> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.chatsyncs.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How to Set Up SMS Marketing in ChatSyncs

> The beginner's path to SMS marketing with ChatSyncs — when to use SMS instead of WhatsApp, connecting a gateway, and sending your first campaign responsibly.

**SMS marketing** means sending promotional or transactional text messages to customers outside
WhatsApp — useful for reaching people who aren't on WhatsApp, or as a backup channel when a
WhatsApp message can't be delivered.

## When to use SMS instead of (or alongside) WhatsApp

* **OTP messages** — a login code, when the customer can't receive WhatsApp right now.
* **Marketing SMS** — for customers who opted into SMS but not WhatsApp.
* **Transactional SMS** — order or appointment confirmations, as a backup to WhatsApp.
* **Notifications** — internal alerts sent as SMS to a staff phone.

## Step 1: Connect an SMS gateway

Before sending anything, connect a gateway under **Chatbot Manager → \[your bot] → Integrations
→ SMS** — a one-time technical setup:

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/chatsyncs/sAsjFfzcUITpKpey/images/learn/sms-integration/step-01-sms-api-profile-modal.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=sAsjFfzcUITpKpey&q=85&s=c5459a5cebb1e5b6355c0e159c025d61" alt="SMS API modal with Profile Name, Auth ID, Auth Token, Sender/From fields and a provider list: Plivo, Twilio, Nexmo/Vonage, Clickatell, Africastalking, Esahal, HTTP Get, HTTP Post" width="780" height="869" data-path="images/learn/sms-integration/step-01-sms-api-profile-modal.png" />
</Frame>

**Supported providers:** Plivo, Twilio, Nexmo/Vonage, Clickatell, AfricasTalking, Esahal — or a
generic **HTTP GET**/**HTTP POST** gateway for anything not natively listed.

**What you'll need:**

| Field              | Example                        |
| ------------------ | ------------------------------ |
| Profile Name       | `Twilio OTP`                   |
| Auth ID            | Your provider's account/API ID |
| Auth Token         | Your provider's secret token   |
| Sender/From Number | `+14155550100`                 |

## Step 2: Get customer consent first

SMS marketing only works if people actually want to receive it:

* Only message customers who **opted in** to SMS — never message a number just because you
  have it.
* Make it easy to opt out, and honor opt-outs immediately.
* Keep your list clean — remove numbers that bounce or unsubscribe.

## Step 3: Write a message that fits SMS

SMS has real limits that WhatsApp doesn't:

* Keep it short — long messages get split into multiple SMS segments, which usually costs more
  per send.
* Lead with the offer or reason for the message — SMS doesn't have a preview image or template
  formatting to soften a wall of text.
* Include your business name, since SMS doesn't show a verified display name the way WhatsApp
  does.

**Example:** `ChatSyncs Store: Flat 30% OFF today only. Reply STOP to opt out. Shop:
mystore.com/sale`

## Step 4: Send and monitor

Once your gateway is connected, send SMS the same way you'd trigger any other automation —
through a bot flow, broadcast, or webhook action configured to use your SMS profile instead of
WhatsApp. Watch delivery rates and opt-outs after your first send before scaling up to your
full list.

## Frequently asked

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Do I need WhatsApp set up before I can use SMS marketing?">
    No — SMS Integration is independent. It's commonly used alongside WhatsApp, for customers
    who aren't reachable there, or as a backup channel.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What's the very first thing I need to do to send SMS?">
    Connect an SMS gateway (Step 1 above) — nothing can send until a profile is configured with
    your provider's credentials.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I message anyone whose phone number I have?">
    You shouldn't — only message people who opted in to receive SMS from you. Unsolicited SMS
    marketing risks complaints and can violate your SMS provider's own policies.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Why does my SMS cost more than expected?">
    Long messages split into multiple segments, and most providers charge per segment. Keep
    messages short to avoid this.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>