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Calling and SMS Price Plans in Gridlex Zip
Gridlex Zip usage based calling and prices are based on a combination of factors. It is important to note that prices are subject to change based on different market conditions and locations. To view the detailed country specific information, please click here for this spreadsheet. Please refer to the table below for the pricing structure of US to US calls and SMS using Gridlex Zip: Calls Pricing: Location To Make Calls To Receive Calls United States & Canada $ 0.0140/ min $ 0.0085/ min (local numbers) United States & Canada - Toll Free $ 0.0140/ min $ 0.0220/ min (toll-free numbers) United States - Alaska $ 0.0140/ min United States - Hawaii $ 0.0140/ min Phone Numbers Pricing: Phone Number Type Phone Number Price / month Inbound Voice Price Inbound Trunking Price / min Local Calls $ 1.15 $ 0.0085 $ 0.0034 Toll-Free Calls $ 2.15 $ 0.0085 $ 0.013 SMS Pricing: Number Used Type To Send To Receive Local Numbers Inbound SMS Price / msg $ 0.0079 $ 0.0079 Toll-Free Numbers Inbound SMS Price / msg $ 0.0079 $ 0.0079 Local Numbers Inbound MMS Price / msg $ 0.0200 $ 0.0100 Toll-Free Numbers Inbound MMS Price / msg $ 0.0200 $ 0.0200 Other Details: Browser / App Calling $ 0.0040/ min (to make calls) $ 0.0040/ min (to receive calls) Call Recording $ 0.0025/ min $ 0.0005/ min per mo Answering Machine Detection $ 0.0075/ call Calls Per Second (CPS) 1 CPS/ Free How to use Calling Solution in Gridlex Zip? Step 1: Sign Up for Gridlex Zip 30-Day Free Trial To start your free trial, fill out the required information, including your name, email address, and desired password. Click "Sign Up" to complete the registration process and activate your free trial. Step 2: Receive $2 Credit in Your Gridlex Zip Wallet After successfully signing up, Gridlex Zip will automatically add $2 to your wallet, which can be used to avail the calling feature. Step 3: Buy a Phone Number Click on “Buy a Phone Number”. Browse the available phone numbers and choose the one you prefer. Note: If the cost of the selected number exceeds $2, you need to add more funds to your wallet. To add funds, navigate to the "Wallet" section and follow the prompts to deposit the required amount. Once you have sufficient funds, proceed to purchase the chosen phone number. Step 4: Start Making Calls In your Gridlex Zip account, go to the "Make & Receive Calls" section. Dial the phone number you wish to call by entering the number in the “Phone Number” field. Press the "Call" button to initiate the call. Now you can enjoy making calls using your Gridlex Zip account! If you encounter any difficulties or need assistance, feel free to reach out to us at apps@gridlex.com.
Published | Aug. 23, 2023, 8:30 a.m.
How can I subscribe to Gridlex App Suite?
Follow these steps to subscribe to Gridlex App Suite. Step 1: Log in to your Gridlex App Suite account. Once logged in, navigate to the "Enterprise Admin" tab within the application. Under the "Enterprise admin" tab, locate and click on the "Billing and Payments" option. Step 2: You'll be redirected to a new page. Look for the "Subscriptions" option on the left side of the screen and click on it. Step 3: On the subscriptions page, you will see a list of the four plans offered by Gridlex. Review the details of each plan and choose the one that suits your needs. To select a plan, click on the "Subscribe" button located under the plan you wish to proceed with. Note: If you prefer an annual subscription, you can click on the "Yearly" tab to view the pricing for a yearly subscription instead of the default monthly subscription. Step 4: After clicking on "Subscribe," you will be redirected to a page where you need to provide the required details for the subscription. Fill in all the necessary information, such as your payment details, billing address, and any other requested information. Step 5: Once you have filled in all the required details, review the information to ensure its accuracy. After verifying everything, click on the "Subscribe" button to proceed with the payment. Congratulations! You have successfully subscribed to the Gridlex App Suite. If you encounter any technical issues or have any further questions, feel free to contact us at apps@gridlex.com.
Published | Aug. 22, 2023, 11:41 a.m.
How to Set Up a Phone Connection in Gridlex Zip?
