In today’s crowded digital landscape, businesses face a critical question: Should you invest in SMS or email marketing? While email has long been a staple, SMS marketing is surging as a direct, high-impact channel. This guide breaks down the ROI of both strategies, with actionable tips to help you decide what’s best for your business.
Why SMS Marketing Matters in 2025
SMS isn’t just a trend—it’s a necessity. Here’s why:
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98% Open Rate: Texts are read within 3 minutes, vs. 20% for emails.
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45% Conversion Rate: SMS drives immediate action, like clicks and purchases.
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Mobile-First World: 85% of consumers prefer texting over calls or emails (Pew Research).
SMS is becoming the backbone of customer communication for industries like retail, healthcare, and logistics.
SMS vs. Email: 5 Key ROI Factors
1. Open Rates
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SMS: 98% (vs. 20% for email).
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Winner: SMS.
2. Cost Per Conversion
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SMS: ₹0.13-₹0.50 per message (bulk SMS gateway pricing).
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Email: ₹0 (but requires costly tools for scaling).
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Winner: Tie. SMS wins for urgency; email for long-term nurturing.
3. Engagement Speed
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SMS: 90% of texts are read in <3 minutes.
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Email: 6+ hours average response time.
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Winner: SMS.
4. Conversion Rates
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SMS: 45% (e.g., flash sales, appointment reminders).
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Email: 3-5% (limited by inbox clutter).
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Winner: SMS.
5. Compliance & Trust
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SMS: Requires TCPA compliance and explicit opt-ins.
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Email: GDPR/CAN-SPAM rules.
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Winner: Email (easier to scale initially)
5 Proven Strategies for Bulk SMS Marketing
1. Time-Sensitive Offers
Domino’s Pizza increased sales by 25% using SMS alerts like
“🍕 50% OFF your next order! Code PIZZA50 valid till midnight.”
Steps to Copy:
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Segment audiences by purchase history.
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Send discounts 1-2 hours before peak buying times.
2. Personalised Updates
Amazon uses SMS for delivery tracking.
“Your package is out for delivery. Track here: [Link].”
Steps to Copy:
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Integrate your SMS gateway with CRM tools.
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Use merge tags like {First Name} and {Order Number}.
3. Two-Way Conversations
Example: A clinic reduced no-shows by 40% by letting patients reply “YES” to confirm appointments.
Steps to Copy:
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Use keywords like “STOP” or “HELP” for compliance.
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Train staff to respond within 10 minutes.
4. Cart Abandonment Recovery
Example: An e-commerce brand recovered 15% of lost sales with
“Forgot something? Get 10% OFF with code COMEBACK.”
Steps to Copy:
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Trigger SMS within 1 hour of abandonment.
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Link directly to the checkout page.
5. Feedback & Loyalty
Example: A salon boosted reviews by 30% with:
“Rate your experience 1-5. Reply 5 for 20% OFF next visit!”
Steps to Copy:
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Send feedback requests post-purchase.
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Reward responders with exclusive offers.
3 Actionable Tips to Maximise SMS ROI
Tip 1: Schedule Campaigns Strategically
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Real-World Example: A grocery chain saw 2x redemption rates by sending “Weekend Sale” alerts on Friday mornings.
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How to Do It: Use bulk SMS platforms to automate sends during high-engagement windows (10 AM–1 PM, 7–9 PM).
Tip 2: Leverage Local Language
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Real-World Example: A regional bank increased loan sign-ups by 35% using SMS in regional languages.
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How to Do It: Partner with an SMS gateway provider that supports multilingual campaigns.
Tip 3: A/B Test Messages
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Real-World Example: A fashion brand tested emojis vs. plain texts and saw 22% higher opens with 🎉.
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How to Do It: Split your audience and test CTAs, timing, and discounts.
When to Use Email Marketing
SMS isn’t a replacement for email—it’s a complement. Use email for:
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Detailed Content: Product guides, newsletters.
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Nurture Campaigns: Onboarding sequences, educational content.
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Budget-Friendly Scaling: Email is cheaper for large audiences.
Conclusion: SMS Wins for Urgency, Email for Depth
Bulk SMS marketing delivers unmatched ROI for businesses prioritising instant engagement (e.g., retail, healthcare, logistics). Pair it with email for a holistic strategy.
Ready to Start? Explore our Bulk SMS Pricing Plans.