Businesses often hesitate to use SMS messaging to reach customers, fearing it might seem intrusive or spammy. However, Instead of focusing on overt advertising, these micro messages should deliver timely updates and helpful information. By crafting relevant and personalized messages, businesses can ensure their customers are pleased to receive SMS from them.
Benefits of SMS messaging
SMS messaging offers several distinct advantages for customer communication.
High open rates: SMS messages boast an impressive open rate of over 90%, far surpassing email’s average of 20%. This ensures that your messages are almost always seen.
Instant delivery: The rapid delivery feature of SMS makes it perfect for time-sensitive information, avoiding delays and spam filters often associated with emails.
Personalization: SMS allows for a high level of personalization, enhancing the customer experience and fostering loyalty.
Manageability: People receive fewer texts than emails each day, making these short messages easier for users to manage.
Customer trust: Customers trust personalized real-time messaging. Texts feel direct and targeted, which means the words may carry more weight and influence.
Text messages that get read
When a text message alert sounds, we instinctively reach for our phones, eager to see who’s reaching out. Customers also value these notifications, and certain types of messages consistently catch their attention.
The following types of messages ensure your business communications are both appreciated and effective.
1. Unusual activity alerts: SMS alerts for unusual account activity help prevent fraud by notifying customers immediately, ensuring they can act swiftly if any unauthorized transactions occur. This vigilant approach not only safeguards their finances but also enhances their confidence in your business’s commitment to security.
2. Travel alert updates: Airlines can provide invaluable support to travelers by delivering real-time flight updates directly through SMS. Whether it’s notifying passengers about delays, cancellations, gate changes, or other important information, these timely alerts ensure that customers are kept informed throughout their journey. This consistent communication not only enhances convenience by reducing the need for constant checking of flight statuses but also contributes to a smoother travel experience overall. By receiving essential updates on their mobile devices, passengers can adapt to changes quickly and make necessary adjustments.
3. Ride-sharing notifications: Ride-sharing services can significantly enhance the customer experience by utilizing SMS for real-time updates. Passengers receive timely information about their driver’s location and estimated arrival time, which not only boosts convenience but also increases safety by providing details about the driver and vehicle. This added transparency ensures passengers feel secure while waiting for their ride. Moreover, these updates improve efficiency, minimizing waiting times and streamlining the pick-up process for both the driver and passenger.
4. Shipping notifications: Shipping notifications are invaluable for keeping customers informed about their order tracking, including updates on their order status and estimated delivery times. This proactive communication reduces anxiety significantly, enhancing the overall shopping experience by setting clear expectations. The transparency and reliability of these notifications contribute to increased customer satisfaction, as they feel more in control and informed about their purchases.
5. Appointment reminders: Appointment reminders via SMS offer timely nudges that significantly reduce no-shows by keeping customers informed about their upcoming commitments. These reminders provide convenient communication, allowing customers to easily confirm or reschedule appointments with a quick reply, thus streamlining the entire process. This strategic approach not only ensures smoother operations but also enhances the overall customer experience by demonstrating that your business values their time and convenience.
6. Ticket purchasing notifications: Customers truly appreciate receiving SMS notifications for their ticket purchases. They get immediate confirmation right on their phones, ensuring peace of mind about their bookings. These messages frequently come equipped with QR codes or links, allowing customers to effortlessly access their tickets wherever they are. Such seamless accessibility significantly boosts convenience, thereby elevating the overall customer experience to new heights.
7. Exclusive deals for subscribers: Sending exclusive deals and offers via SMS makes customers feel valued and special. Personalized offers tailored to their preferences not only catch their attention but also increase the likelihood of conversion. Customers appreciate the convenience of receiving timely promotions directly on their phones, which can include limited-time discounts or early access to sales events. These personalized offers can lead to increased sales and customer loyalty, as they may feel recognized and rewarded, creating a positive interaction that aligns with their preferences and enhances their shopping experience.
