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How to Use SMS for Small Business

If you’re here, you’re probably well aware of the benefits SMS (short message service) can bring to businesses. From better customer engagement to more effective marketing, it’s all very impressive.

But here’s the thing—just knowing about the advantages of SMS for small business isn’t enough. You need to know how to use it effectively to really tap into those benefits. That’s where we come in.

Below, we’ll walk you through practical ways to incorporate SMS messaging into your business communication, so you can start seeing those impressive results, one text at a time.

How to Use SMS in Your Small Business

Below are five of the most common ways small businesses use SMS messaging. Each one has an example of a text and a complimentary template of that text that you can use for free to help you get started. Just copy and paste, and you’re off to the races.

So, let’s begin.

1. Run Promotional Campaigns with SMS Marketing Tools

Looking to boost sales? SMS is a great way to share promotions, discounts, and special offers. Keep your messages short, sweet, and to the point—your customers will appreciate the brevity, especially when a great deal is involved. Remember, quick text messages about a flash sale, or a limited-time offer, can drive immediate traffic to your store or website. Promotional campaigns not only boost sales but also help in building customer loyalty by keeping your customers engaged with your brand.

Imagine you own a boutique, and you’re running a weekend sale on summer dresses. You could send out a text like:

Promotional Campaign Template:

“[Business Name] Special Offer: [Brief Description of the Offer]! Shop now at [website link] or visit us in-store. Use code [Discount Code]. Hurry, the offer ends soon!”

2. Keep Customers in the Loop

Whether it’s reminding customers about an upcoming appointment or letting them know their order is on the way, SMS is perfect for real-time updates. People are busy, and a simple text can help them stay on track with their commitments to your business, reducing no-shows and improving customer satisfaction. Most of your customers appreciate appointment reminders.

Here’s an example. Let’s say you run a dental clinic and want to remind your patients about their upcoming appointments. A quick SMS like this does the job:

Appointment Reminders Template:

Hi [Customer Name], just checking in to remind you of your appointment with [Business Name] on [Date] at [Time]. If you need to update or cancel, please let us know as soon as possible by calling [Phone Number]. Thanks!

3. Provide Customer Support

Sometimes, your customers need a quick answer or assistance, and they don’t want to wait on hold. That’s where SMS comes in handy. It’s a quick and convenient way for customers to reach out, and for you to respond efficiently. Plus, if things get more complex, they can easily switch to a phone call.

You own an electronics store, and a customer texts you asking if a product is in stock. You can quickly respond:

Customer Support Template:

“Hello [Customer Name], thanks for reaching out! Regarding your inquiry: [Provide Information]. If you need further assistance, feel free to call us at [Phone Number].”

4. Improve Security

Data security is more important to your customers and clients today than it’s ever been before. SMS can help keep them, and their data, safe. Implementing two-factor authentication (2FA) via SMS adds an extra layer of protection for online accounts, ensuring that your customers’ data stays secure.

When you’re the manager of a bank, and you want to add extra security to customer logins or password changes, you can use SMS messages to send a 2FA code like this:

Security Alert Texting Template:

“Your verification code is [Code]. Enter this to complete your login. Didn’t request this? Contact us at [Phone Number] ASAP.”

5. Group Messaging

Need to communicate with multiple people at once? Group messaging allows you to send information to several customers simultaneously—perfect for situations where everyone needs to be in the loop, like updates on a group event or a shared service. And with platforms like iNET’s, their privacy won’t be compromised.

Imagine that you run a fitness studio and need to inform a group of members about a last-minute class cancellation. A group text can keep everyone informed:

Group Message Template:

“Hello, everyone. Please note that [Update or Information]. We appreciate your understanding. For more details, contact us at [Phone Number].”

