SMS (Short Message Service) is one of the simplest and most effective ways to communicate with customers. When integrated with a VoIP system like CallHippo, SMS becomes a powerful tool for fast, reliable, and scalable communication.
What Is SMS?
SMS is a short text message (up to 160 characters) sent directly to a mobile phone. With CallHippo, you can send and receive SMS messages using your business phone numbers, all from your VoIP dashboard or mobile app.
Why Use SMS with CallHippo?
Fast Delivery and High Open Rates
SMS messages are usually read within minutes, making them ideal for time-sensitive updates, reminders, and alerts.Customer-Friendly Communication
SMS is less intrusive than calls and more immediate than emails. It’s a preferred method of communication for many customers.Two-Way Messaging
CallHippo supports two-way SMS, allowing real-time text conversations for customer support, confirmations, and more.Cost-Effective and Scalable
SMS is affordable and works well for everything from marketing to service notifications, whether you're a small team or a growing business.Easy Integration and Automation
You can automate messages, integrate SMS with your CRM, and create workflows to streamline operations.
CallHippo SMS Pricing: Costs and Limits
Outbound SMS
The cost per outbound SMS depends on the country to which you are sending the SMS.
Some CallHippo plans include a set number of SMS.
SMS availability and pricing vary by country — for details, visit CallHippo’s SMS pricing page.
Incoming SMS:
Incoming messages are charged at approximately $0.01 per SMS.
Character Limits and Billing
A single SMS is 160 characters.
Messages can be up to 1,600 characters, but are billed per 160-character segment (e.g., a 1,600-character message = 10 SMS).
SMS templates have a 600-character limit to allow more flexibility in predefined messages.
Monitoring Usage
You can track SMS usage and charges in the “SMS/MMS logs” section of your CallHippo dashboard.
For the most accurate and updated rates, please refer to CallHippo’s official pricing page or contact the support team.
How to check if the number that I am adding provides SMS services?
When adding a number, you can check if the number is SMS service enabled or not from the ‘add number’ section as below:
How to check which of the available numbers in my account are SMS service-enabled?
You will be able to see the MMS capability from the list of available active numbers in your account.
How to check SMS logs and received/incoming SMS in the dialer?
1. Log in to your CallHippo dialer.
2. Click on the Main Menu icon.
3. Click on the “SMS / MMS” option.
The SMS logs will be visible to you.
How to send SMS from the dialer?
4. Click on the new SMS icon.
5. Enter the number and the SMS content that you want to send in the respective areas.
6. Select from the allocated numbers from which you want to send the SMS.
7. You can also choose from other options available.
8. Click on the “Send” button to send the SMS.
You will receive a confirmation of the SMS sent.
You will be able to see the SMS that you sent on the same screen.
SMS template:
SMS templates are a convenient feature in CallHippo that allows businesses to send predefined messages quickly and efficiently. These templates are particularly useful for sending common updates, reminders, or alerts without having to retype the message each time.
Each SMS template in CallHippo can contain up to 600 characters, offering ample space to craft informative and engaging messages while maintaining consistency in customer communication. This extended character limit ensures that even slightly longer messages can be sent in a structured format without losing clarity.
How to create an SMS template:
1. Click on the template icon visible on the dialer when sending SMS.
2. Click on the “Add template” button, or select from the available already created templates to add it to your ‘send SMS’ content.
3. After clicking on the add template, you can enter the title of the template, along with its content.
You can also select to save the template for only you or for other users as well.
Once the needful is done, click on “Save” to save the template created.
You can now use the template from the same template icon in the dialer when sending SMS.
Important:
Using emojis in SMS messages may increase the character count more than expected, as each emoji can consume multiple characters instead of just one.
This can affect the total number of SMS segments billed, potentially increasing message costs. It is recommended to use emojis sparingly and be mindful of their impact on SMS length and billing.
How to check the SMS status?
You can check the SMS status directly from the dashboard, from the SMS/MMS logs section, as visible in the screenshot below:
Some basic queries related to SMS services:
Q: How much does it cost to send an SMS through CallHippo?
A: Outbound SMS costs depend on the destination country. Some CallHippo plans include a fixed number of SMS/MMS. For full details, check CallHippo’s SMS pricing page.
Q: Is there a cost for receiving SMS messages in CallHippo?
A: Yes, incoming SMS messages are generally charged at around $0.01 per message.
Q: What’s the maximum length of an SMS message with CallHippo?
A: A standard SMS is 160 characters. You can send messages up to 1,600 characters, but these are billed per 160-character segment.
Q: How are SMS templates billed in CallHippo?
A: While creating or using a template isn’t charged separately, messages sent using a template are billed per 160-character segment. For example, a 600-character message would be billed as four SMS segments.
Q: Can I choose which number to send an SMS from in CallHippo?
A: Yes, you can select from the allocated business numbers when sending an SMS from the dialer.
Q: Does CallHippo support bulk SMS/MMS?
A: No, CallHippo does not allow users to send bulk SMS and MMS.
I hope this helps. If you still face any queries, please feel free to reach out at [email protected]