How-To-Articles
Here you will find a step-by-step guide on how to use all features of Textvol Bulk SMS Service.
How to start Bulk Messaging
Here are the steps to get started with our online service for bulk texting:
Sign Up
Create an account by filling out the registration form. You’ll get access to a powerful platform to send you bulk text messages. You can try out all the features with a trial deposit. To sign up, please use this LINK.
Prepare the contact list
You can either manually enter phone numbers or upload a .csv, .xls, or .xlsx file. SenderID can be a phone number or a name that the recipients will see as the sender of the message.
Start Bulk Messaging
Send messages instantly or schedule them in advance to be delivered at the perfect moment.
Let’s get into the details
1. AUTHORIZATION
Open your browser.
Enter https://sms.textvol.com
We recommend using the browsers Google Chrome, Opera, Mozilla Firefox.
Enter your login and password specified when you registered. After entering the data click on “Login” button.
2. CREATE A MESSAGE
When you enter into your personal account the “Create message” tab from the left menu is opened by default.
In this window you create messages for sending.
2.1. Message characteristics
When you create a message you should choose such characteristics as message type, sender and time of sending.
Depending on the selected message type you specify relevant information. It can be a text message (SMS), a link to the internet resource (WAP push) or contact information (vCard).
Let’s say you have to create a text message: notification store clients about arrival of new collection. Choose message type “SMS” (by default), sender (in that case you may specify as a sender a store name; how to create a sender, see p. 5), sending time – now, and leave SMS lifetime on default.
If you plan to send such messages regularly, you can create the template by clicking “Save as a Template” after entering the text.
At the foot of the text field you also see the number of symbols and the parts of SMS.
2.2. Insert
You may always make the message addressed by entering a client name. Just click “Insert” and choose a relevant characteristic.
2.3. Scheduled SMS sending
Sometimes it is necessary to use scheduled SMS messages, when you want your customers to get the message in definite time and date.
In this case in the field “Sending time” you select “Later”.
Then specify the time and date for SMS sending. For example, you want to send the message today, but later, since 09:10.
Please note that all the scheduled messages will be displayed in “Schedule” section (see p. 8).
2.4. Evenly distribution
You may use so called evenly distribution. This function allows you to stretch the sending on a certain time period.
To do this, you specify time of beginning and ending of sending.
Why do you need that?
It can be helpful when you plan a bulk sending with contact number provided. It will be difficult to process all the calls. “Evenly sending” allows stretching it by assigning the periodicity, for example, one SMS a minute (the interval is appointed automatically depending on time period and the quantity of mobile numbers).
There is no time limit; you can stretch the sending even on a whole week.
2.5. Recipients of message
Now, the text of message is ready and you should add the recipients.
You can add mobile numbers of recipients by entering them in ‘Additional numbers’ field separated by commas.
Or you can use a list of recipients (how to create a list, see p. 4).
2.6. Select recipients from list
Clicking on a list you can filter the right customers by certain characteristics or search for a specific customer.
2.7. Exclusion lists
How does it work?
For example, you sent the messages to the “List1” and now you need to send it to the “List2”. But it contains a part of numbers from “List1”. To avoid re-sending to these numbers, in “Exclusion list” tab tick the list “List1”, i.e. in this case we subtract the numbers of “List1” from “List2”.
3. 2 WAY MESSAGES
Platform provides service of incoming messages.
If you want to use it, you should contact commercial.
The service allows you to use such functions as:
- forwarding to email;
- forwarding to mobile number;
- intelligent auto-answer phrases to some types of SMS messages;
- report generation;
- some autocommand to add subscribers to the list for future sending;
- get incoming messages through API.
In your personal account you can add and delete the subscribers from your list using special keywords in messages.
4. LISTS
4.1. Creating a list
Click “Create new list” at the top right of the page (see below, highlighted in red).
Follow the instructions.
4 Steps and Your list is created!
4.2. Adding numbers
Now you can add numbers manually or import them from an “Excel” file.
Pay attention! If the progress bar hangs while importing, do not try to add list again. Wait while the list is fully loaded. If it doesn’t happen, write to our support team to email support@textvol.com. Specify your login and the crux of the problem and attach your importing list: we often find errors or excessive data in lists.
Note that:
- All the data should be in different cells without white-space character.
- Data may be written in any order; you may rename the cell name after loading.
You may add number at any stage
4.3. Working with list
After importing the file choose the appropriate meaning for each column.
4.3.1. Allow duplicate numbers
The system filters out duplicate numbers by default. The “Allow duplicate numbers” function gives you an ability to download duplicate numbers with unique text using “Note 1” and “Note 2”.
It can be useful, for example, when you alert judges about several meetings.
“Dear Mr. Smith. The court held at 12:30 in 8th office.”
“Dear Mr. Smith. The court held at 14:00 in 10th office.”
To use this function load the dynamic part of the text as “Note 1”. Accordingly, your text will look like this:
“Dear Mr. #last name#. #note 1#.”
Or like this:
“Dear Mr. Smith. #note 1#.”
Please note that if using the “Allow duplicate numbers” function you add the same number with identical date,
only one message will be sent.
4.3.2. List replenishment
You may replenish the list by adding numbers manually or importing them from a file.
If you want to add number manually, click “Add number”. Then enter number in the appeared window each per line.
Now there is an entry in your list, you may also add other information.
