Should I be using a cheap online SMS service?

Online SMS is an easy way to send an SMS from a computer without special software. It’s just a matter of logging into a website and providing a target audience list via CSV to the bulk SMS provider. By simply sending your required 160 word text message through means of a standard email process, the bulk SMS provider will do the rest for you. This makes online text messaging services perfect for organisations wanting to communicate a message or a notification for an appointment and payment reminder or do a marketing pitch; all can be done so quickly and effortlessly.

Online SMS providers in the UK will manage your text message distribution and handle user replies. Documenting the responses to an original message means knowing immediately what is going on, which is valuable for companies and organisations wanting immediate answers to matters like staff roistering or appointment reminders. It is a fast, efficient solution to an online email-to-sms delivery system.

Cheap Online SMS services

 

Cheap versus Premium Online SMS Service

In the UK, there are two forms of SMS gateway networks that you can engage. One is termed Premium which means that you will be using a top, efficient telecommunication network system, which large companies use to ensure their messages are guaranteed to be received by the end users from this network t the specified time required.  In the case of financial institutions, they use such SMS gateway services for Internet banking, which needs a secure, instantaneous and reliable messaging system. A premium charge is paid per SMS sent through such well established network systems but you have the guarantee and reliability that your customers will receive the text almost instantly with near 100% reliability. Premium SMS providers usually will not deal with businesses that distribute SMS in small volumes per month.

However, many businesses do not require such a type of premium SMS service. They require just a range for online SMS gateway services for their marketing needs such as reminders that need to be  distribute in bulk. In such instances, SMS providers use Hybrid carriers, which are usually overseas telecommunication ones where reliability and urgency are not a priority but are cheaper to use. The SMS is received by the user with a possible minimal delay of possibly minutes, and this is viewed as quite acceptable. Then, such interested businesses should consider this cheaper distribution based simply on price. =Cheap Online SMS services3

Several cheap online SMS providers use overseas network systems or use a lower tier in the British network system. It can be shown that sending an SMS using an overseas network system from the UK is surprisingly reliable. The main downside is the slower distribution time, which can be less than 15 minutes but other times longer (dependent on travel distance). The reporting system is still good and is generally reliable even though their response rates may be lower.

What do cheap online SMS providers offer

Based on the SMS Bulk Comparison Table provided, the best value online SMS providers offer:

  • Cheap SMS rates overall
  • Option of two-way SMS at no extra charge
  • Real-time status
  • Message personalisation
  • Full integration with the client’s email
  • 2-way discussion ability to view sent and received messages
  • No set-up fees, contracts or ongoing fees
  • Gateway system for fast message delivery

During the past few years, WholesaleSMS and SMS Broadcast have become relatively significant players in the online SMS British market. ClickSend is a cloud based SMS organisation focusing on sending and receiving SMS platform, email & voice services. They have operated in UK over the past decade.

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Features of cheap online providers

Cheap online SMS providers have many good features to offer.

Firstly, SMS distribution is a two-way communication process. The business needs to recognize that the online SMS system will send a text from a computer to a specific target audience nominated, and if required, they can receive replies for viewing on the web. If requested, this latter part can be forwarded to the business’s exact email address. Therefore, the company can analyse and assess the responses to the initially distributed message. This means the provider can track text messaging from the start on the mobile phone. Recording is an excellent way of measuring the success of the campaign distribution through their analysis via a delivery tracking system.

These online SMS distribution companies outlined provide high-speed connections to network suppliers for low-, medium-, or high-volume clients who need text messaging disseminated promptly.

Another great feature is that many of these online SMS companies are investigated to ensure they are anti-SPAM and comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) for security and privacy matters. They have a means of ‘cleaning’ their SMS contact list when imported and reformatted.

The graphical format shows that SMS Broadcast has the best online SMS competitor rating. This is followed by ClickSend, which offers similar high-quality features. The other competitors rate lower but should not be excluded from your decision as they, too, offer a good range of valued features.

Price Comparison of Cheap Online Providers

WholesaleSMS has become a relatively significant online SMS player in the British market for over a decade. It is one of the few cheap online providers that offers price matching.

Some drawbacks of WholesaleSMS are that they do not offer monthly plans and that their credits only last for 12 months. For small volumes of SMS distributed on a monthly basis, you may want to consider SMS Broadcast or ClickSend. Their rate for this range is cheaper than Wholesale SMS, and there is no credit expiry. If you require a virtual number, then you will incur a monthly charge.

Comparing the charges of each cheap online SMS provider, the review found a significant difference in charges and costs depending on the volume of text messaging distributed every month. Cellcast offered the cheapest rates for the low, medium, and substantial volumes of SMS texts sent out.

Therefore, Cellcast is no. 1, followed by SMS Broadcast and Notifyre. If you are a client or prospective client, please check to ensure the pricing schedules and charges have not changed.

Reliability of Online Cheap SMS Providers in the UK

With any UK business, one needs to be reassured that these cheap, online SMS bulk companies are reliable and reputable when they send online text messages to your customers, clients, staff, or specific groups. You need to be assured that your instructions and content can be scheduled for transmission at any set time, which is particularly relevant for reminders, appointments, or any important dates.

Many of the online SMS providers investigated have an up-time guarantee of 99% or better as part of their reliability assurance. All five major providers also have good customer service, whether it is phone support during business hours, email support, or the option of a free trial to see how the system works.

The reliability chart below shows that three of the significant online SMS services are regarded as reliable for distributing text messages. Cellcast and Notifyre are considered the most reliable.

About the Cheap Online SMS UK Comparison Table

The cheap online SMS UK comparison table has been prepared after extensive reviews and analysis of the essential features offered by each cheap SMS Provider. The authors have worked with leading SMS UK providers in the past and understand these businesses extensively. Therefore, they have the capability, understanding, and knowledge to independently judge several pertinent features they consider any business should use to compare SMS providers. Because the authors no longer work in the SMS arena, they have provided you with a fair, unbiased and independent overview of the text messaging services in the UK.

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The SMS Comparison Table is continually reviewed. However, cheap SMS providers in the UK can alter their charges and products without notice. It is advisable to always check prices and features before engaging an online SMS provider. Please inform this site and the table’s authors if any information is inaccurate or requires updating. Any necessary changes will be immediately made.

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The Comparison Table is accessible to readers. If you click on the selected SMS provider’s website and then engage their services, a commission may be requested. Intentionally, no advertising has been placed on this site.

 

This page was last updated on 5 June 2024.

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