In our modern digital era, you might think ubiquitous platforms like email, social media, and messaging apps have made old-school SMS text messaging obsolete as a marketing channel. However, the data reveals that is far from the truth.
SMS marketing is still going strong in 2022 and projected to continue growing in 2023. These text messages have incredibly high open and response rates compared to other channels. SMS enables businesses to reach customers instantly on the devices they always have with them.
Many consumers actually prefer SMS as the means of communicating with brands over phone calls or social media. The direct, personal nature of SMS makes it a dynamic marketing and customer engagement tool.
In this post, we have gathered 20 of the most important SMS marketing statistics from current research. The numbers illustrate the surprising continued power of text message marketing.
Any business, brand, or marketer needs to understand these SMS marketing stats to make smart, data-driven decisions about their marketing mix and budgets. Let‘s dive in!
Key Recent SMS Marketing Statistics
- 98% open rate for SMS marketing messages
- 90% of consumers read texts within 3 minutes
- 51% of consumers make purchases after receiving SMS marketing
- 96% of SMS marketers saw increased revenue
- 90% of businesses say SMS marketing is successful
- 70% of consumers are subscribed to SMS programs as of 2022
- 20-35% average click-through-rate (CTR) for SMS messages
Top 20 Surprising SMS Marketing Statistics for 2023
1. SMS Marketing Open Rates Are About 98%
The open rates for SMS marketing and text message campaigns consistently average around 98% according to experts. For comparison, email open rates average about 20-30%. SMS is opened and read by nearly every single recipient. Clearly, SMS open rates crush those of other marketing channels.
2. Around 90% of Mobile Phone Users Say They Read Texts Within 3 Minutes of Receipt
Studies show approximately 90% of mobile phone owners report reading every text message they receive within 3 minutes of getting it. 34% read texts within 5 minutes. 10% even read texts within 30 seconds. The instantaneous and highly-visible nature of SMS ensures the vast majority of consumers open and read any marketing message sent out.
3. Over Half of Consumers Report Making a Purchase After Reading a Marketing Text
Surveys reveal over 51% of consumers have made a purchase directly after receiving a promotional or discount SMS text from a business. The texts that convert best tend to include coupons, promo codes, product images, or other rich media – not just text. Still, any SMS can prompt an purchase.
4. 96% of SMS Text Marketers Reportedly Enjoyed a Significant Boost in Revenue
According to SMS marketing platform Messente, 96% of businesses they surveyed that use text message marketing reported a meaningful increase in revenues afterwards. For eCommerce and retail businesses, the average ROI was $71 for every $1 spent on SMS thanks to higher conversions. The ROI and revenue impact of SMS marketing is enormous.
5. Over 90% of Businesses Utilizing Text Messages Say This Marketing Option Is Successful
SMS marketing service SimpleTexting found 90.09% of the businesses they surveyed who have implemented SMS marketing state it is an effective, successful strategy for them. The high open and response rates clearly translate into positive business outcomes. SMS delivers results.
6. As Of 2022, 70% of Consumers Are Subscribed to SMS Marketing Campaigns
In 2022 so far, a sizeable 70% of consumers report actively opting-in for SMS marketing messages from brands according to a ClickSend study. This stat has grown 12% year-over-year as perceptions of SMS marketing improve. The majority of customers now want businesses to text useful information and offers.
7. The Average CTR for SMS Marketing Messages Is Between 20% and 35%
A number of studies find the average click-through-rate for SMS hovers between 20-35% for most effective campaigns. That‘s compared to email CTRs that average closer to 2-5% at best. The CTR for SMS blasts past other digital marketing by a huge degree. 1 in 3 recipients engage with a call-to-action.
8. 90% of Consumers Report They Prefer Getting Text Messages from Businesses
In a survey by chat platform Avochato, a full 90% of consumers responded they prefer to receive proactive text messages from businesses compared to emails or other communication channels. Customers want texts for everything from reminders to support to special offers. SMS is the outreach method consumers want.
9. Over 42% of Customers Like Getting SMS Marketing Texts 4 to 6 Times a Month
What‘s the right SMS messaging frequency for consumers? Per a survey by marketing expert Luisa Zhou, over 42% of consumers are happy receiving 4-6 marketing text messages per month. Another 40% are fine with 2-3 texts per week. Clearly, most customers do not see reasonable SMS marketing as excessive or spammy.
10. 75% of Consumers Say They Prefer SMS Customer Support Over Social Media or Phone Contact
Not only do consumers prefer SMS for promotions, but 75% favor it for customer support too according to research from SMS Comparison. The direct personalized nature of texting makes it the channel customers want for resolving issues quickly. Businesses should enable SMS support.
11. 63% of Consumers Would Switch Over to A Company Offering Texting for Communications
An incredible 63% of consumers report they would change to a new company that interacts with them primarily through text messaging rather than calls according to Avechato. Enabling two-way SMS conversations with customers for sales and support provides a major competitive advantage.
12. Only 13% of Businesses Offer Text Message Responses to Marketing Texts
Despite consumers‘ preference for two-way SMS conversations, marketing tech provider Textedly found only 13% of businesses actually allow customers to reply to the marketing SMS messages they send out. Savvy companies should enable this textback option immediately to boost engagement.
13. Around 20% of Real Estate Companies Use Text SMS Marketing
Among real estate agents and agencies, approximately 20% are now using SMS and text message marketing according to Zhou. Real estate pros text listings, open house invites, agent contact info, and more. However, wider adoption in this industry and others still has plenty of room to grow.
