With more consumers welcoming texts from brands, businesses are doubling down on SMS to reach customers instantly, drive real revenue, and streamline customer service. Whether it’s sending an exclusive deal, automating appointment reminders, or solving a problem in real time, brands that prioritize SMS marketing are seeing stronger engagement and better results.

To get the full picture, we surveyed 1,000 U.S. consumers as well as 400 business owners and digital marketers about how they use and perceive SMS in 2025. We dug into everything from texting habits and AI adoption to SMS marketing conversion rates and opt-in trends.

So, which industries are seeing the biggest SMS adoption? How are businesses using AI to make texting more effective? And why are more consumers opting into business texts than ever before? Let’s break down the numbers.

Key SMS marketing statistics

1. In 2025, 66% of businesses use SMS marketing software to text their customers and 67% are increasing their SMS marketing budgets.
2. Businesses that text their customers are 5.89 times more likely to report digital marketing success than businesses that don’t use text message marketing.
3. Most businesses have an average SMS marketing click-through rate between 21 and 35%.
4. 82% of businesses agree that SMS marketing is an effective way to drive revenue.
5. Customer service is the primary reason businesses are using SMS marketing in 2025.
6. 81% of businesses say AI has improved their SMS marketing success, with most saving 4-6 hours per week on average.
7. 82% of consumers check their text notifications within just five minutes of receiving a text. And nearly a third check their text notifications within just 60 seconds of receipt.
8. 93% of consumers text every day, and nearly half (45%) check their text messages more than 10 times a day.
9. Texting is the top mobile activity for 83% of consumers.
10. In 2025, 84% of consumers are opted in to receive texts from businesses –– indicating a 6% growth in consumer opt-ins from last year.
11. Over half of SMS subscribers (52%) receive texts from four or more businesses.
12. Consumers are most likely to subscribe to texts from businesses within the ecommerce/retail and healthcare industries.
13. Appointment or reservation reminders, shipment tracking, and promotions are the biggest reasons consumers are signing up to receive business texts.
14. Most consumers now choose texting over email and phone calls for customer service issues, and 71% of consumers want the ability to text a business back.
15. According to consumers, texting too frequently is the fastest way to lose subscribers.

Consumer-related SMS marketing statistics

How are consumers using their smartphones?

People reach for their text messages before anything else on their phones. Texting is the top mobile activity for 83% of consumers, outpacing social media (75%) and email (66%). And it’s not just a passing trend. There’s been a steady rise in texting as the top mobile activity over the past few years: 77% in 2022, 78% in 2023, 80% in 2024, and now 83% in 2025. 

For businesses, this means one thing: SMS isn’t just a way to reach customers—it’s the way they prefer to communicate. With engagement levels continuing to climb, there’s never been a better time to connect with your audience via text.

How quickly do consumers check their text notifications?

When it comes to checking text notifications, speed is the name of the game. 32% of consumers open their texts within just 60 seconds of receipt. And if you zoom out a bit, the numbers are even more impressive. 82% of all consumers and 90% of Gen Z consumers check their texts within five minutes.

This isn’t just a one-time trend, either. Year after year, our reports have shown the same pattern: consumers consistently prioritize checking their texts almost immediately. For businesses using SMS, that’s a major advantage—your message isn’t just delivered, it’s seen and considered within moments.

How frequently do consumers check their texts throughout the day?

Grabbing consumers’ attention isn’t easy these days. People ignore marketing emails, scroll past sponsored posts, and mute push notifications without a second thought. Cutting through the noise takes a channel they’re already engaged with—and that’s exactly where SMS shines.

93% of consumers text every day, and nearly half (45%) check their text messages more than 10 times a day. Some take it even further—18% of all consumers and 26% of Gen Z check their texts more than 20 times a day. Whether it’s one-on-one chats or buzzing group threads, younger generations are glued to their messages, making SMS one of the most effective ways to reach them.

How many consumers are opted in to SMS marketing in 2025?

Consumers want direct, no-nonsense communication from businesses, and SMS remains their preferred way to get it. In 2025, 84% of consumers are opted in to receive texts from businesses, marking a 35% growth in SMS marketing opt-ins since 2021. Just last year, that number was 79%, showing a 6.3% increase in opt-ins year over year.

When breaking it down by demographics, women (88%) are more likely to opt in to business texts than men (78%), and Gen X leads the way in SMS subscriptions, with 85% currently receiving texts from brands.

How frequently do consumers want to receive texts from businesses?

There’s still plenty of room for businesses to grow their SMS marketing reach. Over half of SMS subscribers (52%) receive texts from four or more businesses, with Gen X leading the way at 60%. Meanwhile, most baby boomers currently receive texts from just 1-3 businesses but are open to opting into texts from 4-6 businesses, presenting a clear opportunity for brands to expand their SMS reach among older generations.

When it comes to how often consumers want to hear from businesses, most prefer texts every other week (49%) , while 34% are comfortable with weekly SMS messages. The key takeaway? Customers are open to more SMS engagement—but brands that respect texting cadence preferences will build stronger loyalty in the long run. You’ll want to avoid texting customers too much, so watch your SMS frequency.

Why are consumers opting in to texts from businesses?

It’s no mystery why consumers are increasingly opting in to business texts—SMS makes life easier. The top reasons people subscribe are appointment and reservation reminders (76%), shipment tracking and order updates (68%), and promotions or sale alerts (58%).

What do these have in common? Convenience and real-time updates. Consumers want timely reminders so they don’t miss important appointments, instant shipping notifications to track their purchases, and exclusive deals delivered straight to their phones. With SMS, there’s no digging through emails or refreshing apps—just fast, direct information exactly when it’s needed. 

Why would consumers opt out of texts from businesses?

What is the fastest way to lose SMS subscribers? Texting too often (53%), sending spam-like content (21%), or delivering messages that don’t feel relevant to the customer (11%). These numbers make one thing clear: successful SMS marketing is all about balance and personalization.

A simple rule of thumb—don’t overwhelm customers. Set clear expectations from the start by letting subscribers know how often they can expect to hear from you each month. Another key takeaway? Avoid text messages that feel robotic or generic. Before hitting send, ask yourself: Does this sound like a real person wrote it? If not, tweak it. A human touch makes all the difference in keeping customers engaged. Get our tips for effective text marketing opt-in language.

Which industries have the most SMS contacts?

Consumers consistently turn to SMS for updates from key industries, with ecommerce/retail (46%) leading the way, followed closely by healthcare (45%), and finance (27%). These three industries have topped the list since we started tracking this data in 2021, highlighting just how essential text communication has become in these spaces.

Ecommerce SMS marketing is useful for engaging shoppers with personalized promotions, reducing cart abandonment, and providing real-time order updates. In healthcare, text messaging improves patient communication, minimizes no-shows with appointment reminders, and enables instant responses to urgent requests. Financial institutions use SMS for secure account alerts, fraud detection, and seamless customer support.

Because these industries handle time-sensitive information—whether it’s a limited-time sale, a medical appointment, or a banking notification—SMS remains the most effective way to reach consumers quickly and ensure they stay informed.

How do consumers prefer to reach businesses for customer support?

Consumers increasingly value two-way conversations with businesses, especially when it comes to customer support. In 2025, texting officially overtook email as the top way consumers want to reach customer service. Most consumers (31%) now prefer texting a customer service rep over email and phone calls, marking a shift from last year when email held the top spot. 

The demand for two-way messaging is also growing. 71% of consumers want the ability to text a business back, 18% more than last year’s report. As customer expectations evolve, businesses that prioritize SMS for service inquiries will be best positioned to meet them.

Business-related SMS marketing statistics

What percentage of businesses use SMS marketing in 2025?

Texting has become a go-to marketing channel for businesses across industries. In 2025, 66% of businesses are using SMS marketing software to text their customers—a massive 55% increase compared to four years ago, when just 42% were leveraging text messaging. What’s more, with 82% of businesses agreeing that SMS is an effective way to drive revenue, it’s clear that text message marketing isn’t just a growing trend—it’s a proven strategy.

Industries leading the way in SMS marketing adoption rates include healthcare (83%), hospitality (80%), and finance (72%), where instant, direct messaging is key to customer interactions. According to hospitality businesses, SMS is their second highest-performing digital marketing channel, helping hotels, restaurants, and travel services stay connected with their guests. Meanwhile, healthcare and finance brands are well-positioned to maximize SMS marketing, as both rank among the top industries for consumer opt-ins.

Interestingly, there’s a disconnect between consumer demand and business adoption in ecommerce SMS marketing. When we asked consumers which industries they’d be most likely to opt in to for texts, ecommerce/retail ranked #1. But when we surveyed businesses, ecommerce/retail only came in 6th for SMS adoption (66%)—behind industries like construction and consumer services. This means retailers may be leaving opportunities on the table, missing out on a channel their customers want to engage with.

How does SMS marketing impact overall marketing success?

Adding SMS to your digital marketing mix isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a game-changer. 98% of businesses that text their customers say their digital marketing efforts are successful, compared to just 80% of businesses that don’t. That means businesses using SMS marketing strategies are 5.89 times more likely to report digital marketing success than those that don’t use text message marketing.

What are average SMS marketing click-through rates in 2025?

In 2025, most businesses (36%) report an average SMS marketing click-through rate between 21 and 35%, with the finance industry leading the way. 72% of finance businesses see click-through rates above 20%, making it the top-performing sector for SMS engagement.

Conversion rates tell a similar story. The majority of businesses (32%) see average SMS marketing conversion rates between 21 and 30%, with hospitality, finance, and consumer services standing out. In fact, 69% of hospitality businesses and 67% of both finance and consumer services businesses report conversion rates above 20%. With numbers like these, it’s clear that SMS isn’t just generating clicks—it’s turning them into real results.

How and why are businesses using SMS marketing?

SMS marketing isn’t just for promotions and payment reminders anymore. In 2025, customer service (51%) and customer satisfaction surveys/feedback (47%) continue to be the top two reasons businesses send texts, following the upward trend seen in last year’s report.

This shift reflects how brands are using SMS to create better customer experiences, gather real-time feedback, and provide instant support. Instead of just selling, businesses are focusing on building stronger connections one text at a time.

