What to Look for When Choosing the Best SMS APIs

With so many emails and social media messages, SMS has become a key tool for real-time communication. 

SMS technology allows businesses to send messages quickly and easily, directly reaching their audiences. It provides a simple and effective way to build personal connections with customers, moving from broad messages to more targeted ones.

As we look at the benefits and impact of SMS, we’ll see how it’s becoming a vital part of modern business strategies. With so many options available in 2024, we’ll explain how to choose the right SMS API for your business.

What is an SMS API?

APIs (Application Programming Interface), in general, provide a method for software applications to communicate with one another and prompt an action to be executed. 

In the case of SMS APIsthey allow software applications to trigger send SMS messages to be sent and can update applications based on specific responses, such as an appointment being rescheduled. 

It acts as a bridge between your applications such as, CRMs, Point of Sale, Scheduling applications, etc and an SMS software solution for more efficient and seamless communication.

How SMS APIs Work

SMS APIs translate software instructions from an e-commerce platform or a CRM system, as an example, into commands that command the SMS solution to send the appropriate, customized text message to the right person

When a user sends an SMS through an app, the API processes this request and directs the message for delivery.

Not all APIs are Created Equal

SMS APIs are created based on the functionality offered by the SMS solution. This functionality will determine the actions and webhooks that are available to use for integration between the SMS solution and other existing software applications. 

For example, if being able to send text messages associated with appointment scheduling, such as confirmations, requests for in-take forms, reminders, rescheduling, and post-appointment follow-up are important, you need to be sure that those actions are available in the SMS API or it will not be possible to automate those functions easily. 

It is critical to think through all the use cases that may be needed in order to evaluate the API at the technical level of detail required to ensure success.

Use Cases of SMS APIs

SMS APIs offer a versatile and powerful way for businesses to boost customer communication. They automate and simplify various processes for easier connection with customers. Here are some of its key use cases:

Marketing Campaigns

There are many ways APIs can support marketing and lead generation programs. For example, if you’re running an ad campaign and a prospect completes, or even partially completes, a form indicating their interest in one or more of your special promotions on offer, what actions would  you like to perform., Instead of responding by manually sending text messages to each prospect, you can use an SMS API to automate the follow-up process, making it more efficient and timely. 

For example, the lead management system could use an API call to instruct the SMS software service to send out an immediate text message with more details about the type of promotion they chose and letting them know the next step to take to receive it. 

It ensures your customers receive timely responses that increase engagement and conversions before they have time to consider another vendor. 

Additionally, SMS APIs allow for extensive personalization. Using customer data, you can create messages that address customers by name and reference their purchase history or preferences. 

For instance, “Hi John, thanks for being a loyal customer. Please enjoy 20% off on your next purchase of our winter collection!” Personalization helps make the message more engaging and relevant, which increases the likelihood of a positive response.

Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Security is a top priority for any business, especially when it involves customer data and transactions. SMS APIs can be used to facilitate additional security through two-factor authentication.  In the case of two-factor authentication, when a user logs into your system or makes a transaction, the API sends a verification code to their phone. For an extra layer of security, the user must enter this code to complete the process.

This method not only helps in protecting user accounts from unauthorized access but also builds trust with your customers. They can feel confident that their personal information is safe and secure.

Customer Service

Providing excellent customer service is essential for retaining customers and maintaining a positive brand image. SMS APIs can simplify customer service processes by automating the sending of order confirmations, delivery updates, and service reminders.

For example, once a customer places an order, the API can automatically instruct the SMS software to send a confirmation message with the order details. As the order progresses, additional updates can be sent, such as shipping notifications and delivery confirmations. 

This keeps customers informed throughout the process without requiring manual intervention from your staff.

In service-based industries, SMS APIs can be used to send appointment reminders or service updates. This reduces the likelihood of missed appointments and keeps customers engaged with your services.

Internal Communication

SMS APIs aren’t only for customer-facing applications; they can also improve internal communication within your organization. 

