Some combinations just work—like peanut butter and chocolate, or coffee and donuts. They’re great on their own, but when you put them together, they become something even better. The same goes for VoIP with SMS. On its own, VoIP offers businesses a cost-effective, flexible phone solution, while texting is the go-to for quick, convenient business communication.
But when you combine VoIP with business SMS, you get a powerful supersystem that lets you better connect with your customers and simplify your team’s chats, making your business run even better.
And this blog’s going to show you why.
But First, What is VoIP with SMS?
VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) technology allows businesses to make calls over the internet rather than through traditional phone lines, saving money and providing more flexibility. When you combine this with SMS capabilities, you create a powerful communication tool that offers the best of both worlds.
By integrating business text messaging into your VoIP system, you can send and receive text messages using the same platform you use for calls, opening up a whole new world of benefits.
The Top 3 Benefits of VoIP with SMS
Here are a few key advantages of incorporating SMS messaging into your VoIP system:
1. Better Customer Engagement
Customers expect quick, convenient communication, and SMS is a perfect way to meet that demand. Whether it’s confirming appointments, sending delivery updates, or answering simple questions, SMS solutions for business allow you to connect with customers in a way that feels personal, efficient, and engaging.
For instance, a small hardware store could use SMS to notify customers of order confirmations and shipment tracking. This not only improves customer satisfaction but also cuts down on time spent answering phone calls or emails.
Plus, a business is far more likely to get a response via text than any other medium. Think about it: how often do you check your texts compared to your emails or voicemails? If you’re like most consumers, your SMS open rate is 98 percent, while your email open rate languishes at around 20 percent.
2. Easier Internal Collaboration
But VoIP with SMS isn’t just about connecting with customers; it’s also an excellent tool for keeping your team on the same page. You can use SMS for everything from sharing important updates to coordinating schedules.
Let’s say you manage a logistics company. Using SMS, you can quickly notify your drivers of route changes or urgent deliveries. And because these messages are integrated with your VoIP system, everything happens in one place, removing the need to hop between different channels to connect with the right people.
If you have MMS messaging (multimedia messaging service) capabilities, you can easily send images, PDFs, and GIFs to your team. In this case, you could have your logistics company send a picture of the delivered package or other item to management so they know the delivery was successful.
3. More Cost-Efficient Communication
Traditional phone lines can be expensive, especially for small to medium-sized businesses. By using VoIP with SMS, you can save money and get more features. Plus, you can easily reach customers who prefer texting without investing in separate systems.
For example, a customer service team can answer simple questions via SMS rather than lengthy phone calls which, if you don't have unlimited calling, could cost you dearly. The cost to exchange text messages, on the other hand, can cost you anywhere between $0.01 and $0.05 per message - some providers include it for free with your VoIP plan. SMS messaging allows agents to handle more customer interactions in less time, improving their response times while keeping communication costs low.
4. Better Personal Security and Privacy
For small businesses, giving customers your cell phone number is a great way to build trust and rapport. But as you grow, receiving customer text messages at all hours of the day and night gets exhausting and opens you up to potential security risks.
But VoIP with SMS lets you solve that problem. It allows you to send and receive texts on a dedicated, encrypted business line, so you can communicate professionally without crossing any boundaries. For example, a real estate agent could text property details to a client without worrying about a phone call during dinner.
On top of that, VoIP systems often include security features like encryption, which means your messages are much harder to hack or intercept. It’s a win-win: you keep your private number private, enjoy the personal touch that text messaging brings, and show customers you take their privacy seriously, too.
How VoIP with SMS Impacts the “Real World”
You might be wondering how these benefits play out in different industries. Well, wonder no more. Here are a few examples of how integrated business texting solutions can improve communication in:
Retail
A local boutique uses SMS to inform customers about flash sales and exclusive offers via safe, secure SMS marketing campaigns. By sending a quick text message, they can drive traffic to their store or website, boosting sales without the need for expensive marketing campaigns.
Example Text Template: “FLASH [PRODUCT] SALE: Starts NOW! Enjoy 20% off your favorite items in-store and online. Hurry, this offer ends at 5 PM today! 🛍️ Visit us at [Store Address] or shop online at [Website Link]."
Healthcare
A medical clinic uses VoIP with SMS to coordinate shift changes and staff schedules. Doctors and nurses can receive instant updates about staffing needs or emergencies, ensuring everyone stays informed in real time.
Example Text Template: "URGENT: Shift change today due to [Reason]. Please check the updated schedule on the app or reply to this message for further details. Thank you!”
While this is a great example of internal SMS usage, SMS messages are also a great way to communicate externally with patients. Many offices use business texting solutions to send appointment reminders to patients, reducing no-shows and improving their experience exponentially.
Property Management
A real estate management company uses SMS to notify tenants of maintenance schedules or urgent building updates. Tenants can also respond with questions or requests, creating an easy communication flow between property managers and residents.
Example Text Template: "ATTENTION: Routine maintenance will take place on [Date] from [Time]. Please ensure any valuables are secured. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reply to this message. Thank you for your cooperation."
Event Planning
An event organizer sends SMS reminders and updates to attendees, vendors, and staff to ensure everyone is on the same page regarding event times, last-minute changes, or special instructions.
Example Text Template for Attendees: "Hi [Attendee Name]! Get ready for an unforgettable experience at [Event Name] on [Date]! Gates open at [Time]. Don't forget to bring your ticket and arrive early for the best spots! For any last-minute updates, reply to this message or check our website [Website Link]. See you there!”
Example Text Template for Vendors: "You’re receiving this text because you’re a vendor at [Event Name] on [Date]. Please arrive by [Arrival Time] for setup. Remember to check in at the vendor entrance. If you have any questions or need assistance, please respond to this text. We're so excited to have you!"
Education
With SMS solutions for business, a tutoring center can send text messages to remind students about upcoming sessions and to notify parents of any schedule changes or cancellations. This keeps communication clear and reduces administrative burdens on staff. Plus, it makes sure the students actually see and read the messages.
Example Text Template: "Hello [Student Name] and [Parent Name]! Just a reminder about your tutoring session on [Date] at [Time]. Please remember to bring [Items or Assignments You’re Working On Together]. If there are any changes or if you have questions, just respond to this message. Looking forward to it! "
In each of these examples, VoIP with SMS creates a smoother, more responsive communication process, helping businesses save time and keep customers happy.
Why Choose Simplicity VoIP’s SMS Plus?
Simplicity VoIP offers a seamless solution for businesses looking to integrate VoIP with SMS called SMSPlus. It’s designed to make communication easy and efficient for businesses of all sizes. The platform allows you to manage both calls and texts from a single interface, meaning you don’t need to invest in multiple systems to stay connected.
With SMSPlus, you can:
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Engage customers via text for things like order updates, appointment reminders, or general inquiries using the phone numbers they're already familiar with.
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Streamline internal communications, sending out important updates or coordinating with your team via SMS message.
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Save money by reducing reliance on traditional phone lines while enjoying the flexibility and scalability of a cloud-based communication platform.
SMSPlus is also designed with businesses of all sizes in mind. So, whether you're running a small local operation or managing a fast-growing company, you'll have the tools you need to communicate effectively—without breaking the bank.
So, ready to design your perfect solution (aka your "perfect pairing")? Reach out to our team at Simplicity, and we’ll help you create the ultimate communication experience for your business.