For half of businesses (50%), the ability to have two-way conversations with customers is the biggest advantage of SMS marketing. Unlike other channels, texting creates a direct, real-time connection where customers can ask questions, get support, and engage with businesses on their own terms, building stronger relationships with every interaction.

Beyond two-way messaging, businesses are also turning to SMS for its cost-effectiveness (42%) and real-time reach and instant delivery (41%), making it one of the most efficient and impactful marketing channels available.

How are businesses planning to adjust their SMS marketing budgets in 2025?

Businesses are doubling down on SMS in 2025. 67% plan to increase their text message marketing budgets this year, a clear sign that brands see SMS as a high-performing, must-have channel. And with good reason—most businesses (55%) saw their SMS opt-in rates grow over the past year, with finance (78%) and hospitality (69%) having the highest percentage of businesses reporting growth.

SMS isn’t just keeping customers engaged, it’s driving serious sales. Most businesses say text message marketing now accounts for 21-30% of their online revenue, proving that a well-timed text can do a lot more than just get opened—it can convert.

Artificial intelligence (AI) in text marketing

Which emerging trends are businesses incorporating into their SMS marketing strategy?

AI is taking center stage in SMS marketing, with 50.4% of businesses planning to use it for personalization and automation—making it the top emerging trend. Businesses are turning to AI to craft smarter, more engaging texts that feel tailored to each customer while driving better results. It’s working, too—81% of businesses say AI has improved their SMS marketing success.

Other trends gaining traction include chatbots and virtual assistants (44.3%), interactive polls and surveys (35.1%), and two-way messaging (30.2%), all pointing to a shift toward more conversational and dynamic customer interactions. Location-based SMS targeting (28.6%) and cross-channel integration (26.0%) are also on the rise, helping businesses create seamless, real-time connections with their audience. As businesses continue to refine their SMS strategies, expect to see even more innovation in how brands engage customers through text.

How are businesses using AI in their SMS marketing?

AI is transforming how businesses approach SMS marketing, helping brands analyze customer data for targeting purposes (47.7%), personalize messages based on customer behavior (45.4%), and optimize message timing (41.6%) to improve engagement. Businesses are also using AI to generate text copy (40.1%) and automate campaign scheduling (38.2%), making SMS marketing more efficient than ever.

But AI adoption isn’t without its challenges. High implementation costs (25.2%) and privacy and data security concerns (22.5%) are the biggest barriers businesses face. Some also struggle with understanding AI tools (14.9%) or accessing relevant customer data (11.8%). That said, 15.3% of businesses report no issues integrating AI into their SMS marketing.

How much time do businesses save each week with AI-powered SMS marketing?

AI isn’t just making SMS marketing smarter—it’s making it way more efficient. Most businesses (37%) say using AI tools for SMS marketing saves them 4-6 hours per week, while nearly 19% are reclaiming seven or more hours. That’s an entire workday freed up just by automating message personalization, campaign scheduling, and customer engagement. Whether it’s fine-tuning send times or crafting the perfect text, AI is helping businesses get more done in less time—without sacrificing results.

How comfortable are consumers texting with AI chatbots?

AI-powered chat is quickly becoming a standard part of how businesses communicate with customers. Nearly 70% of consumers have interacted with an AI chatbot via text in the past year, whether for customer support, appointment scheduling, order tracking, or other purposes. What’s even more interesting? 8% aren’t even sure if they’ve chatted with AI or a human. That says a lot about how seamless these experiences have become.

Consumers are warming up to AI-powered texting, but human backup is still key. Statistics show that 64% of all consumers feel comfortable interacting with AI chatbots via SMS , with Gen Z leading the way at 69%—significantly more than baby boomers at 56%. That gap makes sense: younger generations have grown up with AI-driven recommendations, voice assistants, and automated customer support, making chatbot interactions feel more natural.

But no matter the age group, one factor stands out—69% of consumers say having the option to connect with a human when needed makes AI chatbots far more comfortable to use. The takeaway? AI can handle the routine, but businesses that offer a seamless handoff to real agents will earn the most trust.

How can AI chatbots provide the most value in text conversations with consumers?

Consumers see the most value in AI chatbots when they make everyday tasks faster and more convenient. When asked what situations they’d find chatbot texting useful, the top responses were order updates and tracking (66%), scheduling appointments (58%), and customer support (54%). These are quick, straightforward interactions where automation can save time and eliminate wait times. Instead of sitting on hold or digging through emails, customers can get instant updates, book appointments on the go, and resolve common issues—all through a simple text message. 

The future of SMS marketing

If this year’s data proves anything, it’s that SMS marketing is only becoming more essential for businesses. Texting has officially overtaken email and phone calls as the top way consumers want to contact customer service. AI is also making a major impact—81% of businesses say it has improved their SMS marketing success, and most report saving 4-6 hours per week using AI-powered tools. Meanwhile, opt-in rates continue to rise, but there’s still untapped potential, especially in ecommerce, where consumer demand outpaces business adoption.

Check out our success stories spanning various industries, showcasing how SMS marketing has empowered both small business owners and corporations to connect effectively with their target audiences. Another good source of inspiration is our small business podcast where we work one-on-one with customers to help them solve their marketing challenges. Interested in starting your SMS campaign or engaging customers through two-way texting? Try us out for free today! 

Methodology

The statistics in this report come from two surveys conducted between December 23–26, 2024. We surveyed 1,000 U.S. consumers across various demographics and 400 U.S. business owners and marketing managers from diverse industries and company sizes. Interested in SMS marketing statistics from previous years? View our 2023 and 2024 SMS marketing reports.

FAQ

The post Texting & SMS marketing statistics in 2025 appeared first on SMS Marketing & Text Marketing Services – Try It For Free.

In a world where attention is the new currency, businesses are upping their game, using SMS not just as a way to shout into the void, but as a strategic tool to engage their customers where they already are. 

Whether it’s used for VIP sales access, real-time feedback loops, important event reminders, or gentle nudges about the lonely items in consumer carts, SMS is proving its might as a multifaceted marketing powerhouse.

As this marketing channel continues to grow, we’re thrilled to unveil SimpleTexting’s fifth annual SMS marketing report. We surveyed 1,400 consumers, business owners, and digital marketers to understand how these parties view and use SMS in 2024. 

First, we asked consumers about their mobile habits when it comes to texting, screen time, and two-way communication with businesses. 

Then we asked business owners and marketing managers about texting adoption, successful use cases, AI integration, and SMS marketing conversion rates in 2024.

So, what percentage of businesses are texting their customers, and what do SMS opt-in rates look like today across industries? Cue the drumroll and dig into the latest insights below to find out.

Key SMS marketing statistics

• In 2024, 80% of businesses use SMS marketing software to text their customers and nearly 70% are increasing their SMS marketing budgets. 
• Businesses that text customers are 683% more likely to report digital marketing success than businesses that don’t use text messaging. (OR=6.83, Cl=11.82, 3.95)
• 87% of businesses that text report their digital marketing is successful.
• 91% of business owners and marketing managers say they see higher conversion rates with integrated marketing campaigns that include SMS.
• Most businesses have an average SMS marketing click-through rate between 21 and 35% and an average opt-out rate between 1 and 2%.
• Customer satisfaction surveys and customer service are the primary reasons why businesses are using SMS marketing in 2024.  
• Businesses say that 11-20% of their revenue can be attributed to SMS marketing.
• 81% of consumers check their text notifications within just five minutes of receiving a text. And nearly 30% check their text notifications within just 60 seconds of receipt.
• Over 90% of consumers text every day, and most check their text messages more than 10 times per day.
• 80% of consumers say texting is the most important activity they do on their phones throughout the day. 
• In 2024, 79% of consumers opted in to receive texts from businesses –– indicating an 11% growth in consumer opt-ins from last year.
• 60% of consumers like having the capability to text businesses back.
• Most consumers currently receive texts from 1-3 businesses but are willing to opt in to texts from 4-6 businesses.
• Consumers are most likely to subscribe to texts from businesses within the e-commerce/retail and healthcare industries. 
• Appointment/reservation reminders, shipment tracking, promotions, and sale alerts are the biggest reasons consumers are signing up to receive business texts. 

Consumer SMS stats and insights

How quickly do consumers check their text notifications?

When it comes to checking text notifications, consumer responsiveness is swift. Nearly 30% of consumers check their text notifications within just 60 seconds of receipt, and a staggering 80% check their text notifications within just five minutes of receiving a text. 

Even for those who take a bit longer, the majority are still quite prompt. Around 14% of consumers check their text notifications within 15 to 30 minutes of receiving a text. 

This lightning-speed engagement is great news for businesses who use SMS, ensuring that your message doesn’t just arrive, but is seen and considered almost instantly.

How frequently do consumers check their texts throughout the day?

In a world where consumers often skip YouTube ads, remove pop-ups, and quickly scroll past social media blasts, capturing the attention of your audience can be quite an uphill battle. 

Enter SMS marketing: where texts put your brand squarely in front of your customers using a medium they’re already engaged with and invested in. 91% of consumers text every day, and 43% of consumers check their text messages more than 10 times per day.
As many companies wish to target younger generations, we found that Gen Zers are glued to their texts and group chats. 48% of Gen Zers check their text messages more than 10 times per day, and aquarter of Gen Zers (25%) check their messages more than 20 times per day.

How are consumers using their smartphones?

On an average day, people prioritize checking their text messages over any other app on their phones. 80% of consumers report texting as their primary mobile activity, surpassing other popular activities like social media (68%), emails (58%), news or entertainment (53%), and music or podcasts (51%). 

This insight highlights text messages’ impressive user engagement, establishing it as a prime channel for businesses to effectively reach their target audience.

How many consumers are opted in to SMS marketing in 2024?

In 2024, people want direct communication with businesses. 79% of consumers are opted in to receive texts from businesses. In our 2023 report, 71% of people subscribed, indicating an 11% growth in consumer SMS marketing opt-ins year over year and a growing preference for text-based communication from brands.

Here’s how the insights shake out by different demographics: more women (84%) are opted in to receive texts from businesses than men (73%) and Gen Z is the generation subscribing to SMS marketing the most. 85% of Gen Zers are currently opted in to receive texts from businesses –– 19% more than last year. By comparison, 78% of millennials and 81% of Gen Xers opt in to SMS. 

How frequently do consumers want to receive texts from businesses?

