April 23, 2025 - 7 min read

SMS functionality: an essential communication tool

Romain Didelot

Introduction

SMS (Short Message Service) functionality is one of the oldest and most popular methods of communication on cell phones. Since its launch in the 1990s, it has remained an essential tool, even in the face of modern technologies such as RCS (Rich Communication Service) or instant messengers like WhatsApp.

SMS enables short text messages to be sent between telephone numbers. In addition to its simplicity, it offers advanced functionalities, such as sending multimedia content via MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service).

For companies, SMS is a key resource for marketing strategies, customer relationship management and security (with SMS OTP). Whether for promotions or to keep in touch with friends and family, SMS remains indispensable for its flexibility and accessibility.

What is an SMS ?

SMS definition

SMS, or Short Message Service, is a text messaging service enabling the exchange of short text messages between mobile devices (usually a telephone). A message can contain up to 160 characters. The service is based on standardized communication protocols, enabling cell phones to transmit SMS messages via cellular networks.

History and development

The origins of SMS date back to the first GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) standards of the 1990s. The very first SMS was sent in 1992 by Neil Papworth (it read "Merry Christmas" and was sent from a computer to a Vodafone phone). The original purpose of the service was to enable cell phone operators to send alerts to their customers.

Based on the SS7 signaling protocol, SMS has rapidly gained popularity as a means of text communication between cell phone users.

Over time, SMS has adapted to advances in network technology, including today's 5G networks. The creation of SMS gateways (SMSC) has also enabled messages to be transmitted via the Internet, facilitating communication with computers, landlines and even satellites.

In 2002, MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) was introduced as an extension to SMS, enabling messages to be sent containing images and other multimedia content.

What's the use of SMS today?

Typical use cases

SMS is particularly useful in the following situations:

Key benefits for companies

How SMS is sent

When you send an SMS, the process is as follows:

This extremely rapid process makes SMS a virtually instantaneous form of communication.

What is an SMS service provider?

An SMS service provider is a company that offers technical solutions for sending and receiving SMS messages on a large scale, often via web interfaces or APIs. These services are essential for companies wishing to integrate SMS into their communication strategies, whether for marketing campaigns, transactional notifications, alerts or security.

For example, smsmode^© offers a complete platform for :

Find out how we can help you grow.

Professional SMS features

Visit professionalSMS offer a wide range of functionalities to meet specific business needs:

Mass send: send the same message to a large list of contacts.
Message personalization: dynamic insertion of variables (last name, first name, etc.).
Scheduling of mailings: planning campaigns for specific dates and times.
Tracking and statistics: delivery, opening and click rates.
Responses and automated management: receipt of responses, message sequences.
API integration: connection to CRM or business tools.
Landing pages and short links: enrich SMS, track performance.

Automation, customization, integration

The automation of mailings and message personalization are invaluable features for companies, boosting the effectiveness of their campaigns.

GOING FURTHER

Discover the complete list of features offered by smsmode^©

Comparison with other communication channels

SMS vs Email

SMS have an open rate of 96%, compared with around 20% for emails. They are less likely to be ignored or sent as spam.

SMS vs Push Notifications

Push notifications require an installed application and are subject to user settings. SMS, on the other hand, is universal.

SMS vs. new channels

Services like WhatsApp or RCS require an Internet connection and are limited to certain types of terminal. SMS works everywhere, all the time.

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April 02, 2025 - 7 min read

RCS available to all with IOS 18.4

Romain Didelot

Introduction

The wait is finally over: Apple has activated RCS support with iOS 18, marking a major step forward in the standardization of messaging between iPhone and Android. In France, Orange and Sosh subscribers now benefit from this new messaging system, enabling richer, more interactive exchanges between users, regardless of their device. This development, originally announced by Apple for 2023, came to fruition with the release of iOS 18.4, offering all iPhone users a more modern alternative to traditional SMS .

But what does this really mean for mobile marketing? The RCS campaigns campaigns finally accessible to all smartphones? smsmode© sheds light on this revolution and its impact on brands.

What's in it for users?

Until now, hesitation on the part of Apple and certain operators to adopt RCS has been a real handicap to brand promotion. Without the Apple brand, campaigns were reduced to a small fraction of the available mobile base. But now, many millions of iPhone users can join Android users and take part in the experience.

iOS 18.4: RCS available for Orange and Sosh subscribers

With the release of iOS 18.4, Orange and Sosh customers in France can now enjoy the benefits of RCS on their iPhone. This update marks a major step forward in the standardization of messaging between different mobile operators and OSs (SFR had already taken the plunge with IOS 18 and Bouygues with IOS 18.2, editor's note).

How do I activate RCS on iPhone?

To activate RCS on an iPhone, subscribers to French operators (SFR, Free Mobile, Bouygues Telecom, and now Orange and Sosh) are just a click away. All you need to do is :

COMPARATIVE

RCS, WhatsApp, SMS or Time2Chat. What's the difference?

Among other things, the iPhone's adoption of RCS will enable support for encryption, high-resolution images and videos, read receipts, keystroke indicators and more. In short, Apple will enable users to share a similar messaging experience between the two systems, with the exception of RCS message bubbles, which will remain green, as SMS messages currently are on iPhone.
You can now test for yourself what a conversation initiated between an Android device and an iPhone with RCS looks like. Although some questions remain, such as the transcription of reactions between different phone models, the RCS experience on iPhone is now a reality.

Apple's choice

Apple has finally adopted RCS with iOS 18, a milestone eagerly awaited by mobile messaging players. This development strengthens interoperability between systems and broadens the scope of RCS, which is gaining in maturity as a communications platform. After years of waiting, iPhone users can now enjoy enriched messaging, with the exception of the color bubbles, which will remain green to differentiate RCS conversations from iMessages.

Among other things, the iPhone's adoption of RCS enables support for encryption, high-resolution images and videos, read receipts, keystroke indicators and more. In short, Apple is enabling users to share a similar messaging experience between the two systems, with the exception of RCS message bubbles, which will remain green, as SMS messages currently are on the iPhone. Of course, there are still a number of questions to be answered, such as the transcription of reactions from one phone model to another.

What this means for professional messaging

This full adoption brings with it a major development for the application-to-person (A2P) market: the merger, or at least compatibility, of RBM (RCS Business Messaging: the A2P channel of RCS) with AMB (Apple Messages for Business: the A2P channel of iMessage).

Like SMS and its professional version, the A2P and P2P versions of RCS and iMessage are different technologies. Separately, MBR and AMB don't have the reach of SMS or even other over-the-top (OTT) messaging channels like WhatsApp. Together, however, they have the potential to reach virtually all smartphone users.

The potential in the A2P world is enormous. The GSMA estimates that there will be 6.3 billion mobile subscribers by 2030, representing billions of business opportunities for brands. Companies could create compelling experiences with a single click, all without consumers switching apps.

Reminder: What is the RCS?

RCS (Rich Communication Services) is a messaging protocol that aims to replace SMS and MMS with a richer, more interactive experience. RCS enables users to send and receive text messages, images, videos, files, emojis, stickers, voice messages, video calls, group messages and much more. RCS works over the mobile network or wifi, and offers users features such as acknowledgements, input indicators, or end-to-end encryption.

GOING FURTHER

Discover the RCS channel

Features, benefits, uses and pricing.

Reminder: What is RBM?

RBM (RCS Business Messaging) is RCS at the service of brands and companies. It enables companies to communicate with their customers in a more personalized, engaging and effective way.

With RBM, you can create more creative, more interactive and more measurable campaigns. Your RBM campaigns allow you to integrate interactive elements into RCS messages, such as buttons, carousels, polls, forms and more. In this way, you can facilitate action, stimulate reaction, and foster loyalty.

The other major advantage of RBM is the possibility of adding a chatbot to your sessions. With it, you equip yourself with a powerful "conversational commerce" tool. A more innovative and useful service for your customers, enabling you to offer a new marketing experience with colossal conversion potential.

RBM is a new solution for mobile marketers, and an opportunity for them to personalize their messages according to the profile, behavior and preferences of their recipients. This means they can adapt the content, tone and timing of their messages to increase open rates, click-through rates and conversion rate.

Discover all the features of RCS

Find out about the different types of content messages and buttons integrated into the discussion thread, which are offered by the RBM: the RCS at the service of companies.

How to prepare your universal RBM strategy?

Companies need to adapt their marketing strategy to the RCS, taking into account the protocol's specific features and opportunities.

So define your objectives, target, message, budget, timetable, etc. And above all, test and optimize your campaigns using the data and feedback provided by RCS.

For an RCS campaign, the first thing to do is segment your contact lists according to their compatibility with the protocol. You'll need to know which users have a smartphone. This will enable you to send RCS messages to them, and SMS messages to other users.

RCS enables you to offer a more personalized, richer and more interactive messaging experience. You'll have two powerful levers to activate:

Conversion

By making it possible to offer more attractive, more relevant and more tailored offers to customers, RCS enables companies to increase conversion. Make it easy to take action, by integrating buttons, links, QR codes and more.

Measurement

Thanks to the precise, detailed data on deliverability, opens, clicks and conversions provided by the RCS protocol, you can better measure the effectiveness of your campaigns with RCS. Optimize your strategies, budgets and ROI with this valuable data.

smsmode^© supports you at every stage of your election communication strategy

Conclusion

RCS is a technology that has the potential to transform mobile marketing, offering a richer, more universal and more secure messaging experience. It's also a constantly evolving technology, which could integrate new features in the future, such as augmented reality or mobile payment, which would be yet another step towards a new world for mobile marketing.

Our webinar: "RCS, the ideal lever for customer relations".

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March 31, 2025 - 6 min read

How do you calculate the conversion rate of a SMS campaign?

Romain Didelot

Introduction

The conversion rate of your SMS campaignis perhaps the most important of all the SMS KPIs. It enables you to calculate the return on investment of your campaigns, the cost of your campaign per purchase/customer, and also to determine whether your marketing is in line with your objectives. In short, the conversion rate enables you to improve your communication, campaign after campaign, and to have a clear vision of the results of your marketing efforts.

What is the conversion rate?

Sometimes called the transformation rate, the SMS conversion rate corresponds to the number of actions/objectives achieved, divided by the number of contacts who received a message during your campaign. It is therefore expressed as a percentage (by multiplying the result by 100).

The objective is usually to sell, but downloading a PDF can also be a sale, as can filling in a contact form.

Let's take a concrete example: you've run an SMS marketing campaign to encourage your contact base to buy a product using a promotional code. You've sent 1,000 SMS and 100 of your contacts have bought the product using this promotional code: your campaign's conversion rate is 10%. (100/1000 = 0.10 then 0.10×100 = 10)

What is the average SMS conversion rate?

In general, the conversion rate of an SMS campaign is 12%, 2 to 3 times higher than that of an email campaign. As for the RCSSMS 2.0) rate, it beats all records (18% on average)!

Of course, there are as many conversion rates as there are types of objective to be achieved.
If your objective is to download a document, sign up for a newsletter or create an account, your conversion rate will inevitably be higher than that associated with a sales objective.

In the mailing world, 4% is considered a good average. For a white paper download, you can expect a double digit conversion rate. If your goal is to sell a product with a high price tag, a rate of around 1% may be quite satisfactory.

Why calculate the conversion rate?

It's an essential element in optimizing the cost of your communication. What's more, when combined with other key performance indicators (KPI's) such as click-through rateconversion rate can help you improve your communication, sharpen your hooks, refine the way you segment your contact base and, ultimately, boost your sales.

How do I know if my SMS campaign has generated conversions?

As a SaaS SMS sending platform, smsmode^©provides a large amount of data (reception rate, click rate on smsmode short links, etc.).^©The SMS can be used to track the number of messages sent (e.g. sending errors, responses, unsubscriptions, etc.). But unlike a website, SMS in itself doesn't allow you to track your prospects from message reception to purchase action. Calculating the conversion rate of an SMS campaign can therefore seem complicated.

However, there are a number of techniques you can use to find out whether your SMS campaign has been successful, and there's no need to track your customers' every move. Here are a few scenarios you can use to determine a campaign's conversion rate:

Evaluating the conversion rate of an SMS campaign: for an e-commerce site

Using a promotional code: include a code in your marketing message. If it's dedicated to your SMS campaign, you'll get instant feedback on the conversion attributed to your action: every purchase made with the code is a conversion triggered by your campaign.
Integration of a link to a dedicated page or a tracking URL: the link can lead to a landing page created for this purpose, or contain tracking options (source, support...). From this entry point, you can track your customers' behavior in the classic way, right up to a potential conversion.
Use RCS, the new conversion-accelerating channel : this new type of message offers a double advantage. Firstly, the addition of carousels, buttons and clickable images/links makes your offer more attractive, in terms of both aesthetics and customer experience, and these features also give you the possibility of tracking the customer journey like a tracking URL.

For a physical shop

Promo code : this method works equally well for e-commerce and offline retailers. Codes presented at checkout by your customers allow you to count the number of conversions achieved by your campaign.
Incentive text messages : based on the same principle as the promotional code, encourage your customers to present a SMS at the checkout to benefit from a discount. You can then compare the number of SMS sent with the number of discounts granted for this reason.
The landing-page solution This solution from smsmode^© allows you to benefit from the attributes of a website without having to create one. With the landing-page solution, you can integrate e-booking as well as maps, buttons and contact forms. Choose the objectives you want to achieve, then easily calculate your conversion rate at the end of the campaign.

SMS : the No. 1 channel for conversion

Marketing Charts has carried out a comparative study of the conversion rates of the different acquisition channels (note that clicking on a link can also be an objective, and this is surely one of the most achievable, with an average of 30%).

In this study, the average conversion rate for marketing via SMS is 29%.

Measured against similar objectives, the conversion rate of SMS is much higher than that of other digital marketing channels:

How to improve the conversion rate of your campaigns SMS

Personalise your message

You probably know that personalization is important. The Marketing Charts study revealed that visitors who viewed three pages of personalized content had a conversion rate twice as high (3.4%) as those who viewed two (1.7%).

While personalizing web content and landing pages can be complicated, sending a personalized SMS is child's play. You can address your customers by their first name, or by their title if you operate in B2B. With smsmode^© And the direct mail optioneverything is customizable!

