Web SMS: a guide to the essential features

Web SMS brings the essential SMS workflow together in your browser: recipients, messages, scheduling, contacts, templates and follow-up. No local installation is required, and you can manage both individual messages and larger campaigns from the same workspace.

This guide covers the most important Web SMS workflows. Labels and buttons may change as the service evolves, but the underlying principles remain the same.

Before you begin

Sign in at messages.ip1.net and make sure you are working in the correct account. You should also prepare:

• a registered sender or virtual number,
• recipient mobile numbers in international format,
• an up-to-date contact list if you are messaging several people.

Never share passwords or API keys. If you need help with permissions or your account, contact customer support.

Send an SMS message

The sending view is the hub of Web SMS. This is where you select the sender and recipients, write the message and decide when to send it.

1. Choose a sender

Select a sender that is already registered to the account. A text sender can display your company name, for example, but recipients cannot reply to it. Choose a virtual number if you need to receive replies.

Sender rules vary between countries and operators. Check the sender settings guide before planning international campaigns.

2. Add recipients

Enter a mobile number directly or search for contacts and labels. Check that a directly entered number has the correct country code and select the suggestion shown so that the number is normalised.

For larger campaigns, you can:

• select one or more labels,
• choose individual contacts from the contact list,
• import an Excel or CSV file,
• load recipients directly from a file where mobile numbers are in a column headed Phone.

Always review the recipient count before continuing.

3. Write the message

Lead with the most important information and identify the sender in the copy if the sender field does not make it clear. Web SMS displays the character and SMS-part counts as you type.

A GSM-encoded SMS normally contains 160 characters. Emojis and other Unicode characters reduce the limit to 70 characters, and longer copy is split into multiple billable SMS parts. Check the counter before sending a large campaign.

You can also insert:

• a saved text template,
• personal contact data, such as a first name,
• a short link to a file or web page,
• opt-out instructions when the service is enabled for the account.

4. Test, schedule or send

First send a test to yourself or an internal recipient. Check the sender, personalisation, links, character count and any opt-out details on a real mobile device.

Once the test is approved, send immediately or choose a future time. Avoid disruptive hours and choose a time when recipients can act on the content.

Manage contacts and labels

Web SMS uses the shared iP.1 contacts app for creating, importing, editing and organising contacts. Follow the separate contacts app feature guide for import, field mapping, labels and contact-list tools.

In the Web SMS recipient selector, you can search for individual contacts, filter by labels and add the complete selection to a message. Learn more about personalising SMS with contact data.

Monitor inbound and outbound traffic

The traffic views let you follow sent messages, see delivery statuses and manage inbound replies when the account has a virtual inbound number.

SMS feed

The feed presents inbound and outbound traffic chronologically. Depending on the message, you can mark it as read, reply or reuse its copy in a new message.

Inbox

The inbox collects inbound SMS messages in a searchable table. You can read and reply to messages here. Only delete traffic that no longer needs to be retained, as deletion may not be reversible.

Scheduled messages

The scheduled-messages view shows upcoming sends. Review recipients and timing before changing or cancelling a campaign. A cancelled campaign normally needs to be recreated if it is to be sent later.

The delivery status shows what happened after the message left Web SMS. Use the status-code guide if a message does not arrive.

Create and organise text templates

Text templates save time and reduce typing errors in recurring communication. Create one template for each clear use case and organise templates in folders.

A good template:

• identifies the sender,
• leaves room for information that changes,
• has one clear next step,
• fits within the intended number of SMS parts,
• includes opt-out information when required.

Templates can be used in other iP.1 services. Give each template a descriptive name, such as Appointment reminder – time and place, and always check personal fields before sending.

Checklist before a large campaign

1. The correct account, sender and recipients are selected.
2. Personal fields show the correct information for every recipient.
3. Links, files and opt-out features have been tested on a mobile device.
4. Character count, SMS parts and estimated cost have been checked.
5. The timing is suitable and an internal test has been delivered.

For a shorter introduction, read about Web SMS and its capabilities. You can then continue with the guides to attach a file or install Web SMS as a web app.