If you’re looking to test your website’s SMS verification flow, you’re probably trying to figure out the most efficient testing process. Rather than using your own personal or business numbers, it’s often more efficient (not to mention flexible) to use non-VoIP numbers purchased online.

Not sure what non-VoIP numbers are, where to buy them, or how to use them? Keep reading for everything you should know.

What Are Non-VoIP Numbers?

A non-VoIP number is a phone number that’s tied to a physical SIM card and mobile network, just like your own phone number.

When you send or receive SMS messages from a non-VoIP number, the traffic goes through a carrier’s network. That means it acts exactly as a real customer’s phone number would, and it’ll be registered by your SMS platform in the same way, during testing.

Non-VoIP Vs VoIP Numbers for SMS Verification Testing

If you work on an app or service that sends SMS codes to verify customer accounts, you’ll need to know if your system is working for real-world users.

The big reason to use non-VoIP numbers instead of VoIP (internet-based) numbers is that many providers, including (potentially) your own SMS platform, block VoIP numbers to prevent fraud. On the other end, when you’re testing with a real non-VoIP number, you’ll be able to see exactly how the process works for your real customers.

Testing your SMS verification flows with non-VoIP numbers can be an eye-opening experience. In the ideal scenario, everything will work as expected, and you can check the boxes and schedule another test several months into the future. But you may also discover they your service is somehow flawed, perhaps due to delivery delays or blocked messages, which you simply wouldn’t be aware of if you only used VoIP test numbers.

How to Get a Non-VoIP Number for Testing

The easiest way to get a non-VoIP number for testing is to get a a SIM card from a mobile carrier, but this is far from the most practical solution.

Let’s say you need multiple numbers, for instance, to test your SMS service to different regions across the world. In this case, it’s not convenient or even possible to get the physical SIMs you need. That’s where it’s better to buy temporary non-VoIP numbers from an online provider like SMSPool. It takes just minutes to buy all the numbers you need, and you can simply use them to receive verification codes online and discard them once you’re done.

Best Practices for Using Non-VoIP Numbers for Testing

When you’re testing SMS verification with non-VoIP numbers, here are some of the best practices to follow:

  • Rotate your test numbers, so they don’t get flagged by your SMS system for repeated verification attempts.
  • Keep a record of the carriers and countries you’ve tested, so you can make sure you’re covering the regions where your app or service is available.
  • Store your results in a shared log, so your team can track changes and see when issues have been resolved.

Testing SMS verification shouldn’t have to be overly complicated or time-consuming. Providers like SMSPool are making it easier to access the numbers you need for testing, so you can get your testing done as efficiently as possible.

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