SMS Deliverability Best Practices

The Importance of SMS Deliverability

SMS marketing has incredible open rates (often over 90%), but strict carrier regulations mean that if you don't follow the rules, your messages will be blocked. Cavaco AI helps manage compliance, but understanding the basics is crucial.

Key Compliance Rules

• Explicit Consent: You must have explicit, written consent to send marketing SMS messages. A pre-checked box at checkout is not enough. Cavaco's consent widgets ensure you capture this correctly.
• Clear Identification: Every message must clearly identify your brand (e.g., "Cavaco Store: Your order has shipped!").
• Opt-Out Mechanism: You must provide a clear way to opt out, usually by replying "STOP". Cavaco automatically appends this to your first message and handles the opt-out process.

Best Practices for High Delivery Rates

1. Avoid Link Shorteners: Generic link shorteners (like bit.ly) are often flagged as spam by carriers. Use Cavaco's built-in branded link shortener.
2. Watch Your Language: Avoid overly "spammy" language, excessive capitalization, or too many special characters. Words like "FREE," "GUARANTEE," or "$$$" can trigger filters if overused.
3. Mind the Time: Only send messages during appropriate hours in your recipient's time zone (typically 9 AM to 8 PM). Cavaco's "Quiet Hours" feature handles this automatically.
4. Keep it Concise: A standard SMS is 160 characters. While Cavaco supports longer messages (MMS), keeping it short and punchy improves engagement.

Monitoring Performance

Regularly check your SMS campaign reports in Cavaco. If you notice a sudden drop in delivery rates, it may indicate a carrier filtering issue. Contact Cavaco Support if you suspect your numbers have been flagged.