Text messaging is highly effective for businesses in all verticals, offering companies a 98% open rate, according to Crazy Egg. Contrast that to email’s open rate of less than 20%, it becomes clear that using SMS campaigns can help drive more qualified clicks and boost your bottom line.
But keeping different campaigns organized and maintaining a consistent messaging schedule can take time for busy companies. Here’s how an application programming interface can help you keep better track of SMS reminders and make your campaigns more effective.
What Is an SMS API?
An API is a type of software that acts as a go-between between two computer programs, translating bits of code so both programs can communicate with each other. When applied to text messaging, an SMS API lets you connect to any system, website, or application online and enables it to send and receive messages from anywhere. This makes it easier than ever to create high-value SMS campaigns that drive powerful results.
For example, a doctor’s office that wants to send text alerts to patients to confirm their appointments can use an API to connect their practice management software with an SMS gateway. The gateway triggers appointment reminders to be texted to patients at scheduled intervals when an appointment is organized within the management program.
Advantages of Automation
There are several advantages of automated notifications, reminders, and alerts with SMS API technology, including, but not limited to:
- Send bulk text messages to thousands of users anywhere in the world with just a few clicks
- Get a higher return on investment with your marketing campaigns by sending text alerts for sales and exclusive, member-only discounts.
- Gain an edge over your competitors who may not be using text messaging yet
- Improve the overall experience your customers have with your company
- Engage in personalized messaging with users
Common Use Cases for SMS API
Businesses can use SMS campaigns for a wide variety of purposes, including:
- Confirming upcoming appointments
- Notifying customers of their order status
- Promoting new sales or items back in stock
- Enabling two-way communication with customers
- Obtaining customer feedback by sending quick text message surveys
- Increasing network security with two-factor authentication
- Wishing customers a happy birthday or a happy holiday
- Sending time-sensitive notifications
- Automating basic clerical tasks to free up staff
Implementing SMS API for Automated Messaging
Using omnichannel messaging like Mitto makes it easier to implement an SMS API for automated messaging with your customers. Instead of using valuable resources for simple tasks like calling patients to confirm appointments or letting customers know when there’s going to be a sale, a conversational messaging application like Mitto can help you reach your audience at every touchpoint.
Automation Best Practices
Getting started with automated messaging? Here are a few best practices to follow:
- Get explicit consent from users to send SMS reminders. Text marketing is strictly opt-in, and you’re at risk of being fined for violations of the Telephone Consumer Protections Act.
- Allow users to opt-out. At the end of the text, let users know how they can unsubscribe to alerts. For example, you might write, “Reply STOP if you no longer want to receive messages.”
- Be clear about who the message is from. It’s a good idea to identify your brand within the first few words so recipients don’t think it’s spam.
- Keep time zones in mind. Segment your lists by time zone and pay attention to when you’re sending a message to people in that area so it’s not too early or late in the day when they receive it.
- Don’t ask for payment. Even if your product or service is legit, users may assume your message is spam if you’re sending them to any sort of payment portal.
