SMS Marketing Guide
Discover the key elements of SMS marketing.
Learn how to launch your first SMS campaign and discover:
- How to build a customer database
- Which business areas can benefit from SMS messaging
- The crucial components of an effective SMS message
- How to evaluate the success of your SMS campaign
Creating a Customer Database for SMS Marketing - Step by Step
- Retail or online check-out
- New user registration
- Newsletter subscription
- Loyalty program sign-up
- Using tools like Facebook LeadAds
- Engaging in two-way communication via SMS
Overview of 4 Methods for Building a Customer Database
1. During Online Sign-Up
The payment page is an ideal opportunity to engage with customers. Many brands encourage newsletter registration after a purchase is completed, making it an opportune time to request a phone number. Offering a discount voucher can persuade hesitant customers. You can collect contact information using input fields or our SMS Newsletter widget. Anticipate your future campaigns and request additional information that will be useful for targeted messaging.
2. During Retail Shopping
Phone numbers can also be collected in-store with a tablet or a simple paper form. Remember to comply with GDPR by including consent forms, an information clause, and explaining the purpose of the collected data.
3. Virtual Mobile Numbers with Email, Outdoor, and Print Advertising
A Virtual Mobile Number (VMN) is a regular, 9-digit number that facilitates two-way communication. It's a convenient way to gather phone numbers by including it on your website, flyers, billboards, posters, images, or social media. Customers can subscribe to your database by sending a predefined text (e.g., YES, OK). Enhance this method by offering incentives such as discount codes or free shipping.
4. Loyalty Programs
VIP clubs are an effective method for data acquisition and customer engagement. By offering meaningful benefits, customers are more likely to share their contact information. You can start with a paper form and keep members updated with email and SMS messages to maintain their interest.
Marketing
SMS can be used to support sales by informing customers about new offers, promotions, and limited-time events. It's important to obtain marketing consent before sending these messages. For optimal results, utilize targeting and personalization, automating the process with custom fields from your contact database. Key elements include using a recognizable sender name ID, clear calls to action, shortened links, and a direct approach to recipients.
Notifications
This category includes alerts, status updates, delivery notices, and official information. Due to the lower frequency of SMS compared to email, SMS is often preferred for notifications, as they are harder to ignore and more likely to be noticed. Notifications, especially in e-commerce, are often automated through integration with systems like CRM. Expanding on these notifications, businesses can also send satisfaction surveys and polls.
Authorization
Mobile phones are highly personal devices, making them ideal for verifying sensitive information and authorizing transactions. Banks, financial institutions, and other companies use SMS for direct, fast, and internet-independent communication, such as password reminders and verification code distribution. These functions are supported by the SMS Authenticator feature available in the SMSAPI Customer Portal.