Include a clear call to action (CTA)

Traditional SMS only offer 160 characters, so you need to communicate clearly with your prospects. The call to action must be immediately visible to your recipient. Remember that only the first few words of a text message are visible before the SMS is opened. So it's essential to communicate the subject of the text in the very first sentence. Otherwise, you run the risk of the message being deleted without being read.

Use A/B tests for SMS

This is a well-known technique for sales pages to determine which advertisement or text has generated the most responses.

You can replicate this technique on your SMS campaigns: test different catchphrases, different products, different targets...

You can then keep what works best, or even create marketing automation scenarios or a conversion tunnel, where the achievement of one objective leads to another, with the act of purchase as the ultimate goal. You can also test a small group/segment to detect any problems.

Conclusion

The days when advertising was limited to billboards, newspaper ads or TV commercials are long gone. Marketing has become a major budget item for most companies, and it's only natural to want to know exactly how much your marketing campaign has earned. Calculating the conversion rate of your SMS campaigns will enable you to know your return on investmentbut also to realize that SMS is one of the best channels for converting.

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March 03, 2025 - 3 min read

smsmode^© combating smishing

Romain Didelot

Introduction

Faced with an ever-increasing number of cases of smishing, the authorities, operators and telephone aggregators have decided to take action. New rules have been introduced to protect telephone subscribers from costly SMS scams. The most important: strict control of Sender IDs (customized transmitters). smsmode^© has decided to go one step further in prevention, by filtering the common point of 95% of phishing attempts via SMS : The URL contained in SMS. Find out why smsmode^© is committed to and what this means for you, our service users.

What is smishing?

Smshing, smishing or SMS phishing is a phishing technique via SMS. It's a scam that works like email phishing, but from a telephone number. A cybercriminal attempts to extract personal or banking information, or money directly, from the recipient of a SMS message, using the identity of a brand or government service (bank, parcel delivery service, CPAM, Ameli or any other well-known brand).

In 95% of cases, this fraudulent SMS contains a URL that redirects victims to a website that looks as similar as possible to that of the organization purporting to be the sender, in order to inspire confidence. Victims are then asked to enter their bank details in order to withdraw a sum of money, sometimes on a recurring basis.

In other SMS phishing attempts, the fraud consists of offering to download an application "update", which is in fact a copy of a trusted application, acting as a spyware malware on the phone.

In some rare, but increasingly common, cases, scammers invite you to call a number so that an accomplice on the other end of the line can obtain your information.

Scammers redouble their efforts to incite the victim to action, the supposed sender of the fraud is always a very serious company or a critically important service, and by creating a sense of urgency in the victim.

Example of smishing

35780

HEALTH INSURANCE: Your new card is now available.

Fill in this form to stay covered: http:gros.spam.c

35780

Pole Emploi: Your CPF balance is available.

Protect it before XX or it will be lost: http:encoreduspam.c

Phishing on the rise at SMS

Since the beginning of the year, French mobile subscribers have been subjected to a large number of smishing attacks. Operators and the AF2M (Association française pour le développement des usages Multimédia Multi-opérateurs) have noted an explosion in fraud. Top of the list: CPF scams, social fraud under the name of Ameli or CPAM, banks, Amazon or Chronospost deliveries requiring postage...

The trend has really taken off in recent months, to the point where French operators and aggregators, in consultation with AF2M, have decided to introduce new rules for sending SMS Push (A2P).

The new rules introduced by operators

All stakeholders (French operators, AF2M, A2C*, aggregators, etc.) have agreed to change the rules for sending SMS, in order to protect the identity of "sensitive" brands likely to be used, and guarantee greater security for mobile users.

The committee's key measure is to restrict the use of OADCs (Sender IDs), otherwise known as personalized senders. All senders of so-called sensitive brands, or those resembling a sensitive brand, are banned, a priori.

Similarly, overly generic Sender IDs such as " SMS Info" are prohibited.

To ensure the implementation of these measures, aggregators SMS, smsmode^© in particular, have implemented a series of filters and an artificial intelligence system to whitelist or blacklist OADCs.

*Association of Independent CPaaS and CCaaS Players

What about Sender Ids for real "sensitive" brands?

It goes without saying that "sensitive" brands retain the right to use their name and its variations as a personalized transmitter. To ensure this, each aggregator is asked to provide operators with a list of authorized issuers, as they belong to the brands they represent. This authorization takes the form of a letter/form, addressed to the operators and signed by both parties, giving the subcontractor authorization to use the Sender ID(s) of the brand concerned.

Once unlocked, the brand's outsourced platform can route messages without SMS being stopped by anti-spam filters.

To ensure maximum security for users, and to be proactive with regard to the real problem of phishing via SMS, smsmode^© has decided to go one step further.

Our findings: the overwhelming majority of SMS phishing attempts use a URL to redirect potential victims to a fraudulent site to capture information.

smsmodeFor this reason,^© has implemented additional filters, specifically for URLs, to guarantee its customers a secure SMS experience.

What's new for you, our customers

Sender ID changes:

Rest assured, the personalized sender is still part of ^smsmode©.

To continue using your Sender ID, the first step is to have your account/organization validated by our services. You can then provide us with the list of Sender IDs you wish to use for your SMS campaigns.

If you have an organization (a parent account with multiple sub-accounts) and you pass the validation process, all your sub-accounts will be automatically validated.

Once your account is validated, you will be able to use the Sender IDs of your list. If however you send a message with an unknown sender, not included in your list of predefined senders, the message will not be sent and will be in error (visible on your space).

If your account is not validated, you will not be able to customize your Sender ID. If you attempt to do so, your sender will be overwritten and replaced by the default OADC (a shortcode in most cases).

This new mechanism has been added to all our services.

FOR COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT

Our subscription packages

URL changes :

To be able to continue integrate URLS into your SMS campaignscampaigns, we invite you to let us know which legitimate URLs you wish to send in France by sending your list to smsmode

All messages containing unverified URLs will be blocked by our platform.

Will these new rules be enough to stop smishing?

These protective measures are useful in protecting the A2P market, as they are able to guarantee that no fraud or scam will pass through a reputable aggregator as smsmode^©.

On the other hand, most smsishing traffic is sent via low-cost or gray routes (using standard SIM cards), where the SMS is sent by an 06 or 07 number, without Sender ID. This type of filtering is therefore not possible.

According to AF2M, 98% of smishing attempts reported to 33 700 come from illegal routes (gray routes or SIM farms).

On this subject, the ball is in the court of the operators, who must fight against these illegal routes that serve the market. Of course, ^smsmode© does not use any grey routes.

However, a solution to this problem has already been found by the operators. In future, dialogue between brands and customers will only take place on numbers beginning with 09. A radical solution that should make smishing a thing of the past.

Conclusion

These measures may seem restrictive, but they are really necessary to (re)establish a climate of trust within the A2P SMS . Choosing a partner who is committed to fighting fraud, has a direct connection with operators and doesn't use any grey routes, is becoming increasingly important. The SMS Push market is also moving towards more and more controls on the URLs used to limit the performance of these fraudulent marketing campaigns, so it seems imperative to turn to a partner who allows you to control the senders and be in good standing.

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February 06, 2025 - 5 min read

drive-to-store: the marketing strategy for stores

Romain Didelot

Introduction

The Internet has become a privileged point of contact between retailers and their potential customers. But in-store sales are not dead. It is evolving and benefiting from digital technology, particularly for its marketing and, more specifically, for bringing web users into physical stores. This practice is known as drive-to-store. Find out how to generate qualified traffic in-store with SMS marketing, and how this technique can boost your sales.

What is drive-to-store?

Drive-to-store refers to all the marketing actions implemented to generate in-store traffic. It brings together a variety of communication strategies, all converging on the same objective: to use prospects'/customers' geographical data to drive them to a physical store near them.

And drive-to-store isn't just an acquisition technique, it also (and above all) concerns loyal customers, about whom you already have useful information for running a targeted campaign in a geographical area. What's more, you already know their interest in your brand and your products.

Why conduct drive-to-store actions?

The consumer 's in-store experience, the physical interaction with the product and the expert advice offered by the sales assistant all mean that in-store sales still have a clear advantage over digital. However, digital is king in other areas: acquisition, targeting and interactivity. Drive-to-store lets you combine the strengths of both businesses to boost your sales.

Retailers who succeed in the ever-changing digital landscape are those who anticipate and adapt to marketing trends. This makes drive-to-store an essential investment. In fact, it accounts for 66% of French retail advertising budgets, or nearly 74 billion euros a year (source: hub institute).

Many consumers have a ROBO (Research Online Buy Offline) approach, and drive-to-store allows you to be the store where customers finally come to buy.

SUCCESS STORY

How to boost local business with SMS campaigns?

The drive-to-store benefits of SMS

The first advantage is control. SMS gives you cost control, agility and total independence in managing your campaign. In fact, it's possible to set up drive-to-store SMS campaigns whatever the size of your contact base and your business. SMS marketing can also be used for many other purposes, such as click and collect, e-booking, couponing, competitions, promotional codes or loyalty rewards...

Another important competitive advantage is that SMS is distinguished from other advertising channels by a number of KPIs:

STUDY

SMS marketing trends and key performances under the microscope

Discover our major study based on 745 million SMS sent.

How to run a successful drive-to-store SMS campaign

Good targeting

The first step is to qualify your database. To maximize your chances of success, you need to segment your contacts according to their geographical location (city, department, postal code of your customers/prospects). You can also further segment your database by selecting consumers according to purchasing habits, inactivity time, loyalty points, etc.

An offer adapted to your objective

Choose your strategy according to your sector of activity, the size of your company and the objectives you wish to achieve:

Highlight an exceptional discount that encourages people to go to sales or private sales.
Send an Enriched SMS with a geolocation link to announce a store (re)opening.
Use purchasing habits and the direct mail option (variable messages) to promote a specific product that has just (re)appeared on your shelves.
Send an SMS with a link to a competition or an exclusive promo code giving access to discounts to boost your visits.
Communicate a special offer for loyal customers to pamper them.
Redirect your targets to a mobile landing page for Click and Collect or e-booking, to drive additional in-store visits and sales.
Include a countdown timer on your landing page to create a sense of urgency.

GOING FURTHER

Documentation on SMS enriched

Extend the mobile experience with rich SMS , for interactive, multimedia exchanges

The different drive-to-store strategies

Even if the goal is the same, there are different approaches to drive-to-store (and different results 😉 ). Some methods are search-oriented, such as :

Other techniques on display :

Unfortunately, most of these techniques have their drawbacks. First of all, there's the lack of information about the target. For most of these actions, we know nothing about the consumer, his intentions, his relationship with the brand...

Then there's the cost. Whether it's a product that needs to be installed on your website (like the product locator), developing your presence in search results or running large-scale advertising campaigns, a lot of investment in time and/or money will be required, with conversion not always forthcoming.

To overcome these problems, you need to be able to aggregate data on your prospects (zip code, town, telephone number, e-mail) and use a channel where your advertising cannot be missed, without the cost being prohibitive.

You can collect information in a number of ways: tracking browsers, filling in forms, creating online or in-store customer accounts...

The most effective channel for distributing your advertising is SMS !

How to measure the impact of my drive-to-store campaign

Of course, the aim is to generate in-store traffic, but you also need to be able to measure the impact of your campaign. Performance analysis will need to combine online and offline information. The best way to do this is to integrate a specific element into your promotional offer. This can take the form of a barcode, a QR code or a special visual. When your customer visits the store, he'll present this code to benefit from a promotion. For your part, you can collect the relevant data to measure the impact of your campaign and learn more about purchasing behavior: sales generated by the campaign, purchase times, conversion rate, product type, number of units per ticket...

All this data will allow you to know if your campaign was a success, but also to determine the type of customers who are sensitive to drive-to-store, the most attractive items or the most appropriate type of message.

The incremental visit

The incremental visit is an increasingly popular type of analysis for calculating the impact of a drive-to-store strategy. It compares the behavior of two groups of users segmented according to their exposure to the advertising campaign (control group or NON-exposed group VS exposed group). The analysis carried out over a given time interval is used to determine theuplift, i.e. the variation in the number of visits attributed to the drive-to-store campaign.

Drive-to-store: a numerical success

3 out of 4 consumers say they complete their orders in shop. (Samsung smart Retail study)
8 out of 10 French people have the "digital reflex" to prepare their purchases online before going to the point of sale. (arcep)
76% of smartphone users who have received a communication from SMS have already visited a point of sale following this communication. (MMAF)
Drive-to-store accounts for 58% of total retail advertising spend (The State of Drive-to-Store Advertising 2019″ conducted by IHS Markit)

What about drive-to-web?

If drive-to-store uses different channels to generate in-store visits, drive-to-web works on the same principle, with the aim of generating traffic to your website.

Although certain techniques differ, advertising via SMS remains highly effective for drive-to-web. For example, it's possible to direct consumers to your products by sending them a Rich SMS containing a link to your website.

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STOP SMS: mobile marketing legislation

You are obliged, when carrying out any SMS marketingcampaign, you are required to offer a simple, clear and free way of opting out of receiving further solicitations. This legal obligation, required by the CNIL (French Data Protection Authority), applies to all commercial or advertising SMS campaignsthe presence in your messages of a means of unsubscribing or a "STOP SMS" message.

If the unsubscribe procedure is not clearly communicated to your recipient, you run the risk of a fine of up to €20,000 in the event of a complaint. On the other hand, if you only send informative SMS , you are not obliged to include this information in your message.

Be sure to use this statement and remain in good standing with the obligations of the CNIL!

What form does STOP SMS take?

Our SMS sending services automatically manage the correct wording for each of the numbers you send.

How does "STOP SMS" work?

Sending an SMS to confirm unsubscription is compulsory, and a credit will be automatically debited from your account each time you unsubscribe.

Managing the "STOP SMS" on your account

By integrating the automatic "STOP SMS" function into your customer area, you are fully compliant with current legislation.

If you only run informative campaigns, please contact our team (e-mail:smsmode or 04 91 05 64 63), so that we can set your account to "notification". You will then be able to activate or deactivate the "STOP SMS" message at any time.

STEP 1

STEP 2

Create your free account

Try out our SMS platform and benefit from 20 free test credits, with no obligation.

Need more info?

We look forward to hearing from you.

FAQ

Our tutorials

In the various tutorial formats (PDf or YouTube videos), you'll find all the help and step-by-step descriptions you need to get to grips with our SMS mailing platform. Introducing the customer area, creating a campaign, importing contacts, etc. will soon hold no secrets for you.

