{"id":22874,"date":"2024-02-11T08:23:25","date_gmt":"2024-02-11T08:23:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bloomreach.com\/library\/what-is-sms-marketing-and-why-should-you-use-it"},"modified":"2024-07-05T18:17:05","modified_gmt":"2024-07-05T18:17:05","slug":"sms-marketing","status":"publish","type":"library","link":"https:\/\/www.bloomreach.com\/en\/blog\/sms-marketing","title":{"rendered":"What Is SMS Marketing and Why Should You Use It?\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019re thinking about using SMS marketing for your business, you\u2019re probably a little overwhelmed and wary of how much hype the channel receives in the marketing world.<\/p>\n

Marketers are constantly singing the praises of this simple and effective marketing channel. There are countless social posts, blogs, and research findings highlighting dozens of statistics that point to how important SMS is to your strategy.<\/p>\n

Increases in customer engagement, more conversions, and better brand recognition are just a few of the most captivating results.<\/p>\n

But is there really a huge advantage to using SMS over other channels? What is the real value, both long- and short-term, that your brand can gain from SMS marketing efforts?<\/p>\n

That\u2019s what we\u2019re here to answer.<\/p>\n

\"SMS<\/p>\n

What Is SMS Marketing?<\/h2>\n

SMS marketing is the act of using text messaging as a marketing channel.<\/p>\n

You\u2019ve likely experienced this as a customer before \u2014 getting an sms welcome message, special offer, or shipping update via text message from a brand you frequent is an example of SMS marketing at work.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a convenient and effective way to send important information and promotional materials. And it\u2019s fast becoming a preferred channel for customers to interact with their most-loved brands.<\/p>\n

Does SMS Marketing Really Work?<\/h2>\n

In the early 2000s, when texting was just becoming a popular way to communicate, promotional SMS messages were seen as a little intrusive. And ever since, they’ve been unfairly lumped in with cold calls and spam emails.<\/p>\n

Marketing via text has evolved since then, but many marketers are still worried that adopting the practice will rub their customers the wrong way. No one wants to come off as a brand that sends invasive marketing messages or practices SMS spamming.<\/p>\n

But you can achieve success with an SMS campaign without pestering or alienating your customers. While texting may have been an irksome marketing ploy in the past, it is quickly becoming the most desirable way for customers to interact with brands.<\/strong><\/p>\n

In fact, research proves that texting is an ideal channel for businesses to utilize \u2014 and if you\u2019re not already creating SMS campaigns, you should consider doing so.<\/p>\n

5 Key SMS Marketing Stats That Prove It Delivers Results<\/h3>\n

4.88 Billion People Use Smartphones Worldwide<\/h4>\n

Smartphones are now a fact of life. The number of global smartphone users reached 4.88 billion<\/u><\/a> in 2024, which marks a 14.9% increase from 2023.<\/p>\n

While that number may seem high, smartphone use has been steadily climbing for the last decade, and is only expected to keep growing<\/u><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Odds are that you have a smartphone, have checked it recently, and have sent and received texts in the past few hours. That makes you the perfect audience to receive SMS messages from your favorite brands, just like so many users around the world.<\/p>\n

The Average SMS Open Rate Is 98%<\/h4>\n

Every marketer knows that getting your audience to view your message is half the battle, no matter which channel you utilize. And when it comes to capturing your recipient\u2019s attention, SMS marketing consistently knocks it out of the park with close to 100% open rates.<\/p>\n

This statistic truly is exceptional in the marketing world. Especially when compared to email, the go-to marketing channel for most brands, which has an average open rate of 20%.<\/u><\/a>\u00a0There’s no contest when pitting SMS vs email open rates \u2014 SMS messages get opened far more.<\/p>\n

\"SMS<\/p>\n

The Average Click-Through Rate Is 19%<\/h4>\n

An opened text message is a start, but inspiring customers to take action and purchase via text is another thing entirely. Fortunately, SMS marketing yields an impressive click-through rate (CTR) of 19%.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s an incredible number compared to the next best results: Email marketing produces a 4% CTR, while Facebook barely reaches 1%.<\/p>\n

