How Usage Billing Works at Consofta
Unlike other platforms that charge you for a preset amount of usage, which you may underutilize or exceed, resulting in extra charges, Consofta operates on a pay-as-you-go model. This means you only pay for the exact amount of services you use. Our system is designed to be both cost-effective and straightforward.
Understanding Usage Charges
Email Costs
- Rate: $0.71 per 1,000 emails.
- Example: You have 1,000 people on your email list and you emailed all of them 5 times over the course of the month (5,000 total emails). The total amount charged to you that month would be $3.55.
Phone Costs
- Outbound Calls: $0.0147 per minute (local and toll-free numbers).
- Inbound Calls: $0.0089 per minute (to local numbers), $0.0220 per minute (to toll-free numbers).
- Example: During a normal work week (5 days) you spend 2 hours a day on the phone with customers calling your office. The total amount charged to you that week for those 10 hours of phone conversations would be $5.34.
Text Costs
- Rate: $0.0079 per segment (both inbound and outbound).
- Example: You send a short text message blast to 250 of your clients. The total amount you would be charged is $1.98.
What is a Text Message Segment?
A text message segment is a unit of text that makes up a message. Most messages are sent in segments of up to 160 characters for standard text or 70 characters if special characters (like emojis or non-English symbols) are used.
If your message is longer than one segment, it will be broken into multiple segments, and each segment is charged separately.
For example:
- A message with 150 characters = 1 segment
- A message with 170 characters = 2 segments
The Wallet System
To manage these micro-transactions efficiently, we use a wallet system. Here’s how it works:
- Pre-Loaded Wallet: Your wallet is pre-loaded with an amount you choose to ensures you have credits ready for usage.
- Deduction: As you use Consofta services like emails, phone calls, or texts, the corresponding charges are deducted from your wallet.
- Auto-Recharge: When your wallet balance drops below a specified minimum amount, your card is automatically charged to reload the wallet.
Managing Your Wallet
You have full control over your wallet settings:
- Minimum Balance: Set the minimum amount at which the wallet should be recharged.
- Recharge Amount: Specify how much should be added to the wallet each time it recharges.
- Card Management: Update the card details from which the charges will be made.
To adjust these settings, navigate to Settings > Company Billing.
Adding Your Credit Card
When you start using Consofta, we’ll request you to add your credit card information. This is essential for the wallet system to function smoothly and ensure uninterrupted service.
Summary
- Pay-As-You-Go: Only pay for what you use.
- Wallet System: Pre-loaded with funds, auto-recharged to maintain a minimum balance.
- Transparent Charges: Clear rates for emails, phone calls, and texts.
By understanding and utilizing our usage billing system, you can manage your expenses efficiently and avoid unexpected charges. If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to reach out to our support team.
