Reach millions fast with Infobip’s bulk SMS service

Our mass texting service empowers you to reach global audiences in seconds, ensuring your communication is fast, reliable, and secure.

Global reach: Message customers worldwide through our extensive network of 800+ direct telco connections.
Advanced features: Personalize, schedule, and analyze your campaigns with ease.
Seamless integration: Integrate effortlessly with your existing systems and automate your messaging.

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Main benefits of bulk SMS

Bulk SMS, also known as mass text messaging, refers to sending a high volume of text messages to many recipients at the same time. It’s often used in the context of marketing campaigns, but it can also be used for sending notifications, updates, and more. Here are its main benefits:

Global reach

SMS can be delivered to any mobile device, without requiring internet access. This makes it an indispensable tool for reaching a diverse audience without barriers.

Highest open rates

With SMS, your message is almost guaranteed to be seen. Most texts are opened within 90 seconds of receiving, which ensures your communication is timely and impactful.

Cost efficiency

When it comes to reaching a large audience, SMS is a budget-friendly option. It offers a high return on investment compared to other methods.

Rapid delivery

Time-sensitive information needs a fast channel, and SMS delivers. Messages are sent and received almost instantly, making it perfect for urgent updates or time-limited offers.

Personal touch

Personalization is key to engagement, and today’s SMS platforms excel at this. You can tailor your messages to resonate with your audience, boosting interaction and response rates.

Trackable success

With delivery reports and analytics, our bulk SMS platform provides detailed insights into your campaign’s performance. This data-driven approach helps refine strategies for even better results.

High engagement

SMS prompts immediate action, whether it’s a promotion, survey, or feedback request. Its direct nature encourages quick responses, enhancing customer interaction.

Versatile applications

From marketing promotions to alerts, reminders, and customer service updates, SMS is a versatile channel that can fit various business needs.

How to start sending bulk SMS

Here is a simple step-by-step process you can follow to get started, using our platform as an example.

Create an Infobip account

Sign up for an Infobip account to access our portal. This allows you to send messages on various channels, including SMS.

Tip: If you want to send SMS via API, signing up allows you to generate an API key that will be used to authenticate your requests.

Infobip portal dialog box titled 'Pick a channel' with options to select 'SMS,' 'Viber,' or 'Voice.' Includes a link to 'Request channel' if the desired option isn't listed, and buttons for 'Cancel' and 'Add.

Learn more about getting started with SMS

Flexible pricing models

Choose a pricing model that best suits your needs.

See SMS pricing

Pay-as-you-go

Top up your account as you need with a flexible, pay-as-you-go model.

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Volume-based discounts

Want to send large amounts of SMS? Get a special offer for high volumes.

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Main features of our mass texting service

We provide a suite of platforms and features to help you achieve the best results.

Personalization using customer data

Add a personal touch to SMS messages with personalization features available through our Customer Data Platform, People. Use demographic, behavioral data, and other important pieces of information to tailor SMS messages for online shoppers.

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Use cases and examples of bulk SMS

From retail to logistics, SMS is used across various industries. Here are some of the most common use cases, with examples.:

Retail and eCommerce

Promotional offers: “Enjoy an exclusive 20% off on your next purchase! Use code SAVE20 at checkout. Offer valid until December 31. Visit us today or shop online at example.com.”
New product launches: “Our new product collection is now available! Be among the first to explore our latest arrivals. Visit our store or shop online at example.com. Don’t miss out!”
Event invitations: “Join us for an exclusive in-store event on January 15 at 3 PM. Enjoy live demos, special discounts, and more. RSVP by replying YES. We hope to see you there!”

Travel & hospitality

Promotional offers: “Fly to your dream destination with 30% off on all flights. Book by Apr 1st: example.com”
Booking confirmation: Your hotel booking is confirmed for May 15-20. Check-in is at 3 PM. For more details, visit example.com or contact us at 123-456-7890.”
Trip updates: “Your flight to New York on January 15 has been delayed. The new departure time is 5:30 PM. For more information, please check: example.com.”

Logistics

Order confirmation: Your order #123456 has been successfully placed. You can track your shipment and view details at example.com.
Delivery notifications: Your package has been dispatched and is expected to arrive on January 15. Track your delivery at example.com.
Driver alerts: “Route change for delivery #78910. Please take the alternate route via Main Street due to road closures. Contact dispatch at 123-456-7890 for further instructions.”
Inventory alerts: “Low stock on item #A123 in Warehouse 5. Please initiate restocking procedures immediately to avoid shortages. Check inventory levels at example.com.”