Follow the steps mentioned below to learn how to set up a phone connection in Gridlex Zip. Step 1: Log in to Gridlex and click on the “Helpdesk” tab located under the Zip section in the menu bar. Step 2: After clicking on the "Helpdesk" tab, you will be redirected to the Shortcuts page. Here click on “Buy a Phone Number” located under the inbox management section. Step 3: Fill in all the required details, such as selecting the desired inbox, choosing the country, and specifying the capabilities you want for the phone connection. Once you have filled in the information, click on the "Search" button. Step 4: A list of available phone numbers will be displayed on the page. Browse through the list and select the number that meets your requirements. Once you have chosen the desired number, click on the "Buy" button to initiate the purchase. Step 5: You will be prompted to name the phone connection. Enter a suitable name and then click on the "Confirm Buy" button to complete the purchase. Congratulations! You have successfully set up a phone connection in Gridlex Zip. You can now make and receive calls using the purchased phone number. If you’re wondering how to make calls in Gridlex Zip, click here. If you encounter any issues during the process or have any further questions, feel free to reach out to the Gridlex support team at apps@gridlex.com.
Published | Aug. 23, 2023, 8:46 a.m.
How to Sign Up For Gridlex Zip?
Signing up for Gridlex Zip is easy and straightforward. First, visit the Gridlex Zip website and click the “Sign Up” link at the top of the page. On the next screen, enter your email address, password, etc. Once you’ve completed the form, click the “Sign Up” button to create your account. From there, you can explore Gridlex Zip’s features, such as Call, SMS Text, Email & More from unified CRM & Customer Service Help Desk Software. If you need any help with any feature, data migration of your old data, or anything at all, just email apps@gridlex.com and our team will be here to help you. Remember, that one of Gridlex’s core values is Customer Success. We want you to be successful.
Published | Aug. 23, 2023, 7:27 a.m.
A2P 10DLC Approval for Using Gridlex SMS Text Feature
What is A2P 10DLC? Application-to-Person (A2P) 10-Digit Long Code (10DLC) refers to a new standard set by telecom carriers in the United States for all business-to-customer text messaging. This system provides businesses with a designated 10-digit phone number for sending automated or bulk messages to their customers. Here's a bit more detail on each component: A2P (Application-to-Person): This refers to the automated sending of messages from an application to individual phone numbers. This could be for purposes like marketing, notifications, reminders, or two-factor authentication. E.g., a bank using A2P 10DLC to send transaction alerts to customers. 10DLC (10-Digit Long Code): Traditional short codes used for mass texting are typically 5-6 digits long. A 10DLC is a regular 10-digit phone number that has been registered and approved for bulk messaging. Why was A2P 10DLC created? A2P 10DLC was created to help regulate and improve the delivery of A2P SMS messages in the United States. It's an initiative within the telecommunications industry to create a more secure and transparent environment for business messaging. Here are some of the key reasons why A2P 10DLC was introduced: Improved Delivery: The A2P 10DLC system allows businesses to send messages through a more direct and controlled route, leading to better delivery rates and customer experiences. Spam and Fraud Reduction: By registering 10DLC numbers, carriers have more information on the sender, which helps in identifying and preventing spam, phishing, and fraudulent messages. This creates a more secure environment for both the sender and receiver. Compliance with Regulations: Implementing A2P 10DLC helps in adhering to various regulatory requirements, including the TCPA (Telephone Consumer Protection Act) in the United States. This allows businesses to send messages in a compliant manner. Cost-Efficient: A2P 10DLC allows businesses to send messages at a lower cost compared to using short codes, making it an attractive option for small and medium-sized enterprises. Branding: With a 10-digit number that can be associated with a business, it's easier for recipients to recognize and trust the sender. This can lead to better engagement and conversion rates for businesses. Overall, A2P 10DLC was created to facilitate a more secure, efficient, and transparent messaging ecosystem for businesses, carriers, and consumers, helping to maintain the integrity of the A2P messaging channel. It enables businesses to communicate with their customers more effectively while complying with regulations and ensuring a higher quality of service. Who needs to register for A2P 10DLC? Any entity or individual that intends to send SMS/MMS messages over a 10DLC (10-digit long code) number from an application to recipients in the United States must complete the registration process for A2P 10DLC. Carriers categorize all SMS traffic originating from Gridlex as being sent from an application. As a result, anyone utilizing a 10DLC number through Gridlex to transmit SMS messages to the US is obligated to go through the registration procedure. Note: It is essential to note that Toll-Free numbers and shortcode numbers operate outside the A2P 10DLC system and remain suitable for messaging end-users in the United States. Registering for A2P 10DLC offers several benefits, including reduced message filtering and increased messaging throughput. Conversely, customers who send messages from a Gridlex 10DLC number without completing the registration will incur additional carrier fees for sending unregistered traffic. How do I get registered? The registration process for A2P 10DLC can be accomplished by filling out this form, here. What information will you require from me to be registered? The information required for 10DLC registration includes your business details (such as legal name, address, and tax ID), your anticipated messaging volume, and the intended use case (e.g., marketing, alerts, 