Why Your Small Business Should Consider Texting

Once viewed as a passing fad, the texting trend has taken ahold of U.S. consumers — currently, around 97 percent of smartphone owners text. If you’re a small-business owner who wants to increase sales, save money, and build customer relationships, texting could be the solution you’ve been searching for.

Here’s how your small business can capitalize on the widespread adoption of text messaging.

The Advantages of Texting Over Traditional Marketing Tactics
Compared to many time-honored marketing methods, texting offers small business several advantages. For starters, it’s very affordable. In fact, the average cost of sending a text message (SMS) is around $0.01 to $0.05 per message. In addition to being budget-friendly, SMS messages are short and to the point, which makes them appealing to consumers and arguably more effective in the fast-paced marketing world.

Plus, a text message has a 98 percent chance of being opened. To put that in perspective, a marketing email has less than a 25 percent chance of being opened at all, let alone read. Add in the fact that nine out of 10 texts are read within three minutes of receipt, and it’s clear — consumers like text messaging, which makes it a powerful marketing tool.

How to Use Texting to Reach Consumers and Enhance Their Experience With Your Brand
Texting is a remarkably versatile tool that your small business can use to accomplish tasks and improve your customers’ experience. If you’re ready to get your SMS campaign off the ground, consider starting with one of these simple, yet effective, strategies.

1. Coupons and Discounts
   Coupons sent via SMS are easy for your customers to use, which could be why they are eight times more likely to be redeemed than email coupons. If you pick a solid messaging platform, you may even be able to measure your ROI and set text schedules for mass outreach efforts.
2. Appointment Reminders
   If you own a small business in the service industry, you’re likely already aware that no-shows can have a negative impact on your bottom line. Sending your customers a text appointment reminder is an effective way to minimize missed appointments and free up receptionists or appointment-setters to handle other tasks.
3. Helpful Tips
   Sending text message tips is a cost-effective way to build your brand, interact with your customers, and establish your small business as an expert in its industry. Tips and alerts can also be used in conjunction with coupons. For example, a health club might text a fitness tip and include a coupon for a free personal training session, or an auto repair shop could text a tip about preparing vehicles for winter driving and add a coupon for antifreeze.

With Texting, a Quality-Quantity Balance Is Key
A report from mobile-measurement firm Informate reveals that the average American sends and receives more than 30 texts per day. To be impactful, your texts need to stand out from that crowd. Thus, it’s critical that your SMS messages are short, clear, and relevant to your target audience. Sending out two to four texts per month is considered best practice.

Your customers and potential buyers are already texting, and there’s no reason your small business can’t be texting with them. If you’re interested in some of the specific texting services mentioned here, take a look at Frontier Texting for Business. The company offers multiple plan options, starting at as little as $4.99 per month.

*Pricing is current as of writing. Pricing is subject to change. Not all offers available in all areas.