35+ Must-Know SMS Marketing Statistics in 2023

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.

Not just talking about reaching out to a few hundred more people—but about thousands or perhaps millions of consumers.

These statistics serve to emphasize how affordable and strong it is.

Mind-Blowing SMS Marketing Statistics

• 6.65 billion people have smartphones in 2022.
• 75% of clients want to receive offers via SMS.
• The CTR rate for offer messages is higher by 9.18% compared to any other digital channel.
• SMS has a 98% open rate compared to email marketing.
• 60% of customers read texts within 1-5 minutes after receiving them.
• In 2022, 80% of coupon redemption in the US will happen on mobile phones.
• 88% of people use their mobile phones solely for texting.
• 43% of consumers text a business proactively.

Fascinating SMS Marketing Stats

When used correctly, SMS marketing can be a game-changer.

Below are the statistics on how SMS marketing affects consumers.

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

(Thrive)

41% of consumers prefer to receive updates through text from their favorite brands. In comparison, the rest of the 22% would like to receive updates via email. 

According to a recent study on email marketing, 86% of professionals preferred email for business communications. 

These marketing strategies ought to be used by retailers. One method for reaching and retaining customers who prefer online purchasing is to provide and receive brand updates.

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 with them at night.

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

This provides an excellent opportunity for marketers to engage their clients to scale their businesses.

Small businesses and large companies can use these data to their advantage. Curating helpful apps for consumers and creating unique marketing techniques can benefit people’s addiction to their mobile phones.

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

(Bank Mycell)

83.7% of people worldwide own a smartphone which translates to about 6.65 billion people.

Additionally, 7.3 billion individuals worldwide own a messaging-capable phone, including both smart and basic phones. This is almost 92% of the world's population.

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

(Mobile Monkey)

Nearly 100% of people you send SMS to are likely to open them. In contrast, only 20% of your email recipients may read them. 

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. 

To read emails, clients have to log in to see their inboxes, which may happen once in a long time.

5. Buyers are more likely to open offer messages compared to other types.

(SMS Comparison)

People love it when they get offers. The click-through rate of e-commerce brands is almost 10% higher than messages informing them of new products, confirmation, feedback, and other promotional content.

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

6. More than 60% of people read their SMS within 5 minutes.

(Simple Texting)

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

Texting is the best way to go when sending out content that requires a fast turnaround.

7. 80% of couponers will redeem their discounts using mobile devices in 2022.

(Fox West Texas)

80% of people using coupons plan to recoup them via mobile devices. 

Considering the devices' convenience, it's easy to see why many people will do so.

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

(GlobeNewswire)

Consumers these days prefer ‌conversations with brands over SMS. While most businesses use bot responders, 74% of consumers prefer interacting with people.

Most clients want to be responded to right away to address their concerns which messaging bots will only be able to do some of the time since most of their answers are system generated.

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

(Slick Test)

According to SMS marketing statistics, the communication method is so powerful that nearly 50% of individuals would consider taking action. 

People feel businesses that take the time to send them texts are worth engaging.

General SMS Marketing Statistics

Given the size of the prospective target population, businesses pay for advertising.

Here are some of the statistics concerning SMS Marketing.

10. There will be 7 billion mobile users in the world by 2024.

(Statista)

Predictions show that mobile subscribers will have surpassed the 6 billion mark by 2024. 

According to recent statistics, by 2025, 72.6% of smartphone owners will access the internet via their smartphones.

That is a massive opportunity for brands to push for their products or services through the platform.

11. There will be 1.2 billion 5G connections by 2025.

(SlickText)

The number of 5G connections will be about 1.2 billion by 2025. This connectivity is perfect for text message advertising as it offers fast speeds, low latency, and better immersive reality experiences.

Japan, the US, and China lead in terms of having the highest 5G connections.

The number of people who send and receive text messages will soon rise as time passes, and it’s up to users to use those gadgets responsibly.

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

(Startup Bonsai).

The older generation often wondered how the young could type 200 words per minute.

Since they are still engaging in it in their 40s, they have continued to pass this behavior on to their kids.

According to texting statistics, 3/4 of the age group prefers to reach out to companies through SMS.

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

(WP Manage Ninja)

An average of 5-6 hours per day is devoted by millennials and baby boomers on their mobile phones—which means they spend a quarter of their day staring at their phones.

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

It makes sense for businesses to use this opportunity in their favor because while 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?

Different users have behavior and approach to how they want to receive information. 

Some may opt for texting for faster communication, while others may choose email for more in-depth communication.

Read on to know the people’s opinions on which mode of communication they prefer.

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

(Slick Text)

88% of the people surveyed use their phones for texting. In 2023, 90% of the respondents disclosed that the number one use of their gadgets was to send and receive text.

People use their gadgets all the time, even while performing other duties. 

Data shows that no matter what people do, they are always glued to their phones, reading new information and news in today’s society.

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

(Slick Text)

Texting is much easier than logging into a website to make or edit reservation details. 

It's no wonder that over 60% of clients prefer to use this method, according to SMS marketing statistics.

Businesses that take bookings should incorporate phone messaging to accommodate more clients. This will reduce the number of no-shows and make it easier for customers. 

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. 

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 its lightning speed. 

Most prioritize the mode of communication because it brings the results they want pronto.

SMS is the best option for clients wanting to get their messages quickly.

SMS Marketing: The Next Big Thing in Marketing

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)

According to SMS marketing statistics, businesses that invested in advertising via text messaging during BFCM garnered over $1.1 billion. 

This mode of communication contributed about 30% of all stores' income during the period.

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

18. Over 3/4 of clients want businesses to send them offers using 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. Most recipients will be pleased the next time brands plan to do this.

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

(Podium)

SMS marketing stats show 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.

