Top 10 SMS Marketing Platforms to Boost Your Business in 2024

illustration of people sending SMS

Imagine being able to send a text message to your customers with a personalized message, a special offer, or even a reminder about an upcoming appointment.

With SMS marketing platforms, it's not only possible, but it's also easy!

These SMS marketing tools have revolutionized the way businesses communicate with their customers, making them more personal, efficient, and cost-effective.

Are you ready to join the text-perts and take your business to new heights?

Let's get started!

What are SMS Marketing Platforms?

SMS marketing platforms are tools that businesses use to send messages to their customers. They can be used to send promotions, discounts, or other types of marketing messages.

These platforms make it easy for businesses to send mass text messages and track the results of their campaigns.

Types of SMS Marketing Platforms

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Types of Text message marketing services include:

1. Web-based SMS Marketing Platforms

This text message marketing software is accessed through a web browser and typically offers a wide range of features such as message templates, contact management, and automated messages.

Some popular web-based SMS marketing tools include:

  • EZ Texting

  • Textedly

2. SMS API Platforms

These platforms allow businesses to integrate SMS functionality into their existing systems and applications, such as customer relationship management software, using SMS gateway API.

Examples of SMS API platforms include:

  • Twilio

  • Nexmo

3. Pay-as-you-go SMS Marketing Services

These types of platforms require businesses to purchase SMS credits in bulk, which can then be used to send marketing messages as needed

Some popular pay-as-you-go SMS marketing services include:

  • ClickSend

  • SendPulse

4. Text Marketing Platforms for Small Businesses

These platforms are designed specifically for small businesses and typically offer basic features such as text message data collection, appointment reminders, and customer feedback.

Examples of text marketing platforms for small businesses include:

  • SlickText

  • Trumpia

5. Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) Platforms

These platforms allow businesses to send multimedia messages (MMS messages), such as images and videos, to customers.

Some popular MMS platforms include:

  • MMS.to

  • MMS Marketing

6. Drip Campaigns Platform

These platforms enable businesses to create a series of automated messages that are sent to customers over a specific period of time. Drip campaigns can be used for customer engagement, lead nurturing, and retention.

Examples of Drip Campaigns Platforms are:

  • Mailchimp

  • GetResponse

  • Convertkit

7. Two-way SMS messaging platforms

These platforms allow businesses to receive as well as send marketing messages. It enables customers to respond to text messages sent by businesses and companies can reply back to customers' messages.

Examples of two-way text messaging platforms are:

  • Plivo

  • Clickatell

8. SMS Surveys Platforms

These platforms allow businesses to send SMS surveys to gather customer feedback and data.

An example of an SMS Surveys Platform is SurveyMonkey.

9. Appointment reminder Platform

These platforms allow businesses to automatically send appointment reminders to customers via SMS.

Examples of Appointment reminder Platform are:

  • Acuity Scheduling

  • Calendly

  • Appointy

10. Marketing Automation Platform with SMS functionality

These platforms offer SMS marketing functionality as a part of their larger marketing automation suite.

Examples of Marketing Automation Platforms with SMS functionality are:

  • Hubspot

  • Marketo

  • Pardot

11. Text message marketing solution with Facebook Messenger integration

Some SMS marketing platforms offer integration with Facebook messenger, allowing businesses to send messages through Facebook messenger.

Examples of SMS marketing services with Facebook messenger integration are:

  • MobileMonkey

  • ManyChat

12. Toll-Free Numbers SMS Platform

Some platforms provide toll-free phone numbers that businesses can use to send SMS messages.

Examples of Toll-free Numbers SMS platforms are Twilio, Nexmo.

13. Text message marketing platform with Import Contacts feature

These platforms allow businesses to import contacts from various sources such as excel sheets, email marketing platforms, CRM systems, etc.

Examples of text message marketing platforms with the Import Contacts feature are Textedly, SlickText, and Trumpia.

14. SMS Marketing Tool with Opt-out management

These platforms have an opt-out management feature that allows businesses to automatically handle opt-out requests from customers who no longer wish to receive messages from them. This feature ensures compliance with laws and regulations such as the CAN-SPAM Act and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

15. SMS Marketing Platform with Push Notifications

These platforms allow businesses to send push notifications to customers through SMS. This can be used for sending important updates, alerts, and promotional messages.

