How to Set Up Transactional SMS for Your Business

With a fast dynamic world on the rise in the digital world, businesses are supposed to provide the information to their customers as soon as they can. In messaging, whether it be to gain access through an OTP, receive a payment confirmation or get a message with respect to their package, it is a matter of speed. Transactional SMS comes in there. Contrary to the promotional messages, transactional SMS are intended to provide information of paramount importance that is time sensitive and sent by your business to customers. It is both quick and trustworthy and quite effective. When you establish it for your business, customers are better informed at the appropriate time; hence, they are more confident and satisfied, and the credibility of your brand is enhanced.

Understanding Transactional SMS

A transactional SMS is actually a form of a text message sent to the customers, but they are supposed to deliver necessary information instead of promoting the commercial world. Such messages could be delivered at any time of the day, even in the absence of Do Not Disturb (DND) constraints. The usual examples are one-time passwords (OTP), order confirmations, payment alerts, account updates and appointment reminders. In contrast to promotional SMS that are used to advertise companies or products and services, transactional SMS aims at providing value and customer communication without inconveniences. Businesses are also supposed to adhere to TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) to make messages legal and applicable to the ethics in India.

Why Businesses Should Use Transactional SMS

Sending transactional SMS has various advantages for any business, no matter how big it is. To begin with, these messages can be delivered 24 hours and 7 days comfortably, implying that the customer can receive an update anywhere, at any time. Second, they create trust since individuals depend on them as a source of secure information such as OTPs or payment confirmation. Thirdly, they are very dependable with an instant delivery rate, which makes them suitable when one needs to convey important messages. And lastly, they assist in improving the credibility of your brand – as customers recognise you to be communicating regularly and professionally, they will tend to be less prone to churn. Transactional SMS is an essential tool of present-day enterprises given increased engagement and trustworthiness.

Steps to Set Up Transactional SMS

Step 1: Choose a Reliable SMS Service Provider

The first step is finding a trusted SMS service provider that offers strong delivery rates, good uptime, competitive pricing, and solid customer support. Look for a provider that complies with industry regulations, has positive reviews, and offers easy integration options for your business systems.

Step 2: Register with DLT (Distributed Ledger Technology)

Businesses in India have to be registered on the DLT platform as required by the TRAI regulations in case they need to send messages in the form of SMS. The DLT registration allows minimising spam and makes message delivery transparent. When registering, you will be required to avail your business documents, sender ID information and message templates, which will be approved after registration.

Step 3: Create and Approve Templates

After registering you must design message templates to be used on your transactional SMS. Make them brief, straightforward and to the point. For example: "Dear Customer, Your OTP for login is 456789. Please do not share it with anyone." Ensure that the templates sent comply with the rules and have a reference in the non-DLT platform prior to your commencing the effort of sending messages.

Step 4: Integrate SMS API with Your System

Invest in SMS API to mitigate your task of sending SMS through your existing systems such as CRM, ERP, or e-commerce platforms. This makes messages automated to be sent when an event is met, e.g., order placement, payment, or appointment booking. Most providers have easy API documentation where a developer can easily have this step done.

Step 5: Test and Go Live

Test the system so as not to roll out your transactional SMS fully. To make sure that there are no formatting errors, delivery time issues, or accuracy of the sender ID, the trail messages should be sent. Look at monitor analytics to view openings and delivery reports. After all is faultless, you can go live and begin to provide real-time updates to your customers.

Best Practices for Transactional SMS

To make your transactional SMS more effective:

Make messages brief, succinct and effective.
A brand-consistent sender ID should always be utilised.
Remember you have a guideline to follow to avoid penalties.
Do not intertwine promotions in a transactional SMS, as it is a risk to trust and legality.

Conclusion

The idea of establishing transactional SMS in your business is not merely sending messages but being able to generate trust, security and real-time updates given to customers. As a result, you can simplify communications as well as enhance consumer satisfaction by enrolling in DLT, selecting an appropriate service provider, designing approved templates, and SMS system integration. As a transactional SMS service provider, SDGM Technologies provides trusted solutions to support your business to stay connected 24 hours a day.