There is still untapped potential within SMS marketing. Most SMS subscribers currently receive texts from 1-3 businesses, but are willing to opt in to texts from 4-6 businesses, signaling an unclaimed territory ripe for businesses ready to differentiate themselves and deepen customer loyalty through text messaging.

When it comes to text message cadence, no one wants to feel spammed. Most SMS subscribers (48%) want to receive texts from businesses once every other week, followed by 36% who say once a week, 10% who say twice a week, and a modest 6% who say three times per week or more. 

Interestingly, even though more women opt in to business texts than men, men are open to receiving business texts more frequently than women –– 41% of men want to receive texts from businesses once a week. Only 32% of women say the same.

Which industries have the most SMS contacts?

Consumers are most likely to receive texts from companies in e-commerce/retail (48%), followed by healthcare (36%), and finance (24%). Text message marketing can help e-commerce and retail businesses attract new customers, send personalized store promotions, reduce cart abandonment, and provide two-way customer support. With SMS for healthcare, businesses can improve patient communication, send appointment reminders, reduce no-shows, and instantly attend to urgent patient requests. 

Notably, there has been a significant increase in e-commerce and retailed-related opt-ins compared to last year’s report. In 2023, e-commerce/retail accounted for 46% of SMS opt-ins, indicating a 4% growth in e-commerce and retailed-related opt-ins year over year.

Why are consumers opting in to texts from businesses?

The driving forces behind consumers’ growing enthusiasm for opting into business texts are clear. Appointment/reservation reminders (73%), shipment tracking/order status (66%), and promotions/sale alerts (58%) are the three most common reasons why consumers subscribe to SMS. Convenience, timely access to deals, and efficient post-purchase experiences are compelling consumers to sign up. 

How many consumers want two-way texting with businesses?

The majority of consumers value two-way conversations with businesses, particularly when it comes to customer support. 60% of consumers say they want the ability to text a business back –– 12% more than last year’s report, where 53% of consumers wanted text-back capability. 

When it comes to customer service, consumers prefer texting less than email, but more than phone calls or live chat.

When asking consumers, “How would you like to contact a business when you have a question,” the largest share of consumers (32%) prefer emailing a customer service representative. 

Texting is a close runner-up (28%), followed by phone calls (19%), live chat (19%), and social media messages (2%). 

But the results shift when we zoom in on specific demographics. For instance, Gen Zers and men prefer texting over all other contact methods for their customer service inquiries.

The way we communicate is evolving, and nowhere is this more evident than in our professional and personal transactions. We asked consumers how they would prefer to communicate with a recruiter when applying for a job, for things like interview scheduling, checking on their application status, and more. 26% of Gen Zers and 20% of people overall prefer texting with a recruiter over emailing or calling. 

When it comes to house hunting, even more people are hopping on the texting bandwagon. When asked how they would prefer to communicate with a real estate agent for things like scheduling showings and submitting offers, the largest portion of consumers (40%) name texting as their preferred contact method. 

Why would consumers opt out of texts from businesses?

63% of consumers say that businesses that text them provide them with a better overall customer experience than those that don’t. However, there’s a fine line between engaging and overwhelming. 

The primary deal-breakers leading consumers to unsubscribe from business texts include messaging too frequently (50%), spam-like content (21%), and messages that lack relevance (14%). This stat underlines the importance of balance and customization in text marketing strategies to maintain customer satisfaction. 

A good rule of thumb for businesses: avoid bombarding consumers with too many texts and set expectations from the jump. Upon opting in, consumers should be informed about the frequency of messages they can expect to receive from a brand each month.

Save this for later: How often to text? 5 cadences we suggest to 17,000+ businesses

Another piece of advice: steer clear of texts that feel spammy. Before hitting send, take a moment to consider if your message reads as though there’s a genuine person behind it. Messages that pass this human touch test are far more likely to elicit responses or clicks from customers.

Business SMS stats and insights

What percentage of businesses use SMS marketing in 2024?

Texting is now a widely used digital marketing channel. 80% of businesses are using SMS marketing software to text their customers in 2024. In 2022, 55% of businesses were using SMS marketing, so 45% more businesses are using text marketing now compared to this time two years ago. That may be because many small business are discovering that SMS marketing is very affordable, effective, and an efficient way to handle day-to-day customer communications.

Healthcare (86%), e-commerce/retail (84%), and consumer services (81%) are the industries seeing the highest SMS marketing adoption rates. What’s more, 69% of business owners and digital marketing managers plan on increasing their text marketing budget in 2024. 

How does SMS marketing impact overall marketing success?

Incorporating SMS marketing into your overall digital marketing mix can make all the difference, and the stats are in to prove it. 87% of businesses that text report their digital marketing is successful, but only 49% of businesses that don’t text say the same. 

So businesses that text are 683% more likely to report digital marketing success than those that don’t.

When it comes to cross-channel integration, 78% of businesses are integrating their text marketing with other digital marketing and CRM platforms like Mailchimp, Hubspot, and Salesforce. Businesses leveraging this cross-channel approach are 20% more likely to report digital marketing success than those that aren’t. 

They’re also more likely to see higher conversion rates from their marketing efforts. 91% of business owners and marketing managers say they see higher conversion rates with integrated marketing campaigns that include SMS.

What are average SMS click-through rates, conversion rates, and opt-out rates in 2024?

In 2024, the majority of businesses (40%) have an average text marketing click-through rate between 21 and 35%, with businesses in the healthcare industry leading the charge. A staggering 83% of healthcare businesses see average click-through rates higher than 20%. 

Moreover, click-through rates are steadily rising over time, as more businesses adopt SMS marketing. The percentage of businesses whose average click-through rates are higher than 35% ballooned by nearly 62% between 2021 and 2024.

When it comes to converting those clicks into concrete results, the majority of businesses are seeing SMS marketing conversion rates between 21 and 30%, with finance and healthcare businesses at the forefront. 81% of finance businesses and 79% of businesses in healthcare see average SMS conversion rates higher than 20%.

Amidst the flurry of engagement and conversions, businesses are keeping their audiences happy and opted in. Most businesses have an average SMS marketing opt-out rate between 1 and 2%. The vast majority of businesses (81%) have average opt-out rates under 5%. 

Even more impressive, 16% of businesses have average opt-out rates under 1%.

How and why are businesses using SMS marketing?

In the past, the go-to uses for SMS marketing revolved around promotions, special offers, and managing billing or collections. Fast-forward to 2024, and there’s a noticeable shift. 

Now, businesses are prioritizing customer satisfaction surveys (41%) and customer service/support (39%) as their top reasons for sending texts. This evolution highlights a deeper dive into enhancing customer experiences and building stronger relationships with customers.

The largest share of businesses (36%) name two-way interactions as the biggest benefit of using SMS marketing. Two-way texting between customer service representatives and customers not only personalizes the customer experience, but also opens the door to real-time feedback, queries, and resolutions, making every text an opportunity to build loyalty. Other top motivations for investing in SMS are real-time reach and instant delivery (33%), and high open/click-through rates (31%).

How much business revenue can be attributed to SMS marketing?

The lion’s share of businesses (81%) agree that text message marketing is an effective way to drive revenue for their business, and the majority of businesses (40%) say 11 to 20% of their revenue can be attributed to SMS. 

This isn’t just a nod to the effectiveness of texting as a marketing channel; it’s a loud and clear endorsement of its role as a critical revenue generator. 

Which emerging trends are businesses incorporating into their SMS marketing strategy?

Using AI for personalization and automation (40%) is the most popular SMS marketing trend for businesses in 2024. Today, businesses can use generative AI to write text messages that create real value for their customers, have a clear call to action, and represent their brand.

Following closely are chatbots/virtual assistants (35%) and interactive polls/surveys (31%). Together, these trends underscore a dynamic shift towards more interactive, intelligent, and customer-centric SMS marketing approaches. 

Forecasting the future of SMS marketing stats

SMS marketing doesn’t seem to be slowing down any time soon. Companies are leveraging AI in their SMS marketing strategies, opt-in rates continue to rise, and industries like healthcare, e-commerce, and retail are using SMS to their advantage. 

Check out our success stories spanning various industries, showcasing how SMS marketing has empowered both small business owners and corporations to connect effectively with their target audiences. Another good source of inspiration is our small business podcast where we work one-on-one with customers to help them solve their marketing challenges. Interested in starting your own SMS campaign or engaging customers through two-way texting? Try us out for free today!

Methodology

The statistics in this report are derived from two separate surveys. We surveyed 1,000 U.S. consumers across a range of demographics and regions, and 400 U.S. business owners and marketing managers across a range of industries and company sizes from December 20th to 22nd, 2023. Interested in SMS marketing statistics from previous years? View our 2022 and 2023 SMS marketing reports.

The post Texting & SMS marketing statistics in 2024 appeared first on SMS Marketing & Text Marketing Services – Try It For Free.

Whether you’re a small business owner looking to refine your marketing tactics or a marketer seeking the latest industry insights, this report offers valuable perspectives and actionable strategies to help you thrive in 2024’s fast-paced market. 

Key small business marketing statistics

• The three most influential marketing tactics for small businesses are online reviews, word-of-mouth referrals, and influencer endorsements.
• The five most influential marketing channels for small business growth are their websites, Facebook, review sites (e.g., Google Business), TikTok, and Instagram.
• Small businesses with a marketing plan are 6.7 times more likely to report marketing success than those without a plan. 
• Small businesses that blend in-house marketing with external professional services report 2.5 times more marketing success than those relying exclusively on in-house efforts.
• 63% of small businesses plan to increase their marketing budget over the next year. The sectors most likely to boost spending are technology (80%), human resources (80%), and finance (76%). 
• Most small businesses allocate 6-10% of their budget to marketing. Small businesses that invest more in marketing report greater marketing success.
• The biggest marketing challenges for small businesses are limited budget, time constraints, and finding the right marketing channels.
• Over half of small businesses (59%) are incorporating AI into their marketing strategies, and 75% are incorporating customer feedback into their marketing strategies. 
• 72% of consumers prefer to buy products from small businesses over larger enterprises.
• 44% of consumers have intentionally increased their shopping at small businesses in the past year.
• Most consumers prefer to receive marketing communications from small businesses through email, social media, and text. 
• Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok rank as the top four social platforms where consumers are most responsive to marketing messages from small businesses.
• 64% of consumers say that online reviews impacted their decision to support small businesses in the past year.

