Customer Comment

We are in the business to provide the best text messaging services for business customers. Therefore, we want to educate the potential customer with how the market is structured, what type of players there is, and how to choose a supplier. Full version of SMS Buyer's Guide will offer guidance on how to avoid the pitfalls, reveal common 'marketing' tricks, and explain why a humble text message is not a commodity item.

1. Can I (the customer) test the service with full features at no cost and with no obligation?

   Key Point: You should always test drive the product before you purchase without any obligations. Confirm SMS supplier’s marketing claims before you send them a check. SMS suppliers who are confident with their product and their marketing claim will offer free test drive.

2. Do you provide software solutions and integration tools with sample code? Do you charge for this service?

   Key Point: Many vendors can offer lower fee per message but will have to make up the margin somewhere. Software integration and tech support are the area where sms supplier can charge for an additional fee. Watch out for hidden fees.

3. Can I start sending messages through any of these methods, straight away, without having to talk to a salesperson?

   Key Point: You want the solution that is easy of use and simple to implement in to your business settings. You want the product that will implement immediately and sms supplier who will provide you with additional technical support without an extra cost.

4. When I do want help, do you offer 24/7/365 technical support and customer service with no charge? Is your phone number a toll free phone number?

   Key Point: User errors do occur and systems will run in to glitches, therefore, you want to look for an organization that will provide a technical support at all times. More and more business is opening their doors to customers worldwide. Global business can not stop service due to US holidays and off business hours. You want to be able to get a live tech support anytime and any day.

5. If your message price is below $0.03, how are you making money?

   Key Point: You will see many offers. Every business must sustain their profit zone or economy will stop. Providing a quality service costs money for sms supplier. Remember the common theory "buy cheap, buy twice". Read our buyers guide to learn how sms fees are structured.

6. If you require me to buy messages 'up-front', do I have to use them in the current month, or do they stay on my account until used?

   Key Point: Business will go through a cycle of high and low traffic. Protect your purchase by choose a sms supplier who will roll over unused message to the following month with a monthly plan.

7. Do you provide delivery reports for all messages sent? Does this cost extra?

   Key Point: Watch out for hidden fees. Many sms supplier will charge additional fees for instant reporting and storage of sent messages.

8. How long have you been in business? Do you belong to any industry or trade associations?

   Key Point: If your supplier can point to membership of Partner programs, e.g. Microsoft, IBM, Oracle, and can demonstrate that those partners have certified their solutions, then you will have reassurance that you are dealing with an organization you can trust.

9. Can you give an example of your customer list who is utilizing their service day-to-day during business hours as well as non business hours with references?

   Key Point: One time purchase (i.e. critical notifcations) customers are NOT using your supplier's service every day, only every day users who are relying on their supplier's service 24/7/365 can speak honestly about how reliable and customer support experience.

10. Can you provide evidence of your ISO27001 certificate for Information Security?

    Key Point: ISO27001 is an international standard for information security. If an organization has this certification, it has passed an initial external examination by an independent tester of its Information Security Management System. This certification is tested bi-annually. ISO27001 is not cheap or easy to implement and maintain. It requires a complete re-think on how to handle information. All SMS suppliers handle sensitive information for customers. Are they in control of that information? Ask if your supplier is ISO27001 certified. (Tip... Certified, not registered!) Ask for their certificate to prove it.