How to start sending SMS

Updated 5 months ago

Sending an SMS using our API

Send SMS via the Online Dashboard

Quick SMS

This option is best if you need to send to less than 1000 recipients at a time. If you need to send to a large number of contacts or a list, we recommend using the 'Send SMS Campaigns' option below.

Log into the account dashboard
Select 'SMS' then 'Send Quick SMS'
In the 'To' field: Enter the recipients or contact lists and press enter
Choose from the 'From' dropdown. Click the (i) icon for options. If you're not sure what to choose, leave it as default.
Compose the message. Placeholders like '(First Name)' can be used if you're sending to a contact list.
Click 'Send Now' or if you want to schedule a message:
You're all done! If you want to check the status of sent messages, click on the 'History/Reporting' menu item.

Send SMS Campaign

This option is best if you'd like to send a campaign to a single list of contacts. You can send up to 20,000 recipients in a single campaign.

Log into the account dashboard
If you haven't yet imported your contacts into a contact list, follow the steps in the 'Import Contacts' section below.
Select 'SMS' then 'Send SMS Campaigns'
Click '+ Add Campaign'
Under 'To', Choose the contact list you'd like to send to.
Choose from the 'From' dropdown. Click the (i) icon for options. If you're not sure what to choose, leave it as default.
Compose the message. Placeholders like '(First Name)' can be used if required.
Click 'Send Now' or if you want to schedule a message:
You're all done! You can check on the status of your campaign on the 'Send SMS campaigns' menu, or if you want to check the status of an individual message, click on the 'History/Reporting' menu item.

Messenger

Your SMS replies will not only show in your history and reporting but also in messenger. Open Messenger. This will allow you to continue a conversation with each individual recipient If required. ( Please note that each message sent is still charged).

Sending an Email to SMS

This lets you send an email that gets converted to an SMS.

To get started:

Log into the account dashboard
go to 'SMS' then 'Email SMS'
Follow the steps to set up allowed email addresses.
Follow the steps to send an SMS using email.

Sending an SMS using Outlook

There are a few ways to send an SMS using Outlook.

Email to SMS (see above).
Using our Outlook Plugin

To install our Outlook Plugin:

Log into the account dashboard
go to 'SMS' then 'Outlook Plugin' and follow the steps.

Using the iPhone App

You can install our iPhone app from the Apple App Store:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/developer/clicksend/id1245465173

Using the Android App

You can install our Android app from the Google Play Store:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.clicksend

Setup Replies

Replies can be found here: SMS History and will also be emailed to the email address you used to sign up with. You can adjust the settings and edit/create a new inbound rule here: Inbound SMS Rules. There will already be two rules already created, 'default rule', and the 'op-out contact' rule.

The opt-out contact rule is created so any marketing messages that you send and receive a reply of stop (or a keyword of your choice) will be removed from your contact list and into its opt-out contact list.

Register a Sender ID (optional)

A Sender ID is a unique name or s phone number that appears as a Sender of your text messages. Here in ClickSend, we have 4 Sender IDs you can use. More info

If you plan on receiving guaranteed inbound SMS, purchase a dedicated number you can do so here. If you require to send or receive SMS and MMS, you will need to purchase an MMS-enabled number. Other benefits to having a dedicated number is it allows you to advertise this number as your own. It will also allow customers to message you first without having you having to contact them first.

Import Contacts

Follow these steps to import contacts: How to Import Contacts

Setting up Templates

If you will be using the same content in the future, you can create templates and save them for future reference. This can be done here: Open Templates

Set up an Autoresponder

You can ask your customers to SMS something to a number and have our system automatically respond with an SMS. Here's a guide on how to do it: http://help.clicksend.com/SMS/how-can-i-setup-a-sms-auto-responder