You've just connected Sakari to HubSpot and want to test if it works. Before beginning, please keep in mind that:
- An SMS created in HubSpot is handled in the same way as any other SMS. An SMS message has no metadata that identifies the software platform in which it was created, so this cannot impact deliverability
- The message from HubSpot must first be communicated successfully to Sakari. Sakari then transmits the message to the number provider, which sends it to the carriers and on to the handset
- Testing deliverability via an integration and/or an automation introduces variables in creating messages, and message creation errors can be easily misinterpreted as delivery failures
Use the following key criteria to assess whether an SMS sent from HubSpot via Sakari is successful:
- Is the message created in Sakari after requesting it from HubSpot?
- [If created] Is the message sent from Sakari?
- [If sent] Is the message delivered to the handset?
You can test all three aspects at once, or you may find it simpler to test each stage separately. Follow the six steps below to ensure you get the feedback you need.
1. Configure your HubSpot email in Sakari
Ensure you can track messages between HubSpot and Sakari by creating and using a Sakari user login profile from your HubSpot email address. Follow the steps in Configure a HubSpot user in Sakari.
2. Create a Sender Group
All outbound numbers (Senders) in Sakari must be assigned to a dedicated Group to be correctly selected in HubSpot for message sending. Ensure the configuration steps in the following articles have been completed:
3. Complete Sender registration
Sender + message registration is required in the US and UK. Complete this before sending messages. Domestic carriers are more likely to block messages sent from unregistered Senders.
- US local numbers - see 10DLC FAQ
- US toll-free numbers - see Toll-Free (US and CA) Verification Overview
- UK +44 numbers and Alphanumeric Sender IDs - please complete this form
[Optional] Test delivery directly from Sakari
To test message delivery from a new number, eliminate unnecessary variables by sending the message directly from Sakari.
After confirming successful outbound and inbound messages directly in Sakari, you can go ahead and test creating a message in Sakari from a HubSpot contact or workflow.
4. Send to multiple contacts
Send the same message to a variety of recipients with whom you can independently verify receipt.
Note: Deliverability to one number does not accurately reflect overall deliverability, as the variability in mobile phone manufacturers, number providers, carriers, and networks used to deliver SMS messages is always a factor.
If testing message delivery directly from Sakari, use the Quick Send feature in Sakari to send messages to multiple contacts quickly, without setting up a workflow. Add contacts as you would when copying them into an email.
5. Archive existing Conversations
Archive all Conversations in Sakari with the number to which you're sending the test message before sending the message. Sending multiple test messages? Archive the Conversation(s) between each message.
Unless otherwise instructed, Sakari defaults to sending messages to a Contact from the same outbound number that an active Conversation with them started from. Archiving the Conversation prevents this.
6. Use a business-related message
Avoid using one-word messages like 'test' or 'hello' as carriers may filter these as SPAM.
- As long as your message is under 160 characters (one segment) and contains no Unicode characters, there's no difference in cost between sending a single word and a business-related message.
- Sending the same one-word message may also trigger Sakari's duplicate checker and filter your test message without sending it to the carriers!
- If you were required to complete registration with your domestic SMS carriers via Sakari, please use message content similar to that you registered
For more guidance on best practices for SMS deliverability, please see our article SMS Deliverability Guidelines.