Business insights

What are the most influential marketing tactics and channels for small businesses?

Digital marketing channels continue to dominate as the key drivers of growth. Small business owners say their five most influential marketing channels are their websites, Facebook, review sites (e.g. Google Business), TikTok, and Instagram. 

44% identified their website as the most influential marketing channel, underscoring the importance of a strong online presence.

Facebook follows closely at 38%, highlighting its enduring appeal for business engagement and customer interaction.

TikTok is listed as the fourth most important marketing channel for small businesses aiming to reach broader, younger audiences. This is particularly notable given the ongoing discussions around a potential nationwide TikTok ban, which could impact small businesses that heavily rely on the platform for its extensive reach and influencer endorsements.

Certain digital marketing channels are underused by small businesses. Despite the potential of search engine marketing (SEM) to drive targeted traffic, only 28% of small businesses are currently using this channel.

Similarly, just 23% are leveraging a blog to engage audiences and boost their content marketing efforts, missing out on opportunities to build authority and connect with customers. 

Finally, while most businesses cite their website as their most influential marketing tool, only 17% of small businesses use search engine optimization (SEO) to improve their online visibility; thus, many aren’t fully harnessing the benefits of organic search, which could lead to increased web traffic and higher conversion rates. 

Small business owners say their three most influential marketing tactics are reviews (e.g., Google reviews), word-of-mouth referrals, and influencers/endorsements.

Reviews (e.g. on Google, Facebook, Amazon, etc.) are the most influential marketing tactic for small business owners, yet only 43.5% of businesses actively seek to influence these reviews. This gap presents a substantial growth opportunity for small businesses. By proactively managing and encouraging customer reviews, small businesses can enhance their online reputation, build trust, and attract new customers.

Recommended reading: How to ask customers for reviews: 11 tactics with real-life examples

Influencers/endorsements are the third-most influential marketing tactic. On TikTok, collaborating with influencers who match the brand’s values can generate engaging, viral content that appeals to a younger audience, boosting visibility and brand awareness. 

Similarly, Instagram provides a robust platform for influencer partnerships through short-form video content like Stories, IGTV, and Reels, which can enhance real-time engagement and capitalize on trending content. Small businesses can tap into established follower bases by partnering with influencers on these platforms, significantly extending their reach. 

How many employees are dedicated to marketing in small businesses?

The size of the marketing team within small businesses plays a crucial role in marketing success. Most small businesses surveyed have three to five marketing employees. Those with larger marketing teams exhibit significantly higher confidence in achieving a positive return on investment (ROI). 

A notable 75% of businesses with 10 or more marketing employees are confident in their positive marketing ROI, in stark contrast to only 30% of businesses with a single marketing employee and a mere 6% of those without any dedicated marketing staff.

Are small businesses keeping their marketing efforts internal or external?

When it comes to keeping marketing in-house or external, small businesses are adopting a hybrid approach.

Most small businesses (42%) blend in-house marketing efforts with external professional services (e.g., agencies). This mixed strategy is proving highly effective, as businesses employing both methods are 2.5 times more likely to report marketing success compared to those relying solely on in-house teams. Small businesses can drive better results by leveraging the strengths of internal expertise alongside the specialized skills of third-party professionals. 

To what extent are small businesses prioritizing their online presence?

Most small businesses (35%) rate their online presence as excellent, 31% as good, and 19% as average. Small businesses with an excellent online presence are significantly more confident in their marketing ROI, with 56% expressing high confidence compared to just 1% of those with a poor online presence. 

The correlation between a strong online presence and sales impact is equally compelling.
57% of small businesses with an excellent online presence say that their marketing efforts have a very significant impact on sales. Only 2% of small businesses with a poor online presence share this sentiment.

How are small businesses leveraging local marketing?

The three most common ways small businesses are using local marketing is through social media to engage their local communities, participating in community events, sponsorships, and networking with local businesses and influencers. Despite these efforts, only 19% are using local SEO and Google My Business to enhance their local visibility. 

This presents a significant opportunity for improvement. By optimizing local search strategies and managing Google My Business profiles, small businesses can greatly enhance their discoverability and attract more local customers.

What portion of small businesses’ budgets is dedicated to marketing in 2024?

The majority of small businesses (44%) allocate 6-10% of their overall budget to marketing. What’s more, the correlation between higher marketing investment and better outcomes is clear. 48% of small businesses that dedicate 6-10% of their overall budget to marketing report success in their efforts. In contrast, only 11% of small businesses that spend less than 5% of their budget on marketing achieve similar results. 

Looking ahead, 63% of small businesses plan to increase their marketing budgets over the next year, with technology, human resources, and finance sectors leading this trend. A striking 80% of businesses in both the technology and human resources sectors, along with 76% in finance, are gearing up to boost their marketing expenditures over the next 12 months.

How many small businesses have a marketing plan?

75% of small businesses have a marketing plan, while 25% do not. Having a structured plan significantly boosts success rates. Small businesses with a marketing plan are 6.7 times more likely to report marketing success than those without a plan. 

Specifically, 87% of small businesses with a marketing plan report successful marketing outcomes, in stark contrast to the mere 13% success rate among those without a plan. This data underscores the critical importance of strategic planning in marketing, highlighting how a well-defined roadmap can enhance a small business’s ability to achieve its goals and drive growth. 

A good marketing plan usually includes clear objectives, a detailed analysis of the target market, competitive research, and a mix of marketing tactics tailored to the business’s unique strengths. It also outlines specific strategies for digital and traditional marketing channels, a content calendar, budget allocations, and metrics for measuring success.

How often do small businesses incorporate customer feedback into their marketing strategy?

In today’s customer-centric market, the integration of customer feedback into marketing strategies is proving to be a game-changer for small businesses. 75% of small businesses incorporate customer feedback into their marketing strategy either always or frequently. 

This practice is not just beneficial; it’s a clear differentiator in driving marketing success. 49% of small businesses that consistently integrate customer feedback into their marketing strategies report achieving marketing success. This contrasts sharply with the mere 1% success rate among businesses that neglect to incorporate customer feedback. These findings highlight the powerful impact of listening to customers. 

Small businesses can collect customer feedback through online surveys, social media polls, and direct customer interviews. Using feedback forms on websites and review platforms can also provide valuable insights to refine marketing strategies.

What are the biggest marketing trends for small business owners in 2024?

According to business owners, the biggest small business marketing trends in 2024 will be AI and machine learning, social commerce, ethical marketing/sustainability, and short-form video content. 

AI can help small businesses analyze data, personalize customer experiences, and optimize marketing campaigns. Our survey found that over half of small businesses (59%) are incorporating AI into their marketing strategy. What’s more, small businesses that incorporate AI into their marketing strategy are 5.7 times more likely to report greater marketing success compared to those that do not. On our small business podcast, we frequently offer suggestions to small businesses on how they can leverage AI.

Social commerce allows small businesses to turn social media engagement into seamless shopping experiences, boosting sales directly on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. Additionally, there is a growing emphasis on ethical marketing and sustainability, as businesses recognize the importance of aligning with consumer values around environmental and social responsibility.

What are the biggest marketing challenges for small businesses?

The most common marketing challenges for small businesses are limited budget, time constraints, and finding the right marketing channels. These hurdles are especially pronounced for small business owners, who often juggle multiple roles and responsibilities, making efficient time management critical yet challenging.

Budget limitations further compound these difficulties, restricting the ability to invest in marketing strategies and cutting-edge tools that larger competitors might easily afford. Additionally, small business owners must continually adapt and identify the most effective marketing channels, a task that can be both time-consuming and complex.

Consumer insights

How often are consumers buying from small businesses?

72% of consumers prefer to buy products from small businesses over larger enterprises. The largest share of consumers (48%) shop with small businesses monthly, followed by 28% who shop with them weekly. These figures underscore a growing loyalty and preference for the personalized touch and unique offerings that small businesses provide.

When we look at specific demographics, men surprisingly shop with small businesses more frequently than women. Further, Gen Xers and millennials lead the charge, shopping with small businesses more frequently than both Gen Zers and baby boomers. This could reflect a combination of economic values, a desire for unique products, and a greater emphasis on supporting local economies that resonate more strongly with these generations.

Overall, the largest share of consumers (38%) discover new small businesses by word of mouth, followed by 31% of consumers who discover new small businesses on social media. 

Gen Zers are most likely to find new small businesses to shop with through social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, whereas other generations primarily rely on word-of-mouth referrals. 

Why do consumers decide to shop small?

44% of consumers have intentionally increased their shopping at small businesses in the past year. Consumers cite product uniqueness, support for local economies, and convenient locations as the top three factors influencing their decision to shop at small businesses. Unlike the mass-produced items found in large retail chains, small businesses often provide one-of-a-kind products that resonate with consumers’ desires for individuality and distinctiveness. 

What’s more, there’s a growing awareness of the positive impact that shopping locally can have on communities, from creating jobs to fostering economic resilience. This sense of local pride and community support is compelling more consumers to choose small businesses, seeing their purchases as investments in their own neighborhoods.

Consumers prioritize product quality significantly higher than price when shopping at small businesses. A substantial 50% of customers cite product quality as their primary concern, overshadowing the 28% who focus on price and the 9% who value customer service most. Customers often associate small businesses with a higher level of care and authenticity in their offerings, leading to a greater willingness to pay a premium for products that stand out in terms of durability and design.

Which marketing channels do consumers prefer for engaging with small businesses?

Understanding consumer communication preferences is crucial for small business marketers. The majority of consumers (38%) prefer receiving marketing communications from small businesses through email, while 34% favor social media as their preferred channel. 

A generational divide is evident in these preferences. Gen Zers, known for their digital savviness, overwhelmingly favor social media platforms for marketing interactions with small businesses, whereas older generations lean towards the more traditional channel of email. Notably, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok have emerged as the top four social platforms where consumers are most receptive to marketing messages from small businesses.

What consumers of all ages can agree on is that small businesses need to have a strong online presence. 64% of consumers across the board say it’s either important or very important that small businesses have a strong online presence to attract and retain customers. 

What types of marketing messages from small businesses most resonate with consumers?

