Credits and billing
Buying more credits
How to top up, how much is sensible, and what to check first.
Topping up is immediate and done by whoever holds that permission. The only thing worth a minute's thought is how much, because running short mid-batch splits the work in two.
How much to buy
| If your usage is... | Buy |
|---|---|
| Steady month to month | Two or three months' worth, and set the low-balance alert |
| Seasonal, with clear peaks | Before the peak, sized to the batch |
| Not known yet | A little, and look at the breakdown after the first month |
Before a large batch
Worth knowing
Credits do not expire with time. What does make them unusable is the licence lapsing, so buying many months' worth only makes sense if the licence covers that period.
Watch out
Running out mid-batch breaks nothing — what went out continues — but you have to relaunch filtered to whoever did not receive, and that is avoidable work.
›Who can buy?
Whoever holds that permission; usually an administrator.
›Is it available immediately?
Yes, topping up is instant.
›Can top-ups be automated?
Ask about it if your usage is high and steady.
A real case
The situation
A company is about to send the annual amendment to 340 staff and is unsure about balance.
What you do
- Counts 340 sends plus SMS for the 40 without email
- Tops up before launching
What you get
The batch goes out whole on the same day, without splitting.
The situation
Balance is bought once it has already run out.
What you do
- Warns before reaching the threshold
What you get
The purchase happens without interrupting work.
The situation
Too little is bought and it has to be repeated monthly.
What you do
- Estimates from previous months' consumption
What you get
The purchase is sized for the period.
The situation
Too much is bought and it is left over at year end.
What you do
- Adjusts to the real forecast
What you get
The balance gets used.
The situation
Nobody knows who can buy.
What you do
- Defines who authorises the purchase
What you get
Topping up does not depend on one person.
The situation
A big campaign arrives and the balance falls short.
What you do
- Estimates the peak separately and buys beforehand
What you get
The campaign starts unhindered.
This article answers
- how do i buy more credits
- top up balance
- how many credits do i need
- who can buy credits