For businesses today, staying connected with customers is more crucial and more challenging than ever. Australian companies understand this all too well. With the digital landscape constantly shifting, these businesses are always looking for efficient, cost-effective ways to boost customer engagement.
This is where the transition from traditional CRM email marketing to the innovative approach of CRM email-to-SMS comes into play, allowing businesses to send personalised emails as SMS to their clientele. CRMs allow businesses to track all customer messaging in one place, and for companies making use of email-to-SMS technology, the value of a strong CRM increases tenfold.
A Brief History of Customer Engagement
Once upon a time, emails were the gold standard of digital marketing. They were revolutionary at the time, allowing businesses to reach customers directly for the first time ever. However, as inboxes became more crowded and spam filters more sophisticated, the effectiveness of email marketing began to wane. This challenge paved the way for a more direct and engaging method of communication–SMS.
The Shift to SMS
Today, SMS messaging stands out as a powerful channel for customer communication. With consumers bombarded by distractions and traditional advertising losing its sheen, SMS provides what email used to–a direct line to your customer. This shift is particularly relevant for businesses that require timely customer actions, such as picking up a product, adjusting to scheduling updates, or addressing urgent payment reminders.
There are even more reasons SMS is on the road to supremacy, such as:
High Engagement Rates
SMS messages boast an impressive 90% open rate compared to the 20% to 30% for emails. This statistic alone makes SMS a compelling choice for businesses striving to get their messages in front of their customers.
Cost-Effectiveness
In the face of rising online advertising costs, SMS marketing offers a low-cost alternative.
Immediate Delivery
The speed at which SMS messages are delivered and read is impressive, making it ideal for time-sensitive communications.
Choosing the Right Service Provider
When looking to integrate SMS communication into your marketing strategy, the choice of service provider is paramount. Here’s what to look for:
- Reliability: Opt for a provider known for consistent delivery rates and minimal downtime.
- Scalability: Your chosen provider should easily handle bulk messaging without a hitch, ensuring your campaigns can grow as your business does.
- Integration capabilities: Seamless integration with your existing CRM system is crucial for sending personalised messages efficiently.
- Compliance: Ensure the provider adheres to Australian regulations for SMS marketing to protect your business and your customers.
The Importance of CRM
In order to really unlock the treasure trove of benefits that lie in email-to-SMS technology, businesses must invest in a robust CRM. A strong CRM system serves as the backbone of a business’s relationship with its customers, storing valuable data that includes contact information, preferences, purchase history, and interaction logs. When this collection of data meets the immediacy and high engagement rates of SMS technology, businesses can send personalised, relevant messages directly to each customer at the optimal time.
Moreover, businesses can automate SMS alerts based on specific triggers within their CRM, such as a purchase confirmation or service reminders. This level of automation and personalization improves the customer experience, fostering loyalty and driving repeat business.
Evolving Engagement
Integrating email-to-SMS with a CRM that is able to send emails is very easy and is a strategic move towards more personalised, timely, and effective customer engagement. As Australian businesses navigate the challenges of digital marketing, email-to-SMS promises higher engagement rates, lower costs, and direct access to the increasingly elusive attention of consumers.
These benefits aren’t fully accessible without a strong CRM, however. With both tools in place and easy integration between both tools there’s no limit to the heights companies can reach!
Sources:
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinesscouncil/2023/11/10/why-strategic-sms-marketing-matters/?sh=57a2fb7c4995