About glagolITico, We specialize in driving IT projects specifically in speciality care and crisis projects for complex and large-scale customers. glagolITico has more than 20 years of experience in project management and consulting. With expertise in large scale projects for the Telecom, Postal services, Aviation, Automotive, FMCG, Oil & Gas, Packaging, Legal, and Pharmaceutical industries. We're supported by…
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Beyond the festivities and cheer, the holidays are the prime time for businesses to connect with their audiences in meaningful ways. While traditional marketing approaches have their place, they might not capture the attention of today’s savvy consumers. Enter RCS (Rich Communication Services) , a dynamic messaging protocol for Android devices that has revolutionized the way brands engage with…, build more engaging content and provide a better experience, for those with RCS-enabled devices, leading to higher cart values, more conversions, and better engagement than any other type of mobile messaging. That must be why more businesses are adopting RCS, which has grown over 40% in the past 12 months . So, what are you waiting for? This holiday season, it's time to go beyond the ordinary and explore how RCS can take your holiday marketing campaigns…, 1. Personalized gift guides, RCS is at the forefront of modern messaging technology, making personalized gift guides more engaging and effective than ever. With RCS, you can curate a tailored shopping experience for each customer, right within their phone’s native messaging app. Imagine doing this around the holiday season by creating a rich image carousel so users can browse through product images, descriptions, and…, 5x higher click rate than Rich SMS, , a 99% increase in conversion rate (to make an in-store appointment) than Rich SMS. “The interactive experience of RCS worked very well, ...[and] allowed us to reach an audience that, on paper, seemed difficult to convince. The conversational nature of RCS allows us to bring more value to the consumer through advice and therefore benefits the brand image.” - Stéphanie Chevallier, Project Manager…, 2. Holiday event planning, Ready to add some jingle to your mingle this holiday season? RCS is an exceptional tool to help you seamlessly embed images, videos, and interactive buttons right into holiday invitations. If you’re hosting your own holiday event and want to ensure your invitations are exciting and engaging, look no further than RCS. As the event draws closer, you can use RCS to send real-time updates, event…, inspire your audience for their own holiday events, . For example, retailers could use RCS to help their customers choose a holiday outfit, financial service organizations could help with holiday budgeting tips, supermarkets could guide through the event shipping list, and food retailers could assist with menu planning. This is what frozen food retailer Picard did to inspire their customers’ holiday gatherings. Picard built a conversational…, 3. Exclusive gift previews, The beauty of RCS lies in its ability to make each interaction memorable. As the holiday season approaches, use RCS to showcase your products and evoke the joy of gift giving. With RCS, you can, curate personalized recommendations for upcoming gifts and features, . You can send timely information on sales and promotions and direct recipients straight to your website or another landing page. You can even have subscribers choose what they want and have them order it right from your message! CDiscount RCS marketing campaign Cdiscount’s clear, simple rich messages helped grab their customers’ attention immediately. Cdiscount , the third largest French e-…, 4. Countdown to deals, Picture this: Black Friday is right around the corner, and your customers aren’t nearly finished with holiday shopping. How can you stand out as their favorite brand with all the competition for their attention? Here’s an idea:, use RCS to count down days, before the big holiday. As the clock ticks, you can leverage the capabilities of RCS to send engaging messages that inform them about a promotion and send them videos showcasing deal highlights. That’s exactly what Micromania-Zing , a major video game retail company, did to support its customers with their Christmas purchases. Their omnichannel strategy was called “Operation Crazy Christmas,”…, 5. Location-based promotions, RCS can help you use customer location data to give more precise delivery information or, offer specific discounts based on the user’s location, . If you have a physical store location, you can use captivating offers to incentivize consumers to come into your store for in-person shopping. For example, a retailer could use RCS to illustrate Black Friday or Cyber Monday deals at a specific store, or a bank could incentivize its members to visit a nearby branch during the holiday season. Curious to see how location-based promotions look? A…, 6. Re-engagement campaigns, Re-engagement campaigns are a key part of customer engagement , and the holiday season is a great time for brands to reconnect with their audience. Customer activity is heightened during this period, so launching a re-engagement campaign in the lead up to this major shopping period is a great way to