Content template registration is the final and most important part in sending bulk SMS messages to contacts. You need to be careful while framing the template and cover all your bases, as you will use this template for many future SMS campaigns. In this document, we'll go over some of the best practices while framing the SMS content template for DLT registration.
Ensure that you stick with a promotional header if you are only sending marketing SMS to your contacts. If you choose another header category like service (implicit or explicit) or transactional header but the content template has promotional message, then your template request will be immediately rejected.
Choose appropriate template names
Choosing a relevant name is important. Avoid using names like Template or Test, because they are generic and there are chances that your template might be rejected. Use an appropriate name like Promotions, Offer, or something denoting the purpose of the template and the message you would provide with that template.
Add your brand name
Make sure to include your brand in the content template. The contacts who receives your message should be able to identify and relate with your brand apart from your header/sender ID. Including your brand name in the message helps them relate and can also make them connect your sender ID with your brand upon receiving the first message.
Adding unnecessary spaces in between or after the content template or adding empty new lines after the content is interpreted as not a legitimate template used for straightforward purposes. Please avoid doing this at all costs.
Follow the rules with variables
Values such as amount, date, account number, OTP, customer names, and transaction ID in a message template have to be replaced with variables. You can add variables to the content template using the symbol {#var#}
Using several variables stringed together is discouraged by network operators as well as TRAI. Make sure to only use the variables for values that are bound to change due to personalization and for links.
Zoho Campaigns suggests you can use variables for merge tags and when you want to include a shortened link in your template. The maximum character limit for a DLT variable is 30. If you want to include shortened links in your SMS, please use two DLT variables ({#var#}{#var#}) in your template to ensure that the entire link falls under the template.Maintain a specific template for each header
Although you can associate multiple headers with a single content template, it is better not to do so. If the message appears slightly irrelevant to any of the header or selected type, the template will be rejected from approval. Another reason is to curate different and more specific content aligned with the product you are dealing in a header might help customers relate better with your SMS campaigns.