In Spotler MailPro, users send SMS and WhatsApp messages by creating a message in Content > Messages and then selecting that message in a supported sendout method. Supported sendout methods include bulk sendouts, Flow Builder journeys, and REST API-based sendouts.
SMS and WhatsApp messages in Spotler MailPro are created in the Messages module and sent through a sendout method. The message contains the content and settings, while the sendout method determines when and to which contacts the message is sent.
WhatsApp requires Spotler Message
WhatsApp messages in Spotler MailPro require Spotler Message. WhatsApp templates come from Spotler Message and must be available before they can be selected in Spotler MailPro. Contact your account manager if you are interested in using WhatsApp messaging in Spotler MailPro.
On this page, the following topics are covered:
- What do you need before sending a message?
- Which sendout methods can you use?
- How do you send a message with a bulk sendout?
- How do you send a message with Flow Builder?
- How do you send a message with the REST API?
- What can you check when a message is not sent?
- What is the result?
- FAQ
- Related articles
What do you need before sending a message?
Before you can send an SMS or WhatsApp message in Spotler MailPro, the message must be available in Content > Messages. The message contains the content that will be sent to contacts.
A messaging sender must also be configured in Setup > Campaign > Messaging Senders. The messaging sender determines whether the saved message is used as an SMS message or as a WhatsApp message.
The contact must have a value in the required database field {mobile_nr}. Spotler MailPro uses this field to identify the mobile phone number that receives the SMS or WhatsApp message.
For WhatsApp messages, the WhatsApp template must be available through Spotler Message before the message can be created and sent from Spotler MailPro.
Which sendout methods can you use?
Spotler MailPro supports different sendout methods for SMS and WhatsApp messages. The best method depends on whether the message should be sent to a group, triggered in an automated journey, or triggered by an external integration.
| Sendout method | Use this when | Where it is used |
| Bulk sendout | You want to send an SMS or WhatsApp message to a selected group of contacts. | The sendout flow in Spotler MailPro. |
| Flow Builder | You want to send an SMS or WhatsApp message as part of an automated journey. | The Send message step in Flow Builder. |
| REST API | You want an external system to trigger an SMS or WhatsApp message. | The Spotler MailPro REST API. |
How do you send a message with a bulk sendout?
A bulk sendout sends an SMS or WhatsApp message to a selected group of contacts. Use this method when the same message should be sent to multiple recipients at once.
You configure a bulk message sendout from the Message tab in the sendout flow.
- Make sure the SMS or WhatsApp message is created in Content > Messages.
- Start a new sendout Content > Send Mailing.
- Open the Message tab.
- Select the Dispatch date/period. Choose Immediately, On date/time, or Periodical.
- Select the Kind of delivery. Choose Test when you want to test the sendout first, or choose Definitively when the message may be sent to the selected recipients.
- Select the Sending order. Choose Sequential or Random.
- Select the saved message in Message to send.
- Choose how Spotler MailPro should handle Too long SMS messages. Select Send unpersonalised message to send the unpersonalized version, or select Send multiple messages (split) to split the SMS into multiple messages.
- Select the Recipient groups. Use Send to for the groups that should receive the message, and use Do not send to for groups that must be excluded.
- Select the Language for the sendout when the campaign uses multiple languages.
- Optionally, select the filters that the recipients should match.
- Choose whether to Erase test results.
- Review the sendout settings.
- Send or schedule the message.
Mobile number is required
Contacts can only receive an SMS or WhatsApp message when the required database field {mobile_nr} contains a valid mobile phone number.
What do the bulk sendout settings mean?
| Setting | Description |
| Dispatch date/period | Determines when the message is sent. You can send immediately, send at a specific date and time, or use a periodical sendout. |
| Kind of delivery | Determines whether the sendout is a test sendout or a definitive sendout. |
| Sending order | Determines whether messages are sent sequentially or in a random order. |
| Mailing to send | The saved SMS or WhatsApp message that will be sent. |
| Too long SMS messages | Determines what happens when an SMS message is too long. Spotler MailPro can send the unpersonalized message or split the SMS into multiple messages. |
| Recipient groups | Determines which groups receive the message and which groups are excluded from the sendout. |
| Language | Determines the language group that should receive the message when the campaign uses multiple languages. |
| Filters | Optional filters that recipients must match before they are included in the sendout. |
| Erase test results | Determines whether previous test results should be removed before the sendout is processed. |
The selected message is sent to the contacts that match the recipient group, language, and filter settings. Contacts without a valid value in {mobile_nr} cannot receive the SMS or WhatsApp message.
How do you send a message with Flow Builder?
Flow Builder can send an SMS or WhatsApp message as part of an automated journey. The step used for this is called Send message.
- Make sure the SMS or WhatsApp message is created in Content > Messages.
- Open the relevant flow in Flow Builder.
- Add the Send message step to the flow.
- Select the SMS or WhatsApp message that should be sent by the flow.
- Configure the surrounding flow steps, such as the trigger, audience, or conditions.
- Save and activate the flow when the setup is complete.
The Send message step replaces the previous SMS-specific naming. The step can support SMS and WhatsApp messages when these messaging channels are available in the Spotler MailPro license.
How do you send a message with the REST API?
The REST API can be used when an external system should trigger an SMS or WhatsApp message in Spotler MailPro. Use this method when message sending is part of an integration or external workflow.
The exact API setup depends on the integration and the message that must be sent. The saved message in Spotler MailPro is used as the message content, while the external system triggers the sendout through the REST API.
REST API sending requires technical configuration
REST API-based message sending requires an integration that can trigger the correct message in Spotler MailPro. Use the available REST API documentation or consult the technical owner of the integration for implementation details.
What can you check when a message is not sent?
When an SMS or WhatsApp message is not sent, first check whether the contact has a value in the required database field {mobile_nr}. A contact without a mobile phone number cannot receive an SMS or WhatsApp message.
Also check whether the message has been created in Content > Messages and whether the correct messaging sender is linked to the message. For WhatsApp messages, check whether the WhatsApp template is available through Spotler Message.
For Flow Builder journeys, check whether the journey uses the Send message step and whether the contact reaches that step. For bulk sendouts, check the selected recipient group, the selected message, and the sendout settings.
For REST API-based sendouts, check whether the external system triggers the correct message and whether the contact data contains a valid value in {mobile_nr}.
What is the result?
After the message is sent, Spotler MailPro sends the selected SMS or WhatsApp message through the chosen sendout method. The message is delivered to contacts that meet the sendout conditions and have a valid mobile phone number in {mobile_nr}.
Spotler MailPro can store information about the last sent SMS or WhatsApp message in {last_message_id} and {last_message_date}. When SMS and WhatsApp are both used for the same contact, the newest sent message overwrites the previous values in these fields.
FAQ
Where do you send SMS and WhatsApp messages from?
SMS and WhatsApp messages are created in Content > Messages and then sent through a supported sendout method, such as a bulk sendout, Flow Builder journey, or REST API-based sendout.
What is the Flow Builder step called?
The Flow Builder step is called Send message. This step replaces the previous SMS-specific naming and can support SMS and WhatsApp messages when these channels are available.
Can WhatsApp messages be sent through Spotler Engage?
No. WhatsApp messages in Spotler MailPro are not sent through Spotler Engage. WhatsApp messaging in Spotler MailPro requires Spotler Message.
Why was my message not sent?
A message may not be sent when the contact has no value in {mobile_nr}, when the wrong message or sender is selected, when the WhatsApp template is not available, or when the contact does not reach the configured sendout step.