I have been using a couple of free web sms services lately. I just find typing my sms so much more easier than using my crappy O2 phone to write an sms. Web 2 Phone sms is absolutely ideal for office workers who are sitting in front of their computers most of the day. Typing is just so much more easier than texting.

I gave an introduction to SMSPup when I wrote about Snapfish.com.au. You can find the post here. I have also been using Yakedi.com, which I have found to be truly excellent so far.

SMSPUP
SMS Pup allows you to earn points, and use them to text people via the internet. Each web sms is worth 1 point, and periodically you get “junk mail” where you have to click on links to earn points. The higher the email worth (i.e.: more points), generally the longer it takes. They also use surveys to gauge your opinion so points can be awarded.

The service and efficiency
I have found it pretty useful, although the emails are annoying. I usually just click on them no matter what but sometimes have found some good deals. They are from reputable companies in most cases. SMSPup has been around for ages, and you can manage your contacts online as well. I have found sometimes the messages are “sent” but “not sent” as in the receiver doesn’t get them. This is annoying.

The system itself is pretty useful and simple to use which I like and I probably will continue to use it now and then.

Yakedi.com
I came across this service over the past couple of weeks, and I must say its fantastic. No annoying emails or rewards systems. I have never had sms’s not delivered, and the system is very easy to use. You register, and then start web texting. The good thing is the receiver doesn’t know you are using a web texting service, so you  get replies to your mobile phone. They get it as from your mobile number.

The service and efficiency
The whole process is very simple, and it takes me less than 10 seconds to send an sms. It is only valid in Australia and NZ, but I can see this can be useful for people living overseas who have an Australian mobile number etc (on roaming etc). I really like that Yakedi.com maintains a log of all of your sms’s, very useful when you need like keep records etc. Note that only 10 free texts are allowed per day.

What both services lack?
Unfortunately with both services, you cannot send messages in the “future”. So scheduled texting is not possible. This will be an invaluable service if you want to sent a reminder for yourself, or want to send a birthday wish to your friend tomorrow. I am not sure how many mobile phones offer this service, but certainly my O2 doesn’t. Scheduled messaging is a must service, and is easily implemented. SMSPup does have annoying earning rewards schemes, but hey – you get free texting so don’t complain. Some of the deals are worthwhile. The annoying aspect of Yakedi.com (which can easily be fixed) is that sending a text message requires multiple pages. They can easily incorporate the whole thing into one page, and then have a confirmatory page.

Suggestions
* Both services would benefit from scheduled messaging service
* Making sending text messages more streamlined, and less page intensive would be very useful and appreciated on Yakedi.com
* Perhaps also have the feature of when you receive a reply to your text, a copy of it is also visible in your text log in your respective web texting service account.
* How about a Facebook application which allows my friends to send me a text message free of charge. This will spread like wild fire.
* How about an embeddable version which can be installed on websites, so users can contact the site’s owner live. Of course, privacy has to be maintained. Better, and faster way of communication than email.

Rating – SMS Pup (7/10 – annoying emails, and sometimes messages don’t get through and you never find out), Yakedi.com (9/10 – simple, easy, but too many pages to send an sms).
I like both services, and I think they will provide value to those who like web texting. However, I must say Yakedi.com has impressed me the most over the past couple of weeks and I find myself using it more and more.