14. 60% of Business Owners Are Planning to Increase Their SMS Marketing Budgets
ClickSend found 60% of small and midsize business owners say they plan on allocating more budget towards SMS marketing campaigns in 2023. As they recognize results from initial campaigns, smart businesses will continue investing more in text messaging growth.
15. 81.2% of Consumers Already Opt-In for Text Messages from At Least One Brand
In a major 2021 Attentive survey, 81.2% of consumers surveyed said they voluntarily opt-in to receive marketing SMS programs from at least one brand. In fact, 35.6% opt-in for up to 5 brand SMS programs and 32.7% opt-in for 5-19 programs. SMS opt-in clearly remains popular.
16. Only 18.8% of Consumers Aren’t Subscribed to Any Brand’s Text Messaging
That same Attentive survey found only 18.8% of consumers say they do not currently opt-in for any SMS programs from brands. So out of all consumers, over 80% actively agree to engage with brands over SMS. That massive reach makes SMS a massively valuable marketing channel.
17. In 2022, 47% of Millennials Said They Favor Text Messages for Brand Contact
Among Millennial consumers in America, 47% state they prefer to receive communication from brands via text messaging according to Statista data from 2022. Text was favored by 47% of Generation Z, 49% for Generation X, and 39% for Baby Boomers. Millennials are fully onboard with SMS.
18. 47% of Marketers Say Retail Has the Most Advanced Mobile Marketing Tactics in North America
In a SlickText survey, 47% of digital marketers stated that retailers in North America have the most innovative and effective SMS and mobile marketing strategies. With 80% of North Americans using SMS, retailers have taken advantage for sales and customer engagement.
19. The Global SMS Marketing Market Is Projected to Reach $84 Billion by 2027
According to projections by Globe Newswire, the total global SMS marketing industry size will grow to around $84 billion by 2027. The CAGR for 2022-2027 is forecast at 3.8%. In 2021, the SMS marketing market value was $64 billion. Investment and adoption continues rising.
20. Nearly 50 Million People All Over the World Opt-in for SMS Marketing Texts
Per estimates by marketing firm Blogging Wizard, there are currently close to 50 million consumers worldwide who have voluntarily opted in to receive SMS marketing messages from brands. Given that SMS marketing is still in its relative infancy globally, this shows tremendous promise for growth among the world‘s 5 billion mobile users.
Key Takeaways for Businesses from These SMS Stats
Given all the above statistics demonstrating the unmatched effectiveness of SMS marketing, businesses should be acting on these key takeaways:
- Make SMS marketing central to your overall marketing mix and budget. The ROI is proven.
- Educate customers on opting in to your SMS programs to rapidly grow your subscriber list.
- Send compelling offers, discounts, and valuable information customers want via SMS. Don‘t spam.
- Enable Two-way messaging with customers for increases engagement, conversions, and satisfaction.
- Track open rate, CTR, opt-outs, and other KPIs to refine your SMS approach.
- Use SMS marketing across the customer lifecycle from acquisition to onboarding to win-backs and everything in between.
- Combine SMS with other marketing like email, social ads, and chatbots for omnichannel success.
The common theme is that SMS marketing remains an unmatched channel every business should actively invest in for customer engagement and sales. Now let‘s answer some common SMS marketing questions.
FAQs About SMS Marketing
What is SMS Marketing?
SMS marketing refers to sending promotional, informational, or transactional text messages to opted-in customers or subscribers. It‘s a form of mobile marketing using basic SMS technology rather than apps.
What Are the Main Benefits of SMS Marketing?
Key SMS marketing benefits include:
- Nearly universal readership
- Fastest customer response times
- Simple automation and tracking
- Low costs
- Flexible APIs and integrations
- Higher opt-in and engagement than other channels
- Efficient communication on the go
What Are Some SMS Marketing Best Practices?
Experts recommend these best practices for effective SMS marketing:
- Only text opted-in subscribers who want your messages
- Personalize messages with customer data like names
- Keep texts short, focused, and scannable
- Use clear calls-to-action
- Leverage rich media like images when helpful
- Automatically segment customers based on preferences
- Enable easy opt-outs at any time
- Send valuable content, not just sales pitches
What Results Can be Measured for SMS Marketing?
Key SMS marketing metrics to track include:
- Delivery rates, bounce rates, and opt-outs
- Open rates and click-through rates
- Conversion rates and sales revenue
- Message response rates
- Customer satisfaction survey feedback
How Much Does SMS Marketing Cost?
SMS marketing pricing varies by the provider and plan. However, costs typically range from a fraction of a penny per SMS message up to a few cents for bulk messages. Cost efficient SMS API integration options are also available.
Overall, SMS marketing provides exceptional value given very high ROI plus low software, labor, and messaging costs.
Conclusion: SMS Marketing Still Delivers Surprising Value in 2023
As this compilation of 20 important SMS marketing statistics for 2023 reveals, text messaging is far from obsolete as a marketing method. The opposite is true.
SMS marketing continues growing and driving impressive results across industries thanks to fast customer response times, near-universal open rates, and strong opt-in numbers. Consumers love SMS for its personalized and convenient nature.
Any smart business needs to leverage text message marketing as a primary customer engagement channel. Make sure to carefully analyze these SMS stats to create data-driven mobile marketing strategies.
With consumers‘ text messaging habits not slowing down any time soon, the future looks bright for SMS marketing as we head into 2023 and beyond. Text marketing provides an unparalleled opportunity to cut through the noise and reach customers directly in those small personal moments throughout their day when they are most receptive to brand interactions.
Don‘t let this surprising opportunity pass you by. Use these 20 SMS marketing statistics to capture customers‘ attention now through timely and relevant text messaging at scale.