Consumers overwhelmingly indicated that they are most likely to engage with marketing messages from small businesses that feature discounts and promotions (81%). This strong preference underscores the universal appeal of savings and special offers, effectively capturing consumer attention and driving engagement.

Following this, 40.7% of consumers are drawn to new product announcements, while 37.1% are interested in customer testimonials and stories, which add a personal touch and build trust. These insights suggest that a multi-faceted marketing approach, balancing promotional content with informative and engaging narratives, can resonate with a broad audience.

From which industries are consumers most likely to support a small business?

Consumers are most likely to support small businesses in the food and beverage industry (81.3%) –– e.g., local restaurants, coffee shops, and specialty food stores. This preference highlights the strong community connection and daily necessity of these establishments, making them a top choice for local support. Following closely are local retail stores (60.5%) for clothing or accessories, and services (59.3%) –– e.g., vets, cleaning, plumbing, repair, tailoring, and landscaping, among others. 

How do online reviews influence consumer purchases with small businesses?

54% of consumers have left a review for a small business online at least once in their lifetime, and 64% of consumers say that online reviews impacted their decision to support small businesses in the past year. In an increasingly digital marketplace, positive reviews on Google, Facebook, Yelp, and other platforms can significantly enhance a small business’s reputation and attract a wider customer base.

How does AI influence consumer purchases with small businesses?

While AI is revolutionizing various industries, only 27% of consumers say they’re more likely to shop from small businesses that use AI in their operations (73% are not). This suggests that balancing technological advancements with human-centric experiences could be key for small businesses to enhance their appeal.

Survey insights reveal that most consumers (39%) are more inclined to support small businesses using AI to streamline checkout processes and bolster payment security, underscoring the value placed on efficiency and safety. 

Additionally, 33% appreciate AI’s ability to personalize their shopping experience, while AI-driven scheduling for appointments and reservations appeals to 28% of consumers.

Despite the advantages of AI, consumers express notable reservations about its integration into small businesses. Privacy concerns top the list, with 47% worried about data usage by AI systems. 

Further, 45% are hesitant if AI adoption leads to higher product or service prices, while 44% are concerned about AI replacing human jobs. These insights highlight the importance of addressing privacy, cost, and personalization to alleviate consumer apprehensions regarding AI technology in small businesses.

The future of small business marketing

Small business marketing in 2024 is defined by a blend of digital engagement, technological innovation, and consumer-centric strategies. The study shows that having a strong online presence is non-negotiable, with websites, review platforms, and social media giants like Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram leading the way. To stay ahead, small businesses should tap into underused channels like search engine marketing and SEO to boost their online game.

Consumers are craving unique products and personalized experiences, putting quality over everything else. AI offers a big win for enhancing efficiency and personalization, but businesses need to tackle concerns about privacy, costs, and job impacts head-on. 

The secret sauce for 2024? Blend tech-savvy strategies with the authentic, community-focused charm that small businesses are known for.

The statistics in this report are derived from two separate surveys. We surveyed 1,000 U.S. consumers across a range of demographics and geographic regions, and 400 U.S. small business owners and marketing managers across a range of industries from March 12th to 14th, 2024.

The post The state of small business marketing in 2024 appeared first on SMS Marketing & Text Marketing Services – Try It For Free.

Make no mistake, those trends can and will change the way you interact with your customers, your workflows, and your success over the next year.

That’s why we here at SimpleTexting conducted a survey of business owners and consumers to get a data-driven understanding of how, why, and how often people are texting these days. 

That survey is on its way to you, but I’ll be honest. I saw the raw data and asked to share it early. I’ll give you the highlights of that data here to help you make a game plan for the coming year.

Click-through rates will rise

This one is music to the ears of anyone who’s struggled with their engagement metrics when sending out texts. 

This year, the number of businesses whose average click-through rates sit above 35% grew by almost 62% between 2021 and 2024.

This is partially because SMS has now been around for a number of years and we’re all getting a better sense of how to use it. 

It’s also likely due to the fact that, year by year, SMS is becoming a universally in-demand and spam-free channel. This means your customers want to hear from you via text and they trust your messages enough to interact with them.

What this means for you:

If you’re teetering on the fence about whether text messages will really reach your customers successfully, this is your sign that they will. 

Gen Z will be a big part of your audience

No surprise here. Gen Z is growing up (a fact that makes my aging self cringe a bit) and they’re fans of texting. 

According to our report, Gen Z are the generation subscribing to SMS marketing at the highest rates. 85% of Gen Zers opted in to get texts from businesses in 2023 –– a 19% increase from our last report.

All that to say, it will pay to learn how to talk to a younger demographic. Keep this in mind as you research and put together your texts.

What this means for you:

This is a good reminder to keep your texts age-inclusive as much as possible. 

That means it’s okay to play with emojis and a fun tone (as long as it fits your brand voice). Not to mention that tuning into and communicating about Gen Z’s concerns, like sustainability, mental health, and ethical product sourcing will pay off.

Healthcare SMS will thrive

Although we often think of healthcare as a more “traditional” business model, healthcare practices have been adopting SMS for years with no signs of slowing. 

In the present day, healthcare topped the list in our survey as the sector with the highest SMS marketing adoption rates at 86%.

That’s just the business side. Healthcare consumers also reported the highest opt-in rates in our data.

What this means for you:

If you work in healthcare, SMS is now the norm. Your customers and patients want you to text them, and you can be sure that your lists will grow if and when you adopt texting.

As a dentist, we don’t really learn a lot of things about business. That word itself, ‘user experience’ was not in my vocabulary. But it’s important, right? Yes, we’re a dental office, and we’re providing medical treatment for people. But at the same time, we’re also a business, and interaction with our business is important for our users or patients.

Dr. Gurpreet Sidhu, D.D.S.

Owner, Lighthouse Dental Centre

Businesses will encourage more customer interaction

While use cases like promotions and other one-way message types will still have a place in your text marketing strategy, the numbers show that they don’t top the list anymore.

Customer satisfaction surveys and feedback were reported as the use case with the highest conversion rate by 18% of the businesses we surveyed. 

What this means for you:

Your subscribers want to be involved in your messaging strategy and your brand. 

If you haven’t already, build surveys and feedback requests into your texting cadence at regular intervals.

This not only fits into the current trend, but it gives you valuable information you can use to refine and improve your future campaigns.

8 SMS Survey Examples (Plus How to Create a Text Survey Step-by-Step)

Transactional texts will be in demand

On the heels of the previous point, promotional texts will play second fiddle to transactional texts this year.

Appointment and reservation reminders (73%) and package tracking or order status (66%) texts are the use cases consumers say they’re most likely to opt in for.

Now, that’s not to say you should scrap your sale announcements. It’s simply a reminder that your customers are looking for information that’s personal to them and immediately useful.

What this means for you:

If you don’t already offer these formats (and if they’re appropriate for your business), consider adopting them.

Also, this is an excellent way to keep perspective around the fact that your content calendar doesn’t have to sell and promote at all times. Sometimes, transactional texts are the best way to be of genuine service to your customers.

AI will reign

You likely saw this coming, but artificial intelligence (AI) is set to take a bigger role in creating the text messages business owners send. 

When asked which emerging trends or technologies they planned to add to their text marketing strategies in the future, business owners chose AI above all others (at 40%).

That’s for a very good reason. Not only does AI take some of the work of texting off your plate, but it can also lend some inspiration when you’re suffering writer’s block and need suggestions.

What this means for you:

It’s likely time to find a favorite AI tool. Like most businesses, SimpleTexting loves AI. We even built an AI message generator into our platform. So, if you’re looking for an easy place to start exploring texts by AI, try it out.

Texting will be a crucial part of your customer experience

In the past, some businesses considered texting to be a cornerstone of their customer-facing operations and others saw it as a tool — nice to have, but not terribly impactful.

In 2024, the former perspective will win the day.

In our survey, 63% of consumers agreed that businesses that text provide them with a better customer experience than those that don’t.

I’ve worked in text marketing for years now, and I’ve personally witnessed the value of the “human touch” in SMS marketing and communications. AI certainly has its place in helping you craft some of your texts, but don’t let that ease of use make your texting program robotic or impersonal.

Texting is inherently an intimate form of communication, and using it properly can make your customers feel seen, valued, and taken care of.

What this means for you:

Be mindful of the fact that a strong, nurturing customer experience is the goal of your SMS program (not just better click-through rates).

Keep your messages personalized, consistent with your voice and brand, and timely when responding to requests.

All these things will keep your customers satisfied and returning to you.

Integrations will be a top priority

On a similar note, texting is becoming less of an individual function and more of a vital piece of businesses’ overall workflow thanks to integrations.

As of 2024, 78% of businesses integrate their text marketing with other marketing tools like Hubspot, Mailchimp, and Salesforce.

Texting is like your favorite sauce at your go-to takeout place. It might be the standout feature there and the thing that makes the meal, but it really shines when combined with other components.

Not to mention, integrating SMS with tools you already use can take a lot of work off your plate and enable you to get more creative with your marketing flows.

We’ve seen businesses:

• Set texts to trigger when purchases are made on their e-commerce store
• Automate check-in texts when a prospect in their CRM stays away too long
• Set up payment reminder texts on overdue accounts through an invoicing software
• Trigger texts to potential home buyers when a new property drops on a real estate listing site

And much, much more.

What this means for you:

Integrations are about to be your best friend. We’ve always believed in them. That’s why we offer integrations with literally thousands of tools from email software to calendar apps and beyond. 

Take a close look at your regular workflows as they connect to your SMS strategy and look for places where one less tool or task could be useful. Chances are, there’s an integration for that.

Based on what Salesforce tells us, we can customize the first automated text in SimpleTexting for the type of client, the information package they receive and connect them with the appropriate person to speak to.

Sara Fairman

Corporate Trainer and Salesforce Administrator, Canadian Fertility Consulting

The post Text message marketing trends in 2024: Unlock more clicks with less effort appeared first on SMS Marketing & Text Marketing Services – Try It For Free.

That’s a new finding derived from the original data in SimpleTexting’s State of Texting and SMS Marketing 2023 proprietary research study.

Exactly 400 unique businesses participated in this study, with data provided by 292 business owners and 108 marketing managers, all based in the United States. This sample was not derived from SimpleTexting’s customer or audience base but through a third-party provider.

P.S. Want a look at our latest data? Check out this year’s report.