stay top-of-mind with your audience. Re-engaging customers isn’t easy, less so during busy…, click-through-rate for RCS increased by 100%, , and when compared to results seen in previous email campaigns, engagement and click-through levels tripled! Used before the holiday season, a re-engagement campaign like this one is the perfect way to get your audience ready for your festive content and deals., Why you should use RCS in your holiday marketing campaigns, The holidays are a time when competition for consumer attention is at its peak. With RCS, you can grab their focus with messages that captivate, inform, and inspire them like never before. Still not convinced? Here are a reasons marketers love RCS. , Elevated click-through and read rates, Google’s data suggests that people are, 35x more likely to read RCS messages, than emails. It was designed with conversations in mind, so two-way conversations are very common. And with the ability to integrate multimedia elements like images, videos, and interactive buttons, RCS users are more engaged. , Improved customer engagement and user experience, RCS is proven to increase customer engagement using compelling, branded conversations. Compared to SMS, RCS users are more likely to interact and convert to paying customers. What does that mean for your brand? More engaged customers are more likely to make repeat purchases and spend more on each transaction. Their loyalty results in, increased customer lifetime value, , meaning they’re less likely to switch to competitors. Plus, they’re more likely to give genuine endorsements of your products to their friends and family – a win-win for your brand! , Build trust with verified, branded sender IDs, RCS stands apart because your marketing messages will have your brand’s name as the sender. Only businesses with verified sender identities can use business RCS messaging, meaning, trust is built into its core, , and you can have meaningful two-way conversations with your target audience from the get-go. People are hesitant to click on links in texts anymore due to concerns of fraud. When your subscribers get colorful, content-rich messages without external links directly in their mobile phone inboxes, they’re assured that they’re interacting with a credible, reputable brand. And, if you do send links…, Get started with your holiday RCS strategy, RCS isn’t just about messaging; It’s about storytelling. RCS technology can help elevate your stories to new heights during the holidays, building creative messages that could range from personalized gift guides that resonate to fun and engaging holiday countdowns. Loved these campaign examples and want to try them out? Learn more about RCS and how you can use it to engage customers with other…
Type: Blog Article
Instant reach. Unmatched engagement possibilities. Easy integration. SMS continues to shine as the tool for implementing your marketing and communications strategy efficiently. To work at its best, though, your SMS service provider (or SMS gateway provider) must meet your compliance and security needs. The supplier you choose must be able to support your strategy and make sure you reach your…, Eight considerations for choosing the right SMS provider , , 1. Ease of integration , If you want your messaging to be a hit, it's crucial to have a bunch of APIs and SDKs at your disposal. They make life easier for developers and businesses by allowing quick and seamless integration. The perfect SMS provider should offer developer code that's a breeze to use in various programming languages. You should be able to effortlessly integrate it into your systems and apps. And hey,…, 2. Security and compliance , Security and compliance are absolutely essential for any enterprise. When selecting a supplier, make sure they have multiple data centers in different locations (just in case something goes wrong!) and that they’re PCI and ISO27001 certified. This means they follow the best security practices and have a solid plan to protect your business information. Oh, and don't forget about risk, governance…, 3. Delivery performance, When choosing an SMS provider, it's crucial to find one that delivers outstanding performance. Look for a provider with a proven engine, optimized for high delivery rates and low latency . Their expertise ensures exceptional performance for all your messaging campaigns. Experience is another key factor to consider. The right SMS supplier will have extensive carrier integrations, maximizing the…, 4. The power to scale, You know what's really important? Finding a top-notch communications platform that's designed to be lightning fast and can adapt to your needs, no matter how huge they might be. So, when choosing an SMS provider, make sure they can handle your current requirements and also offer room for your business to expand. A scalable SMS provider is also important for successful SMS marketing. Look for a…, 5. Two-way messaging , Another thing to think about is whether your supplier can handle incoming messages. Basically, do your customers need to reply to the text messages you send? If they do, then you'll need to use inbound numbers, preferably in each market where you plan to offer your service. It's really important to work with a supplier who can guarantee that messages will be