Method of sending messages to devices not configured to receive them

A system capable of receiving a message from a sending device executing a messaging application and capable of sending a message notification alert to a recipient, comprising:

• a message server comprising a processor and memory that stores computer executable code instructing the processor to perform steps comprising:
• a. receiving the message from the sending device executing the messaging application, the message containing recipient contact information provided by the sending device;
• b. determining, based on recipient contact information, whether the recipient is associated with a recipient device having the messaging application;
• c. if the recipient is associated with a recipient device having the messaging application, then transmitting the message to be received via the messaging application;
• and
• d. if the recipient is not associated with a recipient device having the messaging application, storing the recipient contact information in a database, then transmitting the message notification alert to the recipient via an alternate communications method other than via the messaging application, the message notification alert comprising a link to a secure browsing session to view the message, wherein the link is to a web based interface supplied by the message server allowing the sending device and recipient to participate in a real-time conversation and wherein the conversation comprises a plurality of communications from the sending device or from the recipient.