In a recent inquiry, a reader sought guidance on the feasibility of sending SMS messages to their subscribers in conjunction with email newsletters through the WordPress platform. The response is affirmative, and within the scope of this article, we will elucidate the process of dispatching SMS messages to your WordPress user base.
**The Rationale Behind Sending SMS Messages to Your User Base**
The practice of sending SMS messages can wield significant efficacy in re-engaging customers with your WordPress website. When seamlessly integrated with other marketing tools such as email newsletters, push notifications, and search traffic strategies, SMS messages can yield superior results. Studies have even indicated staggering open rates for SMS messages, with figures soaring as high as 98%. This stands in stark contrast to the conventional email open rates that hover around a mere 20%. Furthermore, SMS messages enjoy the advantage of prompt attention, with an average response time of approximately 90 seconds compared to the languid 90 minutes often required for email responses. However, it is paramount to exercise discretion and respect user preferences to prevent overzealous messaging.
**Crucial Note: Adherence to Legal Regulations**
It is imperative to ensure strict compliance with the legal stipulations governing text messages. Diverse countries enforce distinct legal requirements concerning marketing messages via SMS. Additionally, SMS messages can be effectively employed for sending receipts or order updates from your WooCommerce store.
**In this comprehensive tutorial, we will be utilizing the Brevo platform as our primary example. However, it is worth noting that you can also employ alternative email marketing solutions such as Omnisend, HubSpot, and others to facilitate SMS message distribution.**
**Sending SMS Marketing Messages with Brevo**
Brevo, previously known as Sendinblue, is a proficient email marketing service that facilitates the transmission of SMS messages to your subscriber base. To embark on this journey, you must commence by creating an account with Brevo. Visit the Brevo website, and initiate the process by clicking on the ‘Sign Up Free’ button. This will lead you to the account creation phase where you are prompted to input your email address, select a password, and finalize your account creation by clicking ‘Create an account.’ Alternatively, you can expedite the process by utilizing your Google or Apple credentials for registration.
Upon the successful establishment of your account, you will be required to complete your user profile by furnishing the necessary information and progressing by clicking ‘Next.’ This step necessitates the verification of your phone number through the reception of an activation code via SMS. With your account now configured, you can explore Brevo’s array of plans, including a free option for email transmission. However, it is vital to note that SMS message transmission necessitates the acquisition of credits.
Post-account setup, you will gain access to your Brevo dashboard. Prior to commencing message transmission, it is imperative to reach out to Brevo’s support team via the designated contact page. In your communication, explicitly request the activation of your account while providing the URL of your WordPress website, highlighting your intent to send marketing messages. Subsequent to approval, you can anticipate an email from Brevo, which may take up to 24 hours for delivery.
**Procuring SMS Credits for Your Brevo Account**
During the interim period while awaiting account approval, you can proceed with the configuration of your Brevo account. To enable the SMS application within Brevo, navigate to the Campaigns dashboard and select ‘Create a campaign.’ You will encounter various campaign types, with email campaigns already activated. To activate SMS campaigns, simply click ‘Activate’ adjacent to the SMS option. Once successfully enabled, you can dismiss the popup window.
With the SMS application now activated, you can proceed to purchase SMS credits. Access this option by clicking on ‘Usage and plan,’ followed by ‘Get more credits.’ Here, you can specify the quantity of credits you wish to procure and subsequently complete the transaction. Please be aware that it may take up to 48 hours for the credits to be reflected in your account. Brevo might also request further details regarding your SMS marketing intentions to ensure compliance with relevant regulations. In such cases, promptly respond to their email with the requisite information to facilitate the addition of credits to your account.
**Compiling Your SMS Marketing List**
To initiate the process of sending SMS messages, it is imperative to import your contact list into Brevo. This can be accomplished by navigating to the ‘Contacts’ tab and selecting ‘Import contacts.’ You have the option to either upload a .csv file containing your contacts or manually input them line by line. It is essential to confirm that your users have explicitly opted in to receive SMS marketing messages. Consider leveraging WordPress plugins like WPForms or OptinMonster to efficiently collect phone numbers and obtain user consent from website visitors.
**Dispatching Your Inaugural SMS Campaign**
Upon the availability of your SMS credits, you are poised to initiate the process of sending SMS messages. As a prudent measure, it is advisable to commence with a test message to ascertain the proper functionality of the system. You can employ either your initial phone number or create a test contact within Brevo for this purpose. Begin by generating a contact within the ‘Contacts’ section and subsequently assign it to an appropriate list. Then, proceed to the ‘Campaigns » SMS’ section and click ‘Create an SMS campaign.’ Here, you will be prompted to input a campaign name and designate an SMS sender. If your SMS messages are intended for recipients within the United States, be sure to enable the compliance toggle.
**In Conclusion**
The deployment of SMS messages as part of your marketing arsenal can be a potent strategy for engaging your WordPress user base. By seamlessly amalgamating SMS messages with other marketing tools, you can effectively captivate your audience and channel traffic to your website. Brevo serves as a dependable platform for SMS message distribution, although alternative options are available for exploration. It is of paramount importance to diligently adhere to SMS laws and diligently obtain user consent for all marketing messages. Commence by importing your contact list and embark on the journey of sending targeted SMS campaigns.
*Disclaimer: This rewritten content serves solely as a guide and does not guarantee the accuracy or validity of the original information. It is advisable to consult the original article for precise details and instructions.*
