What would you check first – an email or an SMS message? For most people, it’s an SMS message, because they’re short, quick to read and easy to respond to. You don’t even need to unlock your phone to read them, they appear on your lock screen.
More businesses are choosing to use SMS messaging as part of their communication strategy, and it’s not difficult to see why. Gartner found that on average, emails are opened by 20% of recipients, but SMS messages are opened by up to 98% of recipients. Entrepreneur.com states that on average, it takes 90 minutes for someone to respond to email, but only 90 seconds to respond to a text message. This shows the power of SMS messaging for businesses, but why is it so effective?
- People prefer messages over calls
People often prefer to receive an SMS message rather than a phone call, especially if they’re at work or in a public place. This isn’t exclusive to the younger generation either, as many older people will lean towards texts rather than calls too. Perhaps this is because spam calls are becoming increasingly common; most people don’t answer calls from anonymous and unrecognised numbers as a rule.
2. SMS is download free; no internet needed
SMS is the only default function on all mobile phones for messaging purposes. It’s also one of the most convenient communication tools available, because you don’t need an internet connection to send or receive SMS messages. Even customers who don’t have smartphones can easily engage with an SMS message on their phone, offering a clear advantage over other digital marketing channels.
3. SMS messaging is versatile
SMS messaging is a universal communication tool, and businesses aren’t excluded. Many organisations are using SMS to reach out to prospects and customers, send appointment reminders, provide customer support, security verification, lead generation and sending offers or updates. SMS gives you flexibility to send information quickly, and cuts through the noise to reach your audience.
4. Connect with your customer any time
With 80% of smartphone users checking their phone within 15 minutes of waking up, it’s no wonder that SMS is one of the most effective ways to reach your customers. It allows you to connect with them when they might not be thinking about your business and gives them a way to reach out to you for any support queries. However, we do recommend discretion to avoid being too invasive.
5. SMS messaging is cost-effective
SMS messaging doesn’t cost much, especially when you compare it to other marketing options that would certainly take up a chunk of your budget. Even if you’re a small business or a start-up with a limited budget, SMS messaging is one of the most cost-effective ways to advertise your brand with clear return on investment. It’s also a great way to give you an advantage over your competitors.
What’s next?
If you want to find out more about SMS messaging and how we can help you get started, call 0330 135 5000 or email sales@alfonica.com
