As you know, as per DLT regulation in India, SMS templates must first receive approval on the DLT portal. Once approved, messages matching the template (along with the appropriate template ID) can be sent to users.
For successful and timely delivery of your SMS, please consider the following:
1. Mention your brand name in the SMS
As per new regulation, your brand name must be mentioned in any SMS you send. When seeking approval for templates, include your brand or company name at the end of the message.
Dear {#var#}, you are eligible for a Rs. 500 discount! - Brand name
Previously approved templates without brand name may be blacklisted.
2. Only use {#var} as placeholders for variables, as other placeholders are not supported under DLT
Suggested template:
Your address has been updated to: {#var#}{#var#}.
Avoid:
Your address has been updated to: %s.
3. In your SMS, the actual value that replaces {#var#} should be < 30 characters long
Template:
Your address has been updated to: {#var#}.
This message will likely fail as the variable is longer than 30 characters:
Your address has been updated to: 100, MG Road, Gandhinagar, New Delhi 100100.
4. Send the following details in your API request
a. SMS Type
i. transactional (set priority = high for OTPs)
ii. transactional_opt_in
iii. promotional
b. DLT approved Template ID
c. DLT approved Sender ID
5. The SMSes sent by you exactly match the template approved on DLT
Even if your SMS has an extra space, comma or apostrophe that the approved template does not, your message will fail.
Template:
Dear {#var#}, you are eligible for a Rs. 500 discount!
This message will likely fail due to a missing !:
Dear Mr. Ravi, you are eligible for a Rs. 500 discount
6. If you would prefer to upload your template details on Exotel, ensure that the template details added exactly match the details approved by DLT
If your approved template has two variables e.g.
Dear {#var#}{#var#}, we wish you a very happy Diwali!
please ensure that you upload the same template with both {#var#}{#var#} on Exotel as well.
If you have any questions or concerns, please connect with us using the chat widget on your Exotel Dashboard or Whatsapp us on 08088919888.