Small business text message marketing made simple
Engage customers where it matters most with fast, reliable, and personalized text messaging powered by Infobip’s global communications platform.
What is small business text message marketing and why does it matter?
Small business text message marketing refers to using SMS to connect directly with customers, whether to promote offers, confirm appointments, send updates, or build ongoing relationships.
It’s fast, simple, and surprisingly powerful.
Why does it matter? Because SMS works.
Why SMS is a game-changer
What sets it apart
Most schools still rely on a mix of emails, printed flyers, and phone calls to communicate with families. But these methods often fail to reach everyone on time, or at all.
- SMS has an open rate of over 98%, with most messages read within 90 seconds.
- Unlike email or social media, SMS cuts through the noise, reaching people where they’re most engaged: their mobile phones.
- For small businesses working with lean budgets and local audiences, it’s a cost-effective way to stay top of mind.
Here’s why it’s uniquely effective for small businesses
Communication breakdowns can have serious consequences for school operations and student wellbeing.
When critical updates don’t reach families in time, schools may face:
- Instant communication: Perfect for flash sales, event reminders, or urgent updates.
- Low cost, high impact: Affordable even for micro-businesses, yet capable of delivering ROI fast.
- Local targeting: Reach nearby customers with location-specific promotions.
- Personalized engagement: Add first names, preferences, or past purchase data for a 1:1 feel.
Real-world examples
- A neighborhood hair salon sends “We miss you!” messages with a 10% discount to lapsed clients.
- A local restaurant texts out daily lunch specials to loyal diners who opted in.
- A yoga studio reminds members of class times and shares last-minute schedule changes via SMS.
Main benefits of small business text messages
Whether you’re running a boutique, repair service, clinic, or café, text message marketing helps you stay connected and competitive without adding complexity.
- Instant customer reach: Connect with customers in real time as 98% of SMS messages are opened within minutes.
- Low-cost, high-ROI channel: Affordable and scalable, SMS is perfect for small budgets looking to make a big impact.
- Personal, 1:1 communication: Greet customers by name, remind them of appointments, or thank them for a visit as it all feels direct and human.
- Easy setup, fast results: No complicated systems or training. Launch your first campaign in under an hour.
- Works without internet: Unlike email or apps, SMS doesn’t require Wi-Fi or smartphones that’s great for all audiences.
- Boost loyalty and repeat visits: Send offers, surveys, or loyalty updates that keep your customers engaged long after the first visit.
- Easy to automate and scale: Schedule recurring campaigns, automate responses, or trigger messages based on customer actions, all without adding workload.
- Trackable performance: Monitor delivery, click-throughs, replies, and conversions in real time so you know what’s working and what’s not.
How to get started with SMS for your small business
Launching SMS marketing doesn’t have to be complex, even if you’re not tech-savvy. With the right platform and a few simple steps, you can begin sending powerful, personalized messages today.
Step 1: Create your Infobip account
Sign up for a free Infobip account to access our portal. You’ll be able to manage campaigns across SMS, email, chat apps, and more, all from one place.
Tip: If you plan to send messages via API, your account allows you to generate a secure API key to authenticate your requests.
Step 2: Build a compliant contact list
A clean, consented contact list is the foundation of effective SMS marketing.
- Use embedded opt-in forms on your website or landing pages
- Let customers subscribe via keywords (e.g., “Text JOIN to 12345”)
- Import contacts from your CRM as Infobip integrates with HubSpot, Salesforce, and more
- Use People CDP (customer data platform) to manage profiles, audience segments, and consent preferences
Tip: Always document consent and provide clear opt-out options to stay GDPR and TCPA compliant.
Step 3: Create and set up your campaign
Log in and go to Broadcast to create a one-time SMS campaign. Select your audience, sender ID, and preferred sending time.
You can also automate flows using Moments for triggered messages based on behavior, events, or time.
Step 4: Write and personalize your message
Craft a concise message that focuses on a single benefit and includes a strong CTA.
- Use dynamic fields like name, appointment time, or location
- Stick to 160 characters for full SMS delivery
- Save frequently used texts as templates for future campaigns
Tip: “Hi Sarah! Your order is ready. Pick it up today at Main Street Café.”
Step 5: Test before launching
Always test your campaign by sending it to yourself or a small internal group first.
- Check personalization, timing, links, and formatting
- Confirm that the message renders properly across devices
Step 6: Launch and monitor performance
Once you’re ready, launch your campaign from the portal. Monitor delivery, engagement, and opt-outs in real time using Infobip’s analytics dashboard.
- View delivery rates, click-throughs, and replies
- Use results to improve future campaigns and A/B test variations
Best practices for small business SMS marketing
Done right, SMS marketing can be one of the most effective tools in your communication stack. But success hinges on respecting the channel and your audience. Follow these proven best practices to get the most from every message.
Always get consent (and stay compliant)
Before sending any SMS, make sure you have explicit permission from your customers.
- Use clear opt-in methods like checkboxes or keywords (e.g., “Text JOIN to 12345”)
- Send a confirmation message: “Thanks for subscribing! Reply STOP to unsubscribe.”
