We are looking into replacing the UK number with a local number so that replies will be the cost of a local SMS. The only issue with allowing people to have the SMS messages coming from their own number is that the SMS prices will have to go up slightly. We’ll definitely investigate this option further.

What we can also do is forward the reply onto your mobile number for when you’re mobile. We plan to release a mobile version of Sendible in the near future. You will then be able initiate SMS’s from your phone at our low prices.

What are your thoughts?

Could you set it up so that there is an option whereby people who you an SMS via Sendible receive an SMS from *your* number and not a random UK (+44) number?

There would be a number of advantages to this.

* People you SMS via Sendible would know the SMS is from you
* They could reply directly to your phone
* Their reply would remain on your phone so you could easily refer to it
* SMS conversations with the person could be threaded (like on the iPhone)
* The person wouldn’t dismiss the SMS as spam (which my partner nearly did yesterday)
* People don’t have to pay international SMS rates when they reply to you

There may be some disadvantages too…
* “You may have to pay for the person’s replies to your phone in some countries.” (This isn’t an issue in Australia where you only pay to send an SMS). SOLUTION: Make this an OPTION so people can choose to opt in.
* “People won’t use Sendible to send SMSes – they’ll just reply via their phone.” Maybe. If I’m out and about, away from my computer, sure I’ll reply via my phone. However, if I’m at my computer and I get an SMS to my phone, I’ll still reply via Sendible. Why? (1) It’s less than half the price. (2) It’s faster.

I think this would improve Sendible out of sight.

As an aside, I already use Skype to send SMSes to people. It gives me the option of sending it via my Skype name (which they can’t reply to) or via my mobile number (which they can reply to). The current advantage Sendible has over Skype is the ability to SMS at a time in the future.

Anyway, that’s my two cents.

Cheers,

Dougal

I can’t send sms without buying andy credit… In your post you said:

“Don’t worry, the free SMS service is still available as long as you don’t mind ads appearing in your messages!”

How could I send freee SMS with ads?

Thank you,
Giordano.

In terms of the Ad’s I think offering an alternative of pay as you go for every individual service is always best.

Would it be easy for your app to invoke XML web services?