From its impressive reach and open rate to its cost effectiveness and potential for improved ROI, it’s no wonder businesses are increasingly turning to SMS to communicate with customers. If you’re planning on using SMS, you might be wondering which SMS provider to go for. Or maybe you’re already using SMS and you’re thinking about changing providers.
Whatever your situation is, here’s what you should consider when evaluating SMS vendors.
8 key factors when choosing the right SMS provider for your business
- Range of services and features
- Message reliability
- Ease of use
- Support
- Reporting capabilities
- Reputation and expertise
- Security
- Price
1. Range of services and features
Does the SMS provider offer a range of services? From short code messaging and bulk SMS to two-way conversations and the opportunity to become a reseller (white label service), the right provider will offer a variety of SMS services so you can find the right solution for your business needs.
2. Message reliability
How reliable is your SMS provider when it comes to message speed, security and delivery success? The best providers will have strong and direct partnerships with major network providers to ensure your messages are delivered safely and securely to their intended recipients, whether they’re local or international.
3. Ease of use
How easy is the provider’s SMS solution to use? Is it user friendly? You should be able to manage your SMS communications with ease, whether that’s sending messages and reviewing their delivery status or checking message credits for your account.
The ease at which you can manage your account may indicate how easy it is to deal with the SMS provider!
4. Support
How much support is the SMS provider prepared/equipped to offer you? How flexible is their service level agreement (SLA)? The right provider will invest time and effort into getting to know your unique business requirements to make sure you receive the solution that best suits your needs, now and in the future.
For example, at Text Anywhere, our support team will become an extension of your team. We are here to guide you through every step of the way. You also have the opportunity to be assigned an account manager who can further assist you with your SMS campaigns, ensuring they’re a success.
5. Reporting capabilities
How easy and extensive is your SMS provider’s reporting functionality? If you want to continuously improve on the quality of the SMS messages you send and success of your campaigns, you need to be able to easily review the relevant metrics.
For instance, you should be able to view a breakdown of each individual message and their delivery and open rate.
6. Reputation and expertise
How reputable and experienced is the SMS provider? The best providers will have years of experience but the right provider will have experience in your sector. Better yet, they should have experience in working with businesses similar to yours, whether that’s industry or challenges.
7. Security
How secure is your SMS provider’s messaging platform? In addition to message reliability, the right SMS provider should take measures to ensure their platform is secure so you can be safe in the knowledge that your sensitive data (and your customers’ data) is protected.
Look for the security certifications and accreditations your provider might have accumulated. For example, the internationally recognised ISO27001 accreditation indicates how committed your SMS provider is to keep your assets secure and be a partner that you can trust.
8. Price
How much does the SMS provider charge per SMS? Do they charge extra for support? Are there any other hidden costs? However, it’s not as easy as advising you to choose the cheapest provider because the right provider won’t necessarily be the cheapest. You must review the package as a whole as it will depend entirely on your precise business needs.
Pricing will naturally be a key consideration but make sure you weigh that up with everything else that the SMS provider brings to the table.
The right SMS provider can help you make the most of your messaging strategy
SMS messages are great additions to any business’ comms strategy. Use them to send sales and marketing alerts, appointment reminders, customer support messages and more. Text Anywhere is the UK’s leading SMS provider, offering both value and quality with our messaging services.
Want to learn more about how we can help your organisation? Reach out to us today.