How Business Text Messaging Can Help SMBs

It’s critical for small businesses to make informed decisions regarding their marketing methods. Content marketing, social media marketing, and PPC campaigns all have their place in your toolbox. However, business text messaging should also play a role in your strategy. 

What is business text messaging?

Sometimes called SMS marketing, business text messaging is exactly what it sounds like — marketing to your customers through text messages sent to their mobile devices. Today, 90% of Americans own a smartphone and can receive text messages. What’s more, it’s easier than ever to get leads and customers to give you their phone numbers in exchange for something of value, usually limited-time discounts and access to unique deals. Once you have their phone number and their permission, you can begin sending offers via SMS. Just make sure you comply with text message laws when doing so.

Why business text messaging is such a game-changer

With the number of marketing tools at your disposal today, it’s natural to wonder why you should bother with yet one more. What makes business text messaging stand out? Why is it such a “must-have” option for your marketing toolbox?

According to SimpleTexting:

• 80% of businesses are using business text messaging software to reach their customers.
• 70% of businesses are increasing their SMS budgets.
• Businesses using SMS to communicate with customers are almost 700% more likely to see success with their digital marketing campaigns than those that don’t.
• 87% of businesses report success with SMS marketing.
• 79% of consumers opted to receive text messages from businesses in 2024.

The benefits of business text messaging

Now that you have a better understanding of how effective business text messaging can be, let’s look at some of the benefits you stand to gain by making it part of your marketing strategy.

Better open rates

Struggling to get your email open rates up? You’re not alone. The average open rate for emails is somewhere around 20%. In comparison, text messages are opened around 98% of the time. What’s more, a significant number of people open your message within just 60 seconds of receiving it. If you want your message to be seen and read, then business text messaging is the most effective delivery method.

Better conversion rates

Of course, getting people to read your text messages is just one part of the equation. You also need them to act on what you’re telling them. Whether you’re offering a limited-time sale, asking them to book an appointment or consultation, or sending them tracking information, business text messages are great for encouraging action. SimpleTexting’s study found that 91% of business owners said they saw higher conversion rates with campaigns that included text messaging. 

Better engagement

Some business owners might believe that the point of marketing is to generate sales. That’s only half the story. The true reason to market to your customers is to keep them engaged and thinking about your brand. Not only does business text messaging have higher open and conversion rates than email marketing, but it’s more engaging, too. Your recipients are 4.5 times more likely to respond to a text message than to an email, and that two-way flow of communication is one of the things that customers value most about texting.

Better versatility

Business text messaging is one of the most versatile marketing tools at your disposal. You can use it for almost anything, and your recipients will appreciate it. Some of the most common uses for SMS include:

• Appointment reminders
• Updates/news
• Shipping information/updates
• Surveys/feedback requests
• Promotional messages/sales announcements
• Order confirmations

Better personalization

Personalization is the rule of successful marketing today. Your customers expect to be seen, heard, and valued. Business text messaging gives you a great way to do just that. It’s easy to segment your audience by demographics, purchase history, specific interests, and more, and then deliver communications tailored just for them. Not only does that create more engagement with your brand, but it can also help boost customer loyalty over time.

Better appointment management

Even if you don’t use business text messaging as a sales tool, it can still offer some pretty important benefits. For instance, service-based businesses, like law firms, medical practices, spas, salons, and others can use SMS to improve appointment management. It’s easy to schedule appointments, send reminders, and deliver follow-ups via text. Fewer customers showing up late or missing their appointments entirely boosts your profitability and reduces wasted time. Plus, you don’t have to worry about juggling everything to reschedule an appointment.

Adding business text messaging to your marketing strategy

Business text messaging is a powerful, versatile tool that you can’t afford not to use. Of course, you have a lot on your plate already. Thankfully, we can help. At Smith.ai, we help you convert more leads without adding to your workload. We can automatically send texts and emails after outbound calls, incorporating business text messaging into your wider outreach campaign. We also can manage inbound text messages as part of our Web Chat services. 

We’re also happy to help ensure that you have the communications capabilities you need for success. Our professionally trained virtual receptionists can act as your 24/7 answering service, book appointments, screen leads, and even provide you with call intelligence and metadata to further customize your marketing communications. 

To learn more, schedule a consultation or reach out to hello@smith.ai.