delivered directly to the recipient's…, 6. Sender ID availability , A Sender ID basically shows the sender's information to the recipient of the message. To build a strong and recognizable brand, it's crucial to ensure that your marketing efforts align with your brand identity. This applies to SMS too and can even influence your choice of supplier. When it comes to SMS, one of the key considerations is the type of Sender ID that’s supported. There are different…, 7. Reporting and analytics , The level of reporting you get from different suppliers can vary a lot. It's important to have detailed reports to understand how your services are performing. For example, some suppliers can provide delivery receipts to show if a message was delivered to individual recipients. Having good statistics on messages sent and delivered is also useful for monitoring total traffic and comparing the…, 8. Their global expertise , When choosing the right SMS provider, make sure that they offer global connectivity with in-depth country knowledge to make sure it’s as easy as possible for you to communicate with the world, and maximize your effectiveness while doing so! Sending SMS messages may seem easy, but knowing when to send them, to whom, and at what time can be difficult. That's why a knowledgeable provider is…, How to evaluate your SMS provider’s performance, Now that you’ve chosen your SMS provider, how can you evaluate their performance? Here are three important things to consider. , Analyze the SMS provider’s delivery rates, Focus on delivery rate, speed, conversion rates, open rates, and other critical KPIs, especially if you’re using two-way messaging for customer engagement. Look for a provider with proven messaging services that are optimized for high delivery rates and low latency. , Is the API easy to use and integrate? , The SMS API needs to work seamlessly on all platforms and apps so that you can easily manage your messages from one central place. This will make communication much clearer, faster, and more consistent overall. , What is the time-to-market? , As the market and your business needs change, you may need to adapt your services. This makes it even more important to work with an SMS gateway provider that can set up numbers quickly in response to your needs. This is especially important for inbound numbers in heavily regulated markets. Talk to your supplier about the time they take up to set a new number and the support they can offer, and…, Finding the right SMS provider for your business, Finding the right SMS provider for your business boils down to you carefully evaluating the provider’s delivery rates, integration functionality, pricing, scalability, and reliability. The right provider with a proven track record of delivering messages globally, rapidly, and securely can become a valuable partner to enhance your brand’s reach and engagement. For a more in-depth look at…
Type: Blog Article
Millions of customers receive SMS messages from brands daily, but how exactly can businesses scale these communications to instantly reach large audiences at any given moment, anywhere in the world? For most businesses, the answer is: by using an SMS API ! Despite the abundance of messaging channels available today, SMS is still the most common messaging type worldwide and the technology helping…, With SMS APIs, businesses can send, receive, and track text messages at scale directly from their existing applications — quickly, easily, and automatically., No need to manage complex in-house infrastructure or involve an entire IT team! In this blog post, we’re answering all the questions you might have about SMS APIs: what they are, how they work, their benefits, how businesses use them, and how to pick the right SMS API service for your company. , What is an SMS API? , An Application Programmable Interface (API) is a software intermediary enabling communication between two or more applications or systems., Businesses can use APIs to easily expand the capabilities of their existing tools. An SMS API, as the name suggests, is a type of API that allows businesses to add SMS messaging capabilities to their applications and platforms. , How does SMS API integration work? , To start sending text messages, you’ll need to integrate the SMS API into your application or platform. Your provider will then route your messages to mobile networks using an SMS gateway. A good SMS API provider will make integration easier for your company’s developers by providing in-depth documentation for multiple programming languages like Java, PHP, Node, .NET Core, or Python. A great one…, Why you need an SMS API , More than thirty years after its invention, SMS is still one of the most popular communication channels, and it’s no coincidence. Here's how an SMS API can transform business communications: , Instant attention and unbeatable engagement at scale , An SMS API allows businesses to get instant customer attention and increase engagement through a medium that’s always at hand — and to do so at scale. With a whopping 98% open rate and 90% read rate within three minutes, SMS APIs ensure that offers, invites, reminders, and notifications are delivered reliably and securely — and acted on. , Easy SMS API integration , An SMS API takes the headache out of the picture and