PDF tutorials

User's guide

Youtube video tutorial

Platform presentation

Youtube video tutorial

How do I send an SMS campaign?

Youtube video tutorial

How do I import contacts?

Youtube video tutorial

How do I set up the Google Calendar SMS module?

Frequently asked questions

We have also listed the answers to the most frequently asked questions. Do not hesitate to consult this FAQ, the answers you are looking for may be there! Our team remains at your disposal on 04 91 05 64 63 for all your additional questions.

Create an SMS account

How to open an SMS account in the smsmode customer area^© ?

On the home page of the smsmode sending platform^©click on Customer areaPlease fill in the required fields and click OK. Your account is created and a welcome email is sent to the email address you provided, inviting you to finalize the creation of your account by clicking on the link in the body of the message.

How do I receive 20 free credits?

Each time you connect to your customer area, a popup will appear inviting you to fill in your details until they are validated. By validating a cell phone number, you can benefit from 20 credits. To do this, you need to enter your mobile number in the corresponding field, then request its certification by clicking on the button below this field. An SMS will be sent to you with a code that you must enter in the appropriate box. The 20 credits will then be added to your account free of charge. Click on 'New SMS' to use them.

If you cannot or do not wish to send us a mobile number, please contact us at + 33 (0) 4 91 05 64 61.

What if I've forgotten my password?

Click on the 'Forgot password' button , enter your login and validate. An email will be sent with your password to the email address you provided when registering on the site.

How do I change my password?

Log in to your account, click on the 'Password' menu . Enter the old password, then the new password and its confirmation. Confirm. The new password is saved and must be used the next time you visitsmsmode The old password is no longer valid.

How do I change my personal information?

By going to the 'Personal information' menu , you can modify your personal information, in particular change your e-mail address or add a billing address. The latter will be used to establish the online invoice when purchasing credits by card or bank transfer.

NB your account ID cannot be changed.

What is a credit alert?

You can set up an alert to show you your remaining credit balance. Log in to your customer area, click on 'Credit alert' under 'My account', and set a credit threshold. When your balance reaches this limit, an email will be sent automatically to alert you. To delete this alert, enter zero in the threshold and validate.

Send an SMS

How do I send a SMS online?

Before you cansend an SMS online, you need to be registered on the site and have credits available (see categories Opening an account and Buying SMS). Once logged in, go to New SMS, then enter the recipient's cell phone number in the Phone field. Click on Add Recipient, and the number appears in the Recipients field. Write the text of your message in the Text field, then click on Send. The SMS is sent online instantly.

How do I send an online SMS to several recipients?

For multiple recipients, and in particular an SMS campaign, enter the numbers in sequence, separated by a comma, in the Phone field, and click on Add recipient(s), the numbers appear in the Recipients field. Write the text of your message, then click on Send. The SMS is instantly sent online to each recipient.

If you cannot or do not wish to send us a mobile number, please contact us at + 33 (0) 4 91 05 64 61.

How to send an SMS online using the address book?

You cansend an SMS online if you have already entered contacts in the address book (see Address book category). Go to New SMS, then click on Select contact: the list of your contacts in the address book appears in a window. Select the recipient number(s), click on Validate, and the numbers selected appear in the Recipients field. Write the text of your message, then click on Send.
Similarly, if you have previously created groups of contacts in the address book, you can select them by clicking on Select group.

Can I send an SMS online to a foreign mobile number?

It's possible tosend SMS online anywhere in the world; the list of countries we cover is available on the International Rates page. The format of the telephone number to be used is Next : 00+country code+number (without the initial 0), or country code+number (without the initial 0).

Example: for England (country code 44) 004477000401xx or 4477000401xx.

Can I delete a programmed SMS ? Can I delete a SMS already sent?

Go to My SMS > SentSMS or ScheduledSMS , select the SMS to be deleted and click on Delete. A scheduled SMS will be deleted and not sent; an SMS already sent will be removed from the list of sent SMS . An SMS that has already been sent cannot be unsent.

Can I change a SMS at a later date?

Go to ScheduledSMS , click on the SMS you wish to modify, then click on Modify: the New SMS page is displayed with the text and recipients of your SMS. You can change these, as well as the date of sending. Click on Send to save the changes, and the scheduled SMS is modified.

Can I copy an SMS I've programmed at a later date?

Go to Scheduled SMS , click on an SMS, then click on Copy: the New SMS page appears, with the text and recipients of your SMS. You can modify the text and recipients, as well as the sending date. Click on Send, a new SMS is created (and sent if the date/time of sending is less than the current date/time), while the initial SMS remains unchanged.

Can I resend a SMS already sent? Can I create a SMS template?

Go to SMS sent, click on a SMS, then click on Resend: the New SMS page appears with the text and recipients of your SMS. You can change these, as well as the date of dispatch. Click on Send to send the new SMS online.

If you'd like to have a recurring message template, to avoid retyping the text each time, go to the 'My templates' section and manage your own templates (unlimited number).

Can I delete a number from the address book after viewing the reports?

If the receipt report is included in the type of SMS sent, you can click on the details of this SMS and the receipt reports are displayed. Then select the number to be deleted, click on Delete contacts, and the number is directly removed from the address book. Useful if you have invalid numbers in Receive error.

What if the recipient replies to SMS ?

If the recipient replies to a SMS Pro with a personalized alphanumeric sender, they will receive an error because the sender is not a telephone number. It is therefore possible tosend a SMS online with the option of replying only if you opt for SMS Pro without using a personalized sender. Recipient replies can then be viewed in the account by clicking on Received replies.

What can recipients do if they no longer wish to receive SMS ?

The recipient can reply STOP to any SMS Pro without a personalized sender. For other types of SMS, you need to include a contact number or URL in the text so that the recipient can unsubscribe from your mailing lists.

What are the different possible statuses of an SMS ?

Sent : the SMS has been sent.
Received : the SMS has been received by your correspondent's phone (which was switched on).
Delivered to operator : the SMS has been delivered to your correspondent's operator, but has not yet been received (the mobile may be switched off or outside the network reception area).
Reception error: the SMS is in error, the most frequent reasons being an invalid number, a cell phone out of service for an extended period, a cell phone switched off for 48 hours, or a full SMS inbox.

What happens if I send an SMS online to a "ported" number?

Portability (change of operator without change of number), well managed between French operators, is not supported by all networks, especially outside the European Union. In this case, SMS may not reach its destination.

Can I find out whether SMS has been received?

An SMS receipt report is included in SMS Pro and SMS Voice. In this case, once your SMS campaign has been sent, go to the My SMS, or Sent SMS menu, click on the SMS campaign and the detailed report appears with the status (Delivered operator, Received, Error...).

What happens if I send a SMS to a group in which the same recipient appears 2 or more times?

The system automatically eliminates duplicates, so the SMS will only be sent online once to that recipient, and you'll only be charged the price of a single SMS. An ideal feature for SMS campaigns where duplicates are commonplace.

What if I send a SMS scheduled for an earlier date/time than the current one?

The SMS will be sent online immediately.

How do I send an online SMS scheduled for a later date/time?

On the New SMS pages for creating a new mailing campaign at SMS, you can choose the date and time of mailing of your choice, by modifying the Mailing date field. The format must be dd/mm/yyyy hh:mm. Click on Send, and your campaign will appear in the list of scheduled SMS . It will be sent once the chosen date/time has been reached. The credit will only be debited when SMS is actually sent to its recipients.

How much does it cost to send SMS online to a French mobile abroad?

The cost in credit of a SMS sent online to a French mobile abroad is the same as if the French mobile were in France. The nationality of the recipient operator is taken into account, not its geographical location. Please note that SMS reception may be unpredictable in some countries with variable network quality.

Is it possible to customize fields such as the recipient's name in the text of SMS ?

The messages are customizable with the following data recorded on the contact: name, first name, email, company. To do this simply insert: $nom, $prenom, $email, $societe (attention no accent) in your text, and the system automatically replaces these fields with the corresponding data of the recipient (or recipients).

Is there a shipping history?

By clicking on SMS sent, a list of all SMS sent online appears, and this list can be exported as a file by clicking on the Export link.

Can I send an online SMS to someone I don't know?

SPAM is banned in France; The recipients must have previously agreed to receive text messages from you. For more information, you can contact the GDPR.

Problem with Euro symbol ' € '?

The "€" symbol is equivalent to 2 characters on a phone screen, so if an SMS uses 160 characters, with a "€" in the text, the SMS may be put in error or the recipient may receive 2 SMS, Next cases. To avoid this problem, the system replaces "€" with "E" when it detects a message that is too long.

SMS campaign address book

How do I change the contacts?

Log in to your account. Click on 'Address book', the list of your contacts appears. Click on the contact you wish to modify, change the required fields and validate. Click on 'Back', and the modified contact appears in the list. To delete a contact, select it from the list and click on the ' Delete' button .

How do you import a list of contacts to send your SMS campaign?

Log in to your account. Click on 'Import numbers'. Your import file must be in Excel (.xls) or CSV format. Select the desired format. For CSV format, a column separator must be defined ( , or / or ; etc.) depending on your file. You can automatically create a group with these imported contacts, by filling in the 'Group name' field. Select your file and validate. For Excel or CSV files, you must first define the columns to be loaded, mainly name and mobile. Validate and the contacts are imported into your account's address book.

How do I create a contact manually?

Log in to your account. Click on 'New contact'. Fill in the mandatory fields (including cell phone number), then confirm. Your contact is saved in the address book. Click on 'Back' and the contact appears in the list.

How do you create a contact group for your next SMS campaign?

You can create a group of contacts from individually saved contacts. This will enable you to send SMS as a group for your SMS campaign. To do this, log into your account, click on 'New Group', enter a group name in the corresponding field, select from the list of your contacts those who will be part of the group, and validate. When you set up a new campaign, you'll be able to select this group of contacts directly.

How do I add a contact to an existing group?

Log in to your account, click on 'Address book', and the list of your contacts appears. It is possible to group a contact from this list, by selecting the contact, and clicking on 'Group' at the bottom of the list after choosing the group. You can also click on the contact: in the contact details, the list of existing groups appears in a box. Click on the group to which you wish to attach the contact. If you wish to select several groups, use the CTRL+ALT key and select the groups, then click on 'Validate' . For a new contact, do the same, click on 'New contact' then click on the group(s) in the 'Groups' box.

What is a blacklist? How do I import a blacklist?

Log in to your account, click on 'Import numbers'. Your import file must be in Excel or CSV format. Select the desired format. Check the 'Blacklist' field . Confirm and the contacts are imported into your account's blacklist. This "blacklist" includes all contacts who do not wish to receive SMS from you (useful in the case of an SMS campaign, if you re-import updated files each time).

How do I delete duplicates?

Log in to your account, click on 'Duplicates'. The list of duplicate or triple numbers in the address book appears. You can now delete them. This function is very useful for cleaning up your address book.

Buy SMS

What is credit?

You can purchase SMS credits in packs of 50, 100, 1,000, 10,000... which will enable you to send any type of SMS available on our platform. The credit will be debited as the SMS are sent; so Next the type of SMS sent and their destination, the price of the SMS, and therefore the credit debit, will not be the same. SMS prices are available in the Rates section.

Examples:

How much does an SMS cost?

Prices vary according to :

SMS prices according to purchase volumes are available in the Rates section.

To get the best estimate of your needs and the number of credits you require, use our campaign simulator.

For large volumes of credits, please contact us directly.

How do I get a bill?

Once the purchase of credits has been made, an invoice is available online for each transaction made and accepted by card, cheque or bank transfer. Once logged into your account, click on Transactions, then click on the Invoice icon next to the transaction. The Company and Billing Address details are to be filled in on the Personal Information page.

What is the credit utilization period?

The credits you have purchased do not have a valid or expiration date.

What is a credit transfer?

It is possible to transfer credits from your account to another account. Go to Transactions/Transfer credits, then enter the identifier of the recipient account, a reference (not obligatory but which will appear in the list of your transactions), and the number of credits you wish to transfer. Validate, the credits are immediately debited from your account and credited to the recipient account. This transfer is visible in the Transactions menu for both accounts concerned.

How do I send a SMS online to a mobile number in the DOM-COM?

To send SMS online to a mobile number in the French overseas departments and territories, you need to put the international code in front of the number. The price of the SMS can be found in the International rates section.

Example: for Martinique 00596696xxxxxxxx or 596696xxxxxxxx and the cost is €0.SMS.

How to buy SMS ?

To purchase credits, you must be registered on the site (see the section on opening an account). Go to the Transactions/Purchases Credits menu in your customer area and choose a payment method:

Create your free account

Try out our SMS platform and benefit from 20 free test credits, with no obligation.

Need more info?

We look forward to hearing from you.

January 14, 2025 - 5 min read

The click-through rate of SMS

Romain Didelot

Introduction

Inserting a link in a SMS ad generates traffic to your website and encourages your customers to make a purchase. The click-through rate is therefore one of the most important performance indicators of a communication campaign. And as with many other KPIs and statistics (conversion, ROI...), SMS is the n°1 channel for mobile marketing..

Find out what click-through rate you can expect with a marketing SMS but also how to calculate, analyze and optimize this key indicator.

What is the click-through rate?

The "click-through rate" or "CTR" (Click Through Rate) is the percentage of people who clicked on a link after seeing it (clicks/impressions). For SMS, this statistic is derived from the number of recipients who clicked on the link contained in SMS, divided by the number of people who opened SMS.

For example, if 10 customers receive your brand's SMS and 2 of them click on the URL, the click-through rate is 20%.

How to calculate a campaign's click-through rate SMS

The formula is quite simple.

Let's say you sent 500 SMS to 500 different telephone numbers. Of these recipients, 50 actually clicked on the link in your SMS. This means your click-through rate is 10%. 50 divided by 500 equals 10%.

To obtain this statistic, the challenge lies rather in your ability to know the number of clicks on the URL. While this data is often available within a sponsored links, emailing or social ads campaign, few SMS providers give you access to these statistics.

At smsmode^©, we enable you to calculate click-through rates natively with the URL shortener function smsmode^©.

How does it work? Instead of using a classic URL in your SMS, you first shorten the link with the "URL shortener" function smsmode^©. Once the link has been shortened, you can place it in your message.

