What is Bulk SMS Messaging?
Bulk SMS messaging is a term for sending lots of SMS messages from an application or website to people’s phones.
Originally, it meant sending a large number of messages to a specific group all at once.
These days, SMS messaging has grown to include not just bulk messaging but also single transactional messages like OTPs (One Time Passwords) and delivery notifications.
The term bulk SMS has come to mean using a web based platform to send out SMS, rather than an SMS API. It’s often referred to as a web SMS.
How Does Bulk SMS Messaging Work?
One of the key features of bulk SMS messaging is that businesses and organisations can use various tools to send and receive messages. These tools include:
Mobile apps
Software programs
Web interfaces
SMS APIs that can be integrated with websites or systems
These solutions connect to an SMS gateway, which ensures messages get delivered to phones worldwide. Think of an SMS gateway as a middleman that links mobile network operators and service providers, making sure the messages go through to the recipients.
Why Use Bulk SMS Messaging?
The use of bulk SMS messaging is always changing as new needs come up. Whether you’re a big company, a small business, a community group, or an educational institution, bulk SMS messaging offers a cost-effective way to manage communications with both small and large groups.
There are many bulk SMS providers to choose from, all them with great products, reliability and service.
Compliance and regulations for bulk SMS
Before you start sending bulk SMS messages, make sure you follow the rules and regulations of your country and the countries you’re sending messages to. This helps you avoid any legal issues or complaints about spam.
In the UK, for example if you want to send a marketing bulk SMS message, you need to have the person’s express opt in for receiving marketing messages and you need to give them a way of opting out on every message that you send.
In short, bulk SMS messaging is a powerful and evolving tool for keeping in touch with a large audience efficiently.
We’ve written a much more detailed article about bulk SMS and everything that’s involved!
The SMS Works will be launching a web based bulk SMS marketing platform in January 2025.
