Why Text Marketing Makes Sense – For every $1 spent, your ROI is approx. $30

Why Text Marketing Makes Sense – For every $1 spent, your ROI is approx. $30

Businesses have several tools at their disposal to reach their potential customers, clients, or audiences.  Two of the most popular are SMS and Email. While both have their merits, depending on the type of communication, text marketing is the better option and in this blog post, we will explore the reasons as to why.

Higher Open Rates
Over the years, studies have shown that the open rates of SMS are as high as 98% compared to 20% for emails. This means that your message is more likely to be seen and acted upon when delivered via SMS – ensuring your message doesn’t get lost in the noise. This means that businesses must consider text marketing when they are looking to promote their products or services.

Convenient, Fast, and Time-Sensitive
A recent study found that 75% of consumers prefer text messages from businesses rather than an email or a call. Also, text messages are delivered almost instantly, making them ideal for time-sensitive communication. In contrast, there are no guarantees that emails will be opened on time or promptly – thus making it redundant for time-sensitive communications.

Better Reach and Accessibility
Mobile phones are now an integral part of daily life nearly everyone has their phone within arm’s reach. SMS does not require an internet connection, making it accessible in areas with poor connectivity.  This broad reach makes Text Marketing a reliable choice for businesses targeting diverse audiences.

Concise and Direct Communication
Because business SMS communication is charged by the number of characters sent- it forces them to get straight to the point when communicating with their customers. This ensures that the message is clear, concise, and easy to understand. Emails, on the other hand, can be lengthy and time-consuming to read, leading to lower engagement rates. Business should always consider text marketing as an alternative to email marketing because of its effectiveness

Higher Conversion Rates
98% of SMS are opened within 3 minutes of them being delivered. Because of this high open rate, customers are more likely to act on the message when they receive it. Research shows that SMS marketing has a 45% response rate, compared to just 6% for email marketing – thus making SMS a powerful tool for driving sales and achieving your marketing goals.

Personalisation and Trust
SMS messages allow for a very high degree of personalisation leading to help build trust and strengthen customer relationships. By addressing recipients by name and tailoring the message to their personal preferences, businesses can create a more holistic  and intimate experience.  SMS is also often perceived to be more intimate and trustworthy form of communication.

Lower Competition
On average, a person will receive a dozen emails per day in their inbox- making it extremely difficult to stand out. SMS on the other hand, does not face the same problem of a crowded inbox- making it easier for the recipient to notice your message.

Better Return on Investment
The cost of SMS can vary, depending on the volume of messages sent, small and medium business marketers reported an average ROI of $21 to $40 for every dollar spent on their Text marketing efforts. In comparison, email marketing messages have way lower open and engagement rates – making it the smarter choice for businesses with very limited marketing budgets.

Integration with other marketing channels
SMS can be used in conjunction with other marketing channels such as email, social media and push notifications for effective targeting. For example, you can use SMS to remind customers about an abandoned cart or follow up on an email campaign to boost engagement. Another growing area where SMS use is increasing is in 2FA – where codes are sent directly to your mobile device.

When to Use SMS Text Marketing vs Email Marketing

While SMS Text marketing offers several advantages, it is important to acknowledge that SMS marketing is not the silver bullet or the answer to your prayers of reaching and engaging every one of your customers. Email marketing still has its place, particularly for longer-form content, newsletters, and detailed communications. However, for time-sensitive communications, SMS is the better choice.

Conclusion

For businesses that do not have a big budget and are looking to cut through the noise, SMS marketing makes more sense. With its high open rates, faster delivery, reliability, and superior engagement, SMS marketing outperforms email marketing in many key areas.  Businesses will be wise to incorporate an SMS marketing strategy as part of their overall customer engagement model – helping drive higher conversions and engagements while delivering on business goals