Thanks to this function, not only do you save characters, but after sending your SMS, you'll be able to see in real time how many customers clicked on the link.

The Rich SMS function, including a Landing-Page editor and URL shortener available by subscription, goes even further.

It allows you to :

TO FIND OUT MORE

The power of a mobile web page for your SMS campaigns

If you don't use the short link generator smsmode^©The tracking of link data from your SMS messages can only be done using analysis software such as Google Analytics, in order to be able to analyze the results and performance of each campaign. In this case, be sure to set up filters on your links to ensure that clicks come from your campaigns SMS.

Unfortunately, adding UTMs will make your URLs endless, which lengthens and confuses your communication, not to mention the sense of mistrust that the link may cause.

What is a good click-through rate for a SMS campaign?

There is no hard and fast rule for what constitutes a good CTR. A satisfactory CTR depends mainly on the objectives set by the company. Each campaign has its own requirements.

A single click that leads to a conversion and therefore a sale can sometimes be enough, as this sale can cover your costs and match the expectations of your marketing campaign SMS. Other customers may need a CTR of more than 10% to generate a sufficient number of leads that would lead to an appropriate amount of new business being generated subsequently.

What is the average click-through rate on SMS ?

Statistics on this point vary greatly depending on the source:

According to a 2012 study by Signal, the average click-through rate for marketing via SMS is 6.16%. The data came from 20 SMS marketing campaigns ranging in size from 5,000 to 2.5 million recipients.
In 2013, Dymark published a report on mobile marketing click-through rates. In this analysis of nearly a billion SMS across 1,500 mobile networks and a multitude of countries, the click-through rate for retail was 8% and for entertainment 14%.
According to MessageDesk, for a SMS containing a link, the average click-through rate is around 36%.

From what smsmode^© has observed in various campaigns in France, the click-through rate for SMS marketing is between 6% and 16%..

STUDY

SMS trends and key performances under the microscope

Discover our major study based on 745 million SMS sent.

One thing is certain: whatever the data used, click-through rate, like conversion and ROIis yet another KPI where SMS comes out on top. Even 6% seems huge compared to email marketing (2.80%), sponsored links (1.98%) and social network advertising (0.05%) (source: tatango.com).

And it's up to you to make these averages your minimum 😉.

How can you optimize the click-through rate of your SMS ?

Let's start by sweeping aside the obvious: including links in SMS is the best way to get clicks. Without links, the recipient of your messages has nothing to click on and nowhere to go.

Assert your brand identity

A low click-through rate is often due to mistrust on the part of the recipient. To reassure them, remember to correctly identify yourself as the sender of the message. The best way to do this is to personalize your Sender ID. Otherwise, at the very least, mention your brand name in the body of the SMS message.

Another good practice is to preserve your brand in the link. Unknown URLs can be perceived as spam. This can affect your performance.

Watch the number of characters in your message

A SMS is limited to 160 characters. If your link or message is too long, you risk incurring additional charges, or even sending a truncated SMS if you're using an API and there's a configuration or query fault (nbr_message=1 for example).

Also take into account the mandatory presence of the STOP sign SMS.

Use line breaks

The line break costs you only one character, but it saves you structure. These line breaks make your communication clearer, more professional and allow you to present your link as a real CTA.

Personalise your message

The more personalized a message is to your consumers, the higher the click-through rate.

Some ideas for personalization:

GOING FURTHER

Discover the 10 keys to effective, profitable SMS campaigns.

View link preview images and optimize your statistics with RCS

Have you ever heard of RCS? This new messaging protocol is a revolution in mobile marketing. It enables many things, including personalized previews. To benefit from this preview, all you have to do is set a title, description and image when you create your link, and then insert it into your SMS messages.

Statistics soar with RCS! We've seen clicks and conversions 3X higher on RCS campaigns.

The next KPI

You now have all the keys you need to calculate and optimize the click-through rate of your campaigns. The next KPI to optimize is conversion rate SMSThis will enable you to calculate the conversion rate of each campaign, giving you a clear view of the return on investment of your SMS marketing campaigns.

Create your free account

Try out our SMS platform and benefit from 20 free test credits, with no obligation.

Need more info?

We look forward to hearing from you.

January 13, 2025 - 7 min read

The KPIs of SMS

Romain Didelot

Introduction

Measuring marketing performance is fundamental to understanding the effectiveness of your actions and maximizing your ROI. In this respect campaigns SMS are no exception, and include specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) such as delivery rate, open rate and click-through rate (CTR), which need to be known and analyzed. Not only do they enable you to measure the effectiveness of your communications, they also enable you to identify optimization opportunities to ensure that your messages reach the target audience and provoke the desired engagement.

Defining a KPI

A KPI, or key performance indicator, is a quantified figure that reflects the extent to which an objective has been achieved. These KPIs can vary according to what you want to measure: the growth of your contact list, the sales generated by your campaigns, customer engagement, etc. KPIs must be SMART, i.e. Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time-bound. For example, a SMART KPI might be: increase the conversion rate of my SMS campaigns by 10% in 6 months.

The importance of KPIs in campaigns SMS

SMS marketing is a highly effective lever for companies. It's short (160 characters), instantaneous (average reading time 90 seconds) and personal (perceived as a private message). SMS has an opening rate of 98%, a response rate of 45% and a conversion rate of 29% on average. These figures are well above those of other channels such as e-mail, which has an average open rate of 20%, a response rate of 6% and a conversion rate of 3%.

These specificities mean that the choice of indicators must take into account the nature of SMS and its impact on the customer. Properly determining the indicators to track enables you to evaluate the performance of a campaign and optimize future ones based on customer feedback. They also enable you to improve the benchmark KPI: return on investment (ROI), by comparing the cost of sending SMS to the sales generated by the campaign.

Which indicator should you choose for SMS Marketing?

To determine which indicators to track, you first need to define your marketing objectives. What is the aim of your campaign? Building customer loyalty, encouraging them to buy, informing them, getting them to take part in a competition, etc.? Next, you need to identify the indicators that will enable you to measure the effectiveness of your strategy. For example, if your objective is to build customer loyalty, you can use the retention rate, the reactivity rate or the churn rate.

GOING FURTHER

SMS or email? The ultimate comparison

The 6 main KPIs of the SMS

What are the main KPIs to track for your campaigns SMS ? How do you calculate and interpret them? What factors influence these indicators?

Discover the 6 essential KPIs of SMS.

Delivery rate: 1st performance indicator

The delivery rate is the first indicator to take into account. It corresponds to the number of SMS received in relation to the number of SMS sent. It is calculated as follows:

Delivery rate (%) = (Number of SMS delivered / Number of SMS sent) x 100

The delivery rate is essential, as it reflects the quality of your contact base, the routing capacity of your SMS platform and the availability of the network. If your deliverability is low, it means you're losing part of your audience and wasting resources. A good delivery rate is over 98%.

To improve your delivery rate, you need to :

Open rate: a measure of initial commitment

The open rate is the percentage of SMS opened by recipients in relation to the number of SMS delivered:

Open rate (%) = (Number of SMS opened / Number of SMS delivered) x 100

The open rate is a measure of your contacts' initial engagement. It indicates whether your message has aroused interest and curiosity. It is influenced by the relevance of your message, the time and day it was sent, and the sender's name. A good open rate is over 95%.

To improve it, you can :

The click-through rate (CTR): evaluating the effectiveness of Call-to-Actions

The click-through rate (CTR) represents the proportion of messages that have generated a click on a link, in relation to the number of SMS opened:

Click-through rate (%) = (Number of clicks / Number of SMS opened) x 100

The click-through rate is an evaluation of the effectiveness of your Call-to-Action (CTA). It indicates whether your enriched message has prompted your recipients to take action, by directing them to your website, application, product sheet, form, etc. It depends on the quality of your offer, the clarity of your call-to-action and the trust placed in your message. It depends on the quality of your offer, the clarity of your call to action and the trust placed in your message and URL. A good click-through rate is above 10%.

There are several factors to take into account to improve this rate:

GOING FURTHER

Discover the 10 keys to effective SMS campaigns

Conversion rate: the culmination of marketing efforts

The conversion rate measures the percentage of SMS that have resulted in the achievement of the desired objective, such as a purchase, registration, download, etc. It's the culmination of your marketing strategy. It indicates whether your SMS campaign has achieved its objectives and generated sales for your company.

Its calculation is as follows: Next :

Conversion rate (%) = (Number of conversions / Number of SMS delivered) x 100

Many factors influence it, such as the added value of your proposition, the ease of the buying process and the recipient's trust in your brand. A good conversion rate is above 5%. With SMS it can be very high.

Here are some tips on how to improve it:

Churn: understanding audience loss

The unsubscribe rate corresponds to the number of SMS s that triggered an unsubscribe request in relation to the number of SMS s delivered:

Churn rate (%) = (Number of churns / Number of SMS delivered) x 100

It's an indicator of customer satisfaction with your marketing. If your mailings are perceived as useful and interesting, it will remain close to zero. On the contrary, if your communications are perceived as intrusive, inappropriate or undesirable, it could soar. A good churn rate is less than 1%.

Some best practices to reduce your churn rate :

R.O.I.: the king of KPIs

ROI (for Return On Investment) is a way of assessing the profitability of an investment, taking into account the money invested in a campaign and the money earned as a result. It's the most interesting KPI for an entrepreneur, because it lets you know whether an action is profitable, which is the basis for commercial success.

The R.O.I. formula

R.O.I = (revenues - costs) / costs x 100.

The ROI of SMS is influenced by a number of parameters, such as the place of SMS in your strategy, the quality of your mailing list, the message, the offer and your user experience. The average ROI for SMS is over 3000%.

To optimize the ROI of your campaigns SMS :

GOING FURTHER

Find inspiration at SMS .

60 original examples for high-ROI campaigns.

Analyze and optimize your campaigns using the KPIs of the SMS

Using data is the key to getting better at mobile marketing. To do this effectively, you need to follow a rigorous, iterative process, which breaks down into four steps:

This process needs to be repeated regularly, to ensure continuous improvement of your campaigns, and to adapt to changes in the market and your customers' needs.

Analyze and optimize your campaigns using the KPIs of the SMS

Pitfalls to avoid in interpretation

Interpreting KPIs is not an exact science, and can be subject to error, bias and misunderstanding. To avoid these pitfalls, adopt a critical and objective approach, respecting a few basic principles:

Don't focus on a single KPI: take into account all the indicators to get a global and coherent vision.
Compare comparable data: make sure you use the same criteria, methods and sources to avoid distortions and inconsistencies (A/B testing).
Don't confuse correlation with causation : check whether the observed links between variables are really significant.
Avoid hasty conclusions: rely on sufficient, reliable and representative data to avoid generalizations and approximations.
Take into account the context: such as seasonality, competition, or events that can influence the results of your campaigns.

By adhering to these principles, you'll be able to interpret your results more accurately and avoid analysis errors that could harm your performance.

GOING FURTHER

Boost your mass mailings. 4 effective actions.

Discover all the communication possibilities offered by mobile mass marketing campaigns.

Conclusion

SMS KPIs are important to your success, as they enable you to identify the strengths and weaknesses of your SMS campaign. They enable you to test and validate hypotheses through data-controlled experiments, as well as learn about your customers' journeys, profiles and behavior. With them, you have all the keys you need for effective, relevant communication. Now all you have to do is exploit their findings for your future campaigns SMS.

Create your free account

Try out our SMS platform and benefit from 20 free test credits, with no obligation.

Need more info?

We look forward to hearing from you.

January 12, 2025 - 6 min read

Return on investment : SMS is ROI

Romain Didelot

Introduction

There are two essential questions for any company: How much do you make? How much does it cost? ROI (Return On Investment) is the indicator that provides a precise answer to these two questions. Among KPIs SMSROI is the benchmark, as it is in all sectors. And when it comes to R.O.I., SMS comes out on top. Follow the guide.

Discover the benefits, options, parameters, creation and follow-up of surveys via SMS to optimize participation rates and the reliability of the data collected, while improving the customer experience.

What is the ROI of SMS ?

On average, €1 spent on SMS generates €50 in sales. The return on investment for SMS is therefore 4900%.

It has to be said, however, that this figure is an average. The profitability of this mobile marketing strategy depends on many variable factors:

High response rate

This is the major advantage of SMS surveys: the opening rate of SMS (98%), ensuring almost guaranteed visibility. This high open rate translates into a very significant customer response rate (often around 45%), far superior to that of e-mail or other more traditional survey methods. This efficiency favors the acquisition of a large number of quality responses. And the uniqueness of the telephone number improves the reliability of the data collected and the results obtained.

Generally speaking, SMS is the most cost-effective communication medium.

Why is the ROI of SMS so high?

There are several reasons why SMS is a particularly ROI-producing channel. Firstly, the costs associated with mailings are relatively low compared with most marketing channels (the unit cost of SMS is between 3 and 7 cents). Secondly, a number of KPIs work in SMS 's favor:

With SMS 's low cost and high engagement, it's only logical that its performance is second to none.

How can I accurately calculate the R.O.I. of my shipments?

Calculating the return on investment of SMS is similar to all ROI calculations. You need to determine how much you have spent (on marketing actions, advertising, etc.), so that you can prioritize the most profitable investments in the future.

To do this, subtract the money invested from the profits, then divide the resulting amount by the cost of the investment. The result is then multiplied by 100 to express the ratio as a percentage.

ROI formula: R.O.I = (revenues - costs) / costs x 100.

It's a good idea to monitor the performance of your SMS campaigns using analysis and measurement tools to know how profitable your actions are.

For example, determine the costs associated with your SMS communication, including mailing costs, mailing list management, content creation, etc.

Then track conversions and sales generated. This can be done using tools such as Google Analytics, which track link clicks and conversions.

For your marketing strategy SMS, you need at least the following data to calculate your R.O.I:

(The price per SMS multiplied by the number of messages sent gives you the cost of the investment, the sales figure gives you the associated revenue)

Simulate your return on investment in 3 clicks

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Calculation examples

My SMS campaign costs 1,000 euros and generates 10,000 euros in sales.

(10 000 € - 1 000 €) / 1 000 € x 100 = 900 %

This means that every euro invested in campaign generated 9 euros in revenue.

