Many Short Message Service (SMS) services are aimed at individual users, but as SMS becomes a more popular marketing tool, bulk SMS services becoming more important. If you're looking for bulk SMS information for your business, you likely need a service that can help you receive and send many messages at a time. When looking for such a service, hone in on companies that can handle the largest number of messages possible.

There are many reasons why your business may need bulk SMS services. These services are very useful for running competitions and SMS marketing campaigns, for sending information to employees, for sending promotional information to customers and for creating online polls that let your customers interact with your company. Consider the following basic options when searching for bulk SMS services:

1. Finding a bulk SMS provider that can help you track as well as send and receive messages.

2. Seeking a bare-bones service that simply lets you receive and send numerous messages.

3. Looking for SMS software that lets you create and send bulk SMS messages yourself.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Look for a bulk SMS service API (application programming interface)

An API is a set of functions and processes that allows an operating system to work properly. Usually, APIs are the realm of programmers, but many SMS services provide API options that allow your company to integrate websites and software with an SMS platform. API services offer you lots of control over bulk SMS messages you send, allowing you to track SMS messages and message delivery status.

I recommend: HQsms.com offers high volume, bulk SMS services that won't buckle, even under heavy use. The company also has helps businesses meet their SMS API needs. BulkSMS offers an Electronic Application Programming Interface (EAPI), which makes submitting as simple as entering query parameters.

Seek a bulk SMS provider that allows you to send and receive mass SMS messages

Your company may not need the power of SMS API--your needs may be more modest if you know little about programming and mainly want the ability to send and receive SMS messages in bulk without hassle. If this is the case, a simple SMS gateway service that allows you to create, send and receive bulk SMS messages may be ideal. These services usually allow you to send and receive messages right from your own company computer, so you don't need to worry about dealing with mobile devices.

I recommend: Clickatell specializes in business SMS solutions and offers a wide range of bulk SMS services. Prices are based on the number of messages you'll send and receive. SMS Everywhere can help your business send, receive and manage up to 20,000 SMS messages per month. Their service allows you to add as many phone numbers as you need.

Find bulk SMS software that lets you send unlimited SMS messages

If you want to do it yourself, bulk SMS software allows you to create and send messages using a PC-based application or a Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) mobile phone. The advantage of using a software title is that you can use the program to send unlimited messages to an unlimited number of contacts. The software also allows you to create messages in different languages.

I recommend: Data Doctor's Bulk SMS Software is available for Pocket PCs, PDAs and smart phones. The software allows your company to create and send mass SMS messages from your company computers. You can enter your bulk SMS list of contacts manually or import the contact list from existing files. Simplicity is a web-based SMS marketing software utility that allows companies to organize bulk SMS marketing campaigns. The software is unique in that it's created specifically with SMS marketing in mind.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When looking for a bulk SMS solution, consider services that enable you to send messages to subsections of your contact list. This is a handy feature as it allows you to target your SMS marketing more effectively. For example, you can send a discount offer only to those people in your contact database who have made a purchase in the last two months.