Choose and set up SMS sender
Choosing the right SMS sender is critical for successful message delivery. Different countries have unique requirements, so always check our Developer documentation for specific country regulations and requirements.
For North American countries (US or Canada), you must use a two-way SMS number. Bird recommends Toll-Free Numbers for the simplest, cheapest, and fastest approval process.
For countries outside North America, most messages use one-way Alphanumeric senders - a string of letters (up to 11 characters) representing your brand. In our case this is “Bird”.
Watch the video below to learn how to choose the right SMS sender and buy a number using Bird's Reach.
Add subscription keywords
Subscription keywords allow your customers to subscribe to your list by texting a defined word.
Watch the video below to learn how to add subscription keywords.
Find compliance keywords
Compliance keywords are predefined terms that allow recipients to control their SMS subscription status in accordance with telecommunications regulations like the TCPA (Telephone Consumer Protection Act) and carrier guidelines. They are mandatory, universal, and automatically recognized by the SMS ecosystem, enabling recipients to exercise their rights.
Watch the video below to learn how to find and manage compliance keywords.
Set up frequency capping
Frequency capping ensures you prevent messaging fatigue, avoid overwhelming contacts with marketing messages, and ensure better overall performance. Any subscriber who has received a certain number of marketing messages within the specified period will be automatically skipped.
Watch the video below to learn how to set up frequency caps.
Set up quiet hours
SMS quiet hours are designed to delay sending promotional messages during specific timeframes. Some countries enforce mandatory quiet hours regardless of your settings. For unregulated countries, you can customize quiet hours to prevent messaging during inappropriate times.
Watch the video below to learn how to set quiet hours.
View SMS message logs
Once your application is up and running, you can leverage SMS logs to spot issues and ensure smooth operation of your messaging system. These logs provide comprehensive data that can help you identify problems and optimize performance.
Watch the video below to learn where to find message logs.