It's important to note that ROI should not be considered an absolute measure of the success of a marketing initiative. Other factors such as the reach of your communication, information gathered on the quality of the mailing list, impact on user experience and customer satisfaction must also be taken into account when assessing the overall success of an action.

Customer case study: the R.O.I of a "Panda Tea" SMS campaign

Our customer Panda Tea decided to launch a marketing campaign at SMS. The campaign targeted 20,000 recipients, at a total cost of around €1,000. At the end of this operation, 2926 customers made one or more purchases, bringing the profit from this marketing campaign to €64,372.

(64372 - 1000) / 1000 x 100 = 6337,2%

Every euro spent by Panda Tea on the SMS campaign generated €63.37.

SUCCESS STORY

Panda Tea triples its R.O.I with RCS, the new-generation SMS

Calculating ROI for a physical store

For a store, the ROI calculation doesn't change. The biggest difference with the web lies in the way you discover the revenue generated by your mailings.

You'll need to be clever, for example, by adding a promo code specific to your action in your text, or by indicating that you need to show the SMS received at the checkout to benefit from your offer.

How can I optimize the ROI of my campaigns?

To improve the profitability of your SMS campaigns, you will need to review the various performance indicators at your disposal in detail, in order to determine what can be optimized:

- Delivery rate: The percentage of your shipments delivered successfully. It informs you about the quality of the telephone number database used. If it's not satisfactory, clean up your your mailing list.

- Open rate: The percentage of delivered messages that have been opened. It gives you an idea of the effectiveness of your Sender ID and first line of text. If your openings aren't up to standard, you can choose a more impactful tagline for your next action.

- Click-through rate: The percentage of SMS opened messages that have generated a click on a link included in the message. It indicates the effectiveness of your content. To optimize it, aim to write content that engages your customers and an optimal URL or button to generate actions.

- Conversion rate: The percentage of recipients who have carried out the desired action (purchase, registration, contact request, etc.). This is the ultimate indicator of the effectiveness of your communication in generating commercial results.

- Cost per conversion: The average cost of each conversion, calculated by dividing the total cost of the campaign by the number of conversions generated. It is useful for observing the profitability of your actions in relation to your margin.

By using these key performance indicators, you can make decisions based on accurate data and really improve results in the future.

smsmode^© the ideal partner to boost your ROI

Calculating ROI isn't difficult. Getting all the information you need to make an accurate calculation, however, can be time-consuming. With smsmode©, your enriched campaigns (SMS + URL link with or without landing page) can be precisely monitored!

In your customer area, you have access to all essential data in real time. The number of SMS received, their status, but above all: the number of clicks on each link(s). This information is vital for calculating, for example, your average basket, conversions, clicks... In order to know precisely all the elements that have an impact on ROI.

This integrated solution allows you to calculate your ROI in a simple way, without having to dig through a multitude of different tools to find the data you need to calculate your profitability.

Create your free account

Try out our SMS platform and benefit from 20 free test credits, with no obligation.

Need more info?

We look forward to hearing from you.

SMS MAIL

COMPARATIVE
SMS or email? The ultimate comparison

- PDF AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH AND FRENCH -

SMS or email campaign? These two direct marketing channels can be used to win over new customers or relaunch an existing contact base. But which channel is more effective? Which will give you the best engagement with your target audience?

smsmode^© reveals the secrets of these two tools and the comparison between SMS and email.

Download the comparison

A marketing strategy always involves sending messages. Whether you use email only, SMS or both channels, you need to ask yourself these questions: which campaigns are best suited to my communication? Will switching to SMS improve engagement? Are my email campaigns getting the open rate they deserve? How are other companies in my sector doing? Etc. etc. 🤪.

All these questions are on the minds of marketing managers in every company. Everyone wants to send their customers the right content, the right text, at the right time, with the right type of message. While there's no magic formula, it's certain that the KPIs of SMS and emailmessages are a great help in fine-tuning your marketing strategy and determining the communication to adopt, the campaigns to send or even the email message best suited to your customers. That's what our SMS vs email comparison is all about 🙂 . Find out whether email or SMS is ideal for your communications, thanks to the trends observed by companies in their marketing messages.

Open rate

95% for SMS versus 20% for email

SMS is the channel of engagement. With an open rate of 95%, it far outstrips emailing (which, moreover, only enjoys a read rate of around 15%). Emails often go unnoticed and get lost in the mailbox, among the mass of emails (144 on average for an employee) received by your customers every day. 60% of the population claim to spend at least 2 hours a day on their phone: SMS benefits from this mobile presence of the public.

Reading times

4 minutes for SMS versus 90 minutes for email

90% of SMS messages are read within 4 minutes of being sent, whereas email has a response time of 90 minutes (when there is a reply). Only SMS guarantees immediate communication and instantaneous response from your recipient. Unlike e-mail, SMS ensures that your customers and contacts will be aware of your message very quickly.

Mobility

91% for SMS versus 72% for email

91% of people always have their mobile within reach, wherever they are and whatever the time of day. The chance of receiving SMS is therefore greater. For emailing, the experience is different. E-mail is more often consulted from a computer. 35% of emails are first opened on a computer and 59% on smartphones (source: mindbaz - 2020). SMS is the mobile channel with the best reach on phones, as it requires no Internet connection, no tools and no application download. Notification is important, when receiving an email rarely provokes more than a banner on a locked screen. So, for critical service or unmissable marketing communications, it's best to opt for SMS rather than email.

SPAM

0% for SMS versus 80% for email

8 out of 10 emails land directly in the "spam" or "junk" folder of the electronic mailbox. This is not the case for SMS , where this option simply didn't exist until 2017. Since then, the rate of SMS classified as SPAM has been stable at 10% (source: findstack). The simplicity of SMS technology (a simple text message with no formatting and limited to 160 characters) is also its strength compared to emails: a punchy, readable and easily memorable message in which it's less obvious to propose "spammy" content.

Need more info?

We look forward to hearing from you.

The different offers and products smsmode^©

smsmode^© has developed over the years a complete range of products, offers, tools and mail pluginsto meet a wide range of customer needs for mobile messaging operations:

smsmode^© needs the contact information you provide to contact you about our products and services. You may unsubscribe from these communications at any time. Visit our Privacy Policy to find out more. You may also, for legitimate reasons, object to the processing of your personal data. To exercise this right, please send an e-mail to dpo(at)smsmode.com.

Available information

Create your free account

Try out our SMS platform and benefit from 20 free test credits, with no obligation.

Need more info?

We look forward to hearing from you.

Installation tutorial: Hubspot SMS plugin

Integrate SMS messaging directly in your HubSpot CRMfor multi-channel communications with the smsmode plugin^©.

smsmode^© needs your contact details to contact you about our products and services. You can unsubscribe from these communications at any time. Visit our Privacy Policy to find out more. You may also, for legitimate reasons, object to the processing of your personal data. Send an e-mail to dpo(atsmsmode.com to exercise these rights.

Boost your Hubspot workflows with SMS

See our guide to successful SMS integration with HubSpot.

Find out how to integrate the SMS sending platform step by step smsmode^© in HubSpotthe leading CRM for inbound marketing. This practical guide takes you through every step of the way to efficiently connect your smsmode account.^© and take full advantage of SMS functionality within your workflows. Diversify your communication channels, send personalized SMS - in bulk or individually - and optimize your marketing, sales and customer service strategies thanks to a plugin that's 100% integrated with HubSpot.

Create your free account

Try out our SMS platform and benefit from 20 free test credits, with no obligation.

Need more info?

We look forward to hearing from you.

A personalized transmitter for easy identification

Display your brand or company name as the sender of your messages. Personalizing the sender of your SMS messages allows you to be directly identified by your customers.

Be clearly identified with the
"personalized transmitter" feature

Simple interaction between you and your customers.

The recipient will therefore receive an SMS that displays the chosen name (company name, brand, etc.) instead of a standard or short number.

NAMELY:

How can I manage my personalized in your customer area?

Complete, autonomous management of your personalized issuers is accessible at any time, in just a few clicks, from your customer area.

1. Create a custom transmitter

Go to the Settings menu, then click on Transmitters (1).

In the issuer name management area, click on the Add button (2) in the top right-hand corner.

A popup window appears. Enter the new sender name in the text field, then click on Create (3) to confirm.

2. Delete one or more custom transmitters

Click on the box next to the name of the sender(s) to be deleted (4).

Confirm by clicking on the Delete button (5) at the top right of the list.

3. Use a transmitter name as default transmitter

Click on the star (6) in front of the transmitter name you wish to set as default.

A popup window appears. Confirm the use of this transmitter as default by clicking on the Use default button (7).

Create your free account

Try out our SMS platform and benefit from 20 free test credits, with no obligation.

Need more info?

We look forward to hearing from you.

November 15, 2024 - 7 min read

Take advantage of SMS for your drive to web strategy

Romain Didelot

Introduction

A company simply can't exist online if it doesn't generate traffic to its website. It is therefore imperative for e-tailers to find traffic channels, especially during marketing events when classic channels (SEO, Social Ads, Google Ads...) are saturated. It's in this context that SMS, as a direct and personal communication tool, is effective (and often underestimated) for drive to web.

The advantage of SMS lies in its reach: exceptional open, click and conversion rates, with 95% of messages read within three minutes Next receipt. This speed guarantees a message that reaches the audience immediately, making SMS a powerful lever for increasing not only traffic, but also sales on your online store.

Follow our guide to integrating SMS into your drive-to-web strategy, maximizing the effectiveness of your campaigns and understanding the elements that will make your marketing efforts a success.

Drive to web & SMS

What is drive to web?

Drive to web is a marketing technique that exploits the reach of an acquisition channel to generate traffic to a website. It's a technique very similar to drive to store, the only difference being that in drive to store, traffic corresponds to the number of consumers attracted to a physical store, and not to the number of visits to the website.

If we take the example of drive-to-web by SMS, the strategy takes advantage of the ubiquity of cell phones, to offer companies an instant communication channel with consumers (the SMS 😉 ).

The benefits of SMS as a traffic-generating channel

SMS is an excellent channel for redirects to websites for many reasons:

High open rates: Often in excess of 95%, the open rate of SMS virtually guarantees a message read, whereas emails or push notifications plateau at around 30%.
Instant delivery: Messages are delivered in seconds, enabling real-time interaction ideal for time-limited offers or important announcements.
Personalized communication: Thanks to the use of variables, SMS enables a high degree of personalization, strengthening customer relations, commitment and loyalty.
High profitability: The low cost of SMS (with flexible formulas ranging from prepaid to subscription, depending on business needs) coupled with a very high conversion rate mean a record return on investment.

STUDY

SMS marketing's key performances under the microscope

Find out more about our major study based on 745 million mailings SMS.

7 best practices for a successful drive to web by SMS

As you can see, SMS has a lot to offer when it comes to digital acquisition. But how do you ensure that a campaign generates traffic?

We have compiled 7 points to check to make your campaign a success:

Target your audience by objective

This database of campaigns SMS also applies to drive-to-web campaigns. First, you'll need to clearly define your target profile. Loyal buyer? Online consumer? Follow-up lead? You decide.

Segment your database using these and other criteria such as geographic location, purchasing habits, length of inactivity, loyalty points... This approach allows you to personalize your mailings for each customer segment and optimize your ROI.

For example, send specific promotional messages to customers interested in certain categories of products or services, or spoil your loyal customers with exclusive offers.

Write powerful messages

Catchy text is essential to maximize the impact of the SMS campaign. It should be short (preferably within the 160-character limit), engaging and include a clear call to action.

Adopt a simple structure: company name, customer name, details of the offer or promotion, conditions, call to action (CTA) and STOP SMS.

Customize text with variables to include the customer's name or details of purchasing preferences.

Offer exclusive deals or incentives to create a sense of urgency and exclusivity, motivating customers to visit your website.

See concrete examples below(section 4) 👇

Manage the timing and frequency of mailings

The aim is simple: avoid pestering customers and maximize efficiency.

Timing: send your SMS at times identified as strategic. Sales, Black Friday and private sales are the obvious highlights, but other one-off events can also be considered, such as anniversaries, product arrivals or new store openings.

Frequency : Dose your mailings to avoid appearing intrusive. Excessive repetition of marketing messages can be perceived as spam and lead to numerous unsubscribes. Your campaigns need to be received at the right time to maintain customer interest without saturating them.

Integrate SMS into a multi-channel (and automated) strategy

By synchronizing SMS with other channels such as email, push notifications or social networks, you can create a consistent user experience that ultimately increases engagement and conversions.

You can also consolidate user data and analyze the entire customer journey.

For example, a user who receives a SMS may be redirected to a conversion page and then receive a follow-up email, a cart abandonment email...

This enables us to multiply contact channels, better understand the customer journey and optimize all marketing actions to generate longer-lasting interactions and more frequent conversions.

Of course, the more you can automate this process, the more efficient you'll be. What's more, automation also enables you to segment audiences, personalize messages according to user behavior, and schedule messages to reach customers at the most opportune moment.

Optimize the mobile experience around the message

To maximize the effectiveness of a SMS drive to web campaign, it's essential that recipients land on a mobile-optimized page. The user experience must be fluid and immediate, as any friction risks losing the visitor's attention. A good mobile landing page creation tool enables you to quickly design attractive, simple pages adapted to small screens. These pages can include a clearly visible CTA, concise and relevant content, and reassurance elements (customer reviews, similar products, etc.).

What's more, some landing page designers (such as smsmode^© 😉) make it possible to customize URLs and measure the performance of each campaign. This facilitates click tracking and ongoing optimization by identifying the most engaging pages for users. These tools help reinforce the impact of the SMS campaign by aligning the mobile experience with the expectations of the target audience.

Measure the performance of your campaigns

Tracking the impact of your SMS campaigns is essential for knowing their return on investment and adjusting your strategies accordingly.

There's no "drive-to-web" without links, so you need to exploit their presence. You can use tracking tools (Google Analytics, Matomo, Plausible...) to analyze clicks on direct links to your website, or you can use link shortening services (like the smsmode^© 😉), which will allow you to optimize the length of your messages and track clicks directly from your SMS sending tool.

Measuring the impact of your SMS campaigns enables you to see which strategies are working best and make adjustments accordingly. Use the data collected, analyze open rates, click-through rates and conversion rates... you'll know your strengths and weaknesses, and be able to continually improve your results.