2FA, customer service). Additionally, you'll need to provide details about your messaging content. A2P 10DLC Campaign Approval Requirements Once you submit your information, Gridlex and its telephony and SMS partner will evaluate the application for approval by a third-party board called Campaign Registry. To ensure successful approval of your data, certain criteria must be met. Note: Please be aware that occasionally campaigns may be rejected. In such cases, you will need to resubmit your information, and each resubmission will incur an additional fee. How to ensure campaign approval? To ensure campaign approval in A2P 10DLC (Application-to-Person 10 Digit Long Code), you should follow the guidelines and best practices set forth by the carriers and the Campaign Registry. The process may vary slightly depending on the specific requirements of each carrier, but here are some general steps to increase your chances of getting your campaign approved: Use a Legitimate Business Use Case: Ensure that your campaign serves a legitimate business use case and adheres to the carrier's guidelines. Avoid any deceptive or spammy practices that may lead to rejection. For example., XYZ.Inc uses SMS to send transactional messages related to important updates and reminders to its customers. These messages include order confirmations, delivery updates, and appointment reminders. XYZ.Inc ensures that each message is relevant to the recipient and improves their overall customer experience. Comply with Regulations: Make sure your campaign is compliant with all relevant regulations, such as TCPA (Telephone Consumer Protection Act) and CTIA guidelines. Respect opt-in and opt-out requests and only message users who have consented to receive your messages. Use a Recognizable Sender ID: Choose a recognizable and consistent sender ID that clearly represents your brand or business. Avoid using shortcodes or random numeric sender IDs. Provide Clear Opt-Out Instructions: Include clear opt-out instructions in all your messages, and ensure that recipients can easily unsubscribe from your campaigns. Content Review: Review your message content to ensure it is appropriate, non-misleading, and relevant to the recipient's expectations. Avoid using excessive capitalization, symbols, or misleading language. Volume and Throughput Management: Gradually increase your message volume and throughput as you build a positive reputation with the carriers. Sudden spikes in messaging can trigger suspicion. What is OPT-IN and OPT-OUT process? OPT-IN and OPT-OUT processes refer to the procedures through which end-users can choose to either consent to receiving messages from a specific brand or application (OPT-IN) or request to stop receiving messages (OPT-OUT). These processes are crucial for maintaining compliance with messaging regulations and ensuring that users have control over the messages they receive. OPT-IN: The OPT-IN process involves obtaining explicit consent from the recipient before sending them A2P messages. This consent can be in the form of the user voluntarily subscribing to a service, texting a specific keyword to a shortcode, or any other method that clearly indicates their willingness to receive messages from your business. Example: Let's say you run a retail store and want to send promotional offers to your customers. To collect OPT-INs, you might run a marketing campaign like this: "Text 'JOIN' to 12345 to receive exclusive deals and discounts from XYZ Store. Msg&Data rates may apply. Reply STOP to opt-out." When a customer texts 'JOIN' to the shortcode 12345, they have provided explicit consent (OPT-IN) to receive promotional messages from XYZ Store. OPT-OUT: The OPT-OUT process allows recipients to stop receiving A2P messages whenever they want. This process should be effortless and immediate for the user. When a recipient texts a specific keyword, such as 'STOP,' 'UNSUBSCRIBE,' or 'QUIT,' the system should immediately stop sending them any further messages. Example: Following the earlier example, if a customer wants to stop receiving promotional messages, they can text 'STOP' to the same shortcode 12345. Once the system receives the 'STOP' message, it should immediately remove the customer from the messaging list and acknowledge their OPT-OUT request. What happens after registration? Post A2P 10DLC registration, once your campaign use case is approved, you will be assigned a trust score based on your company's credibility as perceived by carriers. This score will determine the maximum number of SMSs you can send per day per carrier. If you exceed this threshold, your messages may fail to deliver. To maintain a high trust score and ensure smooth SMS delivery, it's essential to adhere to the following guidelines: Opt-in Compliance: Ensure that you only send SMS to customers who have explicitly opted in to receive messages from your company. By doing so, you can keep your opt-out rate low, which is crucial. A high opt-out rate suggests to carriers that you are sending unsolicited, or cold SMS, which is against regulations. If you plan to use SMS for cold outreach, make sure to obtain consent from the recipients through email or phone calls before sending any messages. If your account is flagged for having a high opt-out rate, it could be suspended unless you provide proof of opt-in for a random selection of leads that the affected carrier picks. Minimize High Failure Rate: Prior to importing your contact list to Gridlex and initiating SMS campaigns, use third-party sites to validate the contacts. This step helps you avoid sending SMS to landline numbers, which is considered a signal of spam messages without proper consent. Having a high error rate due to sending messages to invalid numbers or landlines will significantly lower your trust score and may affect SMS delivery success. Conclusion A2P 10DLC is a vital component for businesses that engage in mass messaging. The process of registration, adherence to carrier guidelines, and maintaining an ethical opt-in and opt-out system are essential. By following the prescribed methods, businesses can effectively use A2P 10DLC for a variety of communication needs.