For instance, you can send urgent notifications to employees, such as schedule changes, meeting reminders, or critical updates. This ensures that important information is communicated quickly and efficiently.

In emergency situations, SMS can be a reliable way to reach employees promptly. Whether it’s a weather alert or a critical system issue, SMS ensures that your team is informed and can take appropriate action immediately.

Why Businesses Need SMS APIs

Manually sending thousands of text messages to your customers can be exhausting. That’s where SMS APIs become invaluable to businesses of all sizes. They automate this process to make texting quicker and error-free. 

SMS has a high open rate, with 98% of messages read within three minutes. Through SMS APIs, businesses can send personalized messages to increase customer loyalty and satisfaction.

If you run an e-commerce platform, you can use an SMS API to send order confirmations and delivery updates instantly. SMS APIs also allow you to send SMS to customers, which can be crucial for updates, promotions, and notifications. 

APIs can also automate routine communication tasks. For example, an appointment reminder system can automatically send reminders to patients to reduce no-shows. APIs also scale with your business, handling increased message volumes as your customer base grows.

Key Features to Look for in the Best SMS APIs

Choosing the right SMS API is essential for effective communication and operational efficiency. Here are the key features to consider when selecting the best SMS API for your business:

Reliability and Uptime

Reliability and uptime are crucial factors to consider when selecting an SMS provider and using their APIs. You need a level of integration that ensures your messages are delivered promptly and consistently.

Downtime may cause missed opportunities and frustrated customers. Therefore, opt for an SMS service provider with an uptime of at least 99.9%. A high uptime percentage means the service is dependable and minimizes the chances of interruptions.

If you run an e-commerce site, promptly sending order confirmations and delivery updates is critical. An unreliable provider could delay these messages, leading to customer dissatisfaction and potential loss of business. 

So, always check the provider’s service level agreements (SLAs) and customer reviews to gauge their reliability.

Ease of Integration

The SMS API should be easy to integrate with your existing systems. Look for APIs that offer comprehensive documentation, SDKs, and support for various programming languages. 

This makes the setup process smoother and less time-consuming.

Detailed documentation and sample code can reduce the development time if you’re integrating an SMS API with your CRM system. SMS API providers that offer integration support and tools help ensure a seamless implementation process.

Excellent Customer Support

Good customer support can make integration and troubleshooting easier. Check if support is available 24/7, as issues can arise at any time. 

Multiple support channels (chat, email, phone) provide flexibility in how you seek help. Fast response times are crucial, especially during critical incidents or high-volume campaigns. 

SMS API solutions like Textellent are known for their responsive support teams.

Scalability

As your business grows, your communication needs will increase. Choose an SMS API that can scale with your business, allowing you to send large volumes of messages without performance issues. 

Scalability ensures that your API can handle peak loads and support future growth.

Personalization and Customization

Personalized messages are more engaging and effective. Look for SMS APIs that allow you to customize messages with customer data, such as names, appointment types and times, purchase history, and preferences. 

This feature can improve your SMS marketing campaigns and promote customer satisfaction.

Why Choose Textellent As The Best SMS API Provider?

Textellent’s SMS API service provides robust capabilities for those looking to integrate SMS functionality into their applications:

• Supports interactive use of the APIs using your existing Textellent account
• Support detailed actions associated with scheduling, managing, and follow-up of appointments 
• Allows you to connect your Textellent account with other OAuth2-compliant applications
• Uses an authCode sent via HTTP request header with no expiration period
• Uses both authCode and partnerClientCode sent via HTTP request header

Textellent’s Interactive API Documentation improves the integration experience. You can view the API specification in OpenAPI format for a detailed overview. Additionally, the Postman collection can be downloaded to simplify integration efforts.

What makes Textellent stand out among other SMS API providers? 

Textellent uses your existing business phone numbers to keep things familiar for your customers. This platform also allows sending images via MMS, which not all providers offer. 

Their keyword functionality with both shared short codes and long codes ensures that all responses are from real phone numbers for a personal touch.