In demand: Consumers want businesses to text them

Key finding: Businesses that text are 2.17 times more likely to report marketing success.

In 2021, 62% of consumers had subscribed to receive texts from at least one business. In 2023, 71% of customers have subscribed to receive texts from businesses.

That’s a 14% increase in adoption with more consumers who are:

1. Aware they can get text messages from businesses.
2. Willing to receive texts, with 52.6% wanting one every other week.

To summarize: The majority of your audience is likely open to getting text messages from your business.

Look, it’s always risky knowing where to invest your effort. And having worked in the marketing, sales, and customer service industries, I know how noisy it can be.

It seems like there’s always some new or innovative concept for social media, emails, ads, blog posts, business listings, reviews, chatbots, and the list goes on. These are all things you could do.

For your small business, the questions become:

• What should we do?
• What tactics will have the greatest impact on our business?
• What will provide the most value to our customers?

That’s why building on a channel you know your audience prefers can be a worthwhile investment.

Low risk: Texting is a low-risk, low-cost investment with high rewards

Key finding: 90.09% of businesses that text their customers report marketing success.

Let me rephrase that: Marketing is successful at 9 out of 10 businesses that leverage text messaging.

It sounds like texting is a sure bet for marketing success.

There are examples of businesses that have…

• Increased average order values by 3-4x
• Seen consistent paid conversion rates of 25%
• Improved response rates by 25-30%

…all with texting.

While there are varied reasons for the success behind these stories, there are several unique truths for business texting specifically.

With texting:

• Your audience is protected from spam. There are laws to prevent unwanted texts and easy methods for people to report spam, which means your texts have more impact than marketing tactics like randomly targeted ads.
• There’s no ever-changing algorithm to worry about — like with social media or organic search engine optimization (SEO).
• You own your contact list. And when you text your contacts, you can rest assured you’ll reach them (as long as your messages meet compliance requirements).

Texting starts as little as $29 a month. For the modest investment, texting can be an additional channel to support your marketing success.

Editor’s note: Keep in mind, this data is correlative. Businesses that report marketing success are highly likely to use texting as a component of their strategy, but texting is likely not the only marketing channel these businesses use.

Emerging: More businesses are texting in 2023

Key finding: 85.75% of businesses text customers in 2023. That’s a 56% increase since 2022.

The rate of business texting adoption has been increasing drastically over the past couple of years:

That’s a 31% adoption rate increase for text marketing from 2021 to 2022, and a 56% increase from 2022 to 2023. If you’re looking at that jump from 42% in 2021 to 86% in 2023, that’s a 105% adoption rate increase for business texting in just two years.

It makes sense. After all, 71% of consumers have already subscribed to receive text messages from businesses. It looks like more businesses are simply capitalizing on this trend.

Long story short: If you adopt texting for your business, you’re not the first. You’re among good company.

These stats also indicate that texting isn’t just for big businesses. The percentages couldn’t be this high if that were the case (more than 95% of all businesses in the U.S. are small businesses).

In fact, there is evidence to suggest that texting for small businesses is extremely lucrative. Most people (91%) prefer supporting small businesses when it’s convenient, according to a report sponsored by Zendesk (PDF).

To sum it up:

• Your customers want you to text them.
• Your competitors are taking advantage of the opportunity.
• If you’re a small business, you’ve got a leg up on the big dogs because your customers prefer to support you.
• You can use texting to engage your customers with minimal investment.
• Texting is convenient, which increases your chances of influencing profitable customer action for your small business.
• It’s highly likely you’ll be successful with text marketing.

Give business texting a test drive with a free trial from SimpleTexting.

The post Businesses that text are 217% more successful than those that don’t [2023 study] appeared first on SMS Marketing & Text Marketing Services – Try It For Free.

They’re concerned about Zipwhip’s shutdown and finding a new business texting software that works for them. They’re looking for something that has all the features they need and can be implemented quickly.

In short, they’re worried about the change and how to make it as smooth as possible. If that sounds like you, then you’ve come to the right place. 

This guide briefly covers what makes SimpleTexting such an excellent alternative to Zipwhip and how to make a seamless transition.

• Why SimpleTexting is the best Zipwhip alternative
• Common questions about transitioning from Zipwhip to SimpleTexting
• How to transition from Zipwhip to SimpleTexting

Why SimpleTexting is the best Zipwhip alternative

Our elevator pitch is simple: switch to a platform that offers more capabilities than Zipwhip and doesn’t limit the contacts, keywords, phone numbers, or users on your account.

Basically, it’s everything you expect out of an SMS marketing platform — and then some.

• Manage one-on-one conversations using our SMS inbox.
• Mass text your audience without contact limits.
• Create as many SMS keywords as you’d like, no matter which plan you choose.
• Add multiple users and numbers to one account (Ex. each business location has its own number and each department representative has their own number)

The best part is that we offer some of the most affordable pricing on the market, with plans starting as low as $29 for 500 SMS.

Before making a decision, we encourage you to read customer reviews on third-party websites such as Capterra and G2 to see what customers say and most importantly, sign up for a free trial.

Want to learn more? Download this PDF for a complete comparison.

Common questions about transitioning from Zipwhip to SimpleTexting

Switching to a new texting platform is a big deal, especially if Zipwhip is vital to your business or organization’s operations. Naturally, you’re going to have some questions.

Here are the top questions we hear from former Zipwhip customers:

1. Can I keep my Zipwhip number?

In many cases, you can keep using your number with SimpleTexting, but our support team can check its eligibility before you make a decision.

We can port most toll-free and 10DLC numbers from Zipwhip to SimpleTexting. If you have a VOiP or landline number, we can text-enable them as well, in most cases.

2. Can I import contacts and conversations from Zipwhip to SimpleTexting?

You can import contacts into your SimpleTexting account, but not conversations. However, you can request a CSV export of your messages from Zipwhip, so you have a record. 

If there’s important information in those messages that you want to remember, you can add it to the notes section of your contact entries.

3. What kinds of integrations are available to me with SimpleTexting?

There are thousands of applications that can integrate with SimpleTexting through Zapier, and you can find instructions for setting them up in our help center. 

Don’t see the application you want to integrate with in Zapier? Our advanced automations team can build and maintain a custom integration for you as an add-on service.

How to transition from Zipwhip to SimpleTexting

Here’s the actual process for moving from Zipwhip to SimpleTexting:

1. Decide if we’re the right solution for you.

Creating a free trial account with SimpleTexting takes less than two minutes, and there’s no commitment or credit card required. 

During your 14-day trial, you can send a text, import contacts, and explore the platform. Plus, we’re here seven days a week to answer any questions you may have about what’s possible with SimpleTexting.

2. Choose a plan.

We recommend upgrading to a paid plan once you’re ready to launch. 

Our pricing structure is simple and is based on how many messages you’d like to send on a monthly basis (no contracts) and it’s easy to change plans if you over (or under) estimated your messaging volume. You can view our pricing here. 

3. Move your contacts from Zipwhip to SimpleTexting.

Unfortunately, Zipwhip doesn’t make exporting data very easy, and they currently don’t offer the ability to click a button and export your contact lists.

The good news is that there are some workarounds depending on the size of your contact list. This tutorial provides a way to copy and paste your contacts into a Google sheet.

Once that’s done, all you need to do is follow this straightforward help center article to adding these contacts to SimpleTexting.

4. Move your Zipwhip phone number to SimpleTexting.

If you’d like to continue sending texts from the same phone number you’re currently using on Zipwhip, you’ll need to:
1. Provide the number you’d like to use to our customer service team. You can email them at support@simpletexting.net with this request, or start a conversation with them using our live chat.

2.  Register it for 10DLC (local numbers) with SimpleTexting. (Unfortunately, your registration from Zipwhip will not pass to us.)

We’ll help you every step of the way

So far, Zipwhip customers have been left to their own devices to find a new text messaging service and export their data. This has left a lot of businesses unsure of how to proceed. 

The good news is we’re here to make sure you’re squared away and ready to go with a new texting solution as soon as possible so that you don’t find yourself in panic mode as Zipwhip closes shop.

Our knowledgeable support team is available 7-days a week to answer all your questions. Just click the blue chat box in the right-hand corner to start a conversation with an onboarding specialist.

The post How to switch from Zipwhip to SimpleTexting appeared first on SMS Marketing & Text Marketing Services – Try It For Free.

SMS marketing has been on a steady rise in recent years, and it shows no signs of slowing down. With Americans constantly glued to their phones, checking them once every 10 minutes each day on average, this marketing strategy puts your brand right at people’s fingertips.

To make a lasting impact in this competitive landscape, businesses must find innovative ways to capture consumers’ attention and break free from the noise. Businesses can leverage mass texting as a versatile channel for a wide range of initiatives, such as gaining early access sales, gathering customer feedback, sending timely reminders for abandoned carts, appointments, reservations, and much more.

In celebration of this thriving digital marketing channel, we’re thrilled to unveil the fourth installment of the SMS marketing report by SimpleTexting. We surveyed 1,400 consumers, business owners, and digital marketers to understand how these parties view and use SMS in 2023. 

Discover which industries boast the highest number of SMS contacts, explore how businesses are incorporating artificial intelligence into their bulk SMS strategies, and gain valuable insights into the world of SMS marketing.

Key texting and SMS marketing statistics

• Businesses that text customers are 217.33% more likely to report success than businesses that don’t use text messaging.
• 90.09% of businesses that text their customers report that their marketing is successful.
• 80.5% of consumers check their text notifications within five minutes of receiving a text.
• 47% of Gen Zers check their text messages once every 10–30 minutes.
• On an average day, consumers check their text messages more than any other app on their phones, even more than social media.
• 71% of consumers have subscribed to receive texts from businesses in the past year. 
• 53% of consumers want the capability to text a business back via two-way messaging.
• Healthcare (55%), banking/finance (46%), and e-commerce/retail (46%) are the top three industries for consumer SMS opt-ins.
• 86% of businesses have used SMS marketing to text their customers in the past year––a 56% increase in SMS adoption from the previous year. 
• 67% of businesses have increased their SMS marketing budgets in 2023. Only 4.75% say they’re not open to investing in SMS marketing in the future.
• 83% of businesses that text their customers have incorporated AI into their SMS marketing strategy. 
• 81% have used ChatGPT or other AI tools to help write SMS marketing messages to their customers.

