There’s no doubt about it: SMS marketing is still alive and kicking. However, with the advent of WhatsApp, a lot of business owners are asking themselves whether they should make the switch.
In this article, we’ll compare and contrast the two platforms so that you can make an informed decision about which one is right for you. Read On!
What is SMS Marketing?
SMS marketing is a form of mobile marketing that allows businesses to send text messages to customers. This can be done either via bulk SMS or individual SMS.
This type of marketing is often used to promote special offers, product launches, or simply to keep customers updated about what’s going on with the company.
What is WhatsApp Marketing?
Whatsapp marketing is a form of mobile marketing that allows businesses to send text, image, video, and audio messages to customers. This can be done either via WhatsApp groups or individual WhatsApp messages.
This type of marketing is often used to promote special offers, product launches, or simply to keep customers updated about what’s going on with the company. You can also use it to promote content on your website and enhance your local SEO ranking efforts.
Comparing SMS Marketing vs WhatsApp Marketing
Now that we’ve explained the basics of each platform, let’s compare and contrast them.
Cost
One of the biggest differences between SMS marketing and WhatsApp marketing is the cost. With SMS marketing, you usually have to pay per text message that you send. This can quickly add up, especially if you’re sending a lot of messages.
With WhatsApp marketing, on the other hand, there is no cost per message. You only need an internet connection. This makes WhatsApp marketing a much more affordable option, especially for small businesses.
Delivery Speed
Another big difference between SMS marketing and WhatsApp marketing is the delivery speed. With SMS marketing, messages are usually delivered within a few seconds.
However, with WhatsApp marketing, there can be a delay if the recipient is not online. This is because WhatsApp uses an internet connection to deliver messages, and if the recipient is not connected to the internet, the message will be delivered as soon as they connect.
This can be a problem if you’re trying to send time-sensitive information, such as appointment reminders.
However, it’s worth noting that WhatsApp does offer a feature called ‘Broadcast Lists’ which allows you to send messages to multiple people at once. This can be helpful if you’re trying to reach a large group of people and don’t want to have to wait for each person to come online.
You can also use tools such as the WhatsApp Marketing chrome extension to automate your WhatsApp marketing. This can be a great time saver if you’re sending a lot of messages.
Targeting Options
When it comes to targeting options, SMS marketing wins hands down. With SMS marketing, you can target individuals based on their phone numbers. This means that you can send messages to people who have opted-in to receive them.
Whatsapp web marketing also comes with an admirable amount of targeting options. You can target people based on their location, gender, age, interests, and much more.
This makes both SMS marketing and WhatsApp marketing highly effective when it comes to targeting potential customers.
Conclusion
So, which is better? SMS marketing or WhatsApp marketing?
The answer is that it depends on your needs. However, with 90% of phone users checking their phones every half hour, it is prudent to use both SMS marketing and WhatsApp marketing to reach the maximum number of people possible.
In fact, WhatsApp marketing is a great way to complement your SMS marketing efforts. For example, you can use WhatsApp to send appointment reminders, and then follow up with an SMS to confirm the details.
