Quite a few marketing channels out there claim to drive sales, but not all of them live up to the hype. Some leave you with just a handful of leads. Others are a complete money sink, leaving you in the red instead of the black.
But one channel has risen to the top in recent years: SMS marketing, and for good reason. So come with us as we explore the benefits of text messaging for business and how it directly impacts how well you sell.
The Marketing Benefits of Text Messaging for Business
There are quite a few marketing benefits of text messaging for business, but we'll give you the top three.
1. It's Incredibly Versatile
When you think of text-based marketing, you probably think of those quick, promotional texts you sometimes get from providers. However, SMS marketing can do so much more, like:
Welcome new customers after they set up an account
Give clients order confirmations and shipping updates
Gather customer feedback through polls or surveys
That's just the tip of the iceberg! Cloud9VoIP's SMS platform can also send appointment reminders, event invitations, and alerts about new product launches. You get the idea. When it comes to SMS marketing, the only limit is your imagination.
2. It Can Be Easily Customized by Customers for Customers
SMS marketing eliminates the frustration of ending up on unwanted mailing lists. Strict opt-in requirements mean customers must explicitly consent to receive texts from you. When they consent, they can decide what kind of texts to receive from you and how frequently you can text them.
This lets you send very personalized messages and prevent spam while ensuring they don't miss important information. With Cloud9VoIP's platform, your customers can get the messages they like in their preferred channel at their preferred frequency. The result? Happy customers who want to connect with you again!
3. It Uses Zero-Party Data
As data privacy laws get stricter, SMS marketing can keep you compliant! Why? Because it allows you to collect valuable zero-party data - a.k.a. information given to you directly by your customers. By opting in to receive your texts, your customers knowingly agree to share certain information with you and allow you to engage with them directly. This respects their privacy and helps you make your texts more effective.
In fact, SMS marketing has several advantages over more typical marketing channels, like:
Instant and Widespread Reach. SMS marketing lets businesses reach a large audience quickly and easily – an audience that wants to be texted. Almost 91 percent of consumers expressed interest in receiving texts from businesses.
Higher Read and Response Rates. Texts are far more likely to be read and responded to than emails. In fact, a whopping 1 in 3 consumers check their text notifications within one minute.
Real-Time Tracking. Using Cloud9VoIP, businesses can track responses and measure results in real-time with SMS marketing, knowing how many people received, opened, and responded to the messages in seconds.
Incredible Cost Savings. SMS marketing is incredibly affordable. Unlike direct mail and email marketing, which can get costly, you can send texts in bulk for as low as $0.01 per send. With such a low cost per send and an incredibly high engagement rate, SMS marketing is a great way to expand your reach and revenue. In fact, 60 percent of marketers using SMS marketing saw a significant boost in revenue.
How Text Messaging for Business Can Improve Sales
All the benefits of text messaging for business are pretty compelling. But you might wonder, "How does SMS marketing improve my sales?" We're glad you asked.
1. It Increases Conversion Rates
One of the most significant benefits of texting messaging for businesses is its ability to drive higher conversion rates. Unlike email marketing, where messages might get sent to the spam folder or sit unread for days, weeks, or even months, SMS messages are usually opened within minutes of receipt. This instant engagement increases the chances of customers acting on your message, whether making a purchase, redeeming a coupon, or participating in a limited-time offer.
2. It Improves Customer Engagement
As we discussed a bit ago, SMS marketing with Cloud9VoIP allows you to chat with your audience in real-time, providing them with timely updates, exclusive offers, and personalized content. And since texts are seen as more personal – and less disruptive – than other forms of communication, customers are 134% more likely to respond to them.
As you maintain such helpful conversations with customers, they'll see how attentive and responsive you are to their needs. Over time, this will start to build trust, and that trust will build loyalty. This brings us to our third and final point.
3. It Boosts Brand Loyalty
Regular, non-intrusive messages that add value to their lives create a positive association with your brand, and it keeps you at the forefront of their minds. Whether it's a simple thank-you, a heads-up on upcoming sales, or exclusive discounts, these messages make customers feel valued and appreciated. As a result, they'll be more likely to stick around and become advocates for the brand. After all, 57 percent of customers will stick with a brand that understands their priorities and adheres to their preferences. Such loyalty can result in repeat business and lucrative referrals, encouraging sales growth and making you more successful over time!
Looking for Ways to Improve Your Sales? Look No Further Than Cloud9VoIP
If you're searching for a reliable platform to kickstart your SMS marketing journey, look no further than Cloud9VoIP. Our user-friendly interface and extensive feature set make it easy for you to leverage the power of text-based marketing - from creating and sending personalized messages to analyzing campaign performance. So don't wait - start texting today!