A Few Best Practices for SMS Marketing for Small Business

If you’re like most small businesses, you’re probably most interested in sending marketing messages. And we don’t blame you — text message marketing is a great (and affordable) way to reach your customers. But before you send your first volley of personalized messages, there are a few best practices you should be aware of:

First, Always Get Permission: Before you start texting your customers, make sure you have their permission. This isn’t just about following the law—though compliance is still very important—it’s about respecting your customers and building trust.

Second, Personalize Your Messages: A little personalization goes a long way. Address your customers by name and tailor your messages to their interests or past purchases. This makes your communication feel more personal and relevant.

Third, Don’t Overdo It: We all know how annoying it can be to get too many messages. Keep your texts to a reasonable number—enough to stay top of mind, but not so many that you risk annoying your customers.

Fourth, Timing is Everything: Sending your SMS at the right time is crucial. Think about when your customers are most likely to see and act on your message. For example, a lunchtime promotion should go out late morning, not in the middle of the night.

Fifth, Monitor and Adjust: Pay attention to how your messages are performing. Are your customers engaging with your texts? If something isn’t working, don’t be afraid to tweak your approach. A little fine-tuning can make all the difference.

Why Choose iNET for Your SMS Needs

We get that small businesses like yours need practical solutions. This is why our SMS service is equipped with everything you need to succeed, like:

Comprehensive Features: From managing messages on multiple numbers to sending MMS messages like photos, GIFs, and PDFs, we’ve got you covered.

Advanced Capabilities: Our platform lets you answer common questions automatically based on specific keywords, send notifications while you’re away, and get detailed reports on your messaging usage. We even have a mobile app so you can stay connected on the go!

Flexible Plans: Whether you’re just starting out or looking to expand, our plans are designed to fit your needs. The Starter Plan is perfect for small teams, while the Professional Plan offers even more features as your business grows.

Our platform has everything you need to get started and then some. So, if you’re in the market for SMS marketing services or just want comprehensive business texting solutions without giving up an arm, a leg, or both, reach out to iNET! We’d be happy to show you the ropes.

Why Business Text Messaging is a Game-Changer for Customer Engagement

Have you ever ignored an email but immediately read a text message? You’re not alone. With the average email open rate hovering around 21 percent and business text messages boasting a staggering 98 percent open rate, SMS is clearly the king of direct communication.

But how did text messaging become so essential? And why are texts far more effective at engaging customers than other forms of communication? Well, we’re here to answer that and show you how business text messaging can capture your customers’ attention, too!

The Rise of Business Text Messaging

Text messaging has come a long way since the first SMS was sent in 1992. As traditional communication methods gave way to digital ones, SMS became more than just a quick way to say “hi.” It has become a powerful tool for businesses looking to interact with hyper-connected, hyper-mobile customers using their existing phone numbers. And here’s why:

High Open Rates: Unlike emails, which can get lost in cluttered inboxes, texts are almost always opened and read because most people are already on their phones. This makes SMS an incredibly effective way to ensure your message is seen.

Instant Communication: Text messaging is immediate. Customers receive and read texts within minutes, allowing businesses to deliver time-sensitive information like promotions, updates, or reminders. Plus, many customers prefer texts over phone calls.

Low Competition for Attention: In a world overrun by marketing emails, social media ads, and pop-ups, SMS is a less saturated channel. Because fewer businesses are using SMS, your texts are more likely to stand out and make an impact.

Thanks to these benefits, text-enabling business lines are slowly becoming the norm for companies of all shapes and sizes. Now, you might be asking, “what’s the difference between your typical SMS offerings and business SMS platforms?”

Well, “business-class” SMS platforms are professional-grade texting solutions that allow companies to send and receive texts on their landline number using an online platform. But what does this have to do with customer engagement? We’ll show you using an example.

Key Customer Engagement Benefits of Business Class SMS Services

Meet Janice, a fictional small business owner who creates and sells custom sweatshirts. Janice’s success hinges on her ability to connect with customers quickly and personally. Here’s how business SMS can help her boost engagement:

Higher Response Rates

Texts not only have high open rates, but they also have high response rates. Customers are way more likely to open and respond to a text than an email. For Janice, this means when she sends out a message about a new sweatshirt design or a special discount, her customers will likely see it immediately and act on it quickly. Imagine the boost in orders when your message gets instant attention!

