Should I Offer SMS Marketing Solutions?

When was the last time you received a text alert? Odds are, you opened it within seconds. Compare that to the last time you received an email. That’s where SMS marketing wins: immediacy, visibility, and results that make email look like snail mail.

How do texts stack up against email, and which solution makes sense for your clients right now?

While everyone else is selling you GEO as the new SEO, we wanted to talk about why SMS marketing belongs in your agency’s toolkit.

You read that right; while everyone’s chasing the latest AI trend, we’re here to remind you it’s better to come as you are than as trends want you to be.

“Today’s consumers expect very personalized and delightful experiences catered by specialists. This makes true niche marketing more of a challenge, but the rewards are worth the hard work.”
Rocket.net – 10 Reasons Why Niche Marketing Can Scale Your Agency

Key Takeaways

SMS boasts a 98% open rate compared to email’s ~20%.

Most texts are read within 3 minutes – perfect for time-sensitive campaigns.

SMS isn’t just promotional: it drives revenue, loyalty, and customer experience when paired with email.

Texts are as personalized as it gets.

Top platforms in 2025 include Omnisend, Klaviyo, Postscript, Attentive, and EZ Texting.

Compliance matters: opt-in, clear opt-outs, and brand identification are non-negotiable.

Wait. Isn’t SMS Just Spam?

Not when it’s done right.

SMS marketing is more than discount codes. SMS is all about your funnel:

Promotion: sales, launches, VIP offers.

Transaction: order confirmations, shipping updates.

Conversation: two-way texts for customer support or surveys.

Think of SMS like riding an Uber with your customers: fast, personal, and nearly impossible to ignore.

SMS vs. Messenger Marketing: Isn’t SMS Old School?

That’s a fair question. Why bother with SMS when people are chatting away on WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, or Instagram DMs?

Here’s the reality:

Channel | Strength | Weakness
SMS | Universal (works on any phone, no app needed), 98% open rate, trusted for urgent updates | Limited to 160 characters, stricter compliance rules
Messenger/WhatsApp | Rich media, buttons, quick replies, and conversational flow | Requires the app + internet connection, more crowded inbox

The truth is, SMS isn’t old school; it’s channel-agnostic. Everyone with a phone can receive a text. Messenger apps are powerful but fragmented: WhatsApp dominates in Europe/LatAm, Messenger in North America, WeChat in China.

In fact, bougie wineries even use SMS. Sending texts during Black Friday saw sales jump by 23%, and many wineries now handle customer service by text because customers prefer it over calls.

“The (SMS) strategy isn’t only effective with younger generations. Winery text orders were a near-even split between Baby Boomers, Millennials, and Gen Z. ‘It’s super rare to cut across the generations.’”
San Francisco Chronicle

Agencies doing it best are running hybrid campaigns:

SMS for urgent, universal notifications (flash sale, delivery update).

Messenger/WhatsApp for conversational nurturing (product demos, customer support).

If you want reliability + reach, SMS is your Nirvana.

The Best SMS Marketing Solutions for Your Agency

Here are some top providers and where they shine:

Who’s Texting | Best-Fit SMS Platform | Why It Works
eCommerce Stores | Omnisend, Postscript | Deep Shopify & WooCommerce automation
Agencies Scaling Clients | Attentive, Klaviyo | Advanced segmentation + growth features
SMBs & Nonprofits | EZ Texting, SlickText | Affordable bulk + user-friendly setup
Multi-Channel Marketers | ClickSend | SMS + email + voice in one platform
Local Service Providers | Birdeye, Textedly, RedChirp | Appointment reminders, review requests, and two-way conversational texting

Examples: A WooCommerce store pairs Omnisend for abandoned cart reminders with Postscript for post-purchase surveys, generating 10x more revenue than email alone. Meanwhile, a dental practice using RedChirp automates reminders, confirms appointments, and answers quick patient questions by text – freeing staff from time-consuming phone calls.

What Do SMS Platforms Cost?

Pricing for SMS depends on volume, features, and whether you need automation. Here’s a quick snapshot:

Best for eCommerce (WooCommerce)

Omnisend – Free tier (up to 60 texts/month). Paid plans from $16/month + 1.5¢ per SMS. Best for WooCommerce automation.

Postscript – Offers a free tier. It’s not just for Shopify, you can use it with Woo with the Pabbly connection. Entry-level plans from $25/month, plus usage fees. Strong eCommerce focus.

