"getting-started"
"How to Connect Vonage SMS to On-Chat"
"Connect Vonage SMS to On-Chat and manage SMS conversations using Vonage's global communications network in a shared team inbox."
Introduction
Vonage (formerly Nexmo) is a global cloud communications provider offering SMS, voice, and messaging APIs with coverage in over 200 countries. Integrating Vonage SMS with On-Chat enables your support team to handle customer SMS conversations through a centralized inbox with full collaboration features.
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Prerequisites
- An active Vonage (Nexmo) account
- Vonage API Key and API Secret
- On-Chat account with admin access
- A Vonage virtual number or short code with SMS enabled
- Access to Vonage Dashboard for webhook configuration
Step 1: Retrieve Your Vonage API Credentials
Log in to dashboard.nexmo.com (Vonage Dashboard). On the main dashboard page, your API Key and API Secret are displayed at the top. Copy these credentials — they authenticate On-Chat's requests to Vonage's SMS API.
Step 2: Purchase a Vonage Virtual Number
In the Vonage Dashboard, go to Numbers → Buy Numbers. Search for an SMS-capable number in your desired country and area code. Complete the purchase. Your new number will appear under Your Numbers.
Step 3: Configure SMS Inbox in On-Chat
In On-Chat, navigate to Settings → Inboxes → New Inbox and select SMS. Choose Vonage (or Nexmo) as the provider. Enter your API Key, API Secret, and Vonage virtual number. Save to generate your On-Chat webhook URL.
Step 4: Set Inbound Webhook in Vonage
In the Vonage Dashboard, go to your virtual number's settings. Set the Inbound Webhook URL to your On-Chat SMS webhook endpoint. Set the HTTP Method to POST. This routes all incoming SMS messages to your On-Chat inbox.
Step 5: Assign Agents and Configure Routing
In On-Chat, go to Settings → Inboxes → select your Vonage inbox → Collaborators. Add agents to handle SMS conversations. Configure auto-assignment rules and business hours for optimal SMS routing.
Step 6: Test the SMS Integration
Send a test SMS to your Vonage number from a mobile phone. The message should appear in your On-Chat inbox promptly. Reply from On-Chat and confirm delivery back to the sender. Verify delivery receipts in the Vonage Dashboard.
Best Practices
- Use Vonage's delivery receipt webhooks to track SMS delivery status
- Configure sender IDs for branded SMS in countries that support it
- Monitor Vonage SMS costs and usage in the Vonage Dashboard
- Use On-Chat's automation to send initial Vonage SMS responses instantly