9 ways mastering SMS deliverability can improve revenue

Picture yourself at the helm of an enterprise, be it a thriving e-commerce platform, a charming bistro, or a local salon. In this era of rapid digital transformation, establishing a strong connection with your clientele is paramount. This is where Short Message Service (SMS) steps in. Think of it as a steadfast companion, unfailingly assisting you in reaching your audience directly. Whether it's dispatching order updates, extending exclusive offers, or simply staying in touch, SMS offers a dependable means to keep your customer base engaged. Yet, it's not solely about sending messages; it's about ensuring their reliable delivery. This is akin to finely tuning your instrument for peak performance. When your messages consistently reach their intended recipients, you're not just communicating – you're catalyzing revenue generation. That's the enchantment of SMS for enterprises.

But as with all tools, alignment with revenue is one of key measures of success. So, we've outlined nine ways that SMS can help improve the bottom line. 

1. Understand the power of SMS in customer engagement - SMS has proven itself as a powerful tool for customer engagement. Its ubiquity ensures that messages are almost always read, with a staggering 98% open rate. This makes it an invaluable asset for businesses aiming to communicate important information, promotions, updates, and more.
2. The link between deliverability and customer reach - SMS deliverability refers to the ability of a message to reach its intended recipient. It's influenced by various factors, including the sender type, the quality of the SMS gateway, compliance with regulations, and message content. When messages fail to reach customers due to low deliverability rates, businesses miss out on valuable opportunities to connect, inform, and convert.
3. Building trust through reliable communication - Customers value reliability in their interactions with businesses. When an SMS containing an important appointment reminder or one-time passcode needed for a login fails to reach its recipient, it erodes trust and can result in frustration or even customer churn. Improving SMS deliverability demonstrates a commitment to effective communication, reinforcing trust and loyalty among your customer base.
4. Reducing costs and increasing efficiency - Every undelivered message represents a lost opportunity and potentially wasted resources. By improving SMS deliverability, businesses can optimize their communication strategy, ensuring that marketing efforts are reaching the intended audience. This reduces costs associated with ineffective campaigns and increases the overall efficiency of marketing efforts.
5. Choosing the right sender type - When it comes to choosing the right sender type, organizations are able to select from a range of number types, such as short codes, toll-free, 10DLC long codes, and Alphanumeric Sender IDs. The best choice depends on factors like location, use case, and volume requirements. Keep in mind that your sender type can significantly affect deliverability, as each country has its own set of regulations for these number types.
6. Compliance with regulations and best practices - Adherence to SMS regulations is vital for maintaining high deliverability rates. Regulatory acts, such as the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) in the U.S., impose strict rules to protect consumers from unsolicited messages. By following best practices and obtaining proper consent, businesses can ensure compliance and maintain a positive sender reputation, leading to higher deliverability rates. For additional details about U.S. compliance rules for SMS, read our Guide to U.S. SMS Compliance.
7. Optimizing message content for success - Creating an SMS that connects with recipients is an art. Messages that are concise, relevant, and personalized have a higher chance of being well-received. Furthermore, steering clear of spam-like language and incorporating a clear call-to-action can significantly boost the likelihood of successful delivery. When businesses invest in optimizing message content, they increase the likelihood of users willingly signing up for SMS contact.
8. Utilizing advanced analytics for continuous improvement - Monitoring the performance of SMS campaigns is essential for ongoing success. Utilizing analytics tools allows businesses to track delivery rates, open rates, response rate, and conversion metrics. By analyzing this data, companies can gain valuable insights into customer behavior and preferences, enabling them to refine their SMS strategies for even better results.
9. Leveraging A/B testing for optimization - A/B testing involves sending two variations of a message to a small sample of recipients to determine which performs better. By testing different elements such as message content, timing, and sender information, businesses can identify the most effective approaches for their target audience. This iterative process can lead to significant improvements in SMS deliverability and, consequently, revenue generation.

Looking ahead, as businesses continue to navigate the dynamic digital landscape, mastering SMS deliverability will remain a cornerstone of successful customer engagement. By ensuring your messages reliably reach their intended recipients, you're not only communicating effectively but also driving revenue growth. This commitment to seamless communication fosters trust, loyalty, and ultimately, business success. So, as you chart your course in this ever-evolving digital realm, remember that SMS, with its direct and reliable reach, can be your most steadfast ally in achieving your revenue goals.