Examples of SMS marketing platforms with push notifications are: OneSignal, Airship.

16. SMS Marketing Platform with Personalized Messages

These platforms allow businesses to send personalized messages to customers based on their preferences, behavior, and demographics. This can be used for targeted marketing and customer engagement.

Examples of SMS marketing platforms with personalized messages are: Textedly, SlickText, Trumpia.

17. SMS Marketing Platform with Mass Texting

These platforms allow businesses to send text messages to large groups of customers at once. This can be used for sending promotions, updates, and alerts to a large audience.

Examples of SMS marketing platforms with bulk SMS options are: EZ Texting, Textedly.

18. SMS Marketing Platform with Message Templates

These platforms provide pre-made message templates that businesses can use to quickly create and send text messages. This can save time and effort for businesses and can be used for sending automated messages or for campaigns.

Examples of SMS marketing platforms with message templates are: Textedly, SlickText, Trumpia.

10 Best SMS Marketing Platforms on the Market

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Let's discuss the 10 best SMS marketing platforms available in the market today. From large enterprise solutions to affordable options for small businesses, we have something for everyone.

Keep reading to find the perfect SMS marketing platform for your business.

1. EZ Texting

  • Detailed features: EZ Texting is one of the best SMS marketing services. EZ Texting offers a wide range of features such as message templates, contact management, and automated messages.

  • Best for: Small businesses and organizations looking for a user-friendly platform with a wide range of features. It's best for businesses who are looking for a pay-as-you-go pricing model.

  • Limitations: Limited integration options compared to other platforms. Some of the advanced features such as A/B testing, and detailed analytics are not available.

  • Cost: Pricing starts at $29/month with pay-as-you-go pricing options available.

2. Twilio

  • Detailed features: Twilio is an SMS API platform that allows businesses to integrate SMS functionality into their existing systems and applications.

  • Best for: Businesses looking for an SMS API platform with a wide range of features. Twilio is best for businesses that want to integrate SMS functionality into their existing systems and also want to use toll-free numbers for sending SMS messages.

  • Limitations: Twilio is a developer-friendly platform and its interface may not be as user-friendly as other platforms. The pricing model is based on pay-as-you-go and it may be costly for businesses that send a large number of messages.

  • Cost: Pricing starts at $0.0075 per message sent, with pay-as-you-go pricing options available.

3. Textedly

  • Detailed features: Textedly is one of the best text messaging marketing platform . It offers features such as message templates, contact management, and automated messages.

  • Best for: Small businesses and organizations looking for a user-friendly platform with a wide range of features. Textedly is best for businesses that want to import contacts from various sources and want to use pay-as-you-go pricing model.

  • Limitations: Limited integration options compared to other platforms. Some of the advanced features such as A/B testing, and detailed analytics are not available.

  • Cost: Pricing starts at $29/month with pay-as-you-go pricing options available.

4. SlickText

  • Detailed features: Slick text is also one of the best SMS marketing software out there. It offers features such as message templates, contact management, and automated messages.

  • Best for: Small businesses and organizations looking for a user-friendly platform with a wide range of features. SlickText is best for businesses that want to use pay-as-you-go pricing model.

  • Limitations: Limited integration options compared to other platforms. Some of the advanced features such as A/B testing, and detailed analytics are not available.

  • Cost: Pricing starts at $29/month with pay-as-you-go pricing options available.

5. SendPulse

  • Detailed features: SendPluse is one of the best SMS platform for business . SendPulse offers features such as message templates, contact management, and automated messages. It also offers SMS surveys, appointment reminders, and mass texting.

  • Best for: Businesses looking for an all-in-one marketing automation platform that includes SMS functionality. SendPulse is best for businesses that want to integrate SMS functionality with their existing systems, and also want to use pay-as-you-go pricing model.

  • Limitations: Some advanced features such as A/B testing, and detailed analytics may not be available.

  • Cost: Pricing starts at $25/month with pay-as-you-go pricing options available.

6. Trumpia

  • Detailed features: Trumpia offers features such as message templates, contact management, and automated messages. It also offers SMS surveys, appointment reminders, and mass texting. Trumpia also allows businesses to send personalized text messages to customers based on their behavior and demographics.

