SMS credits.
- Remember to set up low credit warning notifications. You can do this on your account.
- Ensure you have customers’ consent before you send out your messages. Data protection rules have been toughened recently, and we wouldn’t want you to get fined.
- Check your message length. A short link that you add to your message will not affect it much. Ensure that replies are being handled correctly if your message has a reply option.
- Conduct a test run before the actual deployment. That way, you can check for all the things we mentioned above.
- Lastly, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us if you encounter any problems while getting ready for deployment. Our support team is here for you.
Conclusion
There is no doubt that technology is changing the way we communicate, and SMS APIs bridge the gap between mobile networks and your audience which makes SMS marketing just as important as it is a successful technique that helps you effectively sell and keep your customers satisfied with your services.
So make that chess move today and get in touch with BSG for all your SMS marketing needs and more. If you want to read more about marketing, technology and business, follow our blog not to miss new articles.
