Frequently Asked Questions

SMS Express is a cloud-based SMS platform that allows Australian businesses to send text messages online without installing any software. Simply sign up for an account, upload your contacts, compose your message, and send to one person or thousands at once. Our web portal is accessible from any device with an internet connection, making it easy to manage your business communications from your PC, laptop, tablet, or smartphone.

SMS Express is an Australian-owned and operated bulk SMS service designed specifically for businesses. We provide a reliable, easy-to-use platform for sending marketing campaigns, appointment reminders, staff alerts, customer notifications, and more. With local support, competitive pricing at 7.7¢ +GST per credit, and instant delivery through major Australian networks, we help businesses of all sizes communicate effectively with their customers and staff.

SMS Express offers comprehensive business messaging services including: SMS and MMS campaigns, two-way SMS with free replies, API integration for your existing software, contact management tools, scheduled messaging, delivery reports and analytics, group messaging, user-accounts, and custom sender IDs (we'll handle the registration for you). All services are accessible through our intuitive web platform with 7-day local Australian support.

Yes, SMS Express offers a free trial with free SMS credits that allows you to test our platform and send sample messages without requiring a credit card upfront. This lets you experience the quality of our service, test message delivery speeds, and explore our free features to ensure it does what you need before committing to a purchase.

Sending mass text messages for your business is straightforward with SMS Express. Log into the platform, import your contact list (CSV or XLS or TXT file), select your Group/s, compose your message, preview, and send. Your messages are delivered instantly through Australian networks. You can also schedule messages for future delivery and track delivery reports in real-time.

The best way is to use a dedicated web-based SMS platform like SMS Express. This approach offers several advantages: no software installation required, access from any computer or device with internet connection, professional delivery infrastructure ensuring high delivery rates, compliance with Australian telecommunications regulations, detailed reporting and analytics, and the ability to manage large contact lists efficiently. Simply access your account through a web browser and send messages directly from your PC.

Absolutely! SMS Express includes built-in contact management features that allow you to organise your contacts into Groups, import contacts from a CSV, Excel or text file (or for small Groups you can add manually), add custom fields for personalisation, and easily segment your audience for targeted campaigns. You can create unlimited groups such as "VIP Customers," "Staff," etc., and send messages to entire Groups with ease.

SMS Express is a 100% web-based platform, meaning there's no software to download or install. Small businesses can access our service through any web browser on Windows, Mac, Linux, even ipads and tablets. This cloud-based approach means your SMS account is accessible from anywhere, and your data is stored securely.

Yes! SMS Express is a web-based platform that allows you to send SMS messages directly from your computer without needing a mobile phone. In fact, it does not involve your phone at all as it's a web-based platform which connects to Aussie telcos directly to send text messages. This is ideal for businesses that need to send bulk messages or manage SMS campaigns from an office environment rather than trying to send multiple texts from a phone.

Automated text messaging with SMS Express can be set up through our web platform with an API integration or using a third-party 'connector' like Zapier. For simple automation, you can schedule messages in advance for specific dates and times. For more advanced automation like birthday messages, appointment reminders, or triggered notifications, you can use our API to connect SMS Express with your existing CRM, booking system, or business software. This allows messages to be sent automatically based on events, dates, or customer actions.

SMS Express makes appointment reminders easy through either manual scheduling or automated integration. For manual reminders, simply schedule your messages in advance through our web platform (we also have an option to send via Outlook or Gmail). For automated reminders, integrate SMS Express with your booking or calendar system via our API, or hook up with with Zapier. This way, whenever an appointment is created or modified, an automatic reminder SMS is sent to the customer at your specified time (e.g., 24 hours before the appointment).

Automated SMS boosts sales and service through multiple touchpoints: abandoned cart reminders to recover lost sales, promotional offers sent at optimal times, appointment confirmations to reduce no-shows, order status updates to keep customers informed, feedback requests to gather insights, and loyalty program notifications to encourage repeat business. Integrate SMS Express with your system via our API, or use with Zapier.

Effective SMS automation follows these best practices: Segment your audience to send relevant messages, Personalise messages with names and specific details, Time messages strategically (avoid early mornings or late nights), Keep messages concise and actionable with clear calls-to-action, Include opt-out options to stay compliant, Test different message variations to optimise performance, Track metrics like delivery rates and response rates, and Combine SMS with other channels for a cohesive customer journey. SMS Express has a range of free APIs, or use with Zapier to integrate with your system and automate your communications.

Yes, automated text messaging is legal in Australia, but businesses must comply with the Spam Act 2003. This means you must have consent from recipients before sending commercial messages, clearly identify your business in the message, and provide an easy way for recipients to opt-out. SMS Express helps you stay compliant by including opt-out options in your messages and maintaining contact preferences. Always ensure you have permission before adding contacts to your SMS campaigns.

Yes, SMS Express offers competitive pricing at just 7.7¢ +GST per credit with pay-as-you-go rates and no monthly contracts or hidden fees. You only pay for the messages you send, with volume discounts available for larger quantities. This makes it cost-effective for businesses of all sizes, from small local shops to large enterprises. Our transparent pricing ensures you know exactly what you're paying for, with no setup fees or minimum orders.