allows developers to build messaging capabilities into their existing software quickly and easily. With the right partner, you’ll start sending your first text messages within minutes. Industry-leading SMS API providers also offer connectors and out-of-the-box integrations to many of the most popular CRM and ERP systems. , Automated SMS sendouts , For businesses in need of more than just a manual SMS system, an SMS API is the perfect way to send thousands of SMS messages automatically. Not only does it help you work smarter, but it also ensures time-sensitive communications reach customers at the right time, every single time — no matter how big your customer database. , Deeper customer insights , Because they typically provide better tracking and analytics capabilities (like campaign management or delivery monitoring), SMS APIs can also help you make more informed decisions about your communication strategy and identify potential issues faster. , Two-way messaging capabilities , Another major advantage of an SMS API is that it usually supports both one-way and two-way messaging. Why does it matter? Because your customers really want to text you back! Recent Sinch research found that 90% (ninety!) of customers would love to be able to answer messages from brands to ask questions. While one-way SMS is still great for some use cases, two-way messaging takes it to the next…, Reliable message delivery , When chosen right, an SMS API ensures fast, secure, and reliable message delivery, wherever your recipients are. , No maintenance , With an SMS API, no need to worry about upgrades and maintenance. Your provider will take care of it for you, without any disruption to your workflows, saving you both time and money. , Global compliance and security , When it comes to business communications, compliance and security aren’t things you can compromise on. Your SMS API provider can (or rather, should) help you navigate complex regulatory requirements like data protection and privacy laws and ensure your business communications are secure. , Cost-effective pricing , Bulk SMS messaging is a cost-effective way to reach thousands of customers instantly — and think about the ROI you can get from such an incredibly engaging channel! Some SMS providers also offer smart routing, which means you can choose to prioritize cost or speed depending on your needs. Now let’s look at how businesses across different industries use SMS APIs to drive positive business…, SMS API use cases , From alerts to SMS one-time passcodes (OTPs) , appointment reminders, customer support, or promotions, an SMS API ensures you're relevant and timely. , Digital marketing and sales , Keep customers in the know about your upcoming sales and latest product releases, remind them of the items left in their cart, or send them personalized recommendations based on their purchase history. An SMS API will help you take your SMS marketing strategy to the next level and send conversion and engagement rates through the roof. , Notifications and reminders , Elevate every step of the customer journey with helpful information. Whether you’re sending an order confirmation, a delivery update, or an appointment reminder to reduce no-shows, an SMS API helps you get your message across at the right time, every single time. When Budbee, a home delivery company, set out to take customer experience to a whole new level, they made SMS central to their…, Customer care , Support customers on a channel they already use daily — they’ll thank you for it! Two-way SMS is a fast and convenient way to provide helpful answers to customer queries — and with conversational AI, you can do so 24/7 and free up time for your support teams. , SMS two-factor authentication , Secure your customer journey while increasing conversions and reducing churn. An SMS API enables fast, user-friendly messaging at scale. Take Triodos, for instance, a world leader in sustainable banking. To add an extra layer of account security while simplifying sign-ups and logins, the company rolled out SMS verification from Sinch. Triodos now sends approximately 250,000 text messages per…, Critical alerts , When the unexpected happens, fast and reliable communications can save the day. Whether it’s a fraud suspicion on a customer’s bank account, a natural disaster, or a service outage, an SMS API ensures critical messages get delivered quickly and reliably. And here again, two-way messaging can prove very useful to allow recipients to ask questions or provide any necessary information. Thanks to…, Understand the basics of SMS API technology , Because SMS is such an integral part of our everyday lives, it’s easy to forget how complex it actually is — but we’ve got you covered! Here’s a quick guide to fundamental SMS concepts you need to understand. , Sender ID , A Sender ID is a numeric or alphanumeric value that identifies the sender of an SMS message. In other words, the sender ID is what’s displayed in the SMS “From” field. Some sender IDs allow businesses to personalize their SMS branding, for instance by using a company or campaign name as the sender ID (but keep in mind that this is possible only for one-way messages). , Latency , SMS latency refers to the speed of delivery of a message; it’s the amount of time it takes for a message