\"SMS<\/p>\n

Texting is not only the most likely channel to elicit an \u201copen and read\u201d action, it\u2019s also the most motivating format to guide your audience further along in the customer journey.<\/p>\n

Read This Next: <\/strong>The Ultimate Guide to Journey Orchestration<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

90% of Consumers Prefer Connecting With Businesses via Text Message<\/h4>\n

Digital commerce<\/u><\/a> has opened up countless touchpoints that businesses can use to connect with customers. But of all the channels available to brands, SMS messaging is the most preferred format \u2014 and the most underutilized.<\/p>\n

\"An<\/p>\n

In all the surveys and statistics that count, texting has been proven to be an A+ channel.<\/p>\n

An overwhelming 91% of consumers are interested in signing up for texts from businesses. And despite the fact that many brands have yet to offer texting as a communication channel for their customers, SMS has overtaken calls and emails as a trusted and favored channel.<\/p>\n

90% of customers prefer text messages over phone calls, and 93% have more trust in text messages than in emails. This is because text messages have only a 2.8% spam rate<\/u><\/a>, which is significantly lower than the 53% spam rate of emails.<\/p>\n

\"Customers<\/p>\n

73% of SMS Marketers Report That Texts Help Drive More Revenue<\/h4>\n

A 2023 report<\/u><\/a> showed that a vast majority of marketers who leveraged SMS marketing saw a boost in revenue from their efforts, with 53% of marketers ranking SMS among their top 3 revenue-driving channels.<\/p>\n

On average, businesses can expect a 25x return on their investment<\/strong> when launching a text message marketing program. It has the potential to quickly become a top-performing channel for your marketing strategy and a motivating connection with your customers, making it a win-win for businesses and audiences alike.<\/p>\n

Read This Next: <\/strong>boohooMAN Sees Up to 25x ROI From CDP-powered SMS Campaigns With Bloomreach<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

The Benefits of SMS Marketing<\/h2>\n

While the above statistics provide excellent selling points for text message marketing, there are advantages that go beyond the impressive numbers. SMS campaigns can help you future-proof your strategy, produce valuable content with less time and effort, and connect with your customers like never before.<\/p>\n

Here are the long-lasting benefits that make marketing via text worthwhile.<\/p>\n

Mobile Commerce Is a Fact of Modern Life<\/h3>\n

The whole world has gone mobile, from our favorite stores to our social lives. The proof of this can be found everywhere you look.<\/p>\n

Mobile phones currently contribute to more than half<\/u><\/a> of all internet traffic and have become the focal point of so many experiences. It\u2019s the dominant way that people browse the web, watch videos, buy products, open emails, communicate with their friends, and so much more.<\/p>\n

This makes mobile marketing absolutely vital for brands looking to reach their customers where it counts. Everyone has a smartphone, everyone is interconnected, and everyone uses their mobile devices to research, shop, and engage with the brands they love.<\/p>\n

You need to be reaching your audience on their phones, where they are most likely to see your message, act on your CTA, and make a purchase.<\/p>\n

Read This Next: <\/strong>Why Mobile Marketing Is Here To Stay<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Producing Content Isn\u2019t Time-Consuming for SMS Campaigns<\/h3>\n

Of all the marketing channels available for businesses to utilize, texting is undoubtedly the simplest to write for.<\/p>\n

Blogs can be lengthy, social media content requires a team to shoot and stylize, and emails need a strong voice and an eye for graphic design to stand out in your audience\u2019s inbox. But with SMS messages, you\u2019re only working with 160 characters, so you have no choice but to get right to the point with a clear message and a strong, straightforward CTA.<\/p>\n

Even if you’re crafting an MMS message<\/a>, which lets you add additional media like an image, a GIF, or an MP4 video, the file size is limited. Your text messages are inherently uncomplicated, so your campaigns will be more focused and streamlined by design.<\/p>\n