Tips for ensuring successful SMS delivery

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Tips for Ensuring Successful SMS Delivery

SMS (Short Message Service) has become an integral communication tool for businesses to connect with their customers. However, for SMS campaigns to be effective, it is critical to ensure that messages are successfully delivered to recipients. This article provides essential tips to help marketers optimize the delivery of SMS messages sent via ActiveCampaign.

Introduction

In an age where instant communication is expected, having a reliable SMS delivery system can significantly enhance your customer engagement. SMS messages offer a direct line to your contacts, but poor delivery rates can hinder your efforts. By following specific guidelines, you can not only improve your SMS delivery success but also maintain compliance with regulations and enhance the credibility of your communications.

This article will cover vital aspects of SMS usage within ActiveCampaign including access methods, detailed instructions, best practices, troubleshooting tips, and frequently asked questions regarding SMS delivery success.

How to Access This Feature

To utilize SMS capabilities in ActiveCampaign, you must have purchased the SMS add-on. This feature is available for the following plan types: Plus, Professional, and Enterprise. You can access SMS messaging functionality through your Automations, which allow you to send SMS messages to contacts who have mobile phone numbers.

For further information on sending SMS messages from an automation, please refer to the guide on how to send SMS messages to your Contacts.

Step-by-Step Instructions

To ensure optimal SMS delivery, follow these steps when sending messages:

1. **Obtain Explicit Consent**: Make sure contacts have explicitly opted in to receive SMS messages. Legal compliance and customer trust are paramount.

2. **Keep Messages Concise**: SMS messages are limited to 160 characters, making it crucial to convey your message clearly and briefly.

3. **Avoid Link Shorteners**: Do not use link shorteners such as Bit.ly in your SMS messages as these can be flagged as spam. This prohibition is in place to ensure higher deliverability rates. For more on link shorteners, see the rules for free or public link shorteners.

4. **Use Default Phone Field**: Ensure that you are using the default phone number field in your ActiveCampaign account. Custom fields you may have created for mobile numbers will not be utilized by the SMS sending service.

5. **Incorporate Automatic Opt-Outs**: ActiveCampaign will automatically add an opt-out clause for contacts if your message does not already contain one, ensuring that recipients can easily stop receiving messages.

6. **Follow Proper Number Formatting**:

  - **International Numbers**: Use the E.164 format for phone numbers outside the United States, which includes:
      * A "+" sign
      * The International Country Calling code
      * The Local Area code
      * The Local phone number
  For example, a Brazilian contact's number should be formatted as +55 123 456 789.
  
  - **U.S. Numbers**: For contacts within the United States, include the full number along with the area code (e.g., 123 456 7890). Note that ActiveCampaign does not reformat numbers; it saves them as submitted.

Configuration Options and Settings

When setting up your SMS messages within ActiveCampaign, consider the following options:

• **SMS Add-On**: This is a required purchase to access SMS functionalities and can be added to your Plus, Professional, or Enterprise plans.

• **Default Phone Field**: Always input contact numbers into the default phone number field to ensure successful message delivery.

• **Message Length**: Keep your SMS within the 160-character limit to enhance readability and ensure complete delivery.

Best Practices and Tips

Here are some best practices to enhance your SMS delivery success:

• **Clear Opt-In Process**: Always ensure that you have a clear and straightforward opt-in process for contacts wishing to receive SMS notifications.

• **Engaging Content**: Create engaging content that is concise yet contains a clear call to action, encouraging recipients to interact with your message.

• **Timing**: Send messages at optimal times based on your audience's habits to increase the likelihood of response and engagement.

• **Monitor Deliverability**: Regularly check your SMS delivery rates and analytics to understand performance and make necessary adjustments.

Troubleshooting Section

If you encounter issues with SMS delivery, consider the following steps:

• **Verify Opt-In Status**: Ensure that contacts have indeed opted in to receive SMS messages.
• **Check Phone Number Format**: Validate that the phone numbers are formatted correctly, especially for international contacts.
• **Avoid Prohibited Links**: Ensure that no prohibited or shortened links are included in the SMS.
• **Confirm Default Field Usage**: Double-check that you are using the default phone field for sending messages.

Related Features

For more information and tools to enhance your SMS experience, consider exploring the following features:

• Automation
• Contact Management
• Message Personalization

FAQ

• What is the character limit for SMS messages?

 - SMS messages have a limit of 160 characters per message.

• Is explicit consent required for sending SMS?

 - Yes, contacts must have explicitly opted in to receive SMS messages from your brand.

• Can I use custom phone number fields?

 - No, only the default phone number field can be used for sending SMS messages.

• What happens if I don’t include an opt-out option in my message?

 - ActiveCampaign will automatically include an opt-out clause for contacts if one is missing.

• Do I need to format international phone numbers?

 - Yes, international numbers must follow the E.164 formatting standard.

• How can I improve my SMS delivery rates?

 - Follow best practices like obtaining clear opt-ins, sending concise messages, and monitoring deliverability rates regularly.

• What should I do if messages are not delivering?

 - Check for consent, correct number formatting, and make sure to avoid using prohibited link shorteners.

By adhering to these tips and guidelines, you can maximize the effectiveness of your SMS campaigns within ActiveCampaign, ensuring successful delivery and engagement with your market. ```