Introduction

Connecting your UChat account with a phone number enables enhanced communication features such as SMS and voice interactions.

This process involves integrating third-party services like Twilio, Signalwire, and MessageMedia to facilitate messaging and voice channels.

This comprehensive guide walks you through each step, ensuring a smooth setup for your automated bots and communication flows.

Detailed Steps for Connecting UChat with Phone Number

1. Accessing the Dashboard and Navigating to Communication Settings

• Login to your UChat account and navigate to your dashboard.

• Locate the "Bots" section.

• Select "SMS or Voice" options to configure communication channels.

2. Choosing and Configuring a Provider

• Supported Providers:

  • SMS: Twilio, Signalwire, MessageMedia

  • Voice: Twitter, Signalwire

• Select your preferred provider based on your needs.

• Click "Config" to begin setup.

3. Setting Up the Provider Account

• For example, with Twilio:

  • Right-click the provider name and choose "Sign Up" to open a new page.

  • If you don’t have an account, create one by following the prompts.

  • Log in to your account.

• Once logged in, copy your Account SID and Auth Token from the dashboard.

4. Linking Provider Credentials to UChat

• Return to your UChat setup page.

• Paste the Account SID and Auth Token into the respective fields.

• Click "Save".

Note: If prompted to verify, follow the on-screen instructions to complete verification.

5. Verifying the SMS Channel

• After saving, a verification prompt appears.

• Complete the verification process for SMS:

  • Confirm your phone number.

  • Follow the instructions to verify ownership.

6. Setting Up Voice Channel

• For Voice:

  • Return to your provider dashboard.

  • Click "Get a Trial Number" if you don’t have one.

  • Choose a number from the list.

  • Click "Done" to confirm.

7. Linking Phone Number in UChat

• Go back to your UChat communication settings.

• Navigate to "SMS Ports".

• Enter your phone number.

• Click "Find Number".

• Select your number from the list.

• Hit "Enter" and then "Confirm".

8. Refresh and Verify Setup

• Refresh the page to see your number listed.

• You should now see options for SMS Crew and Voice Channel.

• Use the "Create Flow" button to set up automation rules.

9. Creating Communication Rules

• Click "Create Rule".

• Choose a template or start from scratch.

• Provide a name and description.

• Open the Flow Editor to design your bot’s behavior.

• Save your rule.

10. Finalizing and Testing

• Repeat the process for both SMS and Voice channels.

• Confirm that your chat boards are active.

• Test the setup by sending messages or making voice calls.

Important Notes and Tips

• Phone Number Usage:

  • A single phone number can be used either in WhatsApp or in SMS/Voice, but not both simultaneously.

  • If the number is already linked to WhatsApp, you must remove it before using it for SMS or voice.

• Multiple Channels:

  • You can have both SMS and Voice channels active for the same number if not used in WhatsApp.

• Verification:

  • Always complete verification steps to ensure smooth operation.

• Provider Limitations:

  • Some providers may have restrictions or require additional setup steps.

Final Thoughts and Best Practices

Connecting UChat with your phone number through third-party services unlocks powerful automation capabilities, enabling real-time communication with your audience.

Proper setup ensures reliable message delivery and voice interactions, enhancing engagement and support.

Best Practices:

• Regularly update your credentials and verify numbers.

• Keep your API keys secure.

• Test each channel thoroughly before deploying live.

• Be aware of provider limitations and costs associated with usage.

• Maintain compliance with privacy policies and user consent when handling messages.

By following this guide, you can seamlessly integrate communication channels into your UChat ecosystem, creating dynamic and interactive experiences for your audience.