Published | Aug. 23, 2023, 8:38 a.m.
How to Ensure Your Calls Aren't Flagged as Spam: Best Outreach Practices
Cold calling has long been essential for businesses to reach potential clients. But the rise of spam calls is making it difficult for businesses as customers are more suspicious and conscious when answering unknown calls leading to low call connect rates. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has recognized this issue and introduced new regulations to crack down on spam and scam calls. Companies relying on phone outreach must swiftly adapt to the FCC's guidelines in this new regulatory environment. Failure to comply could lead to legitimate business calls being mislabeled as "Spam Likely" or "Scam," seriously hindering outreach efforts. This guide will help you understand this new landscape, ensuring your calls reach the intended recipients without negative labeling. How to Avoid Being Flagged as Spam? To ensure your outbound calls reach your customers with genuine caller IDs, it is essential to validate your number that you purchased on the Gridlex platform. You can do this by registering the number on Free Caller Registry. This one-stop portal quickly sends your details to analytics firms like First Orion, Hiya, and TNS. This helps build a positive reputation for your numbers with the major U.S. wireless carriers, ensuring that your legitimate calls aren't mistakenly marked as spam or scam. Once you've registered, each analytics service provider, such as First Orion, Hiya, and TNS, will send you a confirmation notification. They will individually check the information you've submitted and keep in direct contact with you. Although this process simplifies registration, going directly to the analytic provider can lead to quicker registration and more efficient call delivery, allowing you to connect with your customers faster. While this helps legitimize your numbers, you must still be cautious in your outreach activities. Engaging in spam-like behavior, even after registration, may cause your calls to be flagged as spam. Upholding ethical practices and remaining vigilant is essential to maintaining a positive reputation with carriers. Why Are Calls Flagged as Spam: Best Outreach Practices to Follow Telephone carriers set up several safety measures to protect consumers from spam activity. Understanding why calls are labeled as spam is crucial to avoid being marked as suspicious. Here's a brief explanation of the typical triggers: Pattern Recognition: Calls following suspicious patterns, such as quick, repeated dialing, may be flagged as spam. To avoid this, prioritize authenticity in outreach efforts and avoid robotic and mass-dialing. Community Feedback: If multiple users report a number as spam, it can become flagged. So make sure to maintain clarity and honesty in communication. Adherence to Legal Guidelines: It's essential to comply with regulations such as adhering to the national Do-Not-Call Registry, knowing the legal calling times in different states, and identifying yourself and your company on every call. Third-party Analytic Providers: Carriers often work with analytic firms to analyze calling patterns across networks, identifying spam-like behavior. To avoid being flagged, maintain ethical calling practices and clear communication. Avoiding Blacklists: Being on known blacklists may lead to calls being blocked. To prevent this, adhere to ethical practices. Opt-In and Opt-Out Options: Create processes for contacts to opt-in to receive communication via phone and allow them to opt out if they wish. Complying with these preferences helps maintain trust and avoids being marked as spam. Local Phone Number Usage: Using a local phone number can enhance the perception of legitimacy in your calls. Updated Calling Lists: Regularly update calling lists to avoid repeatedly contacting those who don't answer, which may lead to being marked as spam. Adhering to the new FCC regulations is vital for successful phone outreach. By implementing the practices outlined in this guide, businesses can ensure ethical calling, build trust, and avoid being perceived as spam.
Published | Aug. 23, 2023, 8:34 a.m.