35+ Must-Know SMS Marketing Statistics in 2024

If you plan to rapidly increase your consumer base without investing much money, you should know several key marketing tactics that can make or break your organizational objectives.

One choice to consider is SMS Marketing, a form of business marketing through text messages. Based on the data below, it does not just reach out to a few hundred more people—but about thousands or perhaps millions of consumers.

These statistics serve to emphasize how affordable and strong SMS Marketing is.

Mind-Blowing SMS Marketing Statistics

Some people think SMS Marketing is outdated now that over 3 billion people use messaging apps. However, SMS Marketing is simply underrated, but it’s one of the most effective ways to promote a brand.

Fascinating SMS Marketing Stats

When used correctly, SMS marketing can be a game-changer, and the statistics below will prove that.

1. 41% of consumers would rather receive brand update texts than emails.

(Thrive)

One method for reaching and retaining customers who prefer online purchasing is to provide and receive brand updates. Companies can supply that through email or text messages.

On the other side of the coin, 86% of professionals preferred email for business communications.

2. 66% of Americans check their phones 160 times on average.

(Small Biz Trends)

Nearly 2/3 of people in the US check their phones 160 times. US mobile owners are so fond of their devices that 65% sleep beside them at night.

According to data, 45% of survey participants would give up having sex than their phones, and 3/4 of Americans even use their phones while using the restroom. 

What is the relevance of these facts on SMS marketing, you ask? They provide an excellent opportunity for marketers to engage their clients via SMS marketing.

3. Around 83.72% of the world's population owns a smartphone.

(Bank Mycell)

Additionally, 7.3 billion individuals worldwide own a messaging-capable phone, including both smart and basic phones. That means 92% of the world’s population can receive SMS marketing.

4. 9 out of 10 people open their text messages.

(Mobile Monkey)

124.5 billion business emails are sent and received daily, but most users do not open them, unlike text messages that automatically open within minutes. If we compare the open rate between email and text marketing, the latter wins by a landslide.

Mobile texting uses push notifications, which come as a default setting. So, naturally, clients are likely to open them almost instantly.

All of that leads to results like this:

5. Over 3/4 of clients want businesses to send offers via SMS. 

(SMS Comparison)

SMS marketing statistics for 2022 show that nearly 80% of consumers like receiving offers via text. Companies should notify their clients about upcoming sales or discounts via mobile messaging. 

6. Buyers are 10% more likely to open offer messages than other types.

(SMS Comparison)

Strengthening the previous statistic is the fact that people love it when they get offers, and it shows. The click-through rate of e-commerce brands is almost 10% higher than messages about the following:

• Feedback
• Confirmation
• Informing them of new products

These factors affect the increasing adoption of SMS for marketing strategies. Companies should learn how this works to utilize our phones' full potential.

7. Over 60% of people read their SMS within 5 minutes.

(Simple Texting)

According to text message statistics, only 6% check their notifications within two to four hours. Meanwhile, 6 out of 10 people will read your message within 1 to 5 minutes. 

That said, texting is the best way to go when sending out content that requires a fast turnaround. 

8. Stats on texting show that 74% of clients want a human to respond to their text.

(GlobeNewswire)

Consumers prefer to engage in conversation with brands over SMS, but 74% want a human to interact with them.

Meanwhile, most businesses use various types of autoresponders. Companies employ them as most clients immediately want a response to address their concerns.

9. After receiving an SMS, 45% of potential clients would choose a product or brand.

(Slick Test)

The communication method is so powerful that 45% of individuals consider taking action after receiving a message.

General SMS Marketing Statistics

Since the target prospective population of SMS Marketing is huge, businesses don’t hesitate to pay for advertising through SMS. That leads to the following figures below.

10. There will be over 7 billion mobile users worldwide by 2024.

(Statista)

Predictions show that mobile subscribers will have surpassed the 7 billion mark by 2024.  Further statistics show that, by 2025, 72.6% of smartphone owners will access the internet via their smartphones.

