What SMS message contributes to the growth of business depends on two elements; technical and practical ones. This article is peeling off the factors that will hopefully increase your understanding about the role of the communication tool.

As the name suggests, Short Message Service (SMS) facilitates the delivery of brief texts up to 160 characters. The messages are exchanged between mobile devices, telephone, internet by previously undergoing specific protocols.

The technical aspect

For the first aspect, let’s dig deeper on how SMS works. The first phase is translating your message into data and sending it across a web of interconnected carrier networks. This happens after you click the “send” button from mobile phone, app or other devices.

After that, the message will travel across some paths to reach the targeted recipients. Upon the delivery, the data is turned into a message and is sent to the device. What needs to be taken into consideration is that each SMS is limited to 160 characters only. Given the attribute, brand owners and marketers have to be clever in SMS composing.

At the same time, the SMS is sent so quickly within a few seconds to a bulk of recipients. That opens up chances for reaching out to as many recipients as possible. The brand owners or marketers need to firstly collect the contacts to ensure the contents are read by a lot of targeted recipients.

The economical aspect

The second aspect within this what SMS message means refers to the follow-up steps after fully understanding the workflow of SMS. As it was briefly mentioned above, the brand owners or the marketers need to formulate strategies to optimize SMS.

Let’s discuss one by one. The first point refers to the 160 characters. To maximize the attribute, firstly determine which goals your company wishes to attain. Will the SMS promote certain products or services? Will the SMS inform the latest transaction? Will the SMS offer a lifetime customer program?

Once the element is wrapped, select words that meet attention-grabbing and call-to-action points. You can include a link that will lead to your company’s website for further information.

The second point refers to the possible reach to a lot of contacts. This urges the brand owners and the marketers to come up with as many potential recipients as possible. The more, the higher chance the marketing campaign meets the target.

SMS web is one alternative other than SMS application that will drive your business meeting diverse goals. It stems from the broad goal of Short Message Service/SMS that focuses on effective messaging.

In Application-to-Person (A2P) messaging, SMS web serves as the platform that enables users to send texts for one person or many or create two-way conversations. The users, too, can select which of some phone number options that work the best.

An All-in-One Platform

SMS web acts as an all-in-one platform where companies or brands can formulate various marketing messages. Under the umbrella of rich customer communication, the messages can adjust to your purposes. You can use the method for making business texts that accompany customer’s purchasing journeys.

For potential buyers, for instance, send business texts about product or service promotions. SMS about loyalty programs suit long-time buyers. In between, of course you can deliver messages on authentication requests, appointment reminders, and latest transactions.

Given the various implementations, you can form personal and comprehensive relationships with the subscribers. The purpose stands out from the marketing campaign methods using social media or Over the Top (OTT) platforms.

The business texts land at one’s cellular phone in brief and friendly tones. It doesn’t require responses thereby suits busy customers who are bombarded with texts through other channels. The attribute of SMS keeps the message simple and straight-forwarded.

Furthermore, SMS web allows you to add creative elements if you choose Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS). You can include photos, GIFs, audio clips, and more to attract the recipients.

The cool and fun ways will draw more attention for some who love reading creative and eye-catching messages. Henceforth, the platform works well for both types of audiences.

A2P protocol refers to a set of regulation systems to enable connection, communication, and shift of SMS between two computers or more. The concept helps to facilitate a good and smooth communication between the sender and the recipient.

In terms of Application-to-Person (A2P), the A2P protocol contains the mechanism for carrying business texts from brands or business owners to subscribers. The qualified system will determine how successful or not your business texts later.

Brief Explanation on the A2P Protocol

Generally, the protocol involves technical aspects, such as client database, mobile number, Application Programming Interface (API), web interface, and Mobile Network Operator (MNO).

The stages of the protocol typically run as follows. Client database and mobile number will be sent to the Client Connectivity segment. This covers API, SMPP, and Web Interface. The next stage is HTTP XML that handles message content and mobile numbers and connects them to the A2P provider’s platform. The provider then examines which route that will best deliver the message. It later forwards it to the Mobile Network Operator before ending at end-users.

How A2P Method Helps Your Business

The A2P method utilizes an application, usually web-based, to send messages to a mobile user. It acts as a one-way delivery technique that requires no replies from the recipients. It is often said as the Enterprise Messaging Solution.

Brands or business owners include the A2P solution as part of their marketing campaigns. As most of today’s customers use cellular phones, the A2P method accommodates for the marketers to reach their customers instantly.

Moreover, the A2P solution allows for sending a bulk of SMS thereby saves operating expenses as compared to Person-to-Person Messaging. The business texts can deliver messages on customer service tools, activation and authentication mechanisms, and product or service promotion.

For example, banking transactions, travel updates, product or service discounts, financial confirmations, and loyalty programs.

The attributes of the A2P method allows for quick delivery while the subscribers conduct their activities. SMS remains top choice for marketing campaigns because it has a high open rate level. Moreover, an SMS brings comfort for the recipients because it contains important points given the 160-character limitation.

Brand or business owners can customize their SMS to create a personal and complete customer journey. This is made possible with the cost of the A2P platform that can be adjusted with marketing budget.

Bulk SMS messaging is another name of Application-to-Person SMS (A2P) messaging. The term refers to sending SMS to a large number of recipients via cellular phones. A2P messaging accommodates various business goals in today’s unprecedented digital-driven customer behaviours.

As the customers become more dynamic, business players need to formulate communication strategies to accompany their subscribers’ journeys. As such, bulk SMS messaging will perform various roles under the customer relationship management task. Companies may use the platform for simply sending immediate SMS, such as one-time passwords and delivery notifications.

Another example is using bulk SMS messaging as an interactive messaging tool. In this regard, firms may utilize the tool for delivering group messaging services. And the third role refers to delivering incoming number services as seen in mobile marketing campaigns, voting or information lines.

Glancing at the Technical Aspect

Bulk SMS messaging enables the users to deploy one or more solutions to deliver and take SMS. They are mobile phone applications, a software programme, a web interface, and integrating an SMS API with their website or system. They hold the key role for sending SMS messages to all cellular holders all over the world.

The role comes into play as it works with a service providers’ SMS gateway. The SMS gateway bridges mobile network companies and wireless application service providers. The SMS gateway enables SMS traffic to be dispersed to Short Message Service Centre (SMSC) through a direct connection of a mobile network operation. Next, the SMS traffic is sent to a subscriber’s phone contact.

Bulk SMS messaging will assist all business sectors at all scales. If your business just launches the service, you can select the strategy for reaching out to customers for brand promotion. Medium-scale enterprises can use the strategy for informing on latest promotions and discounts. Whilst big firms can use the method for rewarding loyal buyers by sending long-term purchasing schemes with special discounts.

The A2P messaging will assist business in all sectors. For the banking industry, it will deliver banking alerts on the latest transaction or current banking account credit. In the tourism sector, A2P messaging will be immensely useful for sending flight reminders and train schedules.