Comply with regulations and best practices

To ensure the legitimacy (and therefore the success) of your campaigns SMS, it is essential to comply with data protection regulations and follow good practice in SMS marketing.

Consent and Opt-in: Make sure you obtain your customers' consent to receive SMS by adopting a legitimate opt-in (online registrations, in-store registrations, keyword subscriptions...). This guarantees respect for preferences and ensures compliance with the RGPD and data and consumer protection laws.

Transparency and clarity: SMS messages must be clear and transparent. Avoid ambiguous or misleading terms, and make sure that customers can easily understand the content and purpose of the message.

Also include an unsubscribe option (STOP SMS) to allow customers to unsubscribe from the mailing list if necessary.

GOING FURTHER

Discover the 10 keys to effective, profitable SMS campaigns.

Examples of messages optimized for drive to web

SMS direct marketing

[SenderID]

Web exclusive!
🎉 Take advantage of -20% on the whole store with the code WEB20.
Click here to access ➡️ [short link].
Offer valid for 24H !

SMS personalized invitation

[36037]

Hello [First name]!
A new product you might like is available!
Get a sneak preview here ➡️ [URL].
Let us surprise you! 🌟

SMS event

[Sender ID]

Today's the big day!
Join us now for our exclusive online launch.
Click here to access ➡️ [short link].
Early birds get special gifts 🎁.

SMS reactivation

My website

Long time no see, [First name]!

Save 15% on your next online purchase
here: [ URL].
We're delighted to see you again!

SMS with limited offer

[Sender ID]

End of season!
Last day to get 30% off your favorite items!
Click here ➡️ [short link].
Limited quantities, don't delay! 🕒

SMS competition

Store

🎁 Enter our competition and win a voucher!
Click here to play ➡️ [URL].
One winner a day, try your luck now! 🍀

NEED MORE EXAMPLES?

All our examples of promotion, sale, private sale, welcome messages...

Conclusion

As you can see, there are many advantages to integrating SMS into a drive-to-web strategy, but the key to success lies in accurately targeting the audience and creating high-impact messages. Ensure compliance with regulations, carefully manage the timing and frequency of mailings, and you'll have all the weapons you need to boost your web traffic, solidify your customer relationships and increase your sales. Now it's up to you!

Create your free account

Try out our SMS platform and benefit from 20 free test credits, with no obligation.

Need more info?

We look forward to hearing from you.

DIGITAL AGENCY

Boost CRM performance with SMS automation

Download the use case

Novadial supports its customers in creating and optimizing multi-channel strategies, combining email and SMS to maximize the impact of their communications.

To effectively deploy these campaigns and workflows within their CRMs - Marigold Engage and Hubspot - their challenge was toidentify an intuitive, customizable, high-performance, reliable, RGPD-compliant and cost-effective SMS sending solution.

Click-through rate

20%

Satisfaction rate

75 à 90%

Novadial has opted for the SMS smsmode^© panel of plugins specific to Marigold Engage and Hubspot CRM, which offer :

Multi-channel campaigns

The SMS workflow is simplified and coordinated with other channels. Optimal management of multi-channel campaigns.

Inserting short links

This feature can be used to create interactive scenarios, such as appointment scheduling, online assistance requests, etc.

Easy to install and use

Intuitive and easy to install and use (even for beginners), this turnkey solution is based on drag-and-drop and no-code.

Find out in detail how Novadial offers CRM strategies for more direct, personalized and effective interactions.

Download the use case

Create your free account

Try out our SMS platform and benefit from 20 free test credits, with no obligation.

November 07, 2024 - 5 min read

Personalize your SMS marketing campaigns

Elsa Paparone

Introduction

With an opening rate that defies all competition, SMS is a quick and easy way to win over your targets. But in today's busy world, companies need to grab attention quickly and make a lasting impression. By personalizing your campaigns SMScampaigns, you give your message the chance to be remembered. Let's find out together how mobile messaging can help you generate engagement with your recipients through tried-and-tested use cases.

With mobile messaging, you can reach your recipients anywhere, anytime. SMS , an indispensable tool for your emergency communication strategies. We explain why!

The need to personalize SMS marketing campaigns

Tailoring the content of your mailings is the sine qua non for engaging your target audience. By adapting it to the needs, preferences and behavior of each of your customers, you can create a more relevant and engaging experience. Tailoring is the key not only to increasing open and click rates, but also to reinforcing the relationship of trust built up with the company by creating a unique experience. A personalized SMS campaign is a strategic lever for achieving sales objectives while optimizing communication.

GOING FURTHER

High-performance marketing.
10 tips to maximize the impact of your campaigns SMS

In this guide, identify the contact points where SMS can optimize your advertising campaigns.

The advantages of customizing SMS

Tenfold commitment

By sending messages tailored to the expectations, behaviors and habits of each customer, companies create genuine interactions. A personalized SMS captures the attention of its recipient, and this targeting "effort" strengthens the emotional bond between the consumer and the brand, as the latter feels recognized. By precisely targeting the consumer, you engage in a loyalty-building process, deliver information perceived as more useful, and ultimately improve your conversion rate.

Strengthening customer relations

By offering tailor-made communication, brands show their users that they understand their needs, thereby building trust and loyalty. A personalized mailing not only maximizes immediate engagement, it also creates deeper, more lasting bonds with your customers, contributing to loyalty. The royal road to creating ambassadors!

How to personalize your SMS ?

The variable field (direct mail)

This is the basis of the personalized message. Include variables in your SMS ($variables at smsmode^©), which will be replaced by the recipient's name when the message is sent. Using the recipient's first name in the message creates a more intimate and engaging approach.

Database segmentation

Segment your contact base according to criteria such as purchasing habits, geographical location, or specific preferences. This enables you to send targeted offers that meet individual needs with precision and boost your ROI.

The personalized Sender ID

Customize the sender of your message. This technique allows you to display, for example, your brand name as the sender of the message, so that people can identify you directly. The recipient will then receive a text displaying the chosen name (company name, brand, etc.) instead of a standard mobile number or short code.

Dynamic information

Use information or events linked to your customer to trigger messages. This could be product recommendations based on previous sales, personalized reminders for special events (birthdays, limited promotions, etc.) or even follow-up messages after a shopping cart abandonment.

GOING FURTHER

Avoid mistakes.
The 17 points to check before sending your campaign SMS.

Examples of SMS

Language adapted to the tone and style of each customer group further enhances the effectiveness of personalized SMS . These examples of content have proved their worth in various sales strategies undertaken by our partner companies. It's up to you to adapt them and make them a strength of your communication.

First name + exclusive offer

[SenderID]

Hello [First name],
benefit from 20% off your next purchase at [Brand name].
Valid only for you until [Date].
Don't miss this exclusive offer!

Recommendations based on purchases

[SenderID]

Hello [First name],
we've selected items you might like
based on your last purchase from us.
Discover them here: [ URL].

Abandoned cart reminder

[SenderID]

Hi [First name],
your items are still waiting for you!
Complete your order and benefit from free delivery.
Click here to complete your purchase: [URL].

Anniversary promotion

[Company]

Happy birthday [First name]!
To celebrate this special day, we're offering you 30% off our entire range until [Date].
Treat yourself with your code: BDAY30.

Invitation to a local event

[Sender ID]

Hello [First name],
our store in [City] invites you to a VIP evening this [Date].
Come and discover our new products with a 15% discount on the whole store!
Confirm your attendance here : [URL].

Loyalty reward

[Sender ID]

Thank you [First name] for your loyalty!
You've earned a lot of points!
Receive a €10 discount on your next order.
Use your code: FIDELITE10.

TO FIND OUT MORE

All our examples of promotional messages, sales, private sales, welcome,...

Conclusion

In an increasingly competitive market, a strategy based on information gathering has become essential to offer a customer experience that sets you apart. Adapting message content to your target audience is a powerful lever in both marketing and customer relations. By personalizing messages, you capture attention. Whether through the use of variables, audience segmentation or personalization of your sender, you have a greater chance of increasing your conversion rate, as well as building long-term customer loyalty. It's up to you!

Create your free account

Try out our SMS platform and benefit from 20 free test credits, with no obligation.

Need more info?

We look forward to hearing from you.

October 31, 2024 - 5 min read

Boost your prospecting with SMS

Elsa Paparone

Introduction

Capturing the attention of consumers is no easy task. And when those consumers are sales or marketing professionals, the task becomes even more complicated. When prospecting, you need to choose your communication medium wisely to stand out from the crowd and have a chance of pushing your offer.

With figures that put the competition to shame, SMS is the most popular marketing communications tool for professionals. Let's find out how SMS marketing can help you achieve your business development objectives, and what rules you'll need to follow to stay on track with this marketing solution.

Why choose SMS as a sales prospecting tool?

SUCCESS STORY

How did Meilleurstaux increase its sales with SMS ?

Campaign performance SMS

Its opening rate is 98%, its response rate 45% and its conversion rate 29% on average; SMS is the KPI champion. The proximity it creates with the user (it's physically in his pocket) also gives it other advantages over other communication channels such as professional e-mail, telephone calls (increasingly filtered with the rise in spam) and even professional social networks (notably LinkedIn).

Your email campaign, while less expensive, will only have a 20% to 30% chance of being read by your customers. 40% of recipients say they have more than 50 unread e-mails in their inbox, while 35% admit to deleting them simply on the basis of their subject line. With SMS, you can multiply the impact of your campaigns by a factor of 3.

It's also worth noting that an e-mail can remain unopened in a mailbox for hours or even days (if not forever). An SMS is read within 4 minutes Next receipt in 95% of cases.

When it comes to social networks, LinkedIn is the essential platform for B2B sales prospecting. Your sales reps are probably already using it, so ask them about the ratio of initiated requests to responses. It probably won't be extraordinary. InMails are relatively intrusive, and automation can also damage your brand image. Who hasn't received mass InMails, completely unsuited to their needs?

SMS is proving to be the most effective and ultimately least intrusive means of communication, but not only that, it's also cost-effective. Remember the KPIs of SMS professionals mentioned above. With a message costing around 4 cents and a record return on investment, campaigns are highly profitable.

STUDY

SMS marketing trends and key performances under the microscope

Find out more about our major study based on 745 million mailings SMS.

Accessibility

The short message is the most affordable solution on the market, which is a major factor in its worldwide popularity. The cost of a SMS campaign is particularly competitive, enabling you to maximize your visibility without increasing your budget. As such, anyone can receive a message with a simple telephone package, and mailing rates for professionals are very affordable. This accessibility makes it a preferred solution for users with limited financial means or living in areas where Internet access is restricted, reinforcing its role as an essential communication medium for a company.

Universality

Thanks to its simplicity and compatibility with almost any type of phone, SMS transcends geographical and technological barriers. Unlike other forms of messaging that require an Internet connection or third-party applications, it relies on cellular networks, accessible even in the most remote areas. This makes it a broad-spectrum communication tool, regardless of the technological level or device used. This universality has enabled SMS to remain relevant, even in the age of smartphones and instant messaging applications, thanks to its unrivalled accessibility and reliability.

What's more, these days 99% of the population owns a telephone. Whether you're looking for access to all the features a cell phone has to offer (social networking, for example), or to the most basic of them all, making a phone call. By opting for SMS as a prospecting solution, your information won't go unnoticed.

How to set up my SMS prospecting campaign

To set up an effective SMS marketing campaign, especially when prospecting, it's essential to follow a few key steps and respect a few best practices. Follow our guide to optimize the sale of your offers like a marketing pro!

Define your goals

First, define your objectives. Do you want to promote a new product or service? Directly increase your sales? Improve customer relations? Present your offers in greater detail? These elements will enable you to define the themes you will explore and the content you will produce. Your objectives are the foundation of your strategy, so make sure they're solid!

Optimizing your database

Improving the quality of your contact database and the data collected on your customers will maximize your campaign's chances of success. In marketing, quality prevails over quantity, and when it comes to prospecting for a sale, this is even truer. Make sure that your prospects' or customers' consent has been obtained beforehand, and keep proof of this in case of a request (no one is safe from a request from the CNIL). You can segment this customer base according to relevant criteria such as job title, location, purchase history, etc., to personalize messages.

Creating attractive content

Then write the content best suited to each customer/prospect. This strategy of personalizing SMS , already initiated by the segmentation carried out on the database, is sure to arouse your customers' interest. Don't hesitate to include a call to action in your messages.

GOING FURTHER

Discover the 10 keys to effective, profitable SMS campaigns.

Choosing a mobile messaging platform

Use a specialized platform for sending mass SMS campaigns, which not only allows you to personalize your mailings, but also to track campaign performance (reception rates, response rates, etc.). If you ever need one, we know someone 😉.

Use cases

You can use SMS marketing or notification in many situations: canvassing, promoting or launching a product or solution, inviting your loyal customers to a specific event, after-sales service and other key moments. We'd like to share with you some examples of tried-and-tested best practice.

GOING FURTHER

How to prospect successfully with our SMS

Discover SMS to get inspired right from your first messages.

Prospecting triggered by information gathering

[Company]

Hello [Name], thank you for downloading our white paper. I'm [Name] from [Company].

I'd like to know more about your needs. Do you have time to discuss them?

STOP at 3612.

Promotion of a special offer

Electronics sales

📱💥 Dear customer, [Store name] is offering -15% on the entire range of smartphones until [Date], with every purchase, a shell is free!
➡️ Take advantage of it quickly here: [Link].
STOP at 3612.

Launching a new product

Fashion company

👗✨ New in your dressing room!
Discover our spring-summer collection, available today at [Store name].
Get -20% off your first order with code: [CODE]
👉 [Link]. STOP to unsubscribe.

Invitation to an event

Real Estate Agency

🏠 Dreaming of becoming a homeowner?
Would you like to offer a property for rent?
The[Name] agency invites you to our open day on [Date].
Our agents are waiting for you.
Register here: [Link]. STOP to unsubscribe.

Call for service discovery

Consulting firm

📈 Boost your business with our tailor-made solutions!
Cabinet [Name] offers you a free audit to improve your security. Contact our experts today:
[Number]. STOP to unsubscribe.

End of season offer

Sports store

🏃‍♂️⛷️ End-of-season clearance sale at [Store name]!
Up to 50% off a selection of sportswear and equipment.
No more excuses!
Take advantage now: [Link]. STOP to unsubscribe.