Bulk SMS marketing compliance and regulations

It’s important to follow rules and regulations to avoid legal issues and respect consumer rights. The TCPA in the United States and the GDPR in Europe are two examples of these regulations.

TCPA in the US

The TCPA is a law that regulates telemarketing calls and text messages. Not following the TCPA can lead to hefty fines, up to $500 per violation, or $1,500 for intentional violations. Its requirements are:

Written consent: You must get clear written permission from recipients before sending promotional texts. This consent should clearly state that they agree to receive messages.
Opt-out option: Every SMS must include an easy way for recipients to stop future messages, usually by replying with “STOP.”
Time limits: Send messages only between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. local time to avoid disturbing recipients.
Record keeping: Keep records of consent and opt-out requests to prove compliance if needed.

GDPR in the EU

The GDPR is a key data protection law in the EU that affects how businesses handle personal data, including for SMS marketing. Failing to comply with GDPR can result in heavy fines, up to €20 million or 4% of annual global turnover, whichever is higher. Important requirements include:

Lawful basis: You must have a valid reason, like consent or legitimate interest, to process personal data.
Explicit consent: Consent must be clear, specific, and freely given. It should be obtained through a clear action, like checking a box.
Right to withdraw: Inform recipients they can withdraw consent anytime, and make it easy for them to do so.
Data protection: Use proper measures to protect personal data and ensure its confidentiality and integrity.

Helping you ensure SMS compliance

Understanding and complying with data protection regulations like GDPR and TCPA is essential for sending SMS as a business. Our platform makes this easier with features such as consent management, secure data handling, and detailed auditing, ensuring you meet both regional and international legal requirements.

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Bulk SMS marketing strategies

Strategic planning is essential, especially regarding campaign scheduling and timing. Here are some key elements you should consider in your messaging strategy:

Optimal timing

Send messages when your audience is most likely to engage, such as during lunch breaks or early evenings. Avoid early morning or late-night messages to prevent disturbances. Be aware of local regulations on sending times to avoid penalties.

Explore send-time optimization

Campaign scheduling

Use scheduling tools to plan your SMS campaigns ahead of time. This helps align your messages with events, promotions, or customer behaviors, ensuring timely delivery without manual effort.

Explore scheduling

Segmentation

Divide your audience based on factors like demographics, purchase history, or engagement levels. Tailor messages to each segment for increased relevance and engagement. Personalized messages are more likely to resonate and prompt action

Explore segmentation

Frequency management

Balance how often you send messages to avoid overwhelming your audience. Too many messages can lead to opt-outs, while too few may miss opportunities. Monitor engagement metrics to find the right frequency.

Explore frequency capping

Content optimization

Create concise, compelling messages with a clear call-to-action. Use language that resonates with your audience and fits your brand voice. Test different formats to see what works best.

Explore SMS language optimization

Performance tracking

Use reporting tools to track your SMS campaign performance. Key metrics include delivery rates, open rates, click-through rates, and conversion rates. Tools like Infobip’s analytics dashboard offer real-time insights, helping you adjust strategies based on performance data.

Explore reporting

1

final String platform = ;

OkHttpClient client = new OkHttpClient().newBuilder() .build(); MediaType mediaType = MediaType.parse("application/json"); RequestBody body = RequestBody.create(mediaType, "{\"personData\":{\"externalId\":\"1\",\"firstName\":\"Jane\",\"lastName\":\"Smith\",\"address\":\"67 Farringdon Road\",\"city\":\"London\",\"country\":\"United Kingdom\",\"gender\":\"FEMALE\",\"birthDate\":\"1966-01-15\",\"middleName\":\"Janie\",\"profilePicture\":\"http://profile.com\",\"tags\":[\"VIP Customers\",\"New Customers\"],\"customAttributes\":{\"Contract Expiry\":\"2018-06-01\",\"Company\":\"Acme\"},\"contactInformation\":{\"phone\":[{\"number\":\"41793026727\"},{\"number\":\"41793026728\"}],\"email\":[{\"address\":\"jane@acme.com\"},{\"address\":\"janesmith@acme.com\"}]}},\"flowVariables\":{\"orderDate\":\"2021-09-01\",\"orderDetails\":\"Extended Weight, Discount\",\"orderNumber\":1234567}}"); Request request = new Request.Builder() .url("https://{baseUrl}/communication/1/flows/10159347/participants?phone&email=janewilliams@example.com&externalId=8edb24b5-0319-48cd-a1d9-1e8bc5d577ab&pushRegistrationId=8edb24b5-0319-48cd-a1d9-1e8bc5d577ab") .method("POST", body) .addHeader("Authorization", "{authorization}") .addHeader("Content-Type", "application/json") .addHeader("Accept", "application/json") .build(); Response response = client.newCall(request).execute();