  • Best for: Businesses looking for a platform with advanced targeting and personalization capabilities. Trumpia is best for businesses that want to send personalized text messages to their customers and also want to use pay-as-you-go pricing model.

  • Limitations: Some advanced features such as A/B testing, and detailed analytics may not be available.

  • Cost: Pricing starts at $30/month with pay-as-you-go pricing options available.

7. OneSignal

  • Detailed features: OneSignal offers features such as push notifications, message templates, and contact management. It also offers SMS surveys, appointment reminders, and mass texting. OneSignal also allows businesses to send push notifications to customers through SMS.

  • Best for: Businesses looking for a platform with push notification capabilities. OneSignal is best for businesses that want to send push notifications to their customers through SMS and also want to use pay-as-you-go pricing model.

  • Limitations: Some advanced features such as A/B testing, and detailed analytics may not be available.

  • Cost: Pricing starts at $99/month with pay-as-you-go pricing options available.

8. Airship

  • Detailed features: Airship offers features such as push notifications, message templates, and contact management. It also offers SMS surveys, appointment reminders, and mass texting. Airship also allows businesses to send push notifications to existing and potential customers through SMS.

  • Best for: Businesses looking for a platform with push notification capabilities. Airship is best for businesses that want to send push notifications to their customers through SMS and also want to use pay-as-you-go pricing model.

  • Limitations: Some advanced features such as A/B testing, and detailed analytics may not be available.

  • Cost: Pricing starts at $99/month with pay-as-you-go pricing options available.

9. Plivo

  • Detailed features: Plivo offers features such as two-way messaging, message templates, and contact management. It also offers SMS surveys, appointment reminders, and mass texting. Plivo also provides a toll-free phone number that can be used to send SMS messages.

  • Best for: Businesses looking for a platform with two-way messaging capabilities. Plivo is best for businesses that want to use toll-free numbers for sending SMS messages and also want to use a pay-as-you-go pricing model.

  • Limitations: Some advanced features such as A/B testing, and detailed analytics may not be available.

  • Cost: Pricing starts at $0.0075 per message sent, with pay-as-you-go pricing options available.

10. Clickatell

  • Detailed features: Clickatell offers features such as two-way messaging, message templates, and contact management. It also offers SMS surveys, appointment reminders, and mass texting. Clickatell also allows businesses to send automated messages and conduct SMS surveys.

  • Best for: Businesses looking for a platform with two-way messaging capabilities and automated messaging features. Clickatell is best for businesses that want to conduct SMS surveys and send automated messages to their customers and also want to use a pay-as-you-go pricing model.

  • Limitations: Some advanced features such as A/B testing, and detailed analytics may not be available.

  • Cost: Pricing starts at $0.005 per message sent, with pay-as-you-go pricing options available.

How to Choose the Best SMS Marketing Platform for Your Business

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  1. Determine Your SMS Marketing Goals
  2. Evaluate the Features and Capabilities of Different Platforms
  3. Consider the Cost
  4. Check for Integrations
  5. Test the Platform
  6. Look for a Platform with Two-way text messaging
  7. Choose a Platform with Automated Messages
  8. Look for SMS Surveys Platform
  9. Consider a Platform with Marketing Automation and SMS functionality

How to Integrate SMS Marketing Software?

Integrating SMS marketing software with other systems can help streamline communication with customers and improve the effectiveness of marketing campaigns.

Here are the steps for integrating SMS marketing software with other systems:

1. Identify systems to integrate with

Decide which systems you want to integrate your SMS marketing software with, such as a CRM, e-commerce platform, or email marketing software.

2. Check for API availability

Check if the SMS marketing software you are using offers APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) that allow for integration with other systems.

3. Get API credentials

If the SMS marketing software offers APIs, get the necessary API credentials such as API key, secret key, and endpoint URL to establish a connection between the two systems.

4. Implement the integration

Use the API credentials to establish a connection between the SMS marketing software and the other systems. This can be done by coding or using pre-built connectors and plugins.

5. Test the integration

Before launching your SMS marketing campaign, test the integration to ensure that it is functioning properly and that messages are being delivered as expected.