That set of data shows a massive opportunity for brands to push for their products or services through SMS marketing.

11. There will be 5.9 billion subscribers for 5G connections by 2027.

(Statista)

5G connection is one of the newest technology trends that will undeniably shape our future. The statistics prove that 5G connections will be about 5.9 billion by 2027. 

This connectivity is perfect for text message advertising, offering fast speeds, low latency, and better immersive reality experiences.

12. 75% of people aged 44 and below like contacting businesses via text.

(Startup Bonsai).

According to texting statistics, 3/4 of people below 44 prefer to contact companies through SMS.

As mentioned earlier through a statistic, people open text messages quicker than other notifications. By contacting a business via text, customers expect a quick and natural reply.

13. Millennials and Baby Boomers spend about 5 to 6 hours on mobile phones. 

(WP Manage Ninja)

Users are addicted to the point when the slightest notification sounds, and must check their phones instantly.

That said, it makes sense for businesses to use this opportunity in their favor. As people are fixated on their phones, this should be the perfect time for companies to start crafting excellent SMS marketing for their businesses.

Texting vs. Email: Who's Winning the Big Marketing Battle?

Users differ in how they want to receive information. Some may opt for texting for faster communication, while others may choose email for more in-depth communication.

Here’s what people think when asked to differentiate texts from emails:

Read on to know the people’s opinions on which mode of communication they prefer. Knowing such information can help you decide your brand’s future in SMS Marketing.

14. 88% of people use their phones primarily for texting.

(Slick Text)

According to the survey, almost 9 out of 10 respondents use their phones for texting. The respondents disclosed that the number one use of their gadgets was to send and receive text.

This figure tells us that people use their gadgets all the time, even while performing other duties.  They are always glued to their phones, reading new information and news in today’s society.

As a brand, that is something to look into and possibly take advantage of.

15. Nearly 3/4 of clients would prefer to make reservations by SMS.

(Slick Text)

Since mobile use is growing over time, companies should try adapting this as one of their marketing strategies. This shows that sending and receiving SMS is just as effective as other modes of communication.

That said, businesses that take bookings should incorporate phone messaging to accommodate more clients.

16. 62% of businesses said that the most significant advantage of SMS is quick delivery.

(Simple Texting)

According to SMS marketing stats, over 50% of marketers and business owners trust SMS’s lightning speed.

That leads to most businesses prioritizing the mode of communication, receiving the results they want pronto.

SMS Marketing: The Next Big Thing in Marketing

As mentioned earlier, SMS marketing has a broader reach than email marketing. It also enjoys much better open and response rates. Given these advantages, it's no surprise more companies plan to go the SMS way.

Take a look at how businesses consider SMS for their marketing through the following statistics:

17. BFCM'S (Black Friday Cyber Monday) SMS revenue in 2021 was $1.1 million.

(Hustler Marketing)

This mode of communication contributed about 30% of all stores’ income during the Black Friday Cyber Monday sale. As businesses invested in advertising via text message during the period, they garnered over $1.1 million.

Then again, no business should disregard SMS marketing, which is establishing itself as a highly successful marketing medium with a very positive ROI.

18. Only 30% of consumers receive SMS text messages from businesses they patronize.

(Podium)

Based on the statistic above, 7 out of 10 consumers don't receive promotional text messages from their favorite brands—even after making it clear they want to hear from them. 

Meanwhile, only 3 out of 10 consumers receive promotional text messages from brands they like.

19. 45% of clients respond to branded messages.

(Slick Text)

Almost half of the potential customers will respond to text messages if companies include their brand's name.

Using the brand's name on texts makes it easier for potential customers to separate spam from legit messages. So, instead of using unknown numbers, this is a sure way to get people comfortable enough to open them and write back.