- Keep records of consent for compliance with TCPA, GDPR, and other regulations
- Make opt-out easy and immediate with keywords like “STOP” or “UNSUBSCRIBE”
Keep messages short, clear, and benefit-focused
You only have 160 characters to make an impact and make sure each word counts.
- Focus on what your customer gains (e.g., “Get 20% off your next visit”)
- Use natural, conversational language
- Avoid jargon, abbreviations, or all caps that reduce clarity
- Include your business name to avoid confusion
Respect frequency and timing
Consistent contact is great. Constant texting is not.
- Stick to 1–2 texts per week unless it’s time-sensitive
- Avoid sending texts early in the morning or late at night
- Consider time zones if you have a national or global customer base
- Allow users to manage frequency preferences where possible
Include a clear CTA every time
Every message should tell your customer exactly what to do next.
Use action-oriented phrases like:
- “Book your appointment now”
- “Show this code to save 10% today”
- “Reply YES to confirm your spot”
Keep it simple: one goal, one action, one link if needed test different CTAs to see what drives the most engagement
Real-world SMS marketing examples from small businesses
Small businesses across industries are using SMS to create impact where it counts—right on their customers’ phones. Here are a few examples of how texting drives real business results.
Retail & eCommerce
- Promotional offers: “Enjoy an exclusive 20% off your next purchase! Use code SAVE20 at checkout. Offer valid until Dec 31.”
- New product launches: “Our new arrivals are here! Be the first to explore: [link]”
- Event invitations: “Join us in-store this Saturday at 2PM for exclusive demos and deals. Reply YES to RSVP.”
Healthcare
- Appointment reminders: “Reminder: Your appointment with Dr. Ali is tomorrow at 10:00 AM. Reply C to confirm.”
- Health alerts: “Flu season is here—book your vaccine today: [link]”
- Check-in support: “Arrive 10 mins early and text CHECKIN when you’re outside. We’ll call you in.”
Services
- Booking confirmations: “Thanks for booking with us! We’ll see you Tuesday at 2:00 PM.”
- Feedback requests: “How did we do today? Reply 1–5 or leave a review: [link]”
- Re-engagement texts: “We miss you! Book your next session and get 10% off: [link]”
Finance
- Transaction alerts: “A $150 withdrawal was made from your account ending in 1234.”
- Payment reminders: “Your loan payment of $350 is due tomorrow. Pay now to avoid late fees: [link]”
- Fraud alerts: “Suspicious activity detected. Reply YES if you recognize a $99 charge at Store X.”
Telco
- Data usage alerts: “You’ve used 90% of your monthly data. Top up now to avoid speed reduction: [link]”
- Plan upgrades: “Upgrade to our Unlimited Plan and get 2x data for 3 months. Reply UPGRADE to switch.”
- Outage updates: “Service interruption in your area expected 2–4 PM for maintenance. Thank you for your patience.”
Travel & Hospitality
- Booking confirmations: “Your reservation at Oceanfront Hotel is confirmed for Sept 10–12. Reply YES to check-in.”
- Travel updates: “Flight 203 is now boarding at Gate B4. Safe travels!”
- Post-stay feedback: “Hope you enjoyed your stay! Leave a quick review: [link]”
Logistics
- Delivery alerts: “Your package will arrive today between 1–3 PM. Track it here: [link]”
- Driver updates: “Driver Alex is 2 stops away. Please be available to receive your order.”
- Pickup confirmations: “Your shipment has been picked up from our depot and is en route.”
FAQs
Infobip offers a user-friendly platform designed to help small businesses send promotional, transactional, and personalized SMS at scale.
With built-in compliance tools, automation, analytics, and integrations, you can run effective campaigns without needing technical expertise.
Most small businesses see success with 1–2 SMS per week. Avoid over-messaging to reduce opt-outs, focus on timely, high-value communication.
Yes. Infobip lets you personalize messages using dynamic fields like name, last purchase, location, or appointment details for more engaging and relevant communication.
Absolutely. With a simple dashboard, drag-and-drop automation, and ready-to-use templates, Infobip is built for ease of use, even for teams without a technical background.
Popular messages include flash sales, booking confirmations, reminders, loyalty rewards, and customer feedback requests. The key is to keep them timely, relevant, and action-driven.
Infobip’s platform includes built-in consent tools, opt-out automation, and regional compliance features to help you stay aligned with TCPA and GDPR regulations.
Infobip offers real-time reporting on delivery, clicks, replies, and opt-outs. You can also track conversions using custom links or integrate with your CRM and analytics tools.
Yes. Infobip is an omnichannel platform, so you can unify SMS with email, push, Viber, WhatsApp, and social channels to create consistent, multi-touch customer journeys.
Infobip connects easily with tools like HubSpot, Salesforce, Shopify, and more—letting you sync contacts, automate flows, and track engagement across systems.
You can create an account in minutes, import your contacts, and launch your first campaign the same day. Or, talk to our experts to explore custom onboarding and strategy.
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