6. Monitor and analyze

Monitor the results of your SMS marketing campaigns, analyze data, and adjust your strategy as necessary to optimize performance.

Tips for using SMS Marketing Platforms

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SMS marketing can be a powerful tool for reaching customers and promoting your business, but it's important to use it effectively. Here are some tips for using the different features of SMS marketing platforms to get the best results:

1. Automated messages

Many SMS marketing platforms offer the ability to set up automated messages.

These can be used to send out welcome messages to new subscribers, reminders for appointments or promotions, and even abandoned cart messages. Automated messages can save time and improve the customer experience.

2. Personalization tokens

Personalization tokens allow you to insert information such as the recipient's name or location into the message. This can make the message feel more targeted and relevant to the recipient, increasing the chances they will engage with it.

3. Scheduling

Being able to schedule SMS messages in advance can be a great way to make sure your messages go out at the right time. For example, you might schedule a message to go out the day before a sale starts or the day after a customer's birthday.

4. A/B testing

A/B testing is a way to compare the performance of two different versions of a message. This can be a great way to figure out which message is more effective and make adjustments accordingly.

5. Analytics

Many SMS marketing platforms offer detailed analytics that allows you to track the performance of your messages. This can include information such as open rates, click-through rates, and conversion rates. This data can be used to optimize future campaigns.

6. Segmentation

SMS marketing platforms allow you to segment your audience and send different messages to different groups of people.

For example, you might send a message about a sale to your most loyal customers, and a different message about a new product to a different group of people. Cool, right?

7. Shortcode

Short codes are special 5-6 digit numbers that are easier to remember than regular phone numbers. They are typically used by businesses to send out mass text messages.

Using shortcodes makes it easier for customers to sign up for SMS marketing, and it also makes it easier for businesses to track the results of their campaigns.

8. Opt-out features

Make sure that you include an opt-out link in all of your messages and make it easy for your customers to unsubscribe if they no longer wish to receive your messages.

Conclusion

In conclusion, SMS marketing is a powerful tool for reaching customers and promoting your business, and there are many SMS marketing platforms to choose from.

By using the features offered by these platforms such as personalization, scheduling, A/B testing, analytics, segmentation, shortcode, and easy opt-out, you can create effective campaigns and take your business to the next level.

So don't wait any longer, choose from our list of top 10 SMS marketing platforms and start texting your way to success!

FAQs: SMS Marketing Platforms

What is an SMS marketing platform?

A: An SMS marketing platform is a software or service that allows businesses to send text messages to their customers for the purpose of marketing and communication.

These platforms provide businesses with tools and features to manage their SMS campaigns, such as message templates, contact management, automated messages, and analytics.

How does an SMS marketing platform work?

A: An SMS marketing platform works by allowing businesses to send text messages to a list of contacts or phone numbers.

These platforms provide businesses with tools to create and manage their SMS campaigns, such as message templates, contact management, and analytics. Businesses can also use these platforms to send automated messages, conduct SMS surveys, and send mass text messages.

How much does an SMS marketing platform cost?

A: The cost of an SMS marketing platform can vary depending on the provider and the features offered. Some platforms offer pay-as-you-go pricing, where businesses pay for the number of messages they send.

Other platforms offer a monthly or annual subscription model. Some providers also offer free trial periods or free credits.

Can I send SMS messages to international numbers?

A: Yes, most SMS marketing platforms allow businesses to send text messages to international numbers. However, some providers may charge additional fees for sending SMS messages to an international phone number.

Can I send automated messages with a text marketing platform?

A: Yes, most SMS marketing platforms allow businesses to send automated messages. These can include appointment reminders, drip campaigns, or other types of automated messages.

Are there any limitations to using SMS software?

A: Some SMS marketing platforms may have limitations on the number of contacts or phone numbers that can be added to a list, or the number of messages that can be sent per month. Additionally, some platforms may not offer advanced features such as A/B testing or detailed analytics.

Can I integrate a text marketing platform with other systems?

A: Yes, some SMS marketing platforms offer integration with other systems such as CRM, e-commerce, and email marketing platforms. This allows businesses to seamlessly send SMS messages to their customers through those platforms.

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