Key consumer insights

How quickly do consumers see and reply to text messages?

When it comes to checking text notifications, consumers are lightning-fast in their responses. Over 30% of consumers check their text notifications within 60 seconds of receiving a text, and 80.5% of consumers check their text notifications within just five minutes of hearing their phone buzz.

Even for those who take a bit longer, the majority are still quite prompt. Around 13% of consumers check their text notifications within 15–30 minutes of receiving a text. 
These statistics bring great news for companies looking to leverage automated text messaging as a powerful tool.

Do reply rates differ when examining texts vs. emails? A large share of consumers (45%) reply to a text message within 5–10 minutes, followed by 32% of consumers who reply within 1–2 minutes.

In contrast, the largest share of consumers (33%) take a few hours to reply to an email. A significant disparity emerges when comparing the response rates between the two channels. An impressive 77% of consumers reply to a text within 10 minutes, while only 28% manage to reply to an email within the same timeframe.

This data underscores the importance of leveraging text marketing as an effective tool to ensure prompt and engaging communication with your target audience.

How frequently do consumers check their text messages?

In a world where consumers often delete emails without reading them or quickly scroll past social media blasts, capturing the attention of your audience is only half the battle. We found that 32% of consumers check their text messages 6–10 times per day while 46% check their email 1–5 times per day. 

As many companies wish to target younger generational cohorts, we found that 44% of both millennials and Gen Zers are highly active in checking their text messages, surpassing the 10 times per day mark. What’s more, 17% of millennials take their text message checking to the next level, exceeding 20 times per day.

Text message marketing provides a unique opportunity to bypass algorithms and overcome the clutter of junk email.

How are consumers using their smartphones?

There’s nothing more tempting than pressing the big green text icon found on most smartphones—and we have the data to back it up. 

78% of consumers state that checking, sending, and responding to text messages is the activity that they’re most engaged with throughout the day. It surpasses other popular activities like social media (66%), news or entertainment (51%), emails (50%), and even listening to music or podcasts (50%).

On an average day, consumers prioritize checking their text messages over any other app on their phones, including social media. This data emphasizes the high level of attention and engagement that text messages received from users, making it a prime channel for businesses to connect with their target audience effectively.

How many consumers are opted in to SMS marketing in 2023?

A strong majority of consumers (71%) opted in to receive texts from at least one business in the past year. An impressive 75% of Gen Xers (individuals aged 41-56 years old) have opted in to receive texts from businesses, showcasing their active engagement in this communication channel. 76% of women have subscribed to receive texts in the past year, while 65% of men have done the same.

53% of consumers want the capability to text a business back. Again, Gen Xers and women are the groups who want this capability the most. Two-way texting is a clear desire for many consumers, which gives them the ability to contact customer support and have other kinds of two-way conversations.

Consumers also don’t want to be spammed by texts, which is why timing plays a key role in SMS marketing. Most consumers (53%) who subscribe to SMS marketing want to receive texts from businesses once every other week, followed by 36% who want to receive them once a week.

Which industries have the most SMS contacts?

Consumers are most likely to receive texts in the healthcare space (55%), followed by banking/finance (46%), and e-commerce/retail (45.9%). With SMS for healthcare, you can improve patient communication, send prescription reminders, and reach staff in an instant. 

Notably, there has been a significant increase in healthcare-related opt-ins compared to the previous year’s report. In 2022, healthcare accounted for 49% of SMS opt-ins, indicating a 13% growth in healthcare-related opt-ins year over year.

Other consumer habits related to SMS marketing

As SMS marketing may be uncharted territory for many businesses, it is essential to understand consumer preferences and sentiments regarding receiving texts from companies. 

In general, the largest share of consumers (46%) don’t care if they interact with an SMS chatbot or a live agent for customer service inquiries, so long as their issue is resolved quickly and efficiently.

One in three consumers (33%) prefer to text a business when they have questions or inquiries, as text messaging is perceived as a quick, easy, and straightforward communication channel.

However, businesses may still question the effectiveness of SMS marketing and its impact on driving purchases. In the past year, 45% of consumers have purchased from a brand/business after receiving a text from them with a special offer or promo code.

Key business insights

How many businesses use SMS marketing in 2023?

In 2022, 55% of businesses texted their customers using a text messaging service. In 2023, 86% of business owners and marketing managers have used SMS marketing to text their customers in the past year, indicating a 56% increase in SMS marketing adoption, year over year.

What’s more, 67% of business owners and marketing managers have increased their SMS marketing budgets, as they’ve seen an increase in their SMS opt-in rates over the last year.

How and why are businesses using SMS marketing?

81% of business owners and marketing managers who use SMS marketing integrate SMS with other marketing platforms or channels like HubSpot, Mailchimp, or Salesforce. A Mailchimp text messaging integration can increase reach and lead to better conversion rates. 

91% of participants say they see higher conversion rates with integrated marketing campaigns that include SMS.

A majority of businesses (60%) say they use text marketing because of high engagement levels from customers. Opening up a text and following a link requires little effort, which is another reason why SMS marketing is so enticing. 

This is followed by higher open and click-through rates from customers (53%), quick and easy channels for two-way interactions with customers (43%), and younger customers preferring texting over other communication channels (28%).

How are businesses incorporating AI into their SMS marketing strategy?

Businesses are embracing the use of AI in their SMS marketing strategies, as evidenced by the fact that 83% of business owners and marketing managers who engage in texting their customers have incorporated AI into their approach.

81% have used ChatGPT or other AI tools to help write SMS marketing messages to their customers. More than half of businesses (57%) use AI such as SMS chatbots for customer satisfaction surveys and review requests, followed by appointment or reservation reminders (50%).

Wrap-up

SMS marketing doesn’t seem to be slowing down any time soon. Companies are leveraging AI in their SMS marketing strategies, customers desire two-way communication, and industries like healthcare, banking, and retail are using SMS to their advantage. 

Check out our success stories spanning various industries, showcasing how SMS marketing has empowered both small business owners and corporations to connect effectively with their target audiences.

Interested in starting your own SMS campaign or engaging customers through two-way texting? Try us out for free today!

The statistics in this report are derived from two separate surveys. We surveyed 1,000 U.S. consumers across a range of demographics and regions from May 3rd to 4th, 2023, and 400 U.S. business owners and marketing managers from May 4th to 6th, 2023.

The post 45+ texting and SMS marketing statistics to know in 2023 appeared first on SMS Marketing & Text Marketing Services – Try It For Free.

Each advance in technology marked a significant communication milestone that allowed us to share information farther and wider than before. 

There’s almost no greater indicator of progress than the famous first words shared over each medium. 

• The first telegram read, “What hath God wrought?” 
• The first message on a typewriter was, “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.”
• The very first words shared over the first phone call were, “Mr. Watson–come here–I want to see you.”

Which brings us to the way most of the world communicates today—text messages. It’s been 30 years since the first text message, and has completely transformed conversation as we know it.  So what was the first text message ever sent?

What was the first-ever text message?

Text messaging has always had a reputation for casually sharing short, quick messages. So it’s on-brand that the first text message ever sent was…

“Merry Christmas”

Image credit: Vodafone

This landmark holiday greeting was sent on December 3, 1992 by then-22-year-old engineer Neil Papworth at Vodafone on an Orbitel 901.

He sent the inaugural text to Richard Jarvis, his managing director, who was at a Christmas party at the time.

The history of SMS

Just one year later in 1993, global mobile phone giant Nokia introduced an SMS feature with a signature ‘beep’ alert for incoming messages. At that time, text messages were limited by a 160-character count. This inspired the use of shorthand acronyms we use regularly today, like LOL (laughing out loud) and FYI (for your information).

In 1995, the autofill technology ‘T9’ was created to make it easier to text messages with a 10-digital keypad. Nokia then introduced the first QWERTY keyboard cell phone in 1997.

Image credit: Wikipedia

But it wasn’t until 1999, when texts could first be sent and received between networks, that the new medium caught fire. 

Just three years later, in 2002, over 250 billion texts had already been sent worldwide. Today, Americans alone send over 2 trillion texts a year, and four out of five cell phone owners text regularly. It’s easily one of the most popular forms of communication.

By 2008, text messaging was adopted to raise money, with The United Way launching the first ever “text to donate” campaign, which was featured during Superbowl XLII. 

2010 marked the time in history when text messaging became a mainstream practice across many cultures. And it shows no signs of slowing down, as we now we send text messages in both our personal and professional lives.

In today’s world, businesses are using SMS messaging for everything from feedback surveys and appointment reminders to delivery notifications and promo codes. SMS has changed the way businesses can communicate with their customers, allowing them to reach them where they are with their cell phones in hand.

What does the future of texting hold?

The benefits of SMS are as relevant today as they ever were, explaining the massive popularity the medium still enjoys. Businesses will continue to use SMS software to interact with customers, automate communications, and streamline the effectiveness of this versatile channel. 

Read more about the latest trends in SMS and how businesses can use text messages to increase engagement with customers and create a more transparent and effective relationship.

The post Fast facts about the first SMS text ever sent appeared first on SMS Marketing & Text Marketing Services – Try It For Free.

And even if it seems like the most uncertain of times are over, there’s no time for respite just yet. We’re only now starting to see how inflation behaves in restaurants, and it’s not pretty. 

Not to be dramatic, but there’s no variety of slip-resistant footwear that can save you from this mess. Let’s take a look at how inflation affects the hospitality industry (specifically restaurants). 

What’s the Latest Inflation Situation?

Maybe you’ve been hearing the word “inflation” thrown around so often that you’re at the point where you’re too afraid to ask for a definition. Let’s back up a bit and look at the larger picture.

Simply put, inflation is what happens when the price of everything goes up. This includes prices for goods, services, commodities — the list could go on to include everything that you’d ever need to buy.

This price increase in itself isn’t necessarily a problem. The problem emerges when our purchasing power stays the same while prices increase. Suddenly, the average individual can’t buy as much with their money as they could before. This makes it harder for people (and businesses) to get by.  

Consumer prices are up 9.1%, the largest increase in 40 years. There are many different causes for inflation, and right now we’re facing the perfect storm. Instability in Europe, pandemic-related supply chain issues, and a sudden demand for certain goods and services are all contributing factors. 

