| In recent years, the use of sending Business SMS has | | | | want to send SMS messages from your company |
| grown at a rapid rate, primarily as it allows businesses | | | | name, ensure you look for an SMS provider that |
| communicate effectively and at low cost. | | | | offers this service free of charge as many do. |
| The first SMS was sent in 1992 and although it's hard | | | | Most Online SMS applications will allow you to |
| to imagine, it was originally seen as a sideline to | | | | schedule SMS messages for the future, which again |
| allowing calls via mobile phones. Today it's become an | | | | saves you time, as does the ability to set up SMS |
| integral part to the way that thousands of | | | | message templates which is useful is you regularly |
| businesses communicate and companies have found | | | | send similar messages. |
| that the ability to send and receive SMS can bring | | | | Other features may include the ability to configure |
| them huge benefits. | | | | your SMS accounts to push replies to your email |
| So why should businesses use SMS to communicate | | | | address so you never miss a response. SMS delivery |
| with their stakeholders? Here are just a few reasons. | | | | receipts are another important feature as they allow |
| - Save on the cost of telephone calls or mailouts | | | | you to know whether the message was received - |
| - Save staff time, make them more productive | | | | again some SMS providers charge for this service so |
| - Reduce cancelled appointments and their associated | | | | check first if this feature may be important to you. |
| costs | | | | Many companies today are international, and so are |
| - Build your brand, increase brand recognition | | | | their communications. This is where real cost savings |
| - Run more effective marketing campaigns | | | | can be found by using an SMS provider to send SMS |
| - Increase customer contact and retention | | | | internationally. Send an SMS from your mobile phone |
| Many SMS service providers today provide free | | | | and you will incur high charges. Sending your |
| web-based applications to allow their customers to | | | | international SMS via an SMS provider can be much |
| send SMS online. SMS messages are sent from a | | | | cheaper and some SMS providers provide a flat fee |
| web account, and replies can be received back to | | | | for sending SMS regardless of the destination. Look |
| the account. A virtual mobile number is required to | | | | out for these types of SMS providers especially if |
| receive SMS messages. | | | | you send many SMS messages internationally. |
| Some key features you should look for in a Web | | | | If you are looking for an SMS provider to send SMS |
| SMS tool | | | | via the Web, I'd recommend a paid-for service with |
| Sending SMS via the Web as opposed to sending | | | | multiple direct network connections. A provider that |
| SMS via your mobile phone makes sense for many | | | | offers these can ensure service reliability because if |
| reasons. The key benefit is that it's very quick, so it | | | | one network has problems or delays with delivering |
| should be your communication tool of choice when | | | | SMS messages, the SMS provider can switch the |
| sending SMS to groups. With most Web-based SMS | | | | network they are using to deliver the messages |
| applications, you can upload multiple contacts in one | | | | straight away, with no loss of service to you. With |
| go (often from a csv file), type your SMS message | | | | SMS providers, like with many things in life, you get |
| and hit send - saving you lots of time. Consequently, | | | | what you pay for. Free services tend to have poor |
| sending SMS on line is ideal for emergency and | | | | quality message delivery and some charge the SMS |
| business critical situations. It should also be cheaper | | | | message recipient. That's how they make their |
| than texting people individually. Receiving SMS | | | | money. |
| messages back to your SMS account makes it easier | | | | If you've been considering implementing an SMS |
| to administer replies in an interface rather than a | | | | service in your organisation its worth taking a free |
| mobile phone. | | | | trial first with to test service reliability and usability of |
| Reputable SMS providers should allow you to send | | | | the online SMS interface. Ensure it meets your |
| SMS messages from a company name (rather than a | | | | requirements, and check that you won't incur |
| number) using a customised sender ID - but beware, | | | | additional cost for certain features which you may |
| many SMS providers charge for this service. If you | | | | find other SMS providers will give you free of charge. |