👋 So you're wondering, what's the difference between using Structurely's provided phone number for my AI Assistant vs. using my own Twilio phone number?
Well, you're in the right place, let's answer that 👇
🌟 (TL;DR)🌟
Both options allow your Structurely AI Assistant to text leads, in nearly the exact same way
Using Structurely's provided phone number means the complexity of connecting Twilio + Structurely is done for you, it's a 1-click set up and you're done forever
Using your own Twilio means you have to manage the connection between Twilio and Structurely and all ongoing maintenance
This route does however give you more detailed access to message-level analytics and potential compliance management within your own Twilio at your own accord
Using the Structurely provided phone number
Using the Structurely provided phone number is as easy as it gets.
Simply enter your desired area code phone number here and hit "submit"
And voila, you have a phone number that's connected to your Structurely AI Assistant
That's all there is to it.
The phone number Structurely provides is also powered by Twilio, a leader in programable phone numbers. So rest assured that this phone number configuration is secure and scaleable for your every demand.
However, here are some pros and cons of using the Structurely provided phone number:
PROS:
Done for you, 1-click setup
No management of development logs or issues
Structurely handles all phone number related logging and issues
Structurely handles all compliance related to programmable texting for you
CONS:
No direct visibility into messaging insights provided by carriers
Includes charts showing deliverability rates and reasons
No ability to manage your own compliance
Cannot choose your own phone number
At the end of the day, if you want a hands-off Structurely phone number configuration and management setup, using the Structurely provided phone number is the route for you
Using your own Twilio account and phone number
To set up Structurely with your own Twilio account and phone number, the configuration is more involved on your part.
After successfull setup, you'll see your own Twilio account and phone number in Structurely
Looks about the same as using a Structurely provided phone number, right? Right.
In fact, the two different setups accomplish nearly the same results from Structurely's end. The difference is your visibility in managing your text messaging and phone call deliverability, success, compliance, and more.
Here are some pros and cons of using your own Twilio account and phone number:
PROS:
Visibility into all Twilio Messaging and Call insights
Including deliverability charts and reasons, carrier filtering, carrier deliverability and more
Pick your own phone numbers
Manage your own compliance measures regarding Application to Peer, 10 Digit Long Code (A2P 10DLC)
CONS:
You, the customer, bare the costs of the additional Twilio billing and do not pass the costs along to Structurely
Manage your own Application to Peer, 10 Digit Long Code (A2P 10DLC) submission
A2P 10DLC is a new compliance measure required by Twilio and major phone carries - there is a formal approval process that must be met to use phone numbers through Twilio, this process is complex and somewhat rigorous
Fix your own deliverability issues and maintain a threshold that suites the regulations provided by Twilio
Ultimately with this approach, you are your own developer and bare the responsibilities of maintaining your own Twilio developer account as such. Deliverability, compliance and other phone number-related issues will likely not be the fault of Structurely, rather a configuration issue within Twilio itself, which must be handled to connect Structurely and Twilio and keep them actively running.
🔴 This setup is for advanced users with access to development resources and by using this configuration approach, the Structurely customer understands and acknowledges the risk and additional costs associated and maintained by them 🔴
Want to learn more about the differences between the configurations?
Reach out to us at help@structurely.com to set up a support call to understand the differences.
🚀 The Structurely Team