Text Messaging (SMS) for Small Businesses

Text Messaging for Small Businesses: The ‘How?’ and ‘Why?’, Plus the Benefits

Businesses have been sending emails since emails were created. For a long time, it was considered the most effective and professional method of communication among businesses. While emails still have their place in today’s market, they aren’t as effective as they used to be. Particularly for small businesses Why is that?

Emails don’t get opened. Or at least, they don’t get opened at the same rate that text messages do. In fact, I’d be willing to wager that as it stands right now you’ve likely got at least 100 unread or unopened emails. My personal email currently has nearly 400 unread promotional emails. Why does this happen? We receive so many emails from all the different places we shop at, all of the social media accounts we sign up for, and everything in between. I will gladly hand out my email address if it means I get 10% off my purchase.

According to sources, when asked about their communication preferences, a significant majority of customers, specifically 90%, expressed a preference for SMS messaging over direct phone calls.  Additionally, a staggering 98% of adults residing in the United States own a mobile device that includes text messaging services.  These statistics are too big to ignore.

Here’s some proof of how many emails go unread

Small Business SMS Boosts Customer Engagement

Small businesses don’t have the same reach and marketing budget of their larger corporate counterparts. They rely on maintaining quality relationships and their reputation to make sales.

One of the ways that small businesses can help increase their reach is by maintaining customer relationships. Text messaging offers a bit of personalization that other platforms like email don’t. Emails get buried deep in the recipient’s inbox, phone calls don’t get answered, but text messages not only get opened, they get opened fast. In fact, we know of one company who increased their response rates by over 40% utilizing texting over other communication methods.

Two-Way Businesses Texting

Staying in touch with customers via SMS is one of the best ways a small business can increase brand loyalty and create repeat customers.

CloudContactAI’s easy-to-use interface keeps you in touch with all of your customers and opens the line of communication.

Bulk Business Texting

Getting your message across to customers or clients has never been easier. With CloudContactAI, you can send: 

• Discount codes
• Appointment reminders
• Closure notifications
• Policy changes
• Tracking information

And much More!

Compliance Requirements

Though texting customers is legal, it must be conducted within specific guidelines for compliance. Engaging in SMS marketing is not only about reaching out to potential customers but doing so responsibly and ethically.

The CTIA (Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association) has established a set of compliance regulations for SMS marketing campaigns. These compliance tips ensure that businesses adhere to certain standards and restrictions when engaging in text marketing activities. According to the CTIA:

1. Do not include offensive content: SMS marketing must not contain material that is considered profane, pornographic, or involves hate speech. This ensures that the messages sent do not offend or harm recipients.

2. Prohibit illegal activities: Any small business texting campaign should not promote or endorse illegal drug use or violence. Your SMS messages should only promote lawful and ethical activities.

3. Obtain proper consent: Just like with other text marketing practices, businesses must ensure that they have permission from recipients before sending them promotional messages. Adhering to permission-based marketing principles helps protect personal privacy and prevents spamming.

4. Follow TCPA regulations: As small businesses engage in text marketing, they must also comply with the regulations set forth by the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). This Act sets guidelines to prevent unwanted or unsolicited messages and to ensure that customers have the right to opt-out of receiving further communications.

Additional Benefits of Using SMS for your Business:

• Faster communication: Check your phone. How many unread texts do you have? Probably far less than unread emails. Texts are usually opened and read within minutes of being received.
• Better customer engagement: By sending personalized text messages, businesses can increase customer loyalty as well as response rates.
• Easier appointment scheduling: Text messages are a great way to confirm or reschedule appointments. This helps reduce the number of missed appointments and improving customer satisfaction.
• Boosted Sales: SMS can be used to promote products or services (SMS Marketing), offer exclusive discounts, and help your sales team close deals.
• Data tracking: Text messaging services often provide data tracking, allowing businesses to see how many messages are being sent, opened, and responded to, enabling them to improve their messaging strategy.

Small Business Text Message Marketing Made Simple

Small businesses often struggle to keep up with current marketing trends. This is true whether you run a ‘mom and pop’ pizza place or if you’re a print-on-demand e-commerce store. A text blast service is one of the most effective marketing tools you can use as a small business owner.

Small businesses can benefit greatly from utilizing SMS as a marketing channel for several reasons. Firstly, SMS marketing is a highly effective tool for reaching and engaging customers, with an open rate of 98% and messages being read within three minutes of delivery. In comparison to other marketing platforms, such as email which generally sees a 20% open rate and a 6% response rate, SMS marketing dramatically increases the chances of your message being seen and interacted with. Additionally, 75% of people are comfortable receiving promotional messages via SMS, indicating a high level of consumer acceptance.

When you sign up for CloudContactAI, you’ll be met with a simple-to-use interface. Our product makes it easy to upload contact lists so you can start sending bulk text messages as soon as possible. If you’re met with any resistance, feel free to contact us and we’ll put you in touch with our expert client success team. Our mission is simple, we want you to get the most out of our product.

Text messaging can significantly enhance internal communication and coordination within your organization. By using CloudContactAI, you can streamline complex workflows, expedite problem-solving, and promote collaboration across different departments. 

Leveraging SMS through CloudContactAI allows for direct and immediate transmission of crucial notifications such as scheduling alterations, shift changes, or urgent company-wide announcements. This method ensures that each team member receives timely updates, maintaining them well-informed and aligned with the company’s operational needs. Whether it’s a last-minute schedule adjustment or a critical update, the reliability of SMS via CloudContactAI serves as a dependable channel to maintain clear and consistent communication across all levels of your organization, fostering a well-organized and cohesive work environment.

What Industries Can Utilize SMS Marketing?