sent via an SMS API to be delivered to its recipient. Latency may vary from one provider to another, so if you’re sending time-sensitive messages like verification codes or other critical alerts, check this carefully when selecting your SMS API. A reliable provider will have a robust…, Messaging throughput , Throughput refers to how many messages can be sent per second and is usually expressed in TPS (Throughput Per Second). Throughput rates vary depending on the type of sender ID you use (e.g. short code, long code, toll-free number, etc.). Why does it matter? Because throughput is what ensures your messages are being delivered when they should be! , Delivery status , When sending SMS messages, most mobile operators will send delivery receipts to the SMS API provider to inform them about the delivery status of the message — and we pass this information on to you to help you keep track of your messages. With Sinch’s SMS delivery receipt feature (DLR) , you can easily monitor the delivery of your messages and troubleshoot potential issues. , Message encoding and character limits , An SMS can contain up to 160 characters — you might already know this. But that’s in theory. In reality, it’s a bit more complex than that. When creating an SMS message, the characters used and the length of the message determine the type of encoding and the number of messages being sent out. You can send up to 160 characters in a single SMS message if all characters are part of the GSM 7-bit…, Dos and don’ts of using an SMS API to message customers , There’s a right and wrong way to go about using a text message API. Here are some of the key best practices you should keep in mind. What is an SMS API - Do's and don'ts, Do: Take business messaging guidelines seriously , Let’s face it: Keeping up with local laws and regulations around SMS messaging is complicated, because different rules apply depending on the market you're sending SMS to and the type of phone number you’re using. But if there's only one thing you should remember about SMS guidelines, it's this: Never (ever) send messages to people who haven’t opted in! That’s the golden rule of business…, Do: Leverage your API’s personalization features , SMS is a highly personal channel; customers use it to interact with friends and family. So, act like a friend and show that you care with personalized content. This also applies to the timing of your messages. Who likes being woken up in the middle of the night by a random text message from a brand? That’s right: No one. So, keep this in mind when setting up your SMS communication flows. , Don’t: Underestimate the importance of two-way messaging capabilities , As previously mentioned, research clearly shows that it’s time for businesses to turn one-way, static SMS notifications into conversations — because your customers have questions! Need more proof? A global study by Meta found that almost two-thirds of consumers tried to respond to direct messages sent by brands during the holiday season, for instance to get product or pricing information, or…, Don’t: Spam your subscribers with promotional messages , While bulk messaging is great for reaching and engaging a large number of recipients at once, remember that your customers are already flooded with messages from brands across all the channels they use. So, if you want to keep your SMS subscribers opted-in, don’t overdo it and go easy on sales-focused content. Instead, prioritize value-adding, helpful messages. , So, what is an SMS API? The backbone of engaging, reliable communications , If you want to reach customers instantly and reliably on a channel they already use, an SMS API is the way to go — but not all SMS API services are created equal. We break down everything you need to consider when selecting an SMS API provider in our recent blog post. Check it out and choose with confidence! You can also download our handy cheat sheet below., SMS API: Frequently asked questions , , How much does an SMS API cost? , The cost of an SMS API will depend on the provider you choose, the volume of SMS messages you need to send, and the type of number you use. Pro tip: Be extra cautious about SMS API services offering below-market prices. When it seems too good to be true, it usually is... , What is an SMS API used for? , An SMS API is used by businesses across all industries to send large volumes of SMS messages to customers automatically, including notifications, reminders, verification codes, promotional messages, and more. , How can I get started with an SMS API? , Here at Sinch, we’re all about keeping it simple. Our technical support team will help you set it up and get up and running in no time! , How to choose the right SMS API service for your company? , Ask any potential provider about its connectivity infrastructure, customer support and SLAs, security and compliance certifications, and integration process. And make sure to check out what existing customers and industry experts say about the provider, too. , How do I scale and maintain my text message API? , The right SMS API provider will take care of upgrades and maintenance for you. The right partner should also be able to address your present and future messaging needs and scale with you as you expand to new markets and grow your customer database.
