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Tracking Deliverability & Bounce Rates in Your Account.

September 22, 2025

written by Maingi

Tracking Deliverability & Bounce Rates in Your Account

Introduction

In SMS marketing, sending a message isn’t enough—it has to reach the recipient’s phone. That’s why deliverability and bounce rates are critical performance indicators. A campaign with low deliverability means wasted credits, missed opportunities, and poor ROI.

On SMSLeopard’s dashboard, users see deliverability stats marked in red and green, helping them monitor campaign performance in real-time. Understanding what these colors mean—and how to fix issues—empowers businesses to maximize reach, save costs, and improve engagement.


What Do Deliverability & Bounce Rates Mean?

  • Deliverability Rate: The percentage of messages that successfully reach recipients’ devices.

  • Bounce Rate: The percentage of messages that failed to deliver (due to errors, invalid numbers, or restrictions).

On SMSLeopard:

  • Green means messages were successfully delivered.

  • Red indicates delivery failures or bounces.


Common Causes of Delivery Failures in Kenya

  1. Invalid Numbers – Mistyped, outdated, or inactive SIMs.

  2. Do Not Disturb (DND) Restrictions – Some customers block promotional SMS.

  3. Sender ID Issues – Unregistered IDs blocked by Safaricom, Airtel, or Telkom.

  4. Network Downtime – Temporary outages on mobile operator networks.

  5. Content Filters – Messages with flagged keywords may be blocked.


How to Resolve Deliverability Issues

1. Clean Your Contact Lists

  • Remove duplicates.

  • Verify numbers before uploading.

  • Segment based on activity (active vs. inactive users).

2. Register Your Sender ID

  • Always use an approved Sender ID to avoid rejection by Kenyan operators.

  • SMSLeopard guides users through the registration process.

3. Respect DND Regulations

  • Avoid spamming.

  • Use opt-in lists and offer recipients an opt-out option.

4. Optimize Message Content

  • Avoid spammy keywords (e.g., “free!!!,” “lottery”).

  • Keep messages concise and professional.

5. Monitor & Re-Send

  • Track red/green delivery stats on the dashboard.

  • Re-send failed messages to updated contacts when necessary.


Why Tracking Matters for Businesses

  • Cost Efficiency – No wasted SMS credits.

  • Better ROI – High deliverability = higher conversions.

  • Improved Trust – Consistent delivery builds customer confidence.

  • Actionable Insights – Identify patterns (e.g., high failures from one region).


Why SMSLeopard is the Best Choice in Kenya

With SMSLeopard, businesses don’t just send bulk SMS—they gain:

  • Real-time delivery analytics with red/green insights.

  • High operator-level connectivity across Safaricom, Airtel, and Telkom.

  • Bounce management tools for quick resolution.

  • Dedicated support for Sender ID registration and troubleshooting.

  • Affordable, transparent pricing for SMEs, NGOs, and corporates.


Conclusion

Deliverability and bounce rates aren’t just numbers—they’re the lifeline of SMS marketing. By tracking red/green stats on SMSLeopard’s dashboard and applying best practices, Kenyan businesses can ensure messages reach their customers reliably and cost-effectively.

Don’t let poor deliverability cost you customers. With SMSLeopard, you gain clarity, control, and confidence in every campaign you send.