Best for Small to Medium Businesses (SMBs)

EZ Texting – Starts at $20/month for 500 messages. Simple setup, great for SMBs.

SlickText – From $29/month for 500 messages, including list-building tools.

ClickSend – Pay-as-you-go, with SMS at about 1.2¢ per message. Flexible for multi-channel use (SMS, voice, fax, email).

RedChirp – From $50/month for small teams, with unlimited contacts and two-way conversational texting. Designed for service providers and appointment-based businesses.

Best for Segmentation & Analytics

Klaviyo – Free for up to 50 contacts. Paid SMS plans start around $20/month, with per-message fees of 1–5¢. Ideal for segmentation-heavy campaigns.

Attentive – Enterprise-focused, custom pricing only. Works best for high-volume, fast-scaling businesses.

Takeaway: For most small businesses, $20–30/month gets you started with 500–1,000 texts. Agencies scaling eCommerce clients should budget higher for segmentation and automation.

SMS Best Practices That Build Trust

Anyone using SMS for their marketing should follow these rules of thumb:

Opt-in only – no purchased lists.

Keep it short – 160 characters is your friend.

Identify yourself early – “Hi, it’s [Brand]…” builds trust.

Give an exit – easy unsubscribe earns credibility.

Time it right – nobody wants a midnight text.

Stay compliant – TCPA, GDPR, and local rules apply.

WordPress and SMS: Real-World Use Cases

Email is the default for WordPress notifications – but SMS plugins unlock an entire new layer of engagement.

Popular Plugins & Integrations

Twilio for WordPress – integrate SMS with forms, WooCommerce, and membership sites.

WooCommerce – the eCommerce-focused plugin for order confirmations and shipping updates supports SMS notifications to your customers.

Gravity Forms + SMS Add-ons – send instant text alerts when someone fills out a form.

Sender –This plugin helps you manage email and SMS marketing automation within one dashboard. Read more: 26 WordPress Digital Marketing Plugins Every Marketer Needs

Case in Point: A fitness studio in Pittsburgh runs its shop using WooCommerce. That means they can connect their shop with their SMS provider and send:

Booking confirmations by text.

Automated reminders the day before a class.

Flash promotions for last-minute cancellations.

The result? Fewer no-shows and a 12% lift in repeat bookings compared to email-only reminders.

To connect your SMS Service to your WooCommerce store, navigate to: WooCommerce > SMS Settings and open the SMS service provider panel.

For agencies, SMS plugins are a trust-building quick win: they show clients you’re not just building websites, you’re building revenue channels.

SMS + HTML: How to Code Click-to-Text Links

“Did you know there is a URL scheme for sending an ‘SMS’ or text message, similar to mailto:?”
Seth Larson

Want to make it even easier for your audience to text you? Try SMS URLs. Just like email links, HTML-based links instead launch a visitor’s messaging app with your number (and even a pre-filled message).

What Are SMS URLs?

Format: sms:<recipient>?body=<message>

Example: sms:+15551234567?body=Hello%20there!

Works like a mailto: link but for SMS.

Quirks: Android supports multiple variations; iOS is stricter, often limited to one recipient and simple body text. Test it first.

Why Use Them?

One-tap convenience on mobile.

Perfect for “Text us” buttons, contact pages, or blog CTAs.

Boosts conversions by lowering friction – no copying/pasting numbers.

How to Implement in WordPress

Text Us

Paste into a custom HTML block or button.

Use URL encoding for spaces (%20) and line breaks (%0A) to make pre-filled texts clean and structured.

Real-World Uses

Support pages: “Text us for help.”

Event pages: “Text RSVP now.”

Lead capture: “Text to join our VIP list.”

Blog content: Embed a CTA that opens SMS with a keyword like “DEALS” already filled.

Here’s a Tip: You can use click-to-text links to make WordPress sites more interactive and build SMS subscriber lists without relying solely on forms.

Your SMS Game Plan (No Spreadsheets Required)

Look, we get it. Another marketing channel means another thing to manage. But SMS isn’t just another shiny object – it’s the difference between your client’s message getting buried in an inbox versus landing right in someone’s pocket.

Here’s how to get started without overthinking it:

Step 1: Play favorites with your client roster. Don’t try to SMS-ify everyone at once. Pick 2-3 clients who will benefit most – the eCommerce store losing cart abandoners, the service business playing phone tag, or the restaurant with a loyalty program gathering dust.

