Email gets all the glory, but SMS marketing quietly delivers the highest engagement rates in digital marketing. With 98% open rates and most texts read within 3 minutes, SMS is the channel you can't afford to ignore in 2025.
In this guide, we're breaking down everything you need to know about SMS marketing: best practices that actually convert, compliance essentials, and how to combine SMS with your email strategy for maximum impact.
Why SMS Marketing Works
Unlike email that competes with hundreds of other messages, texts land directly in your customer's most personal device. People check their phones 96 times a day on average—your message will be seen.
But with great power comes great responsibility. SMS marketing done wrong feels invasive. Done right, it feels like VIP access.
SMS Best Practices That Convert
Timing Is Everything
Send during business hours (10am-8pm). Avoid early mornings, late nights, and weekends unless it's urgent.
Personalize Always
Use their name and reference specific details. Generic blasts feel like spam; personalized texts feel like service.
Keep It Short
160 characters or less. Get to the point fast. One clear message, one clear action.
Clear Opt-Out
Always include "Reply STOP to unsubscribe." It's not just polite—it's legally required.
đź’ˇ Pro Tip
The best SMS campaigns feel like a helpful friend texting, not a company broadcasting. Write like you talk.
The 5 SMS Campaigns Every Business Needs
1. Appointment Reminders
The MVP of SMS marketing. Send reminders 24 hours before and 1 hour before. Include easy confirm/reschedule options. This alone can cut no-shows by 80%.
2. Order & Delivery Updates
People want to know where their stuff is. Shipping confirmations, delivery updates, and "out for delivery" texts have near 100% open rates.
3. Flash Sales & Limited Offers
SMS is perfect for time-sensitive promotions. "24-hour sale" or "while supplies last" creates urgency that email can't match.
4. Welcome Texts
When someone opts in, text them immediately. Confirm their subscription, deliver any promised discount code, and set expectations for future texts.
5. Re-Engagement Nudges
Haven't heard from a customer in 60 days? A simple "We miss you!" with a special offer can bring them back.
"After adding SMS to our reminder sequence, our show rate jumped from 77% to 95%. That's real revenue we were leaving on the table."
Powered by Project Blue
We partner with Project Blue for industry-leading SMS and iMessage deliverability. Their technology ensures your texts actually reach your customers—not spam folders. Blue bubbles = higher trust, higher engagement.
SMS + Email: The Power Combo
Don't choose between SMS and email—use both strategically:
- Email for long-form content — Newsletters, detailed offers, educational content
- SMS for urgent, time-sensitive messages — Reminders, flash sales, confirmations
- Multi-channel sequences — Email first, SMS follow-up if no response
In Go High Level, you can set up workflows that automatically switch channels based on engagement. No response to your email after 24 hours? Trigger an SMS. It's the best of both worlds.
⚠️ Compliance Note
Always get explicit consent before texting. Include clear opt-in language and honor opt-outs immediately. TCPA violations can cost $500-$1,500 per text. Don't risk it.
Ready to Add SMS to Your Marketing?
SMS marketing isn't complicated, but getting the strategy, timing, and automation right takes expertise. We help businesses build SMS campaigns that convert—without feeling spammy.
Book a free consultation and we'll audit your current setup, identify your best SMS opportunities, and create a compliant strategy that drives results.