8. Food delivery alerts: Customers value receiving SMS notifications for order confirmations and estimated delivery times. These messages provide a sense of reassurance and transparency, ensuring customers are informed about their order status in real-time—from confirmation to delivery. Such timely updates not only manage expectations but also enhance overall satisfaction by reducing uncertainty and allowing customers to plan accordingly.
9. Awareness announcements: Event reminders sent via SMS ensure customers never miss out on important news, events, promotions or sales, increasing their attendance and participation. By keeping customers informed in real-time, businesses not only boost event turnout but also enhance engagement. These notifications foster a dynamic interaction where customers feel connected and involved, leading to a stronger customer-business relationship and a more vibrant community around a brand’s activities.
10. Service installation updates: Service providers can significantly enhance customer experience by sending real-time progress updates via SMS during service installations. This communication approach keeps customers informed about their service status and reduces anxiety by managing expectations effectively. By receiving timely updates, customers appreciate the transparency and reliability of the service provider, which ultimately boosts satisfaction levels. This seamless communication ensures that customers feel valued and informed throughout the installation process.
11. Restaurant reservation reminders: Timely reminders are crucial for reducing no-shows and effectively managing tables, ensuring a smoother dining experience. Customers appreciate the convenience of easily modifying their reservations with a simple SMS reply, adding flexibility to their plans. This effective communication not only enhances customer satisfaction but also contributes significantly to an improved dining experience overall.
12. Community engagement messages: Community engagement messages play a crucial role in nurturing customer relationships. By reaching out through SMS, businesses can build a sense of community among their customers, fostering a feeling of connection, establishing a deeper bond that increases loyalty to the brand. When customers receive these messages, whether about local events, community initiatives, or shared interests, they feel valued. This thoughtful way of communication shows a genuine commitment to customer relationships, reinforcing that their experience and well-being matter beyond mere transactions.
13. Multifactor authentication messages: Multifactor authentication (MFA) via SMS significantly enhances the security of online accounts by adding an extra layer of protection. Customers appreciate the quick verification process it offers, allowing them to promptly confirm their identity and ensure the safety of their accounts. Beyond security, these messages also contribute to trust building with customers, demonstrating that your business prioritizes their security and values their peace of mind. These efforts not only safeguard sensitive information but also strengthen the relationship between businesses and their customers.
How Telesign can help your business
Incorporating SMS notifications into your communication strategy can significantly enhance customer satisfaction and engagement. Whether it’s product notifications, flight updates, appointment reminders, sales events, or unusual activity alerts, customers appreciate the timely and personalized nature of SMS. By using Telesign’s SMS API in conjunction with SMS Verify API, businesses benefit from a seamless integration that delivers both meaningful customer engagement and comprehensive verification and authentication.
SMS API
Building a complete SMS messaging solution is quick and easy with Telesign. With our SMS API, businesses can deliver text alerts, reminders, and notifications, facilitate two-way conversations, and enable private communications with their customers —no matter where in the world they’re located. We connect with 700+ direct-to-carrier network operator routes worldwide, ensuring optimized speed, reliability, and high message deliverability.
Our reliable SMS API deploys a waterfall approach with dynamic routing to ensure every message is delivered. If any message fails, it instantly redirects the communication to a new carrier route. Telesign’s SMS API helps businesses enhance their customer journey by integrating a seamless, optimized solution to engage your customers meaningfully and globally.
SMS Verify
By leveraging the SMS API in conjunction with SMS Verify, businesses can build a more secure messaging approach to meet diverse customer communication needs.
With SMS Verify, businesses can protect customers’ digital identities by preventing unauthorized access, account takeovers, and fraud with easy to implement SMS one-time passcodes (OTPs) and MFA. Utilize time-based SMS verification codes to add reliable protection to your platform and customers.
To learn more on how Telesign can help your business optimize and scale its SMS communication strategy, talk to our experts today. Or try our SMS and SMS Verify APIs for yourself through a free Trial account—our developer-friendly APIs are easy to test, integrate, and deploy.
Make sure to visit the Telesign Developer Center to learn about our APIs and quickly access documentation, GitHub repositories, and other technical resources.
