Despite being so digitally advanced in this internet era, one element that has not lost its importance is the Short Message Service (SMS). For most businesses, it is one of the most important modes of communication, and for all of us, it plays many parts. It helps us with notifications, bank verification codes, daily information, etc. Most of all, it is used by e-commerce companies, banks, etc., for validating users before making any transaction. This is done by sending an OTP (One-time password) to the customer. Here is how to send OTP SMS using PHP

Get an API

You will find many kinds of APIs in the market for sending SMS through an app. Get hold of one of the best SMS service providers (like mTalkz) and use their API service in a programming language that is suitable for you and your business. Integrate the API to the app platform post downloading, and you are good to go.

Post mobile verification, you will have access to an account and an API key which will be used later for sending SMSes. Sample API is listed below.

$postData = ‘apikey=XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX&senderid=XXXXXX&number=XXXXXXXXXXX,XXXXXXXXXXX,

XXXXXXXXXXX&message=hello there&format=json’;

$response = httpPOST($postData);

print_r($response);

function httpPost($post){

    $ch = curl_init();

    curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_URL,”http://msg.mtalkz.com/V2/http-api.php?”);

    curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_POST, 1);

    curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_POSTFIELDS, $post);

    curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_RETURNTRANSFER, true);

    $output = curl_exec($ch);

    curl_close ($ch);

    return $output;

}

Mobile Number for OTP Sending

This method generally uses a landing page that contains an HTML form. The form is used to get the user’s number and verify its authenticity. Once the OTP has been sent to the mobile number post submission, a code is used for requesting the PHP for sending one time passwords via text messages. The service provider’s API has a key role to play here.

OTP Verification via HTML Form

This HTML form is generated after the user receives a one-time password on their mobile phone. Upon receiving the OTP, the end-user has to punch it into the HTML form to progress further. PHP session variables are used to store these OTPs safely. There is something called the session data that helps in checking the legitimacy of the entered OTP.

Script for Requesting OTP

Let us consider JavaScript, for instance. All requests for OTPs and verifications are stored in a JavaScript file. Both the functions of sending the OTP and verifying it send the required action request to a PHP code block. This forwards the parameters for the required action to the PHP file (send OTP process). On the other hand, the OTP verification process includes the password entered by the user with the related actionable parameter.

If your business needs bulk SMS services for better communication with clients, several reputable providers cater to this requirement. As far as sending OTP SMS using PHP is concerned, it all depends on the kind of work that your business is looking into. All your services must function like a well-oiled machine for transactions to happen smoothly. OTPs are a great way of earning a person’s trust. They are safe and secure and come with a validity period which increases the security even more.

For OTP API requirements and additional info, contact Mtalkz today!

Related Article : How to Send SMS using PHP Program (full code sample included)