Businesses need to reach their audience quickly and effectively. SMS marketing has become one of the most effective ways to engage customers. Text messages have open rates as high as 98%, which means they stand out better than crowded inboxes and social media feeds.
For businesses in Uganda, it is important to know the different types of SMS marketing. Each type has a specific purpose and can help your business increase sales, enhance customer experience, and build loyalty. Let’s look at the seven types every business should know.
Promotional SMS
Promotional SMS messages help businesses promote their products, services, or special offers. Businesses send these messages to inform customers about discounts, sales, or limited-time offers.
For example, a retail shop might send: “Flash Sale! Get 20% off all electronics today. Visit our store now!”
These messages work well because they are short, clear, and encourage quick action. Customers often respond faster to time-sensitive offers sent via SMS than to those sent by email.
Transactional SMS
Transactional SMS are message sent to confirm a transaction or provide important updates. When a customer completes a purchase or books a service, the business sends a confirmation via SMS: “Your payment of UGX 50,000 has been successfully received. Thank you for choosing Ego Book Shop.”
Transactional SMS helps build trust. Customers feel informed and secure, which reduces questions and phone calls for support.
Reminder SMS
Reminder SMS are messages that remind customers about upcoming events, appointments, or deadlines. For example, a clinic might send: “Reminder: Your appointment with Dr. Jane is tomorrow at 10 AM. Reply YES to confirm.” Sending reminders on time helps reduce no-shows, late payments, and missed deadlines. This makes operations run more smoothly and improves customer satisfaction.
Informational SMS
Informational SMS keep customers updated without trying to sell them something. For example, a fintech company might send a message about new features or policy updates: “Update: You can now pay bills instantly using our mobile app. Learn more here:www.egosms.co.” These messages help keep customers engaged and informed, which builds retention and trust in your brand.
Loyalty & Rewards SMS
Loyalty SMS are messages that reward customers for returning or joining loyalty programs.
For example, a coffee shop might send: “You’ve earned 100 points! Claim your free coffee today. Visit our store now.”
Rewarding loyal customers encourages them to buy again, helps keep them coming back, and builds long-term brand loyalty.
Interactive SMS
Interactive SMS are messages that encourage customers to take part, share feedback, or respond.
Businesses can send surveys or polls via SMS, such as: “How satisfied are you with our service? Reply 1 for Excellent, 2 for Good, 3 for Fair.”
Interactive SMS increases customer engagement and provides important insights into their preferences. This helps businesses make decisions based on data.
Event-Based SMS
Event-based SMS are messages that let customers know about events, webinars, or product launches.
For example, a company might say:
“Join our exclusive product launch tomorrow at 3 PM. Click here to register: www.egosms.co”
These messages help boost attendance and participation, making customers feel included and valued.
Conclusion
SMS marketing is an effective and affordable way for businesses to talk directly to their customers. By using these seven types of SMS, you can increase customer engagement, boost sales, improve loyalty, and make your operations more efficient. Start using SMS marketing in your business strategy today. You will see higher engagement, satisfied customers, and measurable growth. Sign up for EgoSms now to create your first SMS marketing campaign and connect with your customers like never before.