What is Bulk SMS?
Bulk SMS service enables you to reach out to several people as well as inform them about your company’s products and services. Bulk SMS makes it possible to send messages in such a single click. This service now provides the most cost-effective method for delivering promotional as well as transactional SMS. Bulk SMS service makes it possible to send out timely announcements and alerts to an updated list of customers or potential customers.
The bulk SMS service really does have a response rate of 98% and therefore is read within 3 – 5 minutes of delivery. The software required for bulk SMS is simple to install and then use. The software makes it easy to customize your messages to your specifications and requirements. And also, a bulk SMS gateway enables you to broaden your prospective customer list by receiving appropriate guidance.
What Is The Difference Between a Bulk SMS and SMS API?
An SMS API is just a type of API that essentially allows your company to integrate SMS (Short Message Service) messaging into existing software platforms. SMS APIs make it possible to quickly as well as easily send and receive SMS messages from just about any website or application, whereas bulk SMS campaigns are typically sent through specialized SMS software.
Which Industry Sectors Send The Most Bulk SMS Campaigns?
Many business organizations nowadays are utilizing the unique feature of Bulk SMS marketing. Bulk SMS campaigning has become increasingly popular in the business world. As a result, it may be stated that the utilization of SMS is just no longer limited to personal messages.
The bulk SMS marketing strategy has been utilized more by the majority of the bigger corporations as just a low-cost as well as effective tool for reaching out to their customers. So, without further hesitation, let us look at the different industries which typically utilize bulk SMS for communication.
- Educational Sector
- Financial Sector
- IT Sector
- Retail
- And Many Others
What Should I Look For When Choosing An SMS Service Provider?
There are several things that you should look into it before choosing a bulk SMS service provider.
- Do They Use SMS Grey Routes?
Always know if your bulk SMS service provider uses the SMS Grey Routes or not. The grey route SMS relates to a text message sent across two parties or countries that’s also legal with one party but illegal for the other. This is a technique for sending SMS between two operators as well as entities that do not have a business relation or agreement.
- Do SMS Credit Expire?
Many bulk SMS service providers will cancel your SMS credits if you do not utilize them. This information can be effectively submerged in the conditions of the agreement and might not be immediately available. So, always ask your bulk SMS service provider about SMS credit.
- Do You Have To Pay For Undelivered Text?
Almost all bulk SMS service providers charge you for undelivered text. However, some of the service providers do not charge you for failed or undelivered texts. Just need to ask your service provider about it.
- Clear SMS Pricing
Many bulk SMS service providers offer a temptingly low cost for every text for a new customer, and somehow prices will rise once you start making your next purchase.
The second source of misunderstanding would be the use of SMS credits. Some SMS providers quote a low rate each for an SMS credit, just to reveal that sending a text message in your chosen country necessitates more than one SMS credit.
So, ensure that you know how many SMS credits will be needed to send a text message. Check the costs carefully if you’re sending SMS nationally and globally. The local rate per SMS can sometimes be reasonable, and yet sending internationally is extremely expensive.
- Support and Documentation
Your SMS service provider should respond immediately regarding each and every of your query. They should support you in every situation when you need them.
If we discuss the documentation, then It needs to be clear, straightforward, but also perfectly reasonable to non-technical individuals.
What Are The Rules And Regulations For Sending Bulk SMS?
Never try to disobey the rules and guidelines of sending bulk SMS. This is because The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) also has the authority to levy large fines on companies that infringes bulk SMS regulations.
The changes have been fairly dramatic for marketing companies and anybody else who desires to continue having conversations via bulk messages.
According to the ICO’s website, you should also not send marketing emails or texts to people without their knowledge or consent. There is a specific exception for former customers, known as the soft opt-in.
The main constraint for marketers is attempting to determine the basis or reason for consent and then making sure you have documented evidence to back up this. Fortunately, the ICO had also published detailed guidance to direct marketing under new regulations.
Do I Have To Provide An Opt Out In My Bulk SMS Messaging?
Yes, it is very important. You must include a clear and obvious choice to check out of sending and receiving e-marketing text messages. You would have to provide an opt-out by employing the same method for communication. In simple words, you can’t text an individual and then ask them to send an email to unsubscribe.
Why Is Bulk SMS So Effective?
SMS marketing is effective since it reaches the customer on their mobile phone because it’s the most personal way for people to communicate. It also costs less expensive than some other traditional methods of advertising. Businesses utilize bulk SMS service to preserve current customers by sending personalized birthday greetings, payment confirmations, as well as appointment reminders. It can also be employed to promote special deals as well as sales.
