Why You Should Integrate SMS Marketing Into Your Business

Today, mobile apps and social media are among the most dominant trends for engaging customers. However, tried and true customer engagement tools like SMS marketing should still be part of your marketing strategy. The affordable and versatile nature of SMS allows businesses of every size to leverage it in their marketing plan.

The use of text marketing is becoming increasingly popular, as it is one of the most reliable and best ways to communicate with customers successfully. Whether you run a small business or own a large corporation, you should integrate text marketing into your business.

SMS marketing provides you with a perfect opportunity to connect with your target audience on the tool they carry with them all day and every day. If you are still unsure whether to integrate SMS marketing into your marketing or not, here are some reasons you should consider it.

Reasons to Integrate SMS Marketing into your Business

The first SMS message ("Merry Christmas") was sent in 1992, and since then it's only become more popular. SMS marketing is one of the best tools you can use to expand your current customer base and reach new customers. It has a ton of benefits, but we'll just go over the top seven here.

1. Cost-Effective

Compared to traditional marketing, SMS marketing is an inexpensive method of communication. Text marketing helps lure more attention compared to other marketing tools. This way, it leads to higher engagement rates and outperforms other marketing channels quickly. SMS marketing helps promote your business within budget limitations, whether you're a local shop or a global chain. A large number of companies utilize text marketing to cut their operational costs. Unlike the paid reach on social media, SMS allows you to market your brand to a mass audience at lower costs than digital marketing with higher ROI.

2. Versatile

Once you gain users' permission to send them marketing messages, the sky is the limit! You can use SMS texting for almost any purpose, no matter what industry you're in. Most businesses use SMS for promotional messages, such as announcing discounts and new products. However, you can also use SMS to confirm or schedule appointments, send calendar reminders, announce an order is ready for pickup, direct customer support inquiries, and more. No matter what needs your business has, SMS messaging can meet them.

3. Simple and Easy

Unlike other communication channels, SMS marketing is simple to set up and easy to use. Just sign up with an SMS provider and they'll walk you through the process. Decide whether you want a short code or long code, register the keywords you want, and upload your contacts. Done! You can start sending marketing campaigns with the push of a button. Set your campaigns to automatically send out at certain times or days, and it becomes even easier.

It's also simple for end-users! All they have to do is opt-in to your SMS program and respond to your messages, both of which can be done using easy keywords. And if they want to opt-out, that's also accomplished by just typing in a keyword like STOP.

4. Builds Customer Loyalty

SMS is one of the best communication channels to engage customers effectively. Interacting with your existing and potential customers through text messages can help build loyal clientele. As mentioned earlier, people today carry mobile phones everywhere, every day. If you send marketing and promotional messages to them, they are very likely to read it immediately. Seeing your brand message often helps you become a part of their circle.

You can utilize SMS marketing to share information about your business and offer your customers seasonal and occasional promotions. It makes your clients feel appreciated, as you let them stay up-to-date about your business. As an extra thank you, you can also send exclusive subscriber-only deals and steals.

5. Scalable

Scalable features for SMS marketing allow you to build a deeper relationship with your customers. Incorporate personal information about subscribers into your messaging templates and campaigns, such as their first name. You can also target them using specific campaigns, such as discounts on their birthday or opt-in "anniversary."

Including personal information and using it to better guide your marketing efforts is a sure way to grow your customer base and drive sales. And there's no better way to do this than by using the scalable features that many SMS platforms come equipped with.

6. Fast and Effective

Text marketing helps you reach a mass audience all at the same time. SMS marketing works as an effective and instant promotional tool. It allows you to inform your customers about anything regarding your business any time you want. However, it is important to keep the wants and needs of your customers in mind. Although SMS is a great marketing tool, sending too many texts can frustrate your customers.

As a result, they would go for the opt-out program for your SMS campaign. With that in mind, it is essential to create a wise plan to target interested customers at the right moment. Wait until the optimal moment to send out messages about upcoming promotions and special sales— and don't worry, with SMS they're sure to receive it and act in a timely manner.

7. Improves Communication

Communication is the most important aspect for building and sustaining a long-term relationship with your customers. Don't forget, SMS is a personal message from your end, sent to your audience. You can use SMS to meet both your brand's marketing needs and the needs of your customers. For example, getting the word out about your new curbside delivery service benefits you, while the convenience that comes with such a service benefits your customers.

SMS can also be used for non-marketing purposes, such as a two-way communication tool or customer service medium. In either instance, you receive instant access to your customers, and vice versa. This improves communication and builds customer loyalty.

Final Word

People use their smartphones to pay bills, chat with their friends, shop, and more. Leverage the power of this device and use Short Message Service (SMS) to market your business effectively and efficiently. It is no surprise that more and more businesses today are using text messaging as one of their primary marketing channels to reach their target audience.

Now that you have encountered various benefits of SMS marketing, we think you'll agree that text marketing is one of the most cost-effective and incredible ways to interact with your customers. Sign up with a reliable SMS service provider today and get started.