You can set up automated SMS order notifications to be sent to your customers using Clickatell, a third-party mobile messaging gateway provider. With Clickatell integration, SMS messages can be sent when an order has been placed and when an order has been shipped. In order to use Clickatell SMS notifications, you must have a Clickatell account with an SMS API Integration set up and credits purchased from Clickatell.
Prerequisites
- You must have administrator access to use this feature.
In this article, you will learn how...
To set up a Clickatell API Integration
- Click here to sign up for an account with Clickatell.
- Activate your account and log in to the Clickatell portal.
- In the Products & Services tab, click on SMS under Channels.
Click the image to enlarge.
- Click on the + Activate Channel button.
Click the image to enlarge.
- When the SMS channel has been successfully added, browse to My Workspace.
Click the image to enlarge.
- Click on SMS under Channels.
- Click on the + New SMS Setup button under My SMS Setups. A setup wizard will take you through the steps to setup your SMS integration.
Click the image to enlarge.
- Select API under the How do you plan to use your new SMS channel section.
Click the image to enlarge.
- Under the Messaging Type section, choose the messaging type.
- One-way: only allows SMS messages to be sent to customers.
- Two-way: will allow customers to respond to your SMS notifications.
- Click Next.
- Select the number type - choose whether you want to use a long number or short code and indicate whether you are using an existing number or need to purchase a new one.
If you are purchasing a new number, select the country and choose the number you want to use.
If you are using an existing number, select it from the drop-down list.
Click the image to enlarge.
- Click Next.
- Select a payment plan if you have not already done so.
- Click Next.
- Set up the payment method if you have not already done so.
- Select "Basic HTTP API" under API Type and select Create new HTTP API.
Click the image to enlarge.
The HTTP Setup Details page will be displayed.
Click the image to enlarge.
- Enter a name for the API integration, such as "DecoNetwork SMS", in the Setup Name field.
- Enter a Description for the integration.
- Choose the delivery type.
- Time critical: offers the fastest and most direct line of delivery for your SMS messages at premium rates. Recommended for high-priority messages, such as one-time PINs, transactional messages, and time-critical alerts.
- Standard: uses reliable routes at lower rates. Ideal for messages that aren't time-sensitive, like promotions or CRM messages.
- Select the Setup Type you would like to start in.
- Sandbox: allows you to test the API using one of your test phone numbers.
- Production: choose this option when you are ready to make your integration live.
- Configure the other options for the API as required, and click Next. Your API details will be displayed. Make a note of the API key. You will need to enter this in the DecoNetwork SMS Notifications setup.
To set up SMS notifications:
- Log into your DecoNetwork Website.
- Browse to Admin > Settings > Customer Settings > SMS Notifications.
- Tick the Enable Clickatell SMS checkbox.
- Enter your Clickatell SMS Integration information:
- Enter the API key from the Clickatell SMS Integration you set up into the API Key field.
- (Optional). Enter your Sender IDThe Sender ID is the name or number that appears in the recipient's phone when they receive a message, if you have one set up for your account.
- (Optional). Tick the Order Placed SMS checkbox if you want the customer to receive an SMS to confirm that their order has been placed.
- (Optional) Enter a personalized message for the order placed SMS.
- (Optional) Enter a personalized message for the order placed SMS.
- (Optional). Tick the Order Shipped SMS checkbox if you want the customer to receive an SMS to notify them that their order has been shipped.
- (Optional) Enter a personalized message for the order shipped SMS.
You can use the following placeholder values in your SMS notification messages to show details of the order:
- [SITE]: the URL of the website the order comes from
- [SITE_NAME]: the name of the website the order comes from
- [ORDER_NUMBER]: the order number
- (Optional) Enter a personalized message for the order shipped SMS.
- Click Save.
Comments
6 comments
what format do we need to enter our customers cell number in their account for this to work? In Canada so is it 2042445566 or is it 12042445566 or do we need the + in front?
Hi Cyndi,
The phone number needs to be in full international format. This means that you need to include the plus sign (+) followed by the country code, city code, and local phone number.
Is this for online orders only?
Hi Viviana,
It is for both online orders (orders placed through the storefront) and for backend orders (orders placed through Business Hub).
What is the Call-to-action / message flow that Deco uses for users to sign up for txt messaging? It seems it is required for US numbers. This is from Clickatell "You are required to provide a clear and concise description of how an end user signs up to receive messages." This is asked when setting up a 10DLC Campaign Registration for a long number.
Hi Mike Fackrell,
You can add consent into your T&C's for placing orders. Please see the Commercial Terms help article for instructions on editing the terms and conditions.
Please sign in to leave a comment.