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What Is SMS API and How to Use It to Scale Your Bulk SMS Campaigns?

Aug 09 2022

SMS API Explained: What Is It and How Does It Work?

Every day we get texts from a restaurant, clothing store, or gift store. But have you ever wondered how they send messages to so many people?

Clearly, a marketer doesn’t write to each person individually about all the benefits of the business. If you don’t actually know how a code is converted from a PC to an SMS message, this article is for you. Also, it is for those who want to learn how the high-loaded servers and services in the telecom industry work.

What is SMS API?

The answer was always on the surface. Converting text from a code to SMS is done with the help of an API.

API (Application Programming Interface) is a whole set of commands consisting of classes, methods, functions, and procedures. With these commands, one software communicates with another.
In simple words, API is an application programming interface that allows the conversion of code for sending short messages through an SMS API gateway.

eCommerce SMS marketing integrated with the CRM in place — What is an SMS API?

Who Can Use SMS API?

The first thing to know about the API is that it helps send over a thousand notifications to customers in a matter of seconds. You don’t need to control each individual message to do this, the program will automate the sending.
Using SMS API service, you can actively develop your omnichannel business, increase clients’ loyalty and improve their user experience.

The answer was always on the surface. Converting text from a code to SMS is done with the help of an API.

From this, we get that businesses of all sizes can use the API in bulk SMS. Organizations, stores, and companies (add whatever word you want) that need to stay in touch with their customers all the time will benefit from this technology. Basically, these are companies from the B2C segment.

With bulk SMS API you will be able to:

Announce sales, and promotions, and offer personal discounts.
Protect your customers from identity theft with a 2-factor API.
Automate some tasks, thereby taking the load off your staff.
Set up two-way communication with customers.
Set up a schedule for sending order/booking/meeting confirmation messages.
Send messaging with parcel tracking.
Increase customer focus by sending out service evaluation questionnaires.
Send messages to pre-built segments with relevant content and offers.
Customize personalization for each client.
Schedule sending with a specific event and date.

How Does SMS API Work?

So what is an SMS API and how does it work? Simply enough ー by connecting carriers to the Internet. This bypasses intermediaries and additional fees. You won’t need to connect your site to our platform every time after you connect to the SMS API. Messages will be sent automatically. This will significantly reduce your monetary and time costs.

Another big advantage will be sending messages without an internet connection. If the user has a phone, they will indeed receive a notification.

Also, don’t forget about getting consent to receive information from your company. No one has done away with opt-in yet. It builds trust with your audience and secures you from unnecessary contacts in the sending list. If a person is not interested in the product, then persuasion will not help, but only make them angry.
Be sure to get written permission from your customers to receive promotions, advertising, etc. Otherwise, it threatens not only a disloyal audience but also a fine for violating the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.

e-commerce SMS marketing encourages clients to return to your business

What is HTTP?

The basis of HTTP is a ‘client-server’ technology, that is, it is assumed that there are:

Clients who initiate the connection and send the request;
Suppliers that wait for a connection to receive the request, perform the necessary actions and return a message with the result.

In simpler terms, HTTP stands for hypertext transfer protocol. It is designed to connect and communicate between a web browser and a web server. This kind of API is suitable for integration with the web, such as e-commerce platforms or CMS.

What is REST?

REST is a set of rules for how a programmer organizes the writing of server application code so that all systems can easily exchange data and the application can be scaled.
In other words, REST is an architectural principle of software development that sets rules and constraints for the operation and interaction of Internet applications. This protocol allows RESTful applications to integrate with other services. Compared to HTTP API, REST gives a more flexible wide set of possibilities, though the principle of work is more complicated.

BSG provides eCommerce SMS marketing integrated via REST API

What Are the Benefits of Using an API to Send SMS?

SMS API integration offers tangible benefits because it gives you access to any of your API provider’s services through a single business application.

Ability to Integrate With Other Systems

Manage the messaging across all your platforms and apps through a uniform interface.

Secure and Fast Message Delivery

The API provides a direct connection through the SMS gateway. How does this affect deliverability? Thousands of messages reach recipients in seconds straight from your PC. This means people will get notifications faster. Also, the API provides a secure connection between your systems and the provider. This means your messages won’t go through a third party.

Tracking and Strategy Correction

Track messages with delivery reports. These reports show all the delivery time and status information. Also, if you use Viber bulk message sending software, you can apply bulk SMS to undelivered messages. This will help you achieve full communication with your customers. And to add information about the product or give useful tips for use in everyday life, you can use email marketing service providers.

Increase Efficiency Through Automation

How to use SMS API to correctly distribute processes among staff and improve service quality? Simply set up triggered actions or events for sending transactional messages in the mass SMS service. SMS will be sent automatically after a certain request without your intervention. This will significantly reduce the workload and save time for more important tasks.

SMS API integration offers tangible benefits because it gives you access to any of your API provider’s services through a single business application.