Email SMS Marketing Tools to Boost your Impact

Some say Email is Dead but is it really?
Is SMS the better option?
Let's Highlight the Best Email SMS tools on the Market

There are always new marketing channels that evolve over time, but email and sms are older methods that can be just as strong as any current trend. Not only that, but both will compliment your other marketing avenues such as social media and SEO. While both Email SMS are very effective, they tend to serve distinct purposes when communicating with your guests.

Email Marketing

Email is ideal for delivering detailed messages complete with images and attachments, allowing recipients to save them for future reference. It's a cost-effective method for businesses to connect with their desired audience, boost brand recognition, and promote products or services. Additionally, email marketing helps in sharing updates, news, and nurturing customer loyalty. Email campaigns typically involve creating a list of subscribers who have willingly opted in to receive emails from a business. The emails are tailored and segmented to cater to specific preferences, behaviors, or demographics. Email marketing is a direct way to engage customers, and its effectiveness is gauged by open rates, click-through rates, and conversion rates.

SMS Marketing

On the flip side, SMS marketing, also referred to as text marketing, is a strategy involving the sending of promotional messages, offers, or alerts to customers via text messages. SMS marketing campaigns deliver concise messages with a clear call-to-action, aiming to engage with your customers. These campaigns typically cost more but are extremely effective as the click-through rates, and conversion rates are much higher. For the best results it is recommended to target your list based on demographics, locations, preferences or behaviors as opposed to sending one bulk text blast. This form of marketing leverages the power of mobile phones and often targets specific customer based on their preferences and behaviors. Who isn't on a phone these days so it would make sense to leverage the power of mobile phones to your benefit.

Best Email Marketing Tools

Now, let's be real. Marketers have their hands full when it comes to email campaigns. Crafting a stunning email from scratch can be a time consuming task. Without the right tools, you might find yourself pouring hours into emails that don't quite hit the mark. It's a strain that can seriously cramp your email marketing game.

Email marketing has taken some incredible strides in recent years! It's not just about sending out mass emails anymore. Now, brands can nurture their subscribers, set things on autopilot, sort their lists into targeted segments, and even blend different channels into one powerful tool. It's like having a magic wand for generating sales, day in and day out.

The good news there are some great email marketing tools that won't break the bank.

Below we will uncover some tools to help you elevate your email marketing game.

Moosend.com

Moosend is the simplest and most modern solution to deliver email marketing and automation experiences that drive real revenue growth. Schedule personalized emails with high deliverability rates that will build relationships and lead to conversions. With customizable templates, drag and drop editors, A/B testing, subject line optimizers and list segmentation they have the features you need. They are one of the cheaper priced options on the market and they provide the convenience to pay either by number of subscribers or by numbers of emails sent.

Highlights

• Create customized and personalized email campaigns with premade Automation Templates.
• Drag and Drop newsletter editor.
• Ai subject line optimizer.
• A/B testing to pick your best performing campaigns.
• Fast loading landing pages with pixel tracking codes.
• Visual workflow builder to send automated emails based on 100+ triggers.
• Flexible Subscription forms with advanced rules to collect data.
• Comprehensive, precise and easy-to-manage reports that save you time and help you make the best decisions.
• 24/7 customer support

Sender.net

With Sender you can manage both your email and SMS campaigns under one roof. Effortlessly build, run, monitor, and optimize high converting email and SMS sequences with 100% automation without switching between apps. Create high converting designs with their drag and drop builder or use premade templates to streamline the process. Setting up automated campaigns with advanced segmentation takes minutes and they have all the features you need to grow your sales. Every plan is affordable and includes access to premium features.

Highlights

• Manage both Email and SMS campaigns under one umbrella.
• Setup Automatic Email and SMS workflows to help generate sales.
• Drag and Drop Builder with custom fields.
• Premade automation sequences to save you time.
• Nurture your customers with personalized workflows such as automated welcome messages.
• Follow up with Abandoned carts to recover potential sales.
• Send perfectly-timed messages for special occasions.
• Ability to personalize SMS messages
• All accounts come with a toll-free number to send SMS messages.
• Get in-depth data and analytics on all important campaign metrics. Analyze subscriber activity, link clicks, and contact group efficiency.
• Integrate with other tools that you already use.
• Budget friendly and great for Start ups.

Cakemail.com

Cakemail is an AI-integrated email marketing platform that assists in delivering personalized email campaigns, managing contacts, automating marketing tasks, and providing comprehensive analytics.

Highlights

• Send beautifully branded responsive emails to engage your audience.
• Use A/B testing to understand what subject lines and email content preform the best. 
• Audience management to grow, manage, and target your customers effectively.
• If you have a current list importing is made easy.
• Use segments or tags to automatically group targeted customers based on similar traits, interests or behavior's.
• Automation builder makes it easy to send a welcome email or a series of onboarding emails to new mailing list subscribers.
• Personalize and connect with your customers to boost subscriber engagement rates using dynamic Call to actions.
• Grow your contact list and collect key information using strategically placed sign-up forms on your website, blog or social media pages.
• They manage deliverability, ensuring that your emails reach the inbox and that your domain isn’t blocked or blacklisted by ISPs.

