How to Send Bulk SMS in South Africa: Step-by-Step Guide (2026)
What You Need
- A bulk SMS account (free trial at SMSMessenger)
- Contact list in Excel or CSV
- Your message (160 characters max)
- 10 minutes
Step by Step
- Create free account at smsmessenger.co.za
- Upload contacts via Excel/CSV (use 27 prefix, not 0)
- Create groups: All Customers, VIP, March Campaign
- Compose message — stay under 160 chars for 1 credit
- Set your Sender ID (your brand name)
- Send Now or Schedule for later
- Monitor real-time delivery reports
Best Send Times in South Africa
Tuesday–Thursday, 10am–12pm or 2pm–4pm. Avoid Sundays and Monday mornings.
Tips
- Include opt-out: Reply STOP to unsubscribe
- Test with 10 numbers before full send
- Personalise with {name} for 30% higher engagement
- Keep under 100 characters when possible
