The 7 best SMS apps for small businesses
The 7 Best SMS Apps for Small Businesses
For small businesses, SMS is one of the most effective ways to communicate with customers. Whether it’s order confirmations, booking reminders, special offers, or updates, texts are far more likely to be read than emails, making them a valuable tool for any business.
Of course, you can’t just use your personal phone to send messages for your business. This is where SMS marketing apps come in—they allow you to send messages directly to customers or automate the process based on your booking calendar, marketing lists, or integrated apps. Even better, many of these apps allow customers to respond directly to your messages.
Top 7 SMS Apps for Small Businesses
- SimpleTexting – Best for easy-to-run SMS marketing campaigns.
- TextMagic – Best for quickly sending texts.
- SlickText – Best for collecting phone numbers and advanced marketing.
- Sakari – Best for outgoing SMS marketing.
- Salesmsg – Best for small, local businesses.
- EZ Texting – Best for non-technical users who want guidance.
- Twilio – Best for fully customizable SMS marketing.
What Makes a Great SMS App?
Text messages have significantly higher open rates than emails, making SMS a more effective tool for customer communication. But not every SMS app is suitable for small businesses. Here are the key criteria for choosing the best SMS apps:
1. Easy to Use
A great SMS app should be user-friendly, even for people without technical expertise. These apps allow you to get started quickly without hiring a specialist, and most feature a simple web app or mobile app for sending and receiving messages.
2. Two-Way Messaging
These apps are not just for sending bulk marketing texts. They support two-way communication, allowing businesses to have real conversations with customers. Many also include features like automated responses and surveys.
3. Integration with Other Tools
The best apps integrate seamlessly with other business tools, such as booking systems and CRMs. This enables automation for tasks like sending reservation reminders, order confirmations, or customer satisfaction surveys.
4. Affordable Pricing
For small businesses, affordability is key. All apps on this list offer cost-effective plans, whether through pay-as-you-go pricing or low-volume monthly plans.
5. Scalable Solutions
As your business grows, so should your SMS capabilities. These apps allow you to scale up your campaigns without incurring excessive costs.
A Closer Look at the Best SMS Apps
1. SimpleTexting – Best for Easy-to-Run Marketing Campaigns
- Standout Features: Built-in tools for surveys, competitions, and automation.
- Pricing: Starts at $39/month for 500 credits.
SimpleTexting is intuitive and perfect for businesses looking to run quick marketing campaigns. With easy setup and tools for analytics, autoresponders, and customer interaction, it’s a comprehensive solution for SMS marketing.
2. TextMagic – Best for Quickly Sending Texts
- Standout Features: Pay-as-you-go pricing and an intuitive web app.
- Pricing: $0.04 per text; virtual numbers start at $10/month.
TextMagic focuses on simplicity and efficiency, making it ideal for businesses that need a straightforward way to send texts without committing to expensive plans.
3. SlickText – Best for Advanced Marketing Features
- Standout Features: Opt-in forms, pop-ups, and loyalty programs.
- Pricing: Starts at $29/month for 500 texts.
SlickText excels in collecting phone numbers and managing advanced marketing campaigns with tools like surveys and promo codes. It’s a powerful choice for businesses focused on building and engaging their customer base.
4. Sakari – Best for Outgoing Text Messages
- Standout Features: Affordable pricing for outbound messages and integrations with automation tools.
- Pricing: Starts at $16/month for 500 messages.
Sakari is tailored for businesses that primarily send outgoing texts, such as booking confirmations or delivery notifications, offering cost-effective and scalable solutions.
5. Salesmsg – Best for Small, Local Businesses
- Standout Features: Local numbers in the U.S. and Canada, plus CRM integrations.
- Pricing: Starts at $25/month for 500 texts.
Salesmsg is designed for local businesses, allowing them to manage text conversations with customers using dedicated local numbers and integration with popular CRM platforms.
6. EZ Texting – Best for Non-Technical Users
- Standout Features: Excellent onboarding and customer support.
- Pricing: Starts at $25/month for 500 texts.
EZ Texting provides step-by-step guidance for businesses new to SMS marketing, making it easy to set up campaigns, create templates, and track performance.
7. Twilio – Best for Customization
- Standout Features: Flexible APIs for building tailored SMS solutions.
- Pricing: $0.0079 per text sent or received; dedicated numbers start at $1.15/month.
Twilio offers unmatched customization for businesses that need advanced SMS capabilities. While it requires more effort to set up, its scalability and cost-effectiveness make it worth considering for tech-savvy users.
Whether you’re running marketing campaigns, sending appointment reminders, or maintaining direct communication with customers, the right SMS app can make all the difference for your small business. From simple, ready-to-use tools to fully customizable platforms, there’s an SMS app here to meet your needs and grow with your business.