Sendx.io

SendX offers a robust set of tools to help you craft beautiful emails & send them effectively to your audience, from the simplest newsletter to the most complex marketing systems. Start with one of 50 proven-to-convert templates or build your own. With tagging and segmenting they make it easy to organize your list based on any attributes, including contact behaviors and custom properties. If you need to clean up your list, or run an ongoing integration with a 3rd party app, SendX allows you flexible no-code options.   

Highlights

• Easy Drag & Drop Editor to Build Attractive Emails.
• Forms and Landing Pages to help grow your list.
• A/B Testing to Make Sure Your Message has the Highest Engagement Possible.
• Advanced Automations to Eliminate Repetitive Manual Tasks.
• Tagging & Segmentation To Help You Stay Organized.
• Bulk import your contacts via CSV.
• Powerful and clear reporting with heat mapping tools.
• Unlimited Teams & Users.
• Plans are based on subscribers with unlimited emails per month and all features included.

Sendpulse.com

SendPulse is a multi-channel marketing automation platform that combines email, web push, SMS, and chatbots for various messaging platforms, providing tools to streamline sales and marketing processes. It allows you to House all sales and marketing activities from all your workflows in one place. Use chatbots, subscription forms, and landing pages to capture contact details to make sure potential customers never slip through the cracks.

Highlights

• Offers email, web push, SMS, and chatbot capabilities for platforms like Facebook, Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram.
• Set up automated email flows paired with messenger chatbots and SMS to advance customers from stage to stage of your funnel and close more sales.
• Send automated emails triggered by user behavior to deliver valuable information to your customers at key moments of their journey.
• Let WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, and Telegram chatbots handle routine tasks like giving advice, gathering customer data and feedback, and much more.
• Add push notifications to your campaigns to drive visitors back to your website.
• Create responsive opt-in forms in no time to grow your list.
• Integrate SMS into your marketing strategy to catch prospects and customers on the move.
• Use their creative tools and professionally designed templates to create compelling and powerful landing pages in a matter of minutes without any coding.
• Stay on target with customer insights and campaign analytics.
• Integrate CRM with other SendPulse products seamlessly. Reach out to your leads and customers via email or chatbot directly from their contact card in your CRM.
• Plans available either by subscriber or by the amount of emails you want to send.

Beefree.io

Beefree is a fast, collaborative email & landing page design suite. It helps you dramatically cut down on email and landing page production time while retaining full design freedom and enforcing branding guidelines. Move from idea to ready-to-go, responsive emails & pages in hours, not days.

Highlights

• Wide range of ready-to-use customizable templates.
• Cut down on time with reusable content blocks.
• Enjoy endless design freedom.
• Create responsive emails & pages in hours, not days.
• Take control of projects with organization and user management features.
• Optimize mobile emails by hiding specific elements for a better user experience.
• Complete design and branding control.
• Protect your data and privacy with Beefree's 2FA option.

Best SMS Marketing Tools

If you want high deliverability, increased customer engagement and more revenue, than SMS marketing must be implemented in your game plan. It is one of the most convenient channels to communicate with your guests which means you have to tap into it.

The question is which platforms you should use? Below are a few that we recommend to get your message delivered.

Slicktext.com

Slicktext is an easy to use SMS platform that will help you connect with your customers through targeted, action-driven text messages. Build up your list fast by using their website popups, landing pages, social opt-in links, custom QR codes, checkout forms, short codes, or third-party integrations. Their comprehensive set of subscriber growth tools will maximize the size of your audience and keep it growing.

Highlights

• Easy to use platform.
• Create a keyword or short code unique and specific to your business. Once they engage with your keyword they will automatically become part of your list.
• Build gorgeous, mobile friendly opt in forms that can be used as landing pages.
• Create beautiful, fully branded website popups that capture visitor information and give them the ability to opt into your text marketing lists.
• Opt people in with the click of a link. Their uniquely-coded opt-in links provide an excellent way to grow your SMS marketing list through social media, email or anywhere you can put a clickable link.
• Generate custom QR codes to give people an easy way to opt into your lists with a quick scan.
• Simple bulk messaging from your desktop or via their mobile app.
• Easily attach pictures to any of your outgoing text messages to boost engagement and response rates.
• Text to Win Contests are a great way to engage your audience, drive action, and build your contact list. 
• Text Surveys allow you to create multi-question survey & data collection flows.
• Build on-brand, redeemable mobile coupons to send to your guests.
• Use their loyalty program to create points or dollars-based incentives.

Simpletexting.com

SimpleTexting offers an advanced SMS marketing platform with a wide range of features and integrations for businesses to engage with their audience through text messages. Features include 2-way messaging, scheduled mass text messages, toll-free texting, landline texting, short codes, and more. They also make it easy to create automations or integrate with your favorite apps.

Highlights

• Use 2-Way Messaging to communicate directly with your guests and improve customer satisfaction. Not all platforms offer 2-Way messaging so use it