Bulk SMS: What it entails and How to Send One

If you put one and two together, you will have a clue of what bulk sms is about from the two words that make it up. The two words already give an idea, which is many SMS (in terms of number). If this is what you have in mind, then you already have a significant clue about what bulk SMS is all about.

In this article, you will provide information surrounding the use of bulk SMS and the reliable bulk service provider that we have in Nigeria.

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What is Bulk SMS?

Bulk Messaging or SMS is a service where a sender can compose a message and forward it to a large group of recipients at once. The common cases where bulk is used is for promotional or marketing activities as it gives the sender access to a broader reach to a large audience.

Sending bulk SMS can be done via an API (Application Programming Interface), a software package, or using web-based apps to send short messages.

How to send Bulk SMS

The known available methods of sending bulk SMS include the following:

Using a bulk SMS service provider

We have certain service providers that have web-based platforms through which one can send bulk SMS to their audiences.

They have a price list that contains different numbers of services for the sending of bulk SMS. They just need you to compose the message, set the scheduling, and import the selected contacts that will receive the message.

API integration

This method involves coding to integrate a feature in your website or application which will enable you to create a list of contacts, compose a message, and send the message to the recipients.

SMS marketing software

You can buy software dedicated to the sending of bulk SMS and related activities. Every software has its features and the cost may differ from one another. It is important to know about the software to understand whether or not it has the capacity to fulfill the required purposes.

Sending bulk SMS involves the following major steps,

Step 1: Compile a list of recipients

First, you need to have a well-detailed database that will contain the list of recipients of the message. This list can be in the form of a spreadsheet or a database and should include the recipient’s phone number and any other relevant information, such as their name or location.

Step 2: Signup with a bulk SMS service provider

Choose your preferred bulk SMS service provider after you are sure that they fulfill your need. Sign-up on the platform and fill in the necessary details.

Step 3: Upload your recipient list

On the portal of the bulk SMS service provider, upload your recipient list. Your SMS messages will be sent using this list by the supplier.

Step 4: Compose your SMS message

To create your SMS message, use the platform provided by the bulk SMS service provider. You may add variables to your message to make it more unique, such as the recipient’s name.

Step 5: Send an SMS message

You may send your SMS message to the people on your recipient list once it has been written. The method of delivering the messages will be handled by the bulk SMS service provider, who will normally use a mix of telecommunications networks and the internet.

Step 6: Tracking and reporting

The bulk SMS service provider will normally give you a delivery report that details each SMS message’s status, including whether it was sent successfully or if any mistakes were made.

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Bulk SMS Service provider in Nigeria

You will come across hundreds of bulk SMS service providers if you make use of Google to check the list of bulk SMS service providers available in Nigeria. But the problem lies in finding the reliable one among them all.

Having gone through several reviews and testing out some of these service providers, I have a list of some of the bulk SMS service providers you can patronize.

Bulk SMS Nigeria: A provider that offers a user-friendly web-based platform for sending bulk SMS messages.
SimpleTexting: An SMS marketing platform that allows you to send and receive SMS messages from your customers.
CM Telecom: A provider that offers SMS messaging solutions for businesses and organizations of all sizes.
Textlocal: A provider that offers a range of SMS marketing services, including bulk SMS messaging and API integration.
Quicktext: A provider that offers web-based bulk SMS messaging solutions, as well as API integration options for developers.
PayGo: Offers low-cost bulk SMS services, starting at NGN 1.00 per SMS.
SmsMobile24: Offers bulk SMS services at a low cost, with pricing starting at NGN 0.75 per SMS.
Hepsibulksms: Offers bulk SMS services at a low cost, with pricing starting at NGN 0.70 per SMS.
Bulksmsnigeria.net: Offers bulk SMS services at a low cost, with pricing starting at NGN 0.80 per SMS.
Mybulksms.com.ng: Offers low-cost bulk SMS services, with pricing starting at NGN 1.00 per SMS.

Can Bulk SMS be traced?

Yes, it is possible to trace but the procedure is not without its challenges. There are concerns concerning the degree of anonymity of the bulk SMS sender since, occasionally, the recipient may be interested in learning where the message came from especially when it violates such a person’s privacy or contains malicious content.

The techniques used to convey the communications and the technologies employed by telecom carriers and law enforcement organizations will determine the degree of traceability.

Typically, bulk SMS service providers keep records of every message sent through their system, along with the sender ID, recipient phone number, and message time and date. If required, one can utilize this data to identify a message’s source. This information can be used to trace the origin of a message if necessary.

It’s crucial to remember that the use of fictitious or masked sender IDs, which might increase the difficulty to identify a message’s source, can hinder traceability. Traceability may also be hampered by the fact that certain bulk SMS network operators may not maintain records of the texts delivered over their system.

Law enforcement authorities can investigate and track the origin of messages that are unlawful or harmful by collaborating with telecom carriers and bulk SMS service providers. However, this procedure can take a while, and it might not always provide the desired results.

Limitations of Bulk SMS

Bulk SMS as a useful tool for communication is not without its limitations or disadvantages as you may call it. There are certain setbacks that one needs to consider to determine if the use of the bulk SMS approach is the right tool for the intended purpose.

Some of the limitations to check out include the following:

The length of the message

There is a limitation on the number of words and characters that you can put in your message.

Consequently, there is a limitation when the message you want to send is higher than the limit, and as such cases where one may require to clearly state the information may be difficult.

Delivery

There are cases where there will be issues with the delivery of the message to the destination. although bulk SMS is quick in terms of delivery.

There are certain times when there will be delays in the delivery of the message or cases where the feedback indicates successful delivery and in reality, it is not so.

These kinds of problems may arise due to network congestion, poor network coverage, or failure. In addition, the recipient may have settings that will discard such messages from getting delivered to the phone.

Hidden Charges

Some service providers providing bulk SMS service have hidden charges for the use of their service. Also, there are cases where one has to pay extra to access some features using the platform.

With this, the perceived cost of using the service is inflated and in the long run, may outweigh the cost of using the service as a cheap source.

Availability

The use of bulk SMS is not available in all countries and it is criminal or illegal to use bulk SMS. The use of bulk SMS in such countries can lead to criminal charges or get lawsuits on the account of an invasion of privacy or even fraud as the case may be.

One-Way Communication

Using bulk SMS to reach out to the audience does not give so much room for interactions and feedback and it is a limitation that comes with the use of bulk SMS.

Therefore, if the mode of communication with your audience requires your audience to give you responses and feedback then the use of bulk SMS is not the right tool to use.

Final Notes on Bulk SMS

Bulk SMS is a promotional and marketing tool that you can use to reach a large audience. You can send short messages in bulk at once to either promote a product, create a reminder, or send notifications, verification, and alerts to the recipients.

For anyone interested in the use of bulk SMS, the article explains the methods available and how one can send bulk SMS for any purpose.

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