You've just joined Sakari, or added a new outbound number, and want to test if it works. Please follow the steps below to ensure you get the feedback you need.
1. Configure a Group
All outbound numbers (Senders) in Sakari must be aligned to a dedicated Group in Sakari to be selected for messaging. Please see the following articles:
2. Archive existing conversations
Archive all conversations in Sakari with the number to which you're sending the test message(s) before sending the message(s).
Unless otherwise instructed, Sakari defaults to sending messages from the outbound number an active Conversation started from. Archiving the Conversation prevents this.
If you need to send multiple test messages, Archive the conversation(s) between each message.
3. Use a business-related message
Avoid using one-word messages like 'test' or 'hello' as carriers may filter these as SPAM.
If you were required to complete registration with your domestic SMS carriers via Sakari, please use message content similar to that you registered.
As long as your message is under 160 characters (one segment) and contains no Unicode characters, there's no difference in cost from sending a single word and a business-related message.
For more guidance on best practices for SMS deliverability, please see our article SMS Deliverability Guidelines.
4. Send to multiple contacts
Send the same message to a variety of recipients with whom you can independently verify receipt.
Deliverability to one number does not reflect deliverability as a whole, due to the variability in mobile phone manufacturers, number providers, carriers and networks used to deliver SMS.
4. Use Quick Send (optional)
You can use the Quick Send feature in Sakari to quickly send to multiple contacts without setting up a campaign or workflow. Just add contacts like you would when copying them into an email!
FAQ
I've followed the above and my messages aren't delivered. What next?
Please check for error messages in or from Sakari, or the integration you're using (if relevant) and consult Message Status Types and Error Codes to understand the error.
If there are no errors reported and you still have questions, please contact Sakari Support at help@sakari.io with specific message examples. We'll do our best to help!