Reservation or appointment reminder

Beauty salon

💅 Ready to be pampered?
Your appointment at [Salon Name] is fast approaching!
Remember to confirm by replying to this SMS or by calling [Number].
STOP to unsubscribe.

A few rules to follow

There are many advantages to implementing a mobile messaging strategy, but you need to be careful how you use it. Here's how.

Free, specific, informed and unambiguous consent

As with email, it is possible to canvass by SMS, however, the recipients of your communications must have given their consent before being canvassed.

This consent must be free, specific, informed and unambiguous.

Exceptions

There are two exceptions to this principle:

This is based on the organization'slegitimate interests. When a person's telephone number is collected, he or she must be informed of the use that will be made of it, and be able to object to this use simply and free of charge.

Mandatory information

In practice, each of your SMS messages will have to contain your identity in order to identify you to your prospects, and then once again offer a simple way to opt out of receiving further solicitations (e.g. with an unsubscribe link at the end of the message, or a "STOP" message).

These are the rules laid down by the General Data Protection Regulation.

Shipping times

Your marketing campaigns must be sent at specific times. Short messages may not be sent between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. on calendar days, or all day on Sundays and public holidays.

Conclusion

Integrating SMS into your business is an effective and advantageous strategy for many reasons. It enhances the efficiency of your sales department by punctuating customer relations with "highlights" (promoting a new product, for example) conveyed by instant communications tailored to your users' preferences.

You can also set up personalized exchanges with your customers, strengthening your brand support and your conversion rate. The addition of a message-based communication channel also reduces the most time-consuming activities of your team.

Create your free account

Try out our SMS platform and benefit from 20 free test credits, with no obligation.

Need more info?

We look forward to hearing from you.

October 29, 2024 - 8 min read

How to generate in-store traffic

Romain Didelot

Introduction

Generating customer flow at the point of sale is the lifeblood of every retailer. A task that has become difficult for convenience stores. With the rise of online sales and social networks, attracting customers' attention is becoming increasingly complex. However, there are a number of best practices you can follow to generate visits and boost sales: optimized shop windows, web and drive to storeephemeral events and 6 other useful marketing tools!

What is in-store traffic?

Traffic refers to the number of people visiting a store during a given period. This key indicator of a physical store's performance can be calculated on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. The more traffic there is on site, the more likely it is to lead to that coveted sesame: the local purchase. That's why this recurring presence is often the first point to measure the effectiveness of your communication, or of any other traffic-boosting initiatives, such as promotions, special on-site events or improved customer experience.

How do you measure traffic to your point of sale?

A variety of tools can be used to measure the flow through your store. Most often, a people counter is installed (laser located in gantries, calculation of the number of door openings...). More often than not, retailers can find this data in their cash register software.

How do you measure the impact of marketing actions on in-store traffic?

There are several more or less complex ways of measuring the impact of your actions. You can, for example, use a promo code dedicated to each of them; the number of times the promo code is used represents the number of conversions attributed to the corresponding action. In this way, you can calculate the conversion rate of each of your campaigns.

You can also aim wider and integrate indirect conversions, matching every sale made by a customer reached by your campaign.

Finally, a message with an incentive such as "Show me at checkout and get 20% more" can serve you well as a measurement tool. All you have to do is count the number of items sold with this promotion to calculate the ROI of your operation.

By keeping a close eye on your customers' comings and goings, you can adjust your strategy in real time to achieve your sales and profitability targets.

Simulate your return on investment in 3 clicks

↓

The drive to store, the marketing strategy to generate traffic in store

Drive to store" is a web strategy designed to attract potential customers to a physical store. The aim is to use digital channels such as online advertising, social networks and SMS marketing to ensure a high level of online and offline communication to generate on-site traffic.

This method often involves the use of geo-targeting techniques to reach consumers in the vicinity of your local store. These ads can take the form of banners, videos or other formats, and can be distributed across different online channels to reach a wide audience.

The aim is to stimulate customer interest in your brand. Exclusive promotions, time-limited offers, loyalty benefits... anything to attract more visitors. By Next tracking the performance of "drive to store" campaigns using data analysis tools, companies can optimize their strategy and increase their return on investment.

Why SMS is ideal for generating in-store visits?

SMS is a highly effective loyalty and promotional tool for attracting customers to your business. By running promotional campaigns SMS (promotions, private sales, stock clearance, etc.), whether occasional or frequent, you can ensure recurring, stable traffic to your business. The read rate of a SMS is close to 95% within 4 minutes of receipt, so this medium offers you the guarantee of being visible to your database, but also of being remembered: SMS marketing memorization rate: 60% (source: INSEE)

SMS = marketing tool?

Targeted and customizable, SMS can also be enriched with content such as a URL link, an image (MMS), a dematerialized offer (m-coupon), etc. Contact management and statistical campaign feedback make SMS one of the most relevant media for mobile communications.

GOING FURTHER

10 tips to maximize the impact of your campaigns SMS

In this guide, identify the contact points where SMS can optimize your advertising campaigns.

How to use SMS to create point-of-sale visits?

Here are a few ideas on how to use SMS to increase traffic to your business:

Send special offers

Exclusive promotions transmitted digitally to customers will encourage them to come to the point of sale to take advantage of them - this is the basis of drive to store.

Example:

SMS private sale

⚡ Flash sale tomorrow!

30% discount on your entire store.

Exclusive to our best customers.

Present this message at the entrance. Meet at [Store name].

Use promotional codes

Promotional codes reserved exclusively for consumers enrolled in your online loyalty program have a dual beneficial effect. These codes can obviously be used in-store for discounts, but they also give the feeling of being part of a privileged experience, of being enrolled in a useful program, and they also benefit your brand image.

Example:

SMS promotion

🔥 Exceptional offer!

-30% off ALL stock this weekend only!

Don't miss this opportunity!

Visit [Name of retailer]. ⏳

Send appointment reminders

If you offer beauty care services (hairdressing, manicure, massage) or recurring services (maintenance, technical inspection...), you can send appointment reminders via SMS to reduce cancellations and missed appointments by a factor of 4.

Example:

Appointment reminder

📅 Hello [First name],

a reminder of your appointment at [Salon name] on [date] at [time].

We look forward to welcoming you!

If you need to modify or cancel, please contact us at [number].

See you soon! ✂️💇‍♂️

Promoting new products

By using SMS to inform your customers about new products, you can guarantee that they will be seen by as many consumers as possible, especially your customers who have already shown their liking for your products. Encourage them to come and discover new products, and guarantee a high return on investment.

Example:

SMS new products

✨ Our new collection is available today!

Discover our latest products and benefit from

20% discount on your first purchase. 🛍️

See you soon at [Company name]!

Creating a sense of urgency, a key to in-store traffic

Use short, punchy messages to create a sense of urgency, informing your customers of a last-minute special offer or in-store private sale. This can encourage them to get to your store quickly so they don't miss the opportunity.

SMS is a direct and effective way of communicating with your customers, increasing in-store traffic and building customer loyalty.

GOING FURTHER

Discover the 10 keys to effective, profitable SMS campaigns.

9 techniques to boost footfall in your store

Welcome to the world of retail marketing, where generating excitement around your physical business is the key to success. Here are a few strategies that can help you attract more customers:

Optimize your showcase

Your store window is your first impression with potential visitors. By optimizing it to be eye-catching and engaging, you can grab the attention of passers-by and entice them into your store. Make sure you share your message visually, with key products and your new collection visible at first glance. Don't forget to include the opening hours and prices of the products on display. If your company has won an award (Meilleur Ouvrier de France, for example), don't hesitate to highlight it.

Build up your discount policy

Offering exclusive promotions, discount vouchers or an extra percentage for several purchases = real incentives. Communicating around these benefits is simpler and will enable you to build customer loyalty to guarantee traffic with each campaign and over the long term. The SMS website, with its agility and record penetration rate, is the ideal channel for communicating limited-time offers, special discounts for members, free gifts with a purchase, and so on.

Organize special events

Vernissages, private sales, product demonstrations and launches, and workshops are all great opportunities for a local merchant to build up a quality clientele. (Yet another area where SMS can help boost your visibility 😉)

Advertise locally

Physical or Internet advertising campaigns are another great way to attract more customers. Go local to keep costs down. Use local advertising media such as newspapers, magazines, local websites, billboards, flyers, leaflets, radio or TV ads to publicize your store and the offers you make.

Reward loyal customers

You've probably seen this sentence somewhere: "It costs three times as much to recruit a customer as it does to retain one." And it's true. Offer rewards to your loyal customers, such as discount coupons, gift cards for their birthdays, bonus points to feed a loyalty program. This will not only encourage them to return to your store, but also potentially convert them into ambassadors for your brand. SMS is also an excellent tool for building customer loyalty.

Create an exceptional customer experience

A quality customer experience, or the careful treatment of each person entering your store, can make all the difference. This is what we call clienteling. By creating a pleasant, welcoming environment and offering high-quality products, your efforts will be rewarded by a steady flow of customers.

Create Facebook, Instagram and Google My business profiles

Social media is a great way for local businesses to have a web presence. Facebook and Instagram profiles allow you to communicate directly with your loyal customers, share information about your products and services, and promote your brand to a wider audience. Google My Business, for its part, will help you to exist on the web, with or without a website, and provide you with credibility and an online showcase to increase footfall at the point of sale, and provoke purchases.

Use location-based advertising

Geotargeted ads target customers based on their geographical location. Using digital advertising tools such as Google Ads or Facebook Ads, you can create ads that target consumers within a specific geographic radius of your store. You can also use data from your existing subscribers to find new prospects with similar interests.

Use influencer marketing

It's about working with influencers (or Key Opinion Leaders) to promote your business, your products and trigger the buying action. By working with influencers who have a large and engaged local audience, you can draw attention to your brand and encourage their followers to visit you.

Its actions take many forms, from sponsored posts to product reviews and brand mentions. It's up to you to decide how to use this strategy, which has become increasingly popular in recent years as social media has gained in importance as a marketing tool.

Conclusion

By using these and other strategies, you can increase in-store traffic and increase the chances of making sales and retaining customers. Physical retail is far from dead. Digitalization is also an opportunity you can take advantage of by applying drive to store and web to store strategies. Once these strategies are in place, don't forget to measure your results by calculating the conversion rate and the return on investment of your campaigns.

Create your free account

Try out our SMS platform and benefit from 20 free test credits, with no obligation.

Need more info?

We look forward to hearing from you.

October 23, 2024 - 7 min read

Boost your sales with a SMS campaign for Black Friday

Romain Didelot

Introduction

A veritable institution in the United States, Black Friday has also become a must-attend event in Europe. This year, it takes place on Friday, November 29. This time of promotions is a huge sales opportunity for all retailers. In fact, the last Friday in November is the perfect time to start Christmas shopping for many customers. Faced with all these offers and promotions, stores and e-commerce sites have to pull out all the stops to win over customers.

The days leading up to Black Friday are a time of intense communication. Emailing, commercials, social networks; your customer is going to be bombarded. How can you make your communications stand out from the crowd? With SMS, of course. Find out how to boost your sales with mobile campaigns, and enjoy 25 examples of ready-to-use SMS for Black Friday (Heading 4 👇).

The Black Friday marketing campaign is a must

Black Friday" will take place on Friday, November 29, 2024 in France.

It is the ephemeral commercial event par excellence:

With so much sales potential concentrated in a single day, you can't afford tomiss a trick!

It's the blitz of the year, and there's no catching up. If this is true for consumers, it's also true for marketers, who need to deploy communication quickly, with a clear message and sent at the right time to trigger purchase intent.

In short, Black Friday is typically the time when SMS marketing campaigns can have an impressive effect on your sales.

Don't wait any longer, set up your own mobile alert system, adaptable to your organization and its needs.

STUDY

SMS marketing trends and key performances under the microscope

Find out more about our major study based on 745 million mailings SMS.

SMS marketing, a sure bet for Black Friday

Are you sure your offers are the best? Choose the mobile marketing channel that can ensure your prospects read them.

Today, every consumer is equipped with a cell phone, and consults it throughout the day. We spend an average of 4 hours 48 minutes on our phones. Sending out a SMS campaign for Black Friday has the potential to reach everyone.

The second advantage of SMS for an operation like Black Friday is its opening rate: 97%.

And 95% of messages are read within 3 minutes Next receipt. You can be sure that your offers will be seen and your messages will be read.

You can also make your content stand out by exploiting the potential of SMS (inserting a link to a mobile landing page in SMS) or even RCS: SMS 2.0 to increase the potential of your promotions with rich media.

The proportion of French people equipped with a smartphone continues to grow. It is 98% among 18-24 year-olds and 95% among 25-39 year-olds (Statista),

Multimedia content on mobile will also allow you to stand out from the competition in this day and age when your customers will receive a large number of solicitations.

Well-received promotions

72% of French people believe that Black Friday allows them to make good deals.

This craze has prompted many brands to adopt the "Black Friday weekend", with a promotional period running from Friday to Monday. Monday is also starting to get a name: Cyber Monday, the official extension of Black Friday, reserved for e-commerce.

Black Friday weekend, Cyber Monday, all these new promotional periods are opportunities to to increase your conversion rate. It's up to you to maximize your chances with a good promotional campaign.

3 tips for a successful campaign SMS

Choose the right time

The timing of your mailing has a major influence on the attention your customer will pay to your message. This may vary according to your sector, but in principle, it can be interesting to play on the mood of the moment: before lunch for food products, early afternoon for textiles, morning for high-tech products...

N.B.: Shipments must be made within the time limits set by SMS marketing (8am to 8pm, Monday to Saturday).

GOING FURTHER

Discover the 10 keys to effective, profitable SMS campaigns.

Personalise your message

Personalize your Sender ID (message sender) to be identifiable, and use the direct mail option to personalize each of your messages with the information present in your contacts' files (surname, first name, email...). With SMS you're already in your customers' pockets, so personalization will help you get their attention even more.

Take advantage of the drive-to-web potential of SMS

64% of consumers plan to shop online for Black Friday. The drive to web (taking advantage of an acquisition channel to drive contacts to your website) is therefore a formidable technique for this event. RCS and SMS are excellent ways of attracting customers to your e-commerce site via a landing page.

By timing your mailings, you can offer a seamless experience, from the moment you receive an offer to the moment you make a purchase.

