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SMS API

Clickatell’s SMS Gateway Makes Global Bulk Text Messaging Easy

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Clickatell’s bulk SMS gateway allows you to send or receive Short Message Service (SMS) communications to or from more than 1000 mobile networks.

Thousands of customers trust Clickatell to send millions of SMS text messages around the world every day. With one easy SMS API integration,you can also enjoy the benefits of our global reach and SMS-enable any application,website or system, facilitate international two-way messaging using long numbers and short codes, and more.

What is an SMS API?

An SMS API allows you to integrate SMS services with your website, third-party application or service, mobile app, CRM etc. An API for sending SMS messages is the easiest way to send automated bulk SMS messages directly from your own platform.

In basic terms, an API like the SMS gateway APIs offered by Clickatell, are a means by which the functions of one computer program or script are made available for use by another. By using an SMS API to connect to Clickatell’s SMS gateway, you have the ability to start sending and receiving messages, via any application, instantly. You can communicate with our SMS API in PHP, C#, Javascript, or just about any other coding language your development team is working in. For example, an e-commerce site may integrate an SMS API for authentication purposes as well as to send delivery status messages and notifications of special promotions; the education sector integrates an SMS API for reminders for exams and parent-teacher meetings as well as new student recruitment; retailers integrate an API for text messaging to increase foot traffic to their brick and mortar stores; and event organizers often use SMS API integration to confirm event details with attendees. These are just a few of the plethora of ways that our customers are currently integrating our SMS APIs.

Here are a couple of reasons why businesses are choosing to use one-way SMS

Improved customer support

SMS messages can be created and delivered to the recipient’s phone within a matter of minutes.

Low cost

SMS marketing costs significantly less than other advertising options such print, radio, or TV.

Combined with the brilliant open rates, the low cost makes bulk SMS one of the best options for a maximum return on investment (ROI) that you’ll find.

Improved customer support

Not only are nearly all SMS messages opened, they’re typically read within 90 seconds of being sent.

Open rate

SMS enjoys a staggering open rate of 98%. That means that nearly every single text message sent is being opened. In comparison, emails are only opened 22% of the time.

Bulk SMS is not only used for marketing purposes though. Many businesses use one-way SMS messaging to improve internal processes and communication between employees, for example, and financial institutions take advantage of the immediacy of SMS for time sensitive messages like one-time PINs.

What are my options?

Clickatell currently offers two SMS APIs to integrate with our SMS gateway via Clickatell Platform. Which API you choose really depends on your development capabilities, so if you’re not sure which to go with, don’t hesitate to contact our support team who’ll be more than happy to assist.

HTTP API

Our HTTP API enables you to send basic HTTP/S calls to the SMS API. You can loop through your database of mobile numbers and make HTTP/S requests to send your bulk text messages to them. This is the most basic form of API and is extremely easy to use and integrate. It also offers simplified integration and testing and is a great option if you’re looking for a limited development alternative.

REST API

REST makes use of a specific set of constraints or programmatic rules which are applied over the HTTP protocol layer. Simply put, REST refers to the way in which HTTP should be used. A greater variety of API calls and features are available, and therefore, greater development capability. The REST API is still extremely easy to integrate and allows for the use of a number of structured rules for webhooks.

API developer documentation

We’ve put together a range of documents to help you write applications and interact with the Clickatell Platform SMS APIs.

Why choose Clickatell as your bulk SMS service provider?

Join more than 15000 global brands who have chosen Clickatell as their preferred SMS gateway provider.

Text messaging that delivers

Achieve a staggering 98% open rate for your bulk SMS messages. One-way and two-way text messaging options available.

Global SMS coverage

Clickatell’s SMS platform delivers billions of messages across 1000+ networks every month for top companies like Telegram, WhatsApp and IMDb.

Easy SMS integration

Integrate Clickatell Platform into your existing systems or apps – quickly and hassle-free. Use only 1 SMS gateway API to reach them all.

Cloud-based interface

Cloud-hosted user-friendly web interface offering simple wizard-driven code generation that’s quick and easy to use.

In the banking world, where forgetting the growing mobile audience would be dangerous, reliability and immediate response times from our SMS provider are critical. Clickatell delivers a reliable and time-critical messaging service which we can depend on. After testing their technology solutions and systems, we have found them to be technologically sound and robust.

Petros Chakwizira - Senior IT Manager

In the banking world, where forgetting the growing mobile audience would be dangerous, reliability and immediate response times from our SMS provider are critical. Clickatell delivers a reliable and time-critical messaging service which we can depend on. After testing their technology solutions and systems, we have found them to be technologically sound and robust.

Petros Chakwizira - Senior IT Manager

In the banking world, where forgetting the growing mobile audience would be dangerous, reliability and immediate response times from our SMS provider are critical. Clickatell delivers a reliable and time-critical messaging service which we can depend on. After testing their technology solutions and systems, we have found them to be technologically sound and robust.

Petros Chakwizira - Senior IT Manager

In the banking world, where forgetting the growing mobile audience would be dangerous, reliability and immediate response times from our SMS provider are critical. Clickatell delivers a reliable and time-critical messaging service which we can depend on. After testing their technology solutions and systems, we have found them to be technologically sound and robust.

Petros Chakwizira - Senior IT Manager

If you are interested in using the HLR service, please contact our sales division.

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