SMS Channel
Welcome to the world of SMS chatbots! These bots provide a direct and efficient way to communicate with your audience via text messages, opening doors to enhanced customer engagement and streamlined communication.
Introduction to SMS Channels:
Ubiquity of SMS: SMS (Short Message Service) is one of the most widely used communication methods globally. It's accessible on almost every mobile device, making it a universal tool for reaching a broad audience.
Direct and Personal: Unlike emails or social media, SMS messages are often perceived as more personal and direct. This makes SMS an excellent channel for engaging with customers on a more intimate level.
High Open Rates: SMS messages boast high open rates, significantly higher than emails. This ensures that your messages are not just delivered but also read by your audience.
Speed and Convenience: SMS allows for instant communication. It's an efficient way to send timely updates, alerts, and responses, enhancing customer experience.
Versatility: From marketing campaigns to customer support, SMS can be used for a variety of purposes, making it a versatile tool in your communication arsenal.
Supported Providers
Twilio: more information here
SignalWire: more information here
Telnyx: more information here
Message Media: more information here
Vudu Mobile: more information here, check the video how to set up your own SMS chatbot here
Step by Step to create your first SMS Chatbot
This guide is using Twilio as a provider, the other provider is having the similar process.
Step 1: Pick Providers
As follow are the providers we currently work with. Different providers support different bots. Choose your provider according to your needs. Create an account with them and pick your number.
Please note, some of the providers support Voice or WhatsApp as well.
In this example, we will use Twilio as an example
Step 2: Sign up & Get numbers
Take Twilio as an example. On their website, sign up, login in, then you will get to your dashboard:
Click "Get a Trial Number".
In the pop-up window, the number is shown on the upper left side, click "Choose this Number" or "Search for a different number". Then you have your own number!
Step 3: Connect Twilio to UChat
In your Twilio account, copy the account SID and account Auth Token as per the screenshot below:
Now, go to UChat dashboard, and select Twilio as the provider,
put your copied values in corresponding fields.
click "Save".
click "Add Phone Number" if you are building an SMS or Voice Bot, otherwise, “Add WhatsApp Number”.
Step 4: Sync the numbers into UChat
Click "Add Number" in area 3 in the above picture after connecting your provider with UChat.
Thereafter, you are able to see all your connected numbers under the "Phone Numbers" page in "Integration".
Add new numbers from the drop-down list as below: ("Buy Number" is disabled at the moment)
After adding phone numbers:
use the plus button to create new a flow.
button 2 is for "Open Flow" of this phone number.
Create your first SMS Chatbot
The message type supported in SMS Channel
In the SMS channel, we have mainly two different message types:
Send Message
Question Node
You can find more information about send message in the below video:
You can find more information about question node in the below video:
Common Errors in SMS Channel
SMS message isn’t delivered
If you have using Twilio for the SMS channel, and you find that the message isn’t deliveried.
You can follow the below checklist:
Check error log in UChat
Check error log in Twilio
Make sure Geo-permission is enabled in your Twilio account
Sometimes, you need to enable the Geo-Permission in your Twilio account, you need to select the regions and countries you will allow to send the message.
Please find more details about how to send international SMS message & enable geo-permission in your Twilio account:
https://support.twilio.com/hc/en-us/articles/223181108-How-International-SMS-Permissions-work