20. Only 13% of organizations let consumers respond to SMS.

(Learning Hub)

Many businesses send clients texts, but they're often accompanied by wordings like "Do Not Reply" or "Do Not Respond." Only 13% of brands allow their customers to respond to promotional SMS.

However, the same data set reveals that 60% of recipients want to be able to respond to text messages from companies. This is another opportunity for brands to maximize reach, engagement, and customer satisfaction.

21. 43% of customers proactively text a business.

(Learning Hub)

Texting has become a part of most people’s daily life. It’s not just for catching up with friends or chit-chatting. According to statistics about SMS marketing, 43% of consumers admit that they proactively text businesses, including customers asking for customer support.

Brands can use this to reach possible prospects for their business. By sending information about a specific sale coming up or giving out coupons, customers will appreciate the engagement.

22. 9 in every 10 consumers who enroll in an SMS loyalty program benefit from their participation.

(Mobivity)

90% of consumers using mobile phones for texting apply to SMS loyalty programs and have benefited greatly from such initiatives.

These programs significantly improve customer engagement and drive more sales. It gives customers personalized and timely messages that drive them to be loyal to a brand. That emphasizes their effectiveness and should be part of companies’ retention strategy. 

23. Based on a 2020 survey, 41.3% of businesses saw an increase in opt-in messages rate.

(Startup Bonsai, Simple Texting)

Not only is sending opt-in messages appropriate, but it also lets brands send texts to interested clients. In 2020, 41.3% of the 500 brands surveyed experienced increased opt-in rates.

In line with this stat, businesses must not be afraid to try and offer customers to receive promotional texts. However, you must still learn to promote meagerly via text. You don’t want to push away customers by sending out texts constantly.

24. Users are 4.5 times more likely to respond to a text than an email.

(Learning Hub)

According to Google, mobile users (83%) significantly outperform desktop users (53%) regarding ad viewability.

When it comes to texting vs. email response rates, the former performs better.  People are 4.5 times more likely to reply to your SMS marketing efforts than email.

25. 40% of women are texters, compared to 30% of men.

(Rebrandly, Marketing Dive)

This data shows SMS is more popular among women. That means this demographic is more prone to engage with promotional texts.

Moreover, recent text message marketing stats show people constantly texting for business purposes, such as:

• Making product inquiries
• Scheduling appointments
  
  

26. 60% of consumers want to reach support via messaging.

(Learning Hub)

Customers prefer a quicker way to solve their issues. Instead of writing long emails or enduring lengthy calls, 60% of customers want to reach client support via SMS.

This is good for businesses utilizing SMS marketing because it’s beneficial in delivering efficient and faster customer service.

27. 83% of consumers would like to receive booking appointments via text.

(Learning Hub)

Sending mobile messages to customers is not considered an invasion of their space because 83% of them would like to receive notifications through text. One type of message these consumers like to receive is details of their appointments.

28. Over 10,000 people used Giant Eagle's SMS initiative to find out how to get goods without entering the store.

(The Wall Street Journal)

The supermarket chain transparently notified its client regarding stores with staff who tested positive for COVID. Instead of closing down the entire business, the company devised a way for customers to pick up their products on the curb without entering the store.

For over 10,000 customers, texting became the preferred method of stores reaching out to them.

29. SMS subscribers could reach 7.33 billion by 2023. 

(Statista)

By 2023, SMS subscribers will reach around 7.33 billion. The SMS sent will also increase as the number of mobile users increases. SMS will continue to expand in marketing in the next few years.

SMS can be one of the most engaging marketing and communication modes. This could help boost a brand’s customer reach. Investing in SMS is something that companies should consider.

Wrap-Up

As the statistics above show, SMS marketing is cheaper, has a broader reach, and enjoys a better open and response rate than many conventional marketing channels, like email.

Ultimately, a well-defined, persistent SMS marketing campaign can help brands gain an automatic edge over the competition. 

Businesses should start using text messages to their full potential and leverage the power of SMS marketing.