Worldwide SMS Sending using ClickSend API - n8n Workflow

Markdown formatted list:

Technical users looking for pre-built n8n templates for SMS gateway integration.
Developers needing to send transactional alerts or notifications without relying on a dedicated SMS provider n8n node.

• Businesses requiring reliable, worldwide communication capabilities integrated into their existing n8n automation structure.

When building complex automation systems, reliable communication is essential. This specific n8n workflow provides a universal solution for sending SMS messages globally using the ClickSend API. By utilizing the versatile HTTP Request n8n node and configuring Basic Authentication, this automation bypasses the need for custom code to interact with the API, making it one of the easiest n8n templates to deploy for messaging services.

This simple but powerful n8n workflow demonstrates best practices for API integration, allowing you to instantly send critical notifications, confirmation codes, or marketing updates as part of a larger n8n setup. The initial setup requires obtaining a ClickSend API key, which is detailed in the sticky notes provided within the n8n workflow itself.

This n8n workflow is executed sequentially and uses the Manual Trigger n8n node for easy testing:

1. Workflow Initialization: The process begins with the 'When clicking ‘Test workflow’' n8n trigger. While currently set to manual, this can easily be replaced by an incoming webhook, schedule, or other relevant n8n trigger to integrate with production systems.


2. Data Preparation: The 'Set SMS data' n8n node prepares the required payload. It sets two crucial variables: sms (the message body) and to (the recipient's phone number, including the international prefix).


3. API Call: The 'Send SMS' n8n node, configured as an HTTP Request, takes the prepared data. It constructs a POST request to the ClickSend SMS API endpoint. Crucially, it uses expressions ({{ $json.sms }} and {{ $json.to }}) to dynamically inject the message content and recipient number into the request body.


4. Authentication: The n8n node uses HTTP Basic Authentication, where the ClickSend username acts as the username and the API Key acts as the password, ensuring secure communication.


5. Completion: ClickSend processes the request, sends the SMS, and returns the response back to the n8n workflow.

Markdown formatted installation instructions:

1. Import the n8n workflow: Copy the provided JSON code and import it directly into your n8n instance.


2. Register ClickSend Account: Sign up on the ClickSend website and obtain your API Key.


3. Set Up Credentials: In your n8n environment, navigate to Credentials. Create a new HTTP Basic Auth credential for ClickSend. Use your registered username as the username and your ClickSend API Key as the password.


4. Configure 'Send SMS' n8n Node: Ensure the 'Send SMS' n8n node is linked to the newly created ClickSend API Basic Auth credential.


5. Customize Data: Open the 'Set SMS data' n8n node and update the to field with the actual recipient number (using the international prefix, e.g., +447xxxxxxx) and adjust the sms text.


6. Test: Execute the n8n workflow using the manual n8n trigger to verify successful SMS delivery.

Markdown formatted node list:

When clicking ‘Test workflow’ (Manual Trigger n8n node)
Function: Acts as the starting point (n8n trigger) for this demonstration n8n workflow. It allows for immediate execution during testing or manual operations.
Key Configuration: None, simple manual execution.

Set SMS data (Set n8n node)
Function: Standardizes and prepares the payload needed for the ClickSend API call. This is crucial for passing clean data to the next n8n node.
Key Configuration: Sets string variables sms (message content) and to (recipient phone number, including international code).

Send SMS (HTTP Request n8n node)
Function: Sends the actual POST request to the https://rest.clicksend.com/v3/sms/send endpoint, fulfilling the core purpose of this n8n workflow.
Key Configuration:
Method: POST.
Body: JSON structure dynamically referencing {{ $json.sms }} and {{ $json.to }}.
Authentication: HTTP Basic Auth, configured with ClickSend credentials.