Textellent’s appointment management capabilities are more comprehensive than many standard scheduling tools, allowing a wide range of integration options with third-party scheduling applications. This is just one aspect that makes its API stand out from other providers.

For example,, it allows you to collect post-appointment reviews and book follow-up appointments with ease using the API.

Textellent also excels in lead management, from generation to nurturing and follow-up, thanks to its ability to send automated, personalized messages right when a lead shows interest. 

Their system tracks engagement and conversions and offers a rich template library to make it easy to create your own campaigns more effectively. This ensures you’re supporting customers throughout their entire journey with your business.

SMS API Pricing

This business texting solution offers a variety of pricing plans customized to your industry, message volume, and required features. There is no charge for using the API. Professional services are available upon request.

Most of their plans start at $29 per month, but if you’re in the accounting and tax industry, there is a wide range of integration options available to you. For that pricing, you can use a unique calculator to estimate costs.

How to Implement an SMS API with Textellent

Implementing an SMS API can boost your communication processes and enhance customer engagement. Here’s a detailed step-by-step guide to help you get started.

Step 1: Choose the Right SMS Provider and evaluate their API 

Start by researching and selecting the  SMS solution and its API that meets your business needs. Consider factors like message delivery reliability, global reach, pricing, and customer support.

Textellent provides comprehensive API documentation, including various authentication options and interactive API usage with your existing Textellent account. 

It also includes a link to a Postman collection to support integration efforts. For more details, visit the Textellent Developer Portal.

Step 2: Sign Up for an Account

Visit Textellent’s website and sign up for an account. Verify your account as required.

Step 3: Get API Credentials

Review Textellent’s API material, and generate your API keys and tokens. These credentials are necessary for authenticating your API requests.

Step 4: Read the API Documentation

Access the API documentation provided by Textellent. This documentation will explain the various endpoints, request formats, and response formats, as well as provide code examples. Textellent’s documentation is designed to support interactive use and ease of integration.

Step 5: Set Up Your Development Environment

Prepare your development environment by installing the necessary software and dependencies. Ensure you have a suitable text editor or IDE and relevant libraries for making HTTP requests.

Step 6: Write the Code to Send SMS Messages

Write the code to integrate the SMS API into your application. Add error handling to manage potential issues like network errors, invalid input, or API limits. 

Step 7: Test Your Implementation

Before going live, thoroughly test your implementation. Send test messages to various numbers and verify their delivery. Check for common errors like incorrect API keys, invalid phone numbers, and network issues.

Step 9: Monitor and Analyze Performance

Use Textellent’s reporting and analytics tools to monitor your SMS campaigns. Track delivery rates, open rates, and response times to optimize your messaging strategy. You can adjust your approach based on the data to improve effectiveness.

Capture More Leads with Textellent’s Dynamic SMS API

Transform your business communication with Textellent’s advanced SMS APIs and seamless integrations.

Whether aiming to boost customer engagement, simplify operations, or achieve your omnichannel KPIs, our cutting-edge tools are designed to support your goals.

Don’t let complexity hold you back. Sign up for a free trial or schedule a demo consultation today!

FAQs About SMS APIs

What is the difference between an SMS API and an SMS gateway?

An SMS API allows developers to integrate SMS sending and receiving capabilities into their applications. On the other hand, an SMS gateway API provider is the medium that sends messages to mobile networks. The API is the interface, while the gateway is the infrastructure that delivers the messages.

How do SMS APIs handle message delivery failures?

SMS APIs typically have built-in mechanisms to handle delivery failures. They can provide status reports indicating whether bulk SMS messages were delivered, failed, or are still pending. Some APIs also offer retry mechanisms, automatically resending messages that fail to deliver on the first attempt.

Are there any limitations on the number of messages I can send?

Most SMS APIs do not have a hard limit on the number of messages you can send, but there may be practical constraints based on your pricing plan and infrastructure capabilities. It is important to choose an API that can scale with your SMS messaging needs.