Tips and restrictions on sending SMS and SmartSMS

Delivering your SMS or SmartSMS messages may depend on the destination country.


 

Recommendations

  • To add an unsubscribe link to your message, just use our !remove merge code. 
    The !remove code will be replaced by a 35-char unsubscribe link. Contacts who tap it will instantly stop getting any messages from you (SMS, emails, etc.).
     
  • If you're whipping up a SmartSMS, you can place webpage link anywhere in your text by using the !link merge code.
    Example: "Sign up now at: !link - Never miss a travel update again."
     
  • Merge codes may cause your live message to exceed the character limit. Why and how to prevent it?
     
  • If you add a link to your message, the link may not always show a preview when people open the message. Why and how to prevent it?


 

Restrictions

  • If a contact is abroad while receiving your message, the message sender may be different than the one you choose at the time of sending (depends on how each country handles promo texts).
    Example: say your sender is MyBrand; in some countries a number may be displayed instead of "MyBrand".
     
  • Sticking with standard GSM encoding for your content will ensure it's properly rendered by virtually any country in the world. These chars are usually bullet-proof:
     
    ! " # $ % ' ( ) * + , - . / : ; < = > ? @ _ ¡ £ ¥ ¿ & ¤ 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z Ä Å Æ Ç É Ñ Ø ø Ü ß Ö à ä å æ è é ì ñ ò ö ù ü
     
  • If you need to use special symbols or non-English chars, you can toggle GSM Extended (which includes the euro sign) or Unicode (which displays chars from any language, including Chinese, Arabian or even emojis, at a cost of about half the message length) while creating your message in E-goi.
    Keep in mind GSM Extended and Unicode chars may not be supported by all network operators.
    Example: chars such as "@" and "€" or specific emojis might not be rendered in some countries, even if you use Unicode.
    However, for Dominican Republic, it's only possible to send Unicode-based messages.
     
  • French network operators will only accept sales messages from 8:00 to 20:00 (local time) Monday to Saturday. Your text should include "STOP au 36179" right at the end, so people can unsubscribe.
     
  • Some CDMA-based mobile operators in the US and other parts of the world may cut your SMS off after 138 chars. Why? 
     
  • Some countries (eg. Colombia) don't support SMS delivery reports, which can impact your reporting in E-goi. Why?
     
  • Colombia only allows sales messages to be sent from 8:00 to 21:00 (local time).