Type: Blog Article
Be honest — have you ever texted in a vote for your favorite singer on American Idol or signed up to get texts and a discount from your favorite store? If you said yes, you probably used a short code to do it! In the business world, if you’re looking to create quick yet memorable connections with your customers on a regular basis but don’t want to break the bank to do it, then short code texting…, What is a short code?, A short code, or SMS short code, is an abbreviated phone number that usually consists of only five to six digits and allow organizations to send and receive high volumes of SMS and MMS mobile messages within short periods of time. Also referred to as “short numbers” or “campaign short codes,” the numbers are both carrier- and country-specific. Thanks to the global accessibility of SMS messaging,…, How do short codes work? , Both obtaining and using a short code requires approval from a country’s wireless carrier services before that number is allowed to send any messages on their networks. This control improves the industry’s ability to verify safe use of consumer data and reduces the amount of spam bombarding our phones. Aggregators like Sinch further enhance safety by monitoring the content sent over short codes…, Choosing the right, type of short code, , Short codes have evolved over the years thanks to customer demands and changing regulations. Here are the different types of short codes available today., Vanity short codes, When opting for a dedicated short code, a company may choose to apply to lease a customized and unique number — a vanity short code. Selecting your number to reflect your company name or marketing campaign is a great way to strengthen your brand. For example, if you're were running a James Bond themed campaign, you might use the vanity short code "007007"., Random short codes, Random short codes are the opposite of vanity short codes. A random number sequence is selected by the organization leasing and monitoring short codes, then assigned to the next company applying for a new code. Therefore, these codes can’t be reviewed in advance., Shared short codes , Historically, shared short codes allowed various businesses to all share one short code through a service provider who would then send messages on each company’s behalf. Sharing the codes this way also translated to cost savings. For example, if a cosmetics company and perfumer both use the same short code to message their respective audience, "Text MMMMM to 151515" that’s a shared short code.…, Other short codes , There are two other short code types, identified by cost:, Premium short codes, allow a customer to cover any charges incurred by sending or receiving a text using a unique short code by billing those costs to their mobile cell plan. These are mostly used by charities and for donations through a very limited number of approved vendors., Standard-rate Free-to-end-user (FTEU) short codes, ensure that any costs associated with sending or receiving short code messages will be covered by the owner of the number, remaining free to the end user., Benefits of short code texting, There are many ways your company can benefit from using a short code: Shorter numbers are, easier for customers to remembe, r. An SMS-based outreach strategy means your, customers don’t have to download a new app or learn a new tool to receive your messages, . They, reach large audiences quickly and directly, for relatively low costs , making communication more scalable., A dedicated short code is great for branding, ., Messages are delivered quickly and securely, , allowing you to provide around-the-clock customer service through automated responses. They feature delivery receipts — that means easier campaign performance tracking! Short codes, build customer trust, by reflecting your company’s commitment to the strict rules and regulations necessary to use it. They also provide the most, reliable MMS deliverability., The best ways to use, short code texting , Let’s look at a few examples of how short code texting can help your team start conversations with customers and take engagement to the next level., SMS keyword campaigns , One budget-friendly method for increasing subscriber opt-ins is to use specific keywords across several campaigns on a single short code to build consistent messaging. Using the same keywords in multiple campaigns makes it easier for consumers to actively engage with your outreach. Global Mobile, a company focused on building infrastructure for local mobile marketing, partnered with Sinch to use…, Reminder campaigns, Automated SMS reminders help customers remember and keep their appointments. They save time and money — and reduce no-shows — by sending appointment details such as date, time, and location. Connecting consumers with quick and easy labor to assist with everyday projects is the goal of the internationally successful company TaskRabbit . After years of relying on email for all communications, they…, Two-factor authentication, Two-factor authentication (2FA) is a well-established security measure used to protect personal information when people log into their online accounts for anything from banking to business software to Gmail. To execute it, many use a one-time passcode sent by SMS — easy, secure, and UX-friendly! , Promotional marketing campaigns, Short codes are a great way to boost sales and customer engagement by sending your subscribers personalized content and offers, like a coupon or QR code. During the height of the COVID pandemic, Sinch partnered with Mental Health America to create the world’s first texting switchboard, #TextforHumanity . The concept was simple: Users in the United States could register through a simple short…, Autoreply, Automatic responses can be