| Nowadays it’s not uncommon to receive SMS | | | | server. |
| messages on one’s cell phone from companies | | | | So now I’ve found a good SMS company and |
| marketing their products or services. A telling sign | | | | I’ve installed their SMS software on my |
| that the message is from a company is the length of | | | | computer. I have also registered an account with |
| the number it comes from, often an extra 4 digits | | | | them which provided me with some free SMS credits |
| longer than a normal cell number. Some may wonder | | | | so I can try them out. This is always a good sign |
| how they do this, especially when it becomes evident | | | | when looking for a SMS company, the fact that they |
| that the SMS message has bent sent out to | | | | offer a few free credits so you can try them out, |
| thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of people, all | | | | sort of like a free trial, that way you’ve got |
| at once! Let’s explore how difficult or easy it is | | | | nothing to lose by trying out their services. |
| to do this. | | | | All I have to do now is either manually add my |
| A search on Google for ‘send bulk sms’ will | | | | contacts into this software, but that would take |
| reveal many companies advertising their SMS services | | | | forever if I’ve got a long list of numbers, or I |
| and punting cheap or even free SMS services, but | | | | can import them from an Excel spread sheet. Being |
| beware, all is not as it seems. To cut a long story | | | | able to import and export from any program should |
| short, it takes time to investigate these companies | | | | be one of the basic features, it makes life so much |
| and try out their products, but that is beyond the | | | | easier, and quicker. Once I’ve loaded my |
| scope of this article, just don’t go for the | | | | contacts I select the ones I want to send a text |
| cheapest ones you find, because they will always | | | | message to and click on send. Within seconds this |
| have another way of taking more money from you, | | | | piece of software has sent out thousands of SMS |
| do your research and know what you are getting | | | | messages, and it was one of the easiest things I |
| into. | | | | have done on a PC. No complicated procedures, no |
| Most reputable SMS companies will have at least one | | | | problems installing the software (anyone could do it) |
| way of sending bulk SMS, but most will have two | | | | and no problems registering an account. |
| ways of sending SMS messages in bulk; either | | | | This is the kind of experience you should look for |
| through a web interface or a desktop client | | | | when getting started with a bulk SMS company, and |
| application, which is basically SMS software that you | | | | I am happy to recommend a company that although |
| install on your PC. | | | | operates mainly in South Africa, their service is |
| I personally prefer using a desktop application | | | | excellent and their software is easy to use. In a |
| because you have more control over your contacts | | | | nutshell, they make it really easy to send bulk SMS |
| and messages. You can get everything ready while | | | | messages from your PC, so I have no hesitation in |
| you are in “off line” mode and then connect | | | | recommending WinSMS.co.za to my friends and work |
| and send when you are ready. I also don’t like | | | | colleagues. |
| leaving all my contacts on someone else’s web | | | | |