The Power of SMS for Small Businesses
For small business owners, SMS marketing is an exceptional tool for staying connected with customers. Whether it’s for order confirmations, appointment reminders, exclusive deals, or updates, text messages tend to have higher visibility compared to emails—simply because people are more likely to read them.
However, you can’t rely solely on your smartphone for this task. With SMS marketing applications, you can send personalized messages or automate certain communications based on your booking system, marketing lists, or other integrated platforms. The cherry on top? Your customers can easily reply to your messages.
Having covered technology for over a decade and refreshed this list of apps for six years with help from other testers at Zapier, I have extensively researched and tested dozens of the best SMS applications tailored for small businesses. Here’s my rundown of the top SMS marketing tools available.
Top 7 SMS Applications for Small Businesses
- SimpleTexting: Perfect for running straightforward SMS marketing campaigns.
- TextMagic: Excellent for quickly sending texts directly from an SMS service.
- SlickText: Best for collecting phone numbers and advanced marketing strategies.
- Sakari: Great for handling outgoing SMS marketing very affordably.
- Salesmsg: Ideal for small, local businesses looking to utilize SMS.
- EZ Texting: A user-friendly option for non-tech individuals seeking guidance.
- Twilio: Offers extensive customization options for SMS marketing.
What Makes an SMS App Exceptional?
When you think about it, when have you last ignored a text message versus an email? The stats reveal the truth: text messages have significantly higher open rates than emails. They make it easy for customers to respond, too. Smartphone messaging apps are user-friendly, quick, and seamlessly fit into daily life, making email feel outdated in comparison.
While SMS marketing is a booming industry with numerous platforms available, many are tailored for larger enterprises or organizations sending out mass messages. Small business owners need solutions that foster personal client relationships rather than overwhelming marketing tactics. Furthermore, many options are APIs meant for developers rather than services that anyone can seamlessly sign up for.
To refine the vast array of choices, I established five key criteria for selecting effective SMS applications:
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User-Friendly: An SMS app should be simple to set up without needing to hire professional assistance. Most leading options are intuitive, allowing you to plug them into your existing systems without deep technical know-how.
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True Two-Way Messaging Capabilities: The apps on this list allow genuine conversations between businesses and customers. Although you can automate responses, these platforms are designed for small businesses aiming for authentic interactions.
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Integration with Other Services: The ability to integrate with apps and services is crucial. This feature allows for processes like automated order confirmations and follow-up surveys post-purchase.
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Affordable with Low-Volume Plans: Cost matters when sending texts. All recommended services are budget-friendly for small businesses, avoiding exorbitant monthly fees or high-volume requirements. Most applications operate on a pay-as-you-go or have minimal-volume monthly options.
- Scalability: It’s important that businesses can expand their SMS campaigns without incurring hefty fees or having to switch to pricier tiers.
This is not a list of applications meant for sending mass texts or universal customer support channels—these are specifically tools to facilitate effective SMS communications with your customers.
Important Note
As of August 2023, businesses sending texts to customers in the U.S. must now register with The Campaign Registry. Unregistered phone numbers may face blocking by cellular carriers, but all the apps listed have addressed compliance. Some will require you to fill out a form, while others handle registration for you.
After thoroughly reviewing every SMS messaging app I encountered, I examined those that met these criteria. I signed up for any available free trials to dive into SMS communication and paid close attention to the ease of connecting with customers. My testing also explored response management and any automation or integration features.
Quick Overview of the Best SMS Apps
| App | Best For | Stand-Out Feature | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|
| SimpleTexting | Running user-friendly marketing campaigns | Built-in integration for surveys and automation | Starting from $39/month for 500 credits |
| TextMagic | Fast text sending | Intuitive interface with pay-as-you-go pricing | $0.04/message; virtual numbers from $10/month |
| SlickText | Phone number collection and advanced marketing | Comprehensive opt-in tools and loyalty programs | From $29/month for 500 texts |
| Sakari | Outgoing SMS marketing | Affordable sending options | From $16/month for 500 messages |
| Salesmsg | Local businesses | Local number options with CRM integrations | From $25/month for 500 texts |
| EZ Texting | Non-technical users seeking guidance | Extensive onboarding and support | From $25/month for 500 texts |
| Twilio | Customizable SMS experiences | Highly adaptable API for integration | Starting at $0.0079/message sent |
Conclusion
Using SMS effectively can greatly enhance how small businesses interact with their customers. Each of the applications mentioned offers distinct advantages tailored to different needs, ensuring you find the best fit for your marketing strategies.
This article was initially published in June 2019 and most recently updated with contributions in February 2024.