triggered by a program like Sinch SMS Short Code API to help companies save time and give customers the instant answers and support they’re looking for. , SMS notification campaigns, When promoting an upcoming event or a limited-time offer, you can reach millions of people with a quick SMS message using short code texting. Delivering timely information right in the palm of their hands is a sure-shot way to get them to engage with your campaign., How to get an SMS short code and start texting with customers, The obtention process and messaging delivery rates for short codes vary drastically by country due to rules and regulations. Sinch’s U.S. SMS compliance guide is a great place to start if you want to learn more about the best practices of SMS texting for businesses. In the U.S., the CTIA tracks numbers in a national Short Code Registry . There are several steps you need to take to get a short…, Getting a short code:, Step 1., Visit the CTIA’s Short Code Registry to review the short codes currently available. , Step 2., Select the number you’d like to use., Step 3., Pay the leasing fees. You can lease for three, six, or 12 months., Step 4., Submit a short code application to the Short Code Registry. The review and decision process usually only takes a few business days. Once you’ve leased a short code and received approval from the CTIA to use it, you need to get approval from the national cell phone carriers for all the outreach campaigns that will use your short code. This process is known as provisioning. , Using your short code and getting campaign approval:, Step 1., Partner with an SMS aggregator like Sinch to host the short code., Step 2., Once hosted, the short code is connected to the various national cell service carriers., Step 3., With the assistance of your aggregator, complete and submit a campaign brief application for every marketing campaign you plan that will use the short code., Step 4., Aggregators will review your application and test the short code. The review process is complex and may take anywhere from three to six weeks. After each campaign is approved and messages are sent to your contact list, the interesting part begins — time to start engaging with your customers and deepening your relationships through two-way, personalized mobile messaging conversations! , How about short code text messaging compliance, When using short codes, your company is required to follow carrier compliance requirements , industry standards, and applicable laws — and you don't want to mess with these: , Using a short code sender ID is mandatory in the U.S., Canada, and many parts of Latin America., The number used to send the message and the identity of the sender must be clear at all times., In some countries, customers need to opt-in to receiving messages, before companies can send messages to them. In order to comply with local regulations,, certain keywords must be supported in some countries, e.g. STOP, INFO, or HELP, . , U.S. guidelines require messages to clarify the opt-out process, , including the time frame for processing those opt-out requests. Once a subscriber opts out, they can no longer receive any further messages unless they choose to opt back in., In many countries, people can sign up for do-not-contact or do-not-disturb registries, . Businesses need to respect the registries to avoid service suspensions or fines. The Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association (CTIA) oversees the leasing and security of all short codes in the United States., Violating the standards set out in their Short Code Monitoring Handbook could result in a CTIA short code audit, , which could lead to a fine or ban. , How much do SMS short codes cost?, The cost of leasing a short code depends on the type of code you choose and the length of your lease. The pricing structure is pretty straightforward. Dedicated short codes, including vanity short codes, are leased from CTIA at a rate of $1,000 per month. Random short codes lease for $500 per month. Businesses may purchase up to 20 short codes at a time., Getting started with SMS short codes, Short code texting is a simple, yet powerful strategy for improving customer engagement. To optimize your use of these mighty little numbers, explore our guide to increasing customer loyalty with mobile messaging — and learn how Sinch can help you implement short codes to help your business grow ! , Frequently asked questions , Who can use SMS short codes?, Businesses of all shapes and sizes use short codes for in order to reach their target audience. From Airbnb to Twitter to brick-and-mortar retail shops, SMS short codes are perfect for product discounts, passwords, text-to-win sweepstakes and much more. , 2. What’s the difference between short codes and other texting codes?, Until recently, the traditional ten-digit local phone numbers, known as long codes, were used for person-to-person communication. However, in 2021, the CTIA introduced a new industry standard, officially identifying them as 10DLC for A2P business messaging. With this change, businesses can now utilize these numbers for texting campaigns, albeit at increased fees set by T-Mobile and AT&T since…
Type: Blog Article
