Setting Up SMS Notifications


Send SMS notifications to customers when they place orders and throughout the despatch process.


This is a paid service based on buying credits from them directly. It's a 2-step setup process, first sign up with an SMS provider and then enter the required details in REC Admin.


Selecting Your SMS Provider


There is a choice of provider, check the rates and sign up with the one that suits you best:

  1. Textmarketer
  2. Twilio
  3. Clickatell (this should no longer be used for new users, please select another provider)


NB Twilio and Telemarketer can be configured to send SMS worldwide 


Twilio Signup


Sign up to their "SMS" service 

Select "Order Notifications" under "What you are building"

Select "I am not a developer" under "Choose your language"

Copy down the "API SID" and "API Token"

Where you are asked for a Sender Name or ID, copy this down (it's what identifies your business in the text message)


Textmarketer Signup


Sign up on their website


Copy down the "API Username" and "API Password" 

Where you are asked for a Sender Name or ID, copy this down (it's what identifies your business in the text message)


You will be using this service in a "Production" environment


Setting Up Your SMS Provider IN REC


In REC Admin > Connect > Utilities > enter your SMS Provider's details in the fields for either TextMarketer.co.uk, Twilio or Clickatell

Click Update Settings


In REC Admin > Site Settings > Leads & Alerts tab set up the following:


Adapter: select your SMS provider

SMS From Name / Sender ID: enter your name or ID (normally this is the same as you set up when signing up with your SMS Provider)


Admin Mobile Number: This is your own mobile number for you to receive alerts.


Send me SMS/Txt alerts of new emails sent from the contact form?

Tick this if you want a text alert whenever someone fills in your contact form.


Send me SMS/Txt alerts of new orders?

Tick this if you want a text alert whenever you receive a new order.


Send SMS/Txt alerts to users about their new orders?

Tick this if you want to send a text to your customers when they place an order with you and also when the status of the order changes. This will keep them up to date with their order and solves the issue where emails are missed because they end up in the user's spam mailbox. They will only receive SMS messages if they enter their mobile number during registration.


A typical message will say:


Msg from: MyCompany

Hi, we have received your order ← This can be changed via Site Definitions SMS_NEW_ORDER

*Order id*: 123456

*Order Value*: £29.99

Visit the site to find out more. ← This can be changed via Site Definitions SMS_ORDERS_FOOTER_LINE


When an order status change message is sent out, you can change the text "Your order's status has changed" in Site Definitions SMS_ORDER_STATUS_CHANGE 


You can also send SMS alerts from forms by setting up a logic filter in Forms & Processes > select the form and add a process:


Congratulations! Your site is now set up to send SMS messages.


Account Top-Ups & Management (Clickatell)


To check the status with your account or to buy more credits go to the Clickatell website directly and login to your account to view your status and to buy more credits.


Low Balance Alerts (Clickatell)


It is recommended that you set up Balance Alerts and Reminders on your account within Clickatell so that you are alerted when you are running low on credits.


Historic Record of Clickatell setup Instructions


Clickatell Sign Up


Visit the site pricing page: http://www.clickatell.co.uk/pricing.php

  • Select the number of credits you want, normally this would be in the range 0 – 9,999
  • Make sure Outbound Messages is ticked.
  • If you scroll down below the Sign Up button you will see the costs of text messages based on the volume you selected. Later in the registration process, you will have to purchase a minimum of 400 credits, for around £20.
  • Click Sign Up Now
  • Click Developer API (this allows us to integrate the SMS into the site)
  • On the next page, in the New Customer box, in the Product Selection drop down, select Clickatell Central (API)


You will now go through registration.

  • Step 1 Ensure Clickatell Central is selected
  • Step 2 Select the area of coverage either International Coverage or Local Coverage, typically you will tick your country e.g. UK.
  • Create your username – enter your website name here for example
  • Create a secure password (recommend 8 characters minimum containing numbers and letters)
  • Step 3 Fill in your personal details and preferences.
  • Step 4 Verify Your Identity.

You will be sent an email for authentication.


Once you verify via email, you will proceed to login with your new details to verify your mobile number.


Click Send Activation Code to receive an SMS to your mobile and then enter this in the activation field and click Verify Now.


You will now be required to purchase credits (normally 400 minimum) in a new screen.


Enter the relevant payment details as prompted. Once the payment has gone through, Clickatell will ring you to manually verify your account transaction before adding the credits.


You now need to get your API ID for your site.


Login to your account and it will take you into Clickatell Central.


Scroll down the screen to Connection Status and click on Click here to create a connection (API ID)


Click on HTTP/S


You will now be prompted to Add Connection for HTTP API and shown some tick boxes.


Tick Replace Leading Zero (Dial Prefix) and then select your country from the drop down which will then show the country code number e.g. UK 44. This will ensure SMS messages are sent correctly within your country. For international SMS requirements please contact us regarding set up.


Click Submit & Get API ID


You should now see a success page which you can print, or just copy the API ID value and keep this for later steps.


You can also optionally set up a Sender ID. This is the name or number that the message appears to come from, rather than your own mobile number. To set this up, click on My Settings then click on Manage Sender ID's and add up to 11 characters for your Sender ID.


You will be prompted to explain why you should be allowed to use this ID. You will normally respond by saying it is your company name to be used to update subscribed customers with their order status.


Your request to use that Sender ID will be authorised at the discretion of Clickatell normally within 24 hours and you will be updated by email.


You have now finished your Clickatell registration.