Click the line and in the appeared window enter appropriate information.
4.3.3. Search
In the created list you may search for the client by such characteristics as phone number, first name, middle name, last name, birthdate, gender, and notes.
4.3.4. Sorting
You may sort the list by the same characteristics. Just click the arrows next to column name.
4.3.5. Deleting entries
To delete an entry, click the tick in the corresponding line.
After that you will see “Delete” button (in case you are sure in your decision) and “Move to trash” button (click on this button implies further data recovery). You may also add this number to stop list here.
You may view trash clicking on “Trash” icon at the top panel which is available on every page of your personal account.
4.4. List editing
4.4.1. List name
You may edit the created lists. For example, you may change the name of the list. To do this, click “Rename list” that appears when you navigate to the name.
Then enter a right name and click “Save”.
You may also change the name by clicking on the “Settings” icon . In the appeared window you may enter the name that will be saved after clicking on “Apply” button.
4.4.2. List deleting
To delete a list click “Select Action” field that is displayed next to list name, then choose “Delete”.
4.5. List Export
As we see in the previous picture there are also other actions you can do with your list, in particular you can export the list to Excel or to CSV.
Just choose the right format and click on “Apply” button.
After that you will see “Download” link.
5. SENDERS
One of the advantages of SMS sending is an ability to specify any convenient for you sender name (for example, the name of your store, clinic, company etc.).
You can specify almost any alphanumeric combination.
Please note:
- The name can contain only letters, numbers, dots, dashes, and “&” sign.
- Allowable length is 11 characters for alphabetic and mixed name.
- You must not use names of mobile operators, public authorities, credit organizations and other unaffiliated third parties.
As you see on the picture, besides the sender name, there is also date of creation and its status. Here you can delete or sort the data by name and date (click the arrows next to column name).
If you want to create a new sender, click “Add Sender” at the top right.
Then enter the sender name in the appeared window. After that the sender name will be in moderation during 2-10 minutes in business days. Accordingly, the prime status of the sender is “in moderation”.
Refresh the page. If your sender name is ok, the status will be changed on “Approved”.
6. BLACKLIST
You also have an option to exclude certain numbers from outgoing sending by adding them to blacklist.
To do this, click “Add Numbers” in “Blacklist” section.
In the appeared window enter phone numbers each per line and click “Add”.
Now you have a list of excluded numbers.
For ease of reference below the list you see the total amount of numbers.
You may search for a number/part of number in the blacklist. Just enter the number in the left part and click “Show”. You may also regulate items per page.
You may always delete numbers from blacklist and also copy or move them to a list. To do that, click the tick next to the number and choose an appropriate action.
We remind you that you can exclude certain numbers from sending using “Exclusion list” in “Create Message” section (see p. 2.5.2).
7. TEMPLATES
In this section you can add templates. Just click “Create a Template” in the center of the page (see below).
In the appeared window enter template text, use inserts if necessary.
Specify template name and click “Add”.
We remind you that you can also create a template in “Create message” section clicking “Save as a template” link after entering the text (see p. 2.1).
8. SCHEDULE
Here you can control and edit scheduled sending until it is fulfilled.
By default, the system displays all the sendings marked as scheduled. With the help of filter you may select the right sending, check its status and edit it if necessary.
9. STATISTICS
In this section you may analyze your work.
Choose the required period, sender and sending name. Then click “Show”. (By default, when you open the section, you see statistics for the last month).
You see the graph where axis x represents time and axis y – number of sent messages. You may choose a temporary unit in the field “Group” (day, week, and month).
You see a table below the graph.
Status:
- sent – the total number of sent SMS
- delivered – delivered SMS
- no status – the status is not received from the mobile operator (probably the SMS were delivered)
- not delivered – total number of undelivered SMS (the fault of the operator, or the subscriber’s phone was turned off and the SMS did not reached the person)
Please note that after sending SMS messages the data can be loaded to the “Statistics” section in a few minutes.
10. DETAILED
In “Detailed” section there is complete information about sent SMS messages.
As you see on the picture there is a table indicating the sending name, phone number, sender, sending time and status change, text of a message and its status.
Please note that storage of reports is 90 calendar days. We recommend you to save periodically generated reports.
There is filter of sending as well. It helps to select a requested period, phone number or a part of it, sender, status and sending name.
10.1. Save the report
You may save a report if necessary. Click on the appropriate button in the bottom left of the page.
“Show full message” function allows combining parts of message in report for your convenience.
“Export status” function gives you detailed reply about the reason of undelivered SMS.
Please note that the report is generated within 5 minutes! You may save and preview it in “Reports” section.
11. REPORTS
Here is a list of generated reports in order of formation, i.e. the last generated report will be on top.
In the table you also see a brief description of the report: sender, status, sending name and the reporting period.
You can download the file in two formats: xls and csv. Save it and you’ve got a report on your computer!
12. SETTINGS
In the “Settings” section you can change your password at any time. Just enter your old and new passwords in corresponding fields and click “Save”. If you don’t want to create the password on your own you can use a password generator by clicking on the circular arrows next to the cell.
Recommended to change your password periodically to ensure security.
If you have changed the personal information such as name, email, phone number and company name, we recommend that you edit your personalization settings.
To ensure security in this section you also see an IP address that was used while accessing the account and the time of the last authorization.