In the ever-evolving retail landscape, retail SMS marketing is a powerful tool for businesses to connect with their customers in more personalized and engaging ways. Retail SMS, a form of mobile marketing, isn’t just about sending promotional messages; it's about building stronger relationships, enhancing customer engagement and, ultimately, driving profits. In this blog post, we’ll guide you…, What is SMS for retail?, SMS for retail is a strategic approach where businesses leverage text messaging to achieve their marketing objectives. From delivering targeted communications to offering customized promotions and discounts, SMS marketing for retail is a potent tool to get your brand noticed. SMS and mobile messaging are often underused in the retail sector, especially considering SMS marketing campaigns have…, Key benefits of SMS marketing for retail, Building a top-notch retail SMS marketing strategy can be game-changing in many ways. Some of the benefits you can expect include:, Building long-lasting relationships with customers, SMS marketing allows businesses to maintain a direct line of communication with their customers, fostering stronger relationships. Regular updates, personalized offers, and immediate responses to queries can significantly enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty., Engaging customers on platforms they frequently use, With mobile phones always at hand, SMS marketing provides an opportunity to reach customers on devices they use daily. This constant accessibility increases the likelihood of your message being seen and acted upon., Simplifying real-time communication, SMS marketing allows for instant communication. Businesses can send real-time updates about sales, promotions, or important information, and customers can respond or act immediately., Boosting customer engagement and loyalty, Personalized and timely messages not only improve customer engagement but also foster customer loyalty. Customers appreciate personalized attention and are more likely to remain loyal to businesses that provide it., Providing a cost-effective marketing channel, Compared to other marketing channels, SMS marketing is relatively inexpensive . It allows businesses to reach a large number of customers at a lower cost., Increasing sales through targeted promotions and discounts, SMS for retail marketing can directly influence sales numbers by delivering targeted promotions and discounts to customers. , Use cases for SMS marketing for retail, Understanding the use cases for SMS marketing in retail is crucial to harnessing its full potential. With SMS marketing, retailers have a massive range of opportunities to engage customers at every stage of the customer lifecycle. We’ve listed some of the most effective use cases below, but lifecycle messaging should be unique to your brand experience. The only limit is your imagination! Here…, Welcome or onboarding texts, : A personalized welcome message can make a great first impression., New product promotions, : Inform customers about new products or services., Rewards notifications, : Notify customers about their loyalty points or rewards., Abandoned cart reminders, : Remind customers about items left in their shopping cart., Upselling opportunities, : Suggest related products or services to customers., App download promotions, : Encourage customers to download your mobile app for a seamless shopping experience. , Retail SMS program best practices, step-by-step, Delivering the right message to the customer and having a value proposition articulating the benefits of opting in for promotional messaging are key to driving opt-ins and conversions. Here are a few best practices to keep in mind when crafting your SMS retail marketing campaigns and calls-to-action (CTAs). , Create a compelling CTA, The first step to retail SMS messaging success is a robust promotional campaign to drive subscriber opt-ins. Make sure you consider value proposition, incentives, and channels you’ll need to reach your customers and inspire action. Your value proposition should clearly articulate why customers should sign up. That could include loyalty program perks like exclusive offers, first-to-know about…, Promote opt-ins across channels, List growth success is very dependent on where, how, and how often you make people aware of your SMS program. Encouraging opt-ins across your existing marketing channels, such as email, in-store, and social media can make a big difference in driving up opt-in rates. High-impact CTA placements include the following: In-store signage; Website homepage; Email newsletters; Online account creation…, , Respect customer preferences, When setting up your messaging program, keep these simple guidelines in mind: DO: Segment your audience for personalized messaging DO: Use shortened URLs and easy-to-spell keywords DO: Maintain a record of opt-ins and opt-outs DON'T: Send messages before 8 am or after 9 pm DON'T: Send more than 1-2x per week DON’T: Send messages after user has opted out. Compliance is non-negotiable! As the…, Show, don't tell, The most relevant media, like MMS messaging , can amp up SMS marketing campaigns. MMS messaging allows images, gifs, and videos, offering a more immersive and engaging experience. MMS messaging allows retailers to showcase products, promotions, app downloads, and offers in a more immersive and visually appealing manner, increasing the impact and effectiveness of their campaigns. , Personalize for even more impact, Mobile messaging is intimate by nature: it’s where friends and family talk daily. When brands access this privileged space, they should respect it and make messages relevant and personalized. Customizing retail SMS messages according to customer preferences and behavior can also result in a more captivating experience; by segmenting audiences and tailoring messaging, you can create more relevant…, , Create meaningful conversations, Craft messages that resonate with your customers and inspire them to take action. Taking full advantage of SMS for retail — and creating messages that convert — means using clear language, compelling CTAs, and personalized messaging to enable meaningful conversations and deliver real value to your customers. For example, a clothing retail store could start with an email marketing campaign to…
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