Step 2: Match the tool to the job. Your yoga studio client doesn’t need enterprise features. Your scaling WooCommerce client probably shouldn’t settle for basic bulk texting. It’s like matching wine with dinner — the right pairing makes everything better.

Step 3: Start with the no-brainers. Skip the fancy automation for now. Begin with campaigns that practically write themselves: welcome texts for new subscribers, order confirmations that actually get seen, or “we miss you” messages for dormant customers.

Step 4: Make email and SMS best friends. Don’t make them compete — make them collaborate. Send an email newsletter, then follow up with a quick text: “Did you see our latest post? Here’s the link: [shorturl].” It’s like having a conversation across two rooms.

Step 5: Watch the numbers (but don’t obsess). Track what matters: open rates, clicks, and – most importantly – how many people hit “STOP.” If your opt-out rate creeps above 5%, you’re texting too much or targeting too broadly.

“Don’t be afraid to experiment with different types of SMS strategies at the start. Some customers may prefer discounts or deals, while others may be looking for customer service support through order confirmation or shipping updates.”
sproutsocial.com

Let’s Address the Elephant in Your Pocket

“But isn’t SMS basically spam?”

We hear this all the time, and honestly? It can be if you’re doing it wrong.

The magic word here is consent. Real consent. Not the sneaky pre-checked box kind, but the “Yes, I actually want to hear from you” kind.

Think about it this way: when someone gives you their phone number for texts, they’re basically handing you a direct line to their attention. That’s not spam — that’s permission marketing at its finest.

Stay on the right side of the law:

Get explicit opt-ins (checkboxes they actually check)

Make unsubscribing stupidly easy (“Reply STOP anytime”)

Add SMS disclaimers to your privacy policy

Don’t buy lists

Pro tip: When in doubt, ask yourself: “Would I want to receive this text?” If the answer’s no, don’t send it.

Stay compliant. Not sure about the laws? Check out these useful legal resources:

Klaviyo Help Center: Understanding US SMS Compliance Laws

Twilio: Guide to U.S. SMS Compliance

Mailchimp: Text Messaging Laws by State

“How do I avoid looking like a robot?”

Easy. Write like a human, not a marketing department.

Instead of: “FLASH SALE! 50% OFF EVERYTHING! SHOP NOW! OFFER EXPIRES SOON!”

Try this: “Hey Sarah, those sneakers you looked at yesterday just went on sale. Thought you’d want to know.”

The difference? One sounds like a used car salesman. The other sounds like a friend with good news.

“When should I text vs. email them?”

Think of SMS as your emergency contact and email as your pen pal.

Text when:

Something’s time-sensitive (flash sale, appointment reminder)

You need immediate action (cart abandonment, shipping alert)

The message is short and sweet (review request, event reminder)

Email when:

You’re telling a story (brand updates, behind-the-scenes content)

You need space for visuals (product showcases, newsletters)

It’s educational content that they might want to reference later

Real talk: A local coffee shop emails its weekly menu and brewing tips. But they text when the limited-edition single-origin just dropped. Email builds the relationship; SMS capitalizes on the moment.

“What if I mess up and send too many texts?”

If you accidentally spam your list, own it. Send a quick follow-up: “Sorry about the message overload earlier – our fingers got a little excited. We’ll keep it to once a week from now on.”

Most people appreciate honesty over perfection.

Ready to Stop Talking and Start Texting?

Okay then, here’s your homework for the next four weeks:

This week: Pick one client who’s been asking about better customer communication. Show them this article.

Next week: Set up SMS opt-ins on their most visited pages. Start small — maybe just their contact page or checkout process.

Week three: Launch a simple welcome series. Three texts max: Thanks for joining. Here’s what to expect, and here’s something useful. Add transactional texts. Order confirmations, shipping updates, appointment reminders — the stuff people actually want to receive.

Week four: Test one promotional campaign. Nothing crazy – maybe a “members-only” early access to a sale.

By week four, you’ll have real data, real results, and real proof that SMS isn’t just another marketing fad.

The Bottom Line (No Fine Print)

SMS marketing isn’t about sending more messages – it’s about sending better ones. It’s the difference between shouting into the void and having an actual conversation.

Your clients’ customers are already carrying the ultimate marketing device in their pockets. The question isn’t whether SMS works (spoiler: it does). The question is whether you’re going to help your clients use it.

While everyone else is chasing the next big thing, maybe it’s time to master the small screen that’s been in front of us all along.

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