Web-Based Text Messaging Service Explained

Many of our customers share some version of this story with us. 

They were using their personal cellphone to send and receive texts—but it quickly got out of hand. We’re talking late-night questions from customers, early morning cancellations, and no opportunity to ever disconnect from work.

So, they started searching for a texting website. Now they send texts directly over the computer or via our mobile app, saving both their thumbs and their cellphone numbers.

If you’re in the same boat and looking to learn more about web-based texting platforms, you’ve come to the right place. 

In the following article, we cover:

• What Is a Texting Website?
• Why You Should Use a Texting Website
• How Web-to-Phone Text Messaging Works
• How to Choose a Web-Based SMS Service
• Getting Started With SimpleTexting

What Is a Web-Based Text Messaging Service?

When you want to text someone, you open your messages, tap “new message,” type in your contact’s name and message, then click send.

A texting website like SimpleTexting allows you to do the same thing–just from any internet-connected device, i.e., a PC, tablet, or mobile phone. 

One of the main differences between texting from your phone and web-based SMS is that you can text one or thousands of your customers with one click and a few minutes of your time.

Of course, web-to-phone text messaging services like ours offer many additional benefits, which we’ll cover next.

Why Use a Web-Based Text Messaging Service?

Wondering why you should use a web-based SMS app for 1-on-1 texting, mass texting, or both? There are many reasons why beyond separating your personal and work life.

If you want to send a group text or run an SMS marketing campaign, here’s an excellent summary of why you need to use a web-based texting service.

For two-way SMS, our customers appreciate the fact they can text-enable their existing landline number or set up a new number. They also get the inbox features they need to manage incoming and outgoing text from customers.

For example, they can: 

• Leave internal notes
• Snooze conversations
• Filter incoming messages by time waiting
• Add multiple phone numbers and team members

Other benefits of our texting website, regardless of what you plan to use it for include:

• Lower cost, as pricing is flexible and based on the volume of texts you anticipate sending
• The ability to add SMS integrations with other services and apps
• Detailed records of all your customer communications
• Keep an eye on SMS benchmarks so you know what’s working and what isn’t

How Web-to-Phone Text Messaging Works

As we already mentioned, web-to-phone text messaging works by connecting the sender to the recipients via the internet as opposed to a mobile phone.

If you’re curious as to how this works in more detail, here’s how easy it is to send a message from SimpleTexting as well as how 1-on-1 texting with our platform works.

How to Choose a Web-Based Text Messaging Service

Now that you’ve decided you want to send text messages online you need to choose a web SMS service.

Hopefully you’ve discerned by now that we’re one of the many web-based SMS services out there.

However, no hard sell here. We encourage you to do your research. Be sure to find a platform with plenty of reviews on third-party sites. 

You’ll also want to double-check that they offer all the features you need, have a responsive support team, and an extensive library of resources.

After you make your choice, you’ll need to follow a few steps to get started. Each platform works a little differently.

Getting Started With SimpleTexting

There are a couple of easy steps involved in setting up a text message service. The three steps you’ll need to take in broad strokes are:

• Select your number: You can choose and register a local number or pick and verify a toll-free number. Both are capable of texting large groups or having 1-on-1 conversations. You can also work with our onboarding team to text-enable your existing voice number or provision a 6-digit short code.

• Grow your contact list or advertise your new text-enabled number: You’ll need to populate your contact list to send group messages. We have an entire section of our blog dedicated to growing your SMS list. If you want to text customers 1-on-1, then you’ll need to advertise your new text-enabled phone number. (For example, you could add a click-to-text button to your website.)

• Send a test message: While your contact list grows is a good time to send your first test text message. Play around with the MMS features, link sharing, and file attachments to see how things will look on your recipient’s end.

If you still have other questions, our team of texting experts would love to help. We’re available 7 days a week. Text or call us at (866) 450-4185 or use the chat at the bottom of your screen. 

Alternatively, schedule a demo or sign up for a 14-day free trial, and–as we mentioned above–no credit card details required.