Suppose some consumers want to receive updates from their favorite brands through text messages. Companies should use this as an opportunity to reach out frequently to their customers. 

Sending order confirmations or order updates can be a great start.

20. 45% of clients respond to branded messages.

(Slick Text)

Almost half of the potential customers will respond to messages if companies include their brand's name. Corporate or business texts usually have about 11 characters; brands send them in bulk.

Using the brand's name on texts makes it easier for potential customers to separate spam from legit messages. 

Instead of using unknown numbers, this is a sure way to get people to be comfortable enough to open them and write back.

21. 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."

According to stats on texting, nearly 15% of customers that receive such messages would love to respond. 

Perhaps asking a question like "How can I make an order?" or sending feedback that could be helpful to help companies improve their product or service.

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. Consumers found that they have benefited a lot from being involved with these programs.

These programs greatly help improve customer engagement and drive more sales. SMS loyalty programs are effective and should be part of companies’ retention strategy. 

It gives customers personalized and timely messages that ensure them to be loyal to a brand. 

Remember that 54% of your consumers will consider leaving if you need to increase customer engagement.

23. 41.3% of businesses have increased their opt-in messages.

(Startup Bonsai)

More customers are going for opt-in SMSs, and about 41.3% of brands have witnessed this. This communication type allows your audience to accept or decline your messages. That way, you only keep texting interested clients.

Opt-in messages allow users to choose what messages they want to receive. 

Since text messaging has been around for decades, this can be very useful for companies to boost their marketing campaigns.

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.

Regarding texting vs. email response rates, the former performs better.  People are 4 times more likely to reply to your SMS marketing efforts than email.

25. 40% of women are texters.

(Rebrandly)

Recent text message marketing stats show people (including customers) constantly texting for business purposes.

Contacting businesses through text to schedule appointments, make product inquiries and other business purposes have become standard practice.

At this point, consumers should take full advantage of mobile technology and use it in their favor.

26. 25% of women use SMS to vote for television shows.

(Marketing Dive)

TV voting is popular among women. In a survey, 25% of women the participants admit to often voting through SMS.

On the other hand, only 10% of the men in the population do so. 

People who use SMS to vote range from ages 35 to 44. Brands can benefit from this since they respond more quickly to text messages than emails.

27. 60% of consumers want to reach support via messaging.

(Learning Hub)

Over 60% of your clients want to reach client support via SMS. Customers prefer a quicker way to solve their issues, leading to a few who like writing long emails or calls.

64% of adult consumers would leave a brand if their issues were not fixed and they didn’t feel valued during customer support. 

Aside from acknowledging the customers’ purchase history, companies can make their customers stay by giving them the proper customer support. 

SMS would be beneficial in delivering efficient and faster customer service.

28. 83% of consumers would like to receive booking appointments via text.

(Learning Hub)

Statistics show that 83% of consumers prefer receiving appointments through tests. 

Sending mobile messages to customers is not considered an invasion of their space because 83% of them would like to receive notifications through text.

Receiving thousands of daily messages does not mean people are tired of receiving them. 

Consumers have different take and preferences on how and where they want to receive messages, whether through email or text.

29. 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.

Texting became the preferred method.

According to text message statistics, more than 10,000 consumers signed up. They used this avenue, which shows great potential for companies and consumers.

30. SMS subscribers could reach 7.33 billion by 2023. 

(SMS Eagle)

As the number of mobile users increases, the number of SMS sent will also increase. SMS will continue to expand in marketing in the next few years.

By 2023, SMS subscribers are projected to reach around 7.33 billion. 

On average, a person uses their phone about 58 times per day—one of the reasons why mobile devices generate up to 70% of web traffic.

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.

Latest Developments

There's no doubt SMS marketing is a powerful tool. 

The statistics below will show if it will remain effective in the future. 

31. Nearly 6 billion people worldwide can send and receive text messages by 2025.

(SlickText)

There are 3.5 billion smartphone users worldwide in 2020.

Stats on text message marketing show 5.9 billion people worldwide will have access to SMS technology.

This means SMS marketing will continue to be as relevant in the future as it is today (if not more).

32. 61% of the world's population will have mobile internet by 2025.

(SlickText)

By 2025, a percentage of 61% of the global population is forecasted to have internet access on their mobile phones, which gives a sense of how many people use their phones daily.

This shows the future belongs to mobile marketing, of which SMS marketing is essential.

Fun Facts

As mentioned earlier, you might find the statistics quite fascinating, but wait until you read this fun side of SMS marketing statistics..

The figures below show how much consumers use their mobile phones.

33. 32% of American consumers spend more time on their phones than with their spouses.

(Small Biz Trends)

1/4 of survey respondents admitted that phone usage takes up more time than they spend with their other halves.

Phones are getting lots of human attention. People can use their phones to their advantage, but there could be setbacks when they get addicted.

34. 73% of individuals in the United States of America admit to using a phone in the toilet.

(Small Biz Trends)

People and their phones are inseparable. They need help getting enough with their phones, which shows in a survey that 73% of the participants admitted they use their devices even in the loo.

35. The first SMS message sent was "Merry Christmas."

(G2)

An engineer named Neil Papworth sent this two-word text message to his Vodafone colleagues on December 3, 1992.

36. Adults spend about 23 hours a week texting.

(Simple Texting)

Mobile phone users, especially adults, text around 23 hours a week. This shows how close to a full day people use their phones.

Imagine how much money brands would make by utilizing text message marketing channels even more.

37. 43% of customers proactively text a business.

(Learning Hub)

Texting has become a part of everyone’s daily life if not all but most people. 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.

Wrapping Up

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

The latest SMS marketing statistics show 64% of consumers think businesses should be contacting them via text messages more.

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.