SMS Express operates on a flexible pay-as-you-go model at 7.7¢ +GST per credit with no lock-in contracts or monthly fees. You simply purchase SMS credits and use them as needed. This gives businesses complete control over their spending without being committed to minimum monthly spends or long-term contracts. Credits don't expire, so you can use them at your own pace.

SMS Express is designed with simplicity in mind. Our intuitive web interface requires no technical expertise - if you can use email, you can use SMS Express. Send alerts to staff about roster changes, emergency notifications, or company updates. Alert customers about order status, delivery times, service disruptions, or special offers. The platform is straightforward to navigate with clearly labelled functions and helpful tooltips throughout.

SMS Express is proudly Australian-owned and operated with 7-day local support available during business hours at 1300 668 287. We're based in Melbourne, Australia, understand the local market, and provide support from trained staff via phone and email. Our messages are delivered through Tier 1 Australian network carriers, ensuring fast delivery typically within seconds. Unlike offshore providers, we offer real Australian support when you need assistance.

SMS Express provides comprehensive campaign tools including: bulk sending for large-scale campaigns, personalisation fields to customise each message, scheduling options to send at optimal times,link tracking to measure click-through rates (if you use our Landing Pages or URL Shorteners), delivery and read reports, contact segmentation for targeted campaigns, and campaign templates for quick deployment. All tools are accessible through our easy-to-use web dashboard.

Australia has several quality SMS marketing providers, each with different strengths. When evaluating services, consider: delivery reliability and speed, pricing structure and transparency, local Australian support, platform ease of use, feature set (automation, API, two-way messaging), integration options, and scalability. SMS Express excels in providing an affordable solution at 7.7¢ +GST per credit with reliable delivery, locally-supported service, and a comprehensive free feature set suitable for businesses of all sizes.

Popular alternatives to SMSGlobal include SMS Express, ClickSend, MessageMedia, Burst SMS, and several others. When comparing providers, look at factors like pricing per message, platform features, API capabilities, customer support quality, delivery rates, and contract requirements. SMS Express differentiates itself through competitive pricing, no lock-in contracts, local Australian support with trained staff, and an intuitive platform that doesn't require technical expertise.

While ClickSend is a capable platform, businesses seeking alternatives often choose SMS Express for several reasons: more competitive pricing at 7.7¢ +GST per credit for Australian-based messaging, simpler user interface without overwhelming features, dedicated local support rather than international call centres, and a focus specifically on SMS rather than multiple communication channels. SMS Express is ideal for businesses that want reliable SMS delivery without complex multi-channel platforms.

Businesses looking for alternatives to MessageMedia often consider SMS Express as a strong option. Key advantages include: no monthly contracts or minimum spends, pay-as-you-go pricing that's often more economical for small to medium businesses, a simpler platform that's easier to navigate, Australian-based support, and equal or better delivery speeds. SMS Express provides enterprise-grade reliability without enterprise-level complexity or pricing.

If you're familiar with Burst SMS and looking for similar services, SMS Express offers comparable functionality with: bulk SMS sending capabilities, web-based access, contact management, scheduled messaging, delivery reports, and API integration. Like Burst SMS, we focus on providing reliable service to Australian businesses. Our competitive advantage lies in straightforward pricing, local support, and a user-friendly interface designed for business users rather than developers.

Yes, SMS Express is a reliable platform for business SMS campaigns. We use Tier 1 Australian network infrastructure to ensure high delivery rates (typically 98%+), messages are delivered within seconds, our platform maintains 99.9% uptime, and we provide real-time delivery reports so you can track campaign performance. Thousands of Australian businesses trust SMS Express for their critical business communications including appointment reminders, marketing campaigns, and emergency notifications.

Absolutely! SMS remains one of the most effective communication channels for businesses. Statistics show that SMS has a 98% open rate with most messages read within 3 minutes of receipt - far higher than email (around 20% open rate). Unlike app-based messaging platforms, SMS works on every mobile phone without requiring internet access or app installation. This universal reach and immediate engagement makes SMS incredibly valuable for time-sensitive communications like appointment reminders, delivery notifications, security alerts, and promotional offers.

WhatsApp is neither SMS nor MMS. WhatsApp is an internet-based messaging app that requires both parties to have the app installed and an internet connection. SMS (Short Message Service) and MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) are telecommunications network standards that work on all mobile phones without requiring internet or apps. For business communications, SMS through platforms like SMS Express offers broader reach since every mobile phone can receive SMS, whereas WhatsApp requires the recipient to have the app installed.

Facebook Messenger is not SMS or MMS - it's an internet-based messaging application similar to WhatsApp. Messenger requires the app to be installed and requires internet access. In contrast, SMS is a network-based service that reaches all mobile phones instantly without requiring any apps or internet connection. For business messaging, SMS provides reliable delivery to all customers regardless of which apps they use or whether they have data/WiFi available.