Personalization and Customization

One of the great things about SMS is how you can make each message feel like it was crafted just for the recipient. Let’s say Janice knows that a customer recently bought a cozy winter hoodie. With iNet’s business class SMS services, she can send a personalized SMS offering a discount on a matching beanie. This kind of text doesn’t just catch the customer’s eye – it makes them feel valued and understood. And when customers feel appreciated, they’re more likely to stick around and engage with your brand.

Superior Customer Service

Picture this: a customer has just placed an order and is eagerly waiting for it to arrive. Instead of leaving them hanging, Janice can use a text messaging service to keep them in the loop with real-time updates about their order status.

Or if they have a question, Janice can quickly address their concerns via text, making the whole process smoother and more efficient.

By providing timely and relevant information, Janice increases customer satisfaction and builds a reputation for excellent service.

Cost-Effectiveness

Finally, let’s discuss the financial aspect of SMS – specifically when it comes to marketing. Compared to traditional methods like direct mail or expensive digital ads, SMS marketing is often much more affordable. For Janice, using a business landline for texting means she can save on marketing costs and reinvest those savings into her business.

Maybe she will use the extra funds to offer better product prices or create new designs. Either way, the cost savings and effectiveness of SMS mean she can send messages that drive sales without going over budget.

Implementing Business Class SMS Service

Now that you know the advantages, it’s time to break free from phone calls and harness the power of business texting for yourself! Doing this effectively involves a few key steps:

Step 1: Set Clear Objectives

Determine your SMS goals, such as increasing sales, expanding your customer list, improving service, or boosting engagement. For example, Janice may aim to drive sales with special offers.

Step 2: Comply with Regulations

Make sure you’re following all the rules for SMS. This means getting customer consent to send texts and providing an easy way for them to opt-out. Janice can achieve this by having customers sign up in-store or online, offering a discount as an incentive, and including an opt-out option in her first text.

Step 3: Segment Your Audience

Group customers by interests or purchase history to guarantee the message is relevant to them. Janice could create segments like “Winter Wear Shoppers” and “New Customers” to send targeted promotions.

Once this is done, you’ll need to text enable your existing landline number with iNet!

Step 4: Start Simple

Begin with basic SMS notifications and promotions. As you gain experience, explore advanced features like automated follow-ups and personalized messages. Janice might start with alerts about new designs, then move to more tailored offers.

Step 5: Be Clear and Concise

Keep messages short and straightforward with a clear call to action. For instance, Janice might send, “Check out our new hoodie design! Click here for 10% off.” Each message should provide valuable information to your customers. Avoid spammy or overly promotional content at all costs!

Step 6: Be Timely

Send messages at appropriate times to avoid disturbing customers. For example, Janice should avoid late-night texts.

Step 7: Monitor and Adjust

Track campaign performance and adjust based on feedback and engagement. If Janice finds promotional texts are opened more but less responded to, she can tweak her strategy for better results.

Why iNet’s Business text messaging Service Stands Out

At iNet, we understand that every business has unique needs. That’s why our SMS service isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. We take the time to listen and tailor our SMS services to address your unique challenges and accomplish your goals fit your specific goals.

Our commitment to customer satisfaction means we’re always here to offer support and guidance, ensuring you get the most out of your SMS campaigns. Whether you’re looking to increase engagement, harness the power of personalization, or improve your customer service, the team at iNet’s got your back.

Get the Business Class SMS Service You Deserve with iNet

Ready to catapult your business to the next level of success with SMS customer engagement? Explore iNet’s SMS services today and discover how we can help you make every message count! Got questions, comments, or concerns? Reach out and we’d be happy to chat.