Build SMS Marketing Campaigns with RedwoodJS and Infobip - code-examples -

Frequently Asked Questions

You can send SMS messages with RedwoodJS by integrating with an SMS API provider like Infobip. This involves setting up a RedwoodJS project, installing an HTTP client like Axios, creating a service to handle SMS sending logic, and exposing this functionality through a GraphQL API. This setup allows you to trigger SMS messages programmatically within your RedwoodJS application.
RedwoodJS acts as the full-stack framework for building the SMS marketing application. It handles the user interface, API interactions, business logic, and database connections. RedwoodJS offers a productive environment for developing and deploying such applications by streamlining common web development tasks.
Infobip is a global cloud communication platform with a powerful SMS API that enables sending messages programmatically. It provides infrastructure and tools for reliable SMS delivery, making it a suitable choice for businesses needing scalable SMS solutions.
Integrate Infobip by obtaining your API Key and Base URL from the Infobip portal and placing them into a `.env` file in your project root, along with the desired sender ID. Then, install an HTTP client library like Axios and use it within a RedwoodJS service to make requests to the Infobip API endpoints.
Environment variables should be used for sensitive data, such as API keys, database connection URLs, and session secrets. Storing these in `.env` files keeps them out of your codebase and allows for different values across various environments (development, staging, production), enhancing security.
Implement comprehensive error handling using `try...catch` blocks to trap errors during API calls and other operations. Log errors with Redwood's logger, providing context like status codes and timestamps. Consider retry mechanisms for transient network issues to improve resilience.
RedwoodJS uses Prisma, an ORM, which allows flexibility with different databases. PostgreSQL is recommended for production environments due to its scalability and features. SQLite is used by default for development due to its ease of setup.
Prisma is a next-generation ORM (Object-Relational Mapper) for Node.js and TypeScript. It simplifies database interactions within RedwoodJS applications. Developers define their data models in a schema file (`schema.prisma`), and Prisma generates type-safe client code for database access, improving developer experience and code safety.
Create a new RedwoodJS project using the command `yarn create redwood-app ./redwood-infobip-sms --typescript`. This initializes a RedwoodJS application with TypeScript support. Add the `--typescript` flag to start with TypeScript.
A RedwoodJS service for Infobip integration should handle the core SMS sending logic, including API calls, data validation, error handling, and logging. It should also include appropriate retry mechanisms for resilience and security measures such as safe storage of API credentials.
The GraphQL schema (SDL) defines the API for your RedwoodJS application. It specifies the available queries and mutations, their input types, and the expected output types. This contract between the front-end and back-end facilitates communication and data exchange.
Test GraphQL APIs using Redwood's built-in GraphQL Playground, accessible at `http://localhost:8911/graphql` in the development environment. You can execute queries and mutations directly within the Playground to verify functionality and data retrieval.
Infobip API keys are generated within your Infobip account portal. Navigate to the API Key management section, usually located within the developer settings or account area. Create a new API key and securely store it for use in your RedwoodJS project.
The tutorial provides a mechanism for overriding the default `INFOBIP_SENDER_ID` within each campaign. This allows using different Sender IDs (numbers or shortcodes) for various campaigns, as long as they comply with Infobip's registration and compliance requirements.