How Does Inflation Affect the Hospitality Industry? 

We’re not far enough removed from the plight of restaurants during the pandemic to forget their struggles just yet. The impact of COVID-19 on the industry was devastating. 

For many, the reality was having to let go of valued employees. For others, it meant pivoting to a takeout-only model, as they worked hard to feed hungry office-turned-work-from-home employees and exhausted healthcare employees. 

For many restaurant owners, it meant facing the hard decision to shut down their business — a sad outcome for more than 100,000 establishments across the country.

So while it may seem like we’re hearing less about restaurants going out of business compared to the beginning of the pandemic, the hospitality industry as a whole is far from out of the woods. 

For the businesses that survived, inflation represents a whole new battle, and it’s a complex one at that. Inflation affects life in the hospitality industry (specifically restaurants) in the following ways:

• Labor sourcing: although jobs in the hospitality industry are incredibly demanding and require a wide skill set, they are notoriously low-paying. This is especially true for restaurant workers who may be paid a lower “server’s wage” that relies on customer tips to fill in the gaps. Unfortunately, with everyone’s purse strings tightening up, these tips are likely to be lacking more than ever — and even if they’re coming in, it’s still not enough of a living wage for many restaurant workers. 
• Cost of sales: restaurants rely on affordable ingredient sourcing to ensure that they’re making a healthy profit on their menu choices. As the cost of goods increase, it becomes harder and harder to make a profit and something’s got to give (more on this a bit later). 
• Customer habits: although restaurant visits are enjoyable and certainly enrich our lives, they’re also one of the first things that people cut out when they’re struggling to make ends meet. Higher costs of living mean that fewer people are dining in (or out) at restaurants — and even those who can afford patronage are likely to visit infrequently. 
• Staff retention: not only is it hard to find restaurant staff in times of tough living, but it’s also hard to keep them as well. Restaurant work is difficult, and it’s not unusual for staff to leave for greener pastures. And let’s face it, when customers are stressed and struggling to live, customers can get rude, and this can quickly create a toxic work environment. 

Adapt or Close Down: Restaurant Owners Sing the Inflation Blues 

The above is obviously not a recipe for success (pun intended). Luckily, though, folks in the restaurant industry are a scrappy (pun again) bunch and have a few options on their plate (sorry I’ll stop) before they throw in the white and red checkered kitchen towel (ok I lied but last one I promise). 

Unfortunately, the equation of inflation + restaurants is not an easy one to solve. And oftentimes restaurateurs have no choice but to turn to solutions that create misery for their employees, customers, and themselves. Check it out:

As you can see, none of the options are perfectly ideal. But there is one option that stands out as the clear winner among the rest: change menu offerings. While it can be hard for customers to adjust to a revised menu, it’s arguably harder for them to adjust to a revised pricing structure. So before you go ahead and price out your customers just yet, think about creating an inflation-friendly menu instead. This will allow you to make creative tweaks to your menu that benefit your bottom line instead of increasing your prices and alienating your customers. 

The Bottom Line

In hard economic times, the relationship that you build with your customers are more important than ever. A strong SMS marketing strategy is a great way to make sure your messaging remains clear and your customers stay in the loop.

With SimpleTexting, you can send your customers important updates via real-time texts. Start your 14-day free trial today or request a software demo. Or you can text or call us at (866) 450 4815 or even drop us a line in the chat window below. Running a restaurant is hard, but you’re not alone. Find out how SimpleTexting can help.

The post What Higher Inflation Means for Your Restaurant appeared first on SMS Marketing & Text Marketing Services – Try It For Free.

During a period of rapid change, U.S. businesses were forced to quickly innovate and pivot strategies to stay afloat over the past year and some change.
Texting was leveraged for COVID-19 alerts, curbside pick-up, speedy customer support, telehealth appointment reminders, and influencer promos, among hundreds of other use cases – all in an effort to stay closely connected to consumers where they are – on their phones.

Through each of the past year’s hurdles, text marketing remained steadfast, proving itself as a valuable and efficient communication channel. As its popularity continues to rise, even amidst a global pandemic, SimpleTexting wanted to better understand how businesses and consumers across the U.S. view texting. 

In our latest SimpleTexting SMS marketing report, we surveyed over 1,300 U.S. consumers, business owners, and marketers to determine their preferences and primary motivations pertaining to texting and SMS marketing. 

Specifically, we asked questions surrounding:

• Mobile habits when it comes to texting and screen time
• SMS marketing opt-ins by consumers 
• SMS marketing adoption by businesses 
• Primary uses cases for SMS marketing

Read on for helpful texting statistics and the full survey results. 

Key Findings

• The average U.S. consumer’s daily screen time increased by almost 50% between 2019 and 2021

• 61% of consumers say that the time they spend texting each day has either increased or significantly increased due to COVID

• 78% of consumers say that checking, sending, and answering text messages is the activity they do most on their smartphones throughout the day

• 62% of consumers say they have subscribed to receive texts from at least one business in the last year

• Almost 60% of consumers reply back to a text message within 1-2 minutes on average

• 60% of consumers say too many text message alerts is the number one reason they would unsubscribe from a business’s text messages

• 42% of business owners and digital marketers say they have texted their customers using a text messaging service in the last year

• 57% of business owners and digital marketers plan to increase their text marketing budget

• 43% of business owners and digital marketers who use SMS marketing report click-thru rates between 20 and 35%

COVID-19 Impact on Texting & Screen Time

Personal screen time noticeably increased during COVID-19. In fact, the average U.S. consumer’s daily screen time increased by almost 50% between 2019 and 2021, according to our average screentime by state study.

75% of consumers surveyed admit that the time they spend on their phones has increased due to COVID, and 48% of those respondents say that time has ballooned by as much as 1-2 hours each day. The same goes for texting. 61% say that the time they spend texting each day has either increased or significantly increased due to COVID.

How Are Consumers Using Their Smartphones?

Consumers are glued to their phones, but what are they doing exactly? 78% of consumers say that checking, sending, and answering text messages is the activity they do most on their smartphones throughout the day, followed by checking social media channels (73%), and consuming news, music, or entertainment (70%). 

Thus, on an average day, consumers check their text messages more than any other app on their phones. The informality and time efficiency of texting, in comparison to email or phone calls, naturally makes it an activity that consumers interact with most. 

More Consumers Are Opting-In to Texts 

62% of consumers say they have subscribed to receive texts from at least one business in the last year. Of those consumers, 43% receive texts from 1-3 businesses and 33% receive texts from 4-5 businesses, most notably for things like appointment reminders, exclusive promotions, and sale notifications. 

The rise of mobile commerce is another reason why consumers are opting in to texts from businesses. The largest portion of consumers (33%) say they make purchases from their smartphone 2-3 times per month, and 21% say they make purchases once a week or more. Specifically, 60% of Gen X consumers make mobile purchases 2-3 times a month or more frequently.

Reply Rates for Text vs. Email

So what do reply rates look like when zooming in on text vs. email? Consumers largely reply back to an email within an hour (37.2%), and for a quarter of consumers it can take up to a few hours for them to reply back. 

When we look at reply rates for texting, this time radically decreases. Almost 60% of consumers reply back to a text message within 1-2 minutes.

These stats bode well for businesses interested in texting back and forth with their customers to build stronger relationships – especially considering 56% of people would rather text a business than call customer service.

Text Messaging Cadence

According to survey responses, text messaging cadence is key. 56% of consumers say they would like to receive texts from businesses once every other week, followed by 29% who say once per week is ideal. What’s more, the biggest reason consumers would unsubscribe from a business’s text messages is too many text message alerts.

A good rule of thumb – set expectations and avoid bombarding consumers with alerts that do not add value. When someone signs up for your texts, they should be aware of how many times per month they can expect to hear from you.

Another tip for businesses is to avoid text messages that sound overly spammy. Before you send a text, ask yourself whether it sounds like there’s a real human on the other end of the line. If the answer is yes, your customers are much more likely to reply or click on your message. 

Businesses Adopting SMS Marketing

As consumer opt-in rates have increased, so have businesses signing up for text messaging services. 42% of business owners and marketers say they have texted their customers using a text messaging service in the last year, and 57% say they plan to increase their text marketing budget. 

Of those who use text marketing, the majority (53%) have seen their text message opt-in rates increase in the past year, compared to 48% of business owners and marketers who said the same last year – a 9.6% increase between 2020 and 2021. 

Overall, businesses are seeing the tangible benefits of text marketing in terms of their return on investment, sales conversions, and higher open and click-thru rates in comparison to other messaging channels. 

Additional Resources

• How to Use a Mass Texting Service
• Who Can Use Business Texting

Common Use Cases for SMS Marketing

Over 1 in 3 business owners (38%) are using text marketing to boost sales and offer promotions. The sense of urgency that’s synonymous with texting works particularly well for promotions like flash sales, special offers, or time-sensitive promotions.  

Over a quarter of business owners (27%) are using text marketing as part of their larger customer service strategies. More and more, SMS is expanding as a customer support tool. Consumers value mobile messaging support because it’s both responsive and convenient.  Where emails and phone calls can have larger-than-life lead times, texting lets consumers and businesses connect with each other quickly and efficiently.

The largest portion of business owners and marketers (43%) report click-thru rates between 20 and 35%, which is significant by industry standards. Businesses are also starting to integrate texting into their larger marketing strategies.

According to survey responses, 40% of business owners include text marketing as part of their omnichannel marketing strategy, and 35% say that their omnichannel campaigns that incorporate texting yield stronger conversion rates.

Wrap Up

That wraps up our latest SMS marketing report. Businesses should continue to be responsive to the changes brought on by the pandemic, and that includes updating the ways in which they communicate with customers.

Despite its growth, SMS continues to be one of the most underutilized marketing channels. This presents huge upsides for companies who are willing to try it.

Interested in learning more? We can get you started with text marketing in just 10 minutes. And better yet? You can try it out for free. It couldn’t be simpler!

The statistics in this report are derived from two separate surveys. We surveyed 827 U.S. consumers across a range of demographics from April 23rd to 24th, 2021, and 543 U.S. business owners and marketing managers from April 25th to 26th, 2021. 

The post 2021 Texting and SMS Marketing Statistics appeared first on SMS Marketing & Text Marketing Services – Try It For Free.