- SMS Universal
SMS is a universal technology that’s also supported by every mobile network as well as device today. To begin texting via SMS, all you need is another person’s phone number. Because SMS marketing is much more immediate than email marketing service and doesn’t necessitate any additional app downloads, it has become a popular channel for businesses to communicate with their customers.
- Bulk SMS Has The Highest Response Rate Of All Marketing Channels
SMS message open rates have been estimated to be as high as 99%, particularly in comparison to only 20% for emails. Obviously, not every individual who sees your text will respond. But even so, it naturally follows that when someone has seen your message, they are much more likely to respond to it compared to when they have not. People read almost every text message they receive, as well as many choose to delete emails without opening them.
- Bulk SMS Spam Has Plummeted
Bulk SMS software spam has decreased as a consequence of a threat of heavy penalties for having violated GDPR rules. We previously received dozens of text messages per week, but even now we hardly ever get them. Spam has greatly reduced by more than 90% since GDPR began to take effect.
- ROI Is Easily Tracked
Clicks from links within texts can indeed be easily identified, supposed to allow you to calculate the sales generated by your campaign or advertisement.
- Bulk SMS Campaigns Are Quickly Deploy
SMS marketing is different from any other method of marketing. Once you have your list of numbers, it’s simply a matter of writing your message, submitting your data, as well as setting a date & time. Your SMS advertising or campaigns can arrive on your customers’ phones in minutes.
- Bulk SMS Is A Low-Cost
In comparison to the high costs of marketing such as through TV as well as print for any business, bulk SMS is cheap and affordable, with messages costing as little as a few cents. As a consequence, this solution does not only less expensive but also provides much greater Returns.
Bulk SMS Campaign Checklist – 4 Things To Check Before You Send Your Campaigns
- Message Length
Messages you send should be 160 characters long. If you send more than the specified limit of characters, you may have to use another text credit. Because it will be counted as 2 messages.
- GSM Character Set
The GSM character set is employed by the majority of bulk SMS companies to send messages. This is the standard set of characters which includes the most frequently utilized letters as well as characters.
- Send Yourself and Colleagues A Test
Always send the text to yourself and a few others prior to actually launching your bulk SMS campaign. Check that the links are correct and ensure that the mobile landing page functions correctly on any and all devices. Check that the landing page is linked to Google Analytics or whatever insights package you’re using.
- Is Your Bulk SMS Campaign GDPR Compliant?
The main legal obligation of GDPR is that you should obtain consent from your customer prior to actually sending those marketing messages. Always make sure that your bulk SMS campaign is GDPR compliant.
Bulk SMS Marketing Mistakes To Avoid
All of us make mistakes, and yet learning from past mistakes assists in preventing repeating them. As a result, if running your SMS campaign, prevent committing these errors.
This could require some time to figure out the ideal SMS practice, but keeping the following considerations in mind will help you avoid drawbacks as well as stay on top of your SMS game:
- Fail To Use An Opt-Out
Despite the fact that failing to use an opt-out on your bulk SMS campaign could land you in serious trouble with the ICO, this is one of the most common misconceptions. The GDPR expressly states that you need to employ an opt-out method. So, always provide an opt-out.
- Fail To Make The Landing Page Mobile-Friendly
Many campaigns do not utilize a mobile-friendly landing page, resulting in a clumsy as well as unpleasant user experience. If your landing pages do not provide a great user experience, your bulk SMS campaign will most likely fail.
- Sending a Confusing Text
Customers today lack the time necessary to open and read every text. They typically scan their notification bar for SMS messages and other updates before immediately deleting them. You should be able to interact with a large and have a favorable impact on them with just a few short, clever lines of text. Just don’t deliver a consuming text.
- Use Text Speak
Many people do not mind using text speak in bulk SMS marketing messages, whereas others do. This could always seem too casual as well as unprofessional. Keep it simple and then use complete sentences and words sometimes when feasible to prevent alienating sections of your customer base.
- Send Text Too Frequently
Customers may become frustrated and unsubscribe from your service if you send messages too frequently. If you wait too long between messages, the customer may lose all interest as well as forget why they signed up in the first place.
What Could Replace The Bulk SMS?
A Voice Call Service might very well replace the bulk SMS service. It really is simple to record, send, as well as manage voice calls. Voice call services enable you to conveniently reach customers by using pre-recorded messages. With just a few clicks, you could indeed create your voice message as well as automate the calling procedure. Using a bulk voice calling service, you could even easily manage as well as keep track of calls.