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import http.client import json conn = http.client.HTTPSConnection("{baseUrl}") payload = json.dumps({ "personData": { "externalId": "1", "firstName": "Jane", "lastName": "Smith", "address": "67 Farringdon Road", "city": "London", "country": "United Kingdom", "gender": "FEMALE", "birthDate": "1966-01-15", "middleName": "Janie", "profilePicture": "http://profile.com", "tags": [ "VIP Customers", "New Customers" ], "customAttributes": { "Contract Expiry": "2018-06-01", "Company": "Acme" }, "contactInformation": { "phone": [ { "number": "41793026727" }, { "number": "41793026728" } ], "email": [ { "address": "jane@acme.com" }, { "address": "janesmith@acme.com" } ] } }, "flowVariables": { "orderDate": "2021-09-01", "orderDetails": "Extended Weight, Discount", "orderNumber": 1234567 } }) headers = { 'Authorization': '{authorization}', 'Content-Type': 'application/json', 'Accept': 'application/json' } conn.request("POST", "/communication/1/flows/10159347/participants?phone=null&email=janewilliams@example.com&externalId=8edb24b5-0319-48cd-a1d9-1e8bc5d577ab&pushRegistrationId=8edb24b5-0319-48cd-a1d9-1e8bc5d577ab", payload, headers) res = conn.getresponse() data = res.read() print(data.decode("utf-8"))

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require "uri" require "json" require "net/http" url = URI("https://{baseUrl}/communication/1/flows/10159347/participants?phone&email=janewilliams@example.com&externalId=8edb24b5-0319-48cd-a1d9-1e8bc5d577ab&pushRegistrationId=8edb24b5-0319-48cd-a1d9-1e8bc5d577ab") https = Net::HTTP.new(url.host, url.port) https.use_ssl = true request = Net::HTTP::Post.new(url) request["Authorization"] = "{authorization}" request["Content-Type"] = "application/json" request["Accept"] = "application/json" request.body = JSON.dump({ "personData": { "externalId": "1", "firstName": "Jane", "lastName": "Smith", "address": "67 Farringdon Road", "city": "London", "country": "United Kingdom", "gender": "FEMALE", "birthDate": "1966-01-15", "middleName": "Janie", "profilePicture": "http://profile.com", "tags": [ "VIP Customers", "New Customers" ], "customAttributes": { "Contract Expiry": "2018-06-01", "Company": "Acme" }, "contactInformation": { "phone": [ { "number": "41793026727" }, { "number": "41793026728" } ], "email": [ { "address": "jane@acme.com" }, { "address": "janesmith@acme.com" } ] } }, "flowVariables": { "orderDate": "2021-09-01", "orderDetails": "Extended Weight, Discount", "orderNumber": 1234567 } }) response = https.request(request) puts response.read_body

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Quickly connect to our flexible SMS API

Start sending programmable SMS messages with our comprehensive API and build the experiences your customers are looking for with:

a basic or fully featured API
advanced functionalities
clear API documentation
support from dev

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Integrate SMS with your favorite platforms

With our wide range of integration options, you can easily connect our platforms with your system and automate your communication. 

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How bulk SMS can help different departments

Increase engagement and conversions through targeted campaigns

Common challenges:

Low response rates from traditional channels, need for real-time analytics, and integration with existing marketing tools.

How to solve:

Using customer data to segment your audience and send targeted SMS campaigns can significantly boost engagement and conversion rates.
With real-time analytics available on our portal, you can track the performance of your campaigns and make data-driven decisions.
You can also easily integrate SMS with other tools and channels you prefer.

ROI example:

dahmakan used Infobip’s SMS solution to send messages at local rates, reducing their costs by 30%, achieving a 2x increase in conversion rates.

2x

increase in conversion rate

30%

reduction in cost

Read customer story

Enhance customer experience through personalized communication

Common challenges:

High customer churn, fragmented communication channels, and difficulty in measuring immediate impact.

