The world of wireless has exploded in the past two decades, presenting opportunities at every turn for new methods of performing old tasks. Among the most popular mobile communications techniques is SMS, or text messaging. SMS stands for Short Messaging System, the protocol behind text messaging on mobile networks. This began as a service offered Sms gateway by mobile phone companies to make the most of their existing network bandwidth and has grown to become one of the most common methods of staying in touch.
The only way for SMS messages to reach their final destination is to pass through the appropriate carrier’s network. Access to these networks is gained through what are known as SMS gateways. These systems are the first step in routing a text message to a patron’s mobile phone. Companies known as SMS aggregators or SMS gateway providers contract with mobile providers in order to bind their own gateways to networks and sell this capability to interested clients.
Choosing the right SMS gateway provider is an important step in ensuring that a company gets what they need from an SMS service. The market for SMS aggregation is still a relatively young one. There are a wide range of differences in options, quality sms marketing of service, and pricing. Shopping around and finding references that can verify an aggregator’s abilities are imperative to a company getting the most out of their foray into the fertile ground of SMS.
A decent SMS gateway provider will be able to offer more than one way to access their gateway. The most common methods include web interfaces, allowing an extremely user-friendly way of sending bulk SMS, and API, which is a set of orders which can be used in computer programming to give existing software the ability to use an SMS gateway. The more ways an aggregator gives its clients to access their services, the more flexibility clients have in implementing their SMS strategies.
When performing pricing comparisons, companies should look not only at novice pricing, but also at what kind of discounts are available if their needs demand climbing up later. Some providers operate on a credit-based system. Depending on the destination of a text message, more than one credit may be required. Other providers charge per message. This cost is usually more expensive compared to a single credit, but without the requirements of paying more for certain places.
Using SMS gateway providers to bridge the hole between commercial interest and consumer is an important component of this digital world. Around over 82% of Americans now own mobile devices that have the capability of receiving SMS traffic. This makes text messaging a lucrative method of advertising and customer service.