Use the Vonage Messages API with the Express.js framework in Node.js. This involves setting up a project with necessary dependencies like the Vonage Server SDK, dotenv, p-limit, and express-rate-limit. Create an endpoint that accepts recipient numbers and a message, then uses the Vonage SDK to send messages while managing rate limits.

P-limit is a Node.js library that helps control the concurrency of asynchronous operations. It is used to limit the number of simultaneous API calls to Vonage, preventing you from exceeding rate limits and ensuring reliable message delivery.

Create a Vonage application in the Vonage dashboard, enable the Messages capability, generate public and private keys (save the private key securely), link a virtual number, and set the inbound and status webhook URLs. Then, obtain the Application ID and add it to your project's environment variables.

Rate limiting prevents sending too many SMS messages too quickly, which could lead to messages being rejected by Vonage or carriers. It also helps prevent abuse and maintain good sending reputation.

Use try-catch blocks around API calls to handle errors. Return structured error information to the client with appropriate HTTP status codes. Log errors for debugging and monitoring. Consider implementing retries for specific, recoverable errors, but avoid aggressive retrying, which can worsen rate limiting issues.

Use Application ID and Private Key authentication. This method is recommended for the Messages API and is more secure than using only the API Key and Secret.

When sending to a large number of recipients or when you need to keep track of message statuses over time. A database helps with persistence, status querying, and retrying failed messages later.

Set up an inbound webhook to receive STOP replies, store opted-out numbers in a database (a suppression list), and check numbers against this list before sending SMS messages. This is crucial for complying with regulations like TCPA and GDPR.

Implement rate limiting at the API endpoint level using express-rate-limit to restrict the number of requests from each IP address within a time window.

The Vonage status webhook provides asynchronous delivery updates for each message. Set up an endpoint in your application to receive these webhooks, which allow you to update message statuses in your system, providing crucial feedback on whether messages were successfully delivered.

Test with invalid numbers, empty messages, high concurrency, and simulate network interruptions. Check the error messages returned by Vonage and your application. Use tools like Postman or curl for sending test requests.

A2P 10DLC is a system for registering Application-to-Person SMS traffic in the US. It requires registering your brand and campaign with Vonage. This is necessary for sending traffic to US numbers using long codes and has implications for throughput and costs.

Yes, Vonage supports sending SMS to international numbers. Ensure numbers are in E.164 format. Be aware that costs vary by country and international messaging regulations might apply.

Adjust the VONAGE_SMS_CONCURRENCY value in your environment based on testing and monitoring. Start with a low value and gradually increase while observing for 429 errors (Too Many Requests) and Vonage performance feedback. Your ideal value is constrained by your Vonage number type, A2P 10DLC, and destination countries.

Standard SMS messages are limited to 160 characters using GSM-7 encoding. Using non-GSM characters (like emojis) reduces the limit to 70 characters per segment. Vonage handles message splitting for longer text, but each segment counts towards your message cost.