How to solve:

By segmenting customers and sending personalized messages, updates, and exclusive offers via SMS, you can retain more customers and reduce churn.
Infobip offers solutions for unifying your communication and customer data across the most popular channels of today.
With real-time analytics and reporting, you can easily track campaign effectiveness and make data-driven decisions quickly.

ROI example:

Volpy partnered with Infobip to re-engage inactive users via SMS, resulting in a 30% increase in the number of active app users within one month.

30%

increase in active app users

Read customer story

Streamline customer support and improve service response times

Common challenges:

Slow customer resolution times and inconsistent communication across channels.

How to solve:

With two-way capabilities, SMS allows support teams to address customer inquiries and issues promptly, reducing resolution times and enhancing overall customer satisfaction.
With our cloud contact center solution called Conversations, you can combine and manage all your support channels through a single interface.

ROI example:

MrSpeedy used Infobip’s SMS and Voice solutions to provide reliable and cost-effective support during the Covid-19 pandemic. This resulted in a 50% cost reduction, with high delivery rates.

50%

cost reduction

Read customer story

Accelerate lead nurturing and improve conversion rates

Common challenges:

Inconsistent follow-ups, low lead engagement, and high cost per acquisition from traditional methods.

How to solve:

SMS enables automated follow-ups, ensuring consistent lead communication without manual effort.
With higher open and response rates than other channels, SMS effectively delivers engaging content like offers and reminders directly to customers.
Compared to traditional channels, SMS is a more cost-effective way to reach a large audience quickly, allowing for targeted messaging that optimizes marketing spend and reduces acquisition costs.
Additionally, you can efficiently track performance using our platform to refine your strategy and enhance SMS ROI.

ROI example:

By implementing a Viber solution with SMS fallback, NLB Banka increased customer interactions and achieved a 30% growth in meeting requests, with sales of certain products increasing by 5 to 15%.

30%

increase in meeting requests

Read customer story

Bulk SMS compared to other channels

Here are some key differences between SMS and other channels where messages are often sent in bulk:

SMS vs Email

Reach: SMS has universal reach as it works on all mobile phones without the need for internet access. In contrast, email requires internet access and an email account, which may limit its reach to users who are online and actively checking their inboxes.
Open rates: SMS messages typically have high open rates, often exceeding 90%, as they are usually read within minutes of being received. Email open rates are generally lower, around 20-30% on average, and can be affected by spam filters and inbox clutter.
Speed of delivery: SMS offers instant delivery, with messages usually reaching recipients within seconds. Email delivery can be delayed due to server processing times and spam filtering, which may impact the immediacy of the message.
Character limit: SMS tends to have high engagement due to its immediacy and personal nature, prompting quick responses. Email engagement varies and is often used for more detailed information, updates, and newsletters.
Best use cases: SMS is ideal for time-sensitive alerts, reminders, and promotions due to its quick delivery and high open rates. Email is better suited for newsletters, detailed updates, and transactional communications where more information needs to be conveyed.

SMS vs Push notifications

Reach: SMS has universal reach as it works on all mobile phones without the need for internet access. Push notifications, on the other hand, require a smartphone and the installation of a specific app, which can limit their reach to users who have the app installed and notifications enabled.
Open rates: SMS messages typically have high open rates, often exceeding 90%, as they are usually read shortly after being received. Push notifications generally have lower open rates, which can vary depending on the app and user settings.
Speed of delivery: Both SMS and push notifications offer instant delivery. However, push notifications can be affected by app settings and permissions, which may delay or prevent delivery.
User control: SMS allows users to easily opt-out by replying with a keyword like “STOP.” Push notifications give users control through app settings, where they can enable or disable notifications as desired.
Best use cases: SMS is ideal for time-sensitive alerts, reminders, and promotions due to its quick delivery and high open rates. Push notifications are best suited for app-specific updates, engagement, and re-engagement strategies, where the goal is to drive users back to the app.

Frequently asked questions

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A bulk SMS provider recognized for its excellence

The industry experts have spoken. Infobip is recognized worldwide for driving impeccable results for customers.

Infobip named as established leader second year in a row

Juniper Research Top CPaaS Vendor

Infobip named a leader

2024 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for CPaaS

Infobip takes top spot

Metrigy CPaaS MetriRank report

Industry CPaaS leader

Leader for CpaaS 2023

Infobip’s vast experience in customer engagement and activities helped us increase the number of active users in our database by 30% in just four weeks. With their help, we managed to activate a large number of users with high conversion rates.

Sabrina Taelman Martini

Head of Marketing, Volpy

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