TO FIND OUT MORE

The power of a mobile web page for your Black Friday campaigns

The story of Black Friday

In the United States, Black Friday is the day after the Thanksgiving holiday. This Friday is also traditionally a holiday for many employees. For this reason, retailers decided to introduce a day of special offers to mark the start of the Christmas shopping season. This day of sales quickly caught on, and the deep discounts quickly attracted hordes of customers.

Why this name? Legend has it that this day is called "Black Friday" because of the ancient accounting practice of recording profits in black ink and losses in red ink.

25 examples of SMS to send to your customers for Black Friday

Boost your sales now with our turnkey Black Friday/Week message examples:

[SenderID]

Take advantage of exceptional discounts this Black Friday!

30% discount on all in-store items.

Valid for 1 day only. Don't miss it! monsite.fr

STOP 3123

168 characters

[SenderID]

Black Friday is here!

Buy 2 items, the 3^e is free!

Exclusive offer for our loyal customers.

See you today! On > monsite.fr

STOP 3123

156 characters

[SenderID]

Tech Black Friday!

Save 20% on all smartphones and accessories.

Valid until midnight. After the hour, it's no longer the hour!

STOP 3123

151 characters

[SenderID]

🧥 Get ready for winter with our Black Friday sale!

Coats, sweaters and scarves from €19.99.

Limited offer, hurry up!

STOP 3123

150 characters

[SenderID]

🍔 Black Friday at the resto!

50% off our special Black Friday menu.

Treat yourself, at half price. Let's eat!

STOP 3123

123 characters

[SenderID]

Time to fill the hood!

Get ready for Christmas with Black Friday:

Toys, games and cuddly toys on sale.

Buy 2, get the 3rd free.

STOP 3123

152 characters

[SenderID]

Black Friday beauty!

30% off all make-up and skincare products.

Pamper yourself at a low price, today! ->monsite.fr

STOP 3123

157 characters

[SenderID]

Books on sale for Black Friday!

Buy 3 books, get the 4th free.

Find your next read now!

STOP 3123

141 characters

[SenderID]

🏋️‍♀️ Black Friday fitness!

Free Cross Git membership with the purchase of an annual gym membership.

Get in shape for the holidays!

STOP 3123

153 characters

[SenderID]

It's Black Week for music!

Save 40% on all instruments and accessories.

An offer music lovers won't want to miss!

STOP 3123

154 characters

NEED MORE EXAMPLES?

All our examples of promotional messages, sales, private sales,...

Download our dedicated E-book to have your unpublished models at hand

How can SMS help your marketing campaign stand out on Black Friday?

The answer can be summed up in five key words:

Speed: An instantaneous means of communication with a very short open time (between 1 and 4 minutes), SMS is a channel that will enable you to reach your target instantly.
Simplicity: Once you've imported your contacts onto our platform and written your message, your campaign is ready to go.
Deliverability: SMS lets you send your promotional offers without them getting lost in the mail stream or spam filter.
Creativity: The only limit is the one you set yourself. You could, for example, organize a competition at SMS to enhance your brand image and generate in-store traffic.
Promotions are exceptional (-50% or even -70% in some cases).
Profitability: The ROI of SMS is impressive. Earn 50 euros for every euro invested.

Create your free account

Try out our SMS platform and benefit from 20 free test credits, with no obligation.

Need more info?

We look forward to hearing from you.

September 24, 2024 - 6 min read

SMS, the most eco-responsible communication tool

Romain Didelot

Introduction

Looking for pollution-free interaction? It's not just the content of a message that can demonstrate your commitment to the environment - the choice of channel can also make a difference! Find out why SMS is the eco-friendly medium par excellence, and how it fares against e-mail, social networks and paper leaflets.

Marketing footprint: a challenge for everyone

The question of our impact on the planet is becoming increasingly important. And while it's easy to imagine the pollution generated by our travels and waste, it's not so easy to quantify the CO² emitted by our digital habits. Yet digital was responsible for 3.6% of global_CO2 emissions in 2023 and could reach 6.7% by 2040 according to ADEME.⁽¹⁾ and Arcep⁽²⁾. By way of comparison, this is twice the amount of air traffic generated by aviation. In the light of these figures, each of our actions can be questioned, and the energy consumption of digital marketing is no exception.

So when it comes to planning a marketing campaignquestions arise: "Does my campaign pollute?

"What are the energy costs of the SMS, emails, WhatsApp I send?"

"What media should we use to reduce our carbon footprint?

Many people have looked into these questions, and the answers are unanimous: of all existing media, SMS produces the least_CO2!

Why do digital exchanges emit CO2?

Digital pollution comes mainly from the use of the Internet's data flow. The exchange of information stored on servers in data centers, which is then consulted by smartphones, PCs or tablets. At every stage of this process, energy is consumed,_CO2 is emitted and the balance sheet becomes heavier.

With SMS, there are fewer intermediaries and less data. It uses the frequencies and network of conventional telephony, so the route is more direct between sender and receiver. As a result, usage is reduced to almost nothing more than the power required to power the devices. Another environmental advantage is that the short message is received on a cell phone rather than on a computer, which reduces the resources required to power the device and the energy cost of the operation.

SMSemail, instant messaging, calls, videoconferencing, flyers... a comparison of_CO2 emissions by media.

We owe most of these calculations of the carbon footprint of mobile notifications to Mike Berners-Lee, researcher at Lancaster University and author of "How bad are bananas? The carbon footprint of everything" (he's also the brother of one of the inventors of the Web: Tim Berners-Lee).

According to the information he has gathered, e-mail is the most polluting medium.

The gas emissions of an e-mail vary according to its content: from 0.3 g of_CO2 for a spam message to 4 g for a standard e-mail, and up to 50 g of_CO2 when it contains a photo or a large attachment. What's more, these figures were calculated by Berners-Lee ten years ago. Charlotte Freitag, one of the experts at the company founded by Berners-Lee (Small World Consulting), believes that the impact of sending e-mails has certainly increased since then, as their content has evolved. The number of e-mails has also exploded: every day, 347.3 billion electronic notifications are sent around the world, 80% of which are never opened.

A tweet is estimated to have a_CO2 footprint of 0.2g ( Twitter has never confirmed or denied this figure), while sending a notification via a messaging application such as WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger is estimated to be barely less polluting than sending an e-mail. Again, this depends on the content being sent: GIFs, emojis and images have a larger footprint than plain text.

Texting is by far the most environmentally-friendly alternative, as each text generates just 0.014g of_CO2. Others, like Frédéric Bordage of GreenIt.fr, even estimate that texting emits 0.00215 g of_CO2 (calculation based on information provided by Vodafone). Even extending the calculation of the text message's carbon footprint to Scope 3 (which designates the broadest perimeter within which greenhouse gas emissions are studied. Emissions from the company providing the sending service, from the working lives of its employees, from the manufacture of telephones, etc.), SMS remains the marketing channel with the smallest footprint (0.19g of_CO2 emissions₎.

GOING FURTHER

SMS or email?
The ultimate feature comparison (to help you make the right choice)

The gas emissions associated with a one-minute phone call on a cell phone are slightly higher than those of sending a SMS, but those of video calls on the Internet are astronomical. A 2012 study by the University of New South Wales (Sydney) estimated that a 5-hour videoconference meeting between participants from different countries produced between 4 kg and 215 kg of_CO2.

And what about printed advertising?

Mike Berners-Lee estimates that an advertisement sent by post is responsible for sixty times more_CO2 emissions than an e-mail, i.e. 240g per recipient. However, while this calculation certainly makes sense per unit, many parameters are not taken into account, such as the fact that paper can be recycled (which is the case for paper used in direct mail in over 60% of cases).

What's more, the trees saved by recycling paper offset some of the emissions by absorbing carbon dioxide.

Some other figures

2 Google searches emit 14 grams of_CO2 into the atmosphere, as much as heating a cup of tea (calculation by physicist Alex Wissner-Gross (Harvard), which does not take into account environmental degradation and the energy expended by servers).

65 emails emit as much as one kilometre by car.

Spam-related_CO2 emissions over a year are equivalent to 3 million cars burning 7.5 billion liters of gasoline (McAfee report "The carbon footprint of spam").

17 million tonnes of_CO2 are emitted every year for sending and filtering spam (80% of all e-mails in circulation).

How do you calculate your carbon impact?

You can only improve what you can measure. So.., smsmode^© has chosen to work with an industry expert to measure its carbon impact.

First of all, you need to define your scopes, i.e. the scope of the activities concerned.

Scope 1 covers the direct emissions of greenhouse gases produced by the company: fossil fuel combustion for space heating, emissions from company vehicles, etc.
Scope 2 includes indirect energy-related emissions, i.e. those created during the product production process. This represents the energy carbon footprint.
Scope 3 covers all the company's indirect emissions. In general, most of the emissions produced by the company are included in this scope: purchase of goods, services, etc.

These scopes are then broken down into 22 sub-categories.

Where does the analyzed information come from?

The data required for this calculation comes, among other things, from the Fichier des Écritures Comptables (accounting entry file), a Questionnaire for employees to find out a little more about their modes of travel to work, their eating habits on site, etc.

Next, a categorical benchmark is carried out, comparing each of the company's waste items with companies in its sector. The aim is to rank your company in relation to those already ranked.

GOING FURTHER

Make SMS an "eco-responsible" asset for your company

The impact of your communications activities can be a cause for concern. Fortunately, it's possible to opt for eco-responsible solutions that will benefit your company in many ways. If you want to initiate greener exchanges, here are 7 good reasons to opt for short messages!

A channel strongly recommended by ADEME

In fact, the French environment agency recommends SMS as a way of overcoming the logic of "all paper" and distributing its promotional offers in a more eco-friendly way.

A virtuous "quick win" action

Start at the beginning, with concrete actions that can be launched quickly. The SMS marketing is as easy, if not easier, to set up than most other exchange channels: it's within everyone's reach, and that's a good reason to take the plunge.

An eco-friendly (first) step with far-reaching effects

By opting for shipments of SMSyour commitment to the planet becomes real. For every 100,000 SMS sent, you can reduce your carbon footprint by almost 5 tonnes. To put it simply, switching from an e-mail campaign to SMS means saving the equivalent of 26,000 km by car!

No compromise on efficiency and performance

SMS has a 95% open rate within 3 minutes of receipt, is a very personal way of reaching your customers, and is the perfect tool for relaying the information you want to share with your customers.

Improved brand image thanks to its eco-responsible approach

With customers and prospects increasingly demanding a commitment to sustainable development, launch your digital anti-pollution strategy! Promoting the environmental initiatives you've adopted will enable you to be more in tune with today's global challenges, and set you apart from your competitors.

A responsible medium that doesn't necessarily cost more

It's true that an e-mail campaign costs less to send. But if we compare the cost per notification actually opened and per person reached, the gap narrows considerably. In fact, with only 20% of messages sent being opened (compared with 95% for text messaging), the cost of an emailing campaign is almost quintupled! What's more, the ROI of SMS is unbeatable.

Communication at the heart of the CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) approach

Eco-design and the choice of information media based on limiting environmental impact are among the 3 pillars of the CSR approach for marketing professions defined by ADEME.

Thanks to smsmode^© and its partner ecotreeMake your marketing carbon footprint go green! For each subscription, smsmode^© plants between 1 and 50 trees in the Forêt de Berné (a tree absorbs between 10 and 40 kg of CO₂ per year).

More than enough to compensate for your mobile messaging consumption 😉.

GOING FURTHER

Our CSR report describes 9 key sustainable development actions implemented on our platform.

Conclusion

At smsmode^©We are convinced that tomorrow's exchanges will involve the choice of environmentally-friendly tools. This is a fundamental trend, and one that companies will have to face up to in the years to come. With its 160 characters, mobile messaging remains the surest way to reduce your company's digital footprint, show your commitment to the environment and... make digital interaction rhyme with ecology!

SOURCES :

Create your free account

Try out our SMS platform and benefit from 20 free test credits, with no obligation.

Need more info?

We look forward to hearing from you.

SMS functionality: an essential communication tool

Introduction

What is an SMS ?

SMS definition

History and development

What's the use of SMS today?

Typical use cases

Key benefits for companies

How SMS is sent

What is an SMS service provider?

Professional SMS features

Automation, customization, integration

Comparison with other communication channels

SMS vs Email

SMS vs Push Notifications

SMS vs. new channels

April 02, 2025 - 7 min read

RCS available to all with IOS 18.4

Introduction

What's in it for users?

iOS 18.4: RCS available for Orange and Sosh subscribers

How do I activate RCS on iPhone?

Apple's choice

What this means for professional messaging

Reminder: What is the RCS?

Reminder: What is RBM?

Discover all the features of RCS

How to prepare your universal RBM strategy?

Conversion

Measurement

Conclusion

Our webinar: "RCS, the ideal lever for customer relations".

Create your free account

How do you calculate the conversion rate of a SMS campaign?

Introduction

What is the conversion rate?

What is the average SMS conversion rate?

Why calculate the conversion rate?

How do I know if my SMS campaign has generated conversions?

Evaluating the conversion rate of an SMS campaign: for an e-commerce site

For a physical shop

SMS : the No. 1 channel for conversion

How to improve the conversion rate of your campaigns SMS

Personalise your message

Include a clear call to action (CTA)

Use A/B tests for SMS

Conclusion

smsmode© combating smishing

Introduction

What is smishing?

Example of smishing

Phishing on the rise at SMS

The new rules introduced by operators

What about Sender Ids for real "sensitive" brands?

What's new for you, our customers

Sender ID changes:

URL changes :

Will these new rules be enough to stop smishing?

Conclusion

drive-to-store: the marketing strategy for stores

Introduction

What is drive-to-store?

Why conduct drive-to-store actions?

The drive-to-store benefits of SMS

How to run a successful drive-to-store SMS campaign

Good targeting

An offer adapted to your objective

The different drive-to-store strategies

How to measure the impact of my drive-to-store campaign

The incremental visit

Drive-to-store: a numerical success

What about drive-to-web?

STOP SMS: mobile marketing legislation

What form does STOP SMS take?

How does "STOP SMS" work?

Managing the "STOP SMS" on your account

FAQ

Our tutorials

PDF tutorials

Youtube video tutorial

smsmode^© combating smishing

smsmode^© the ideal partner to boost your ROI

COMPARATIVE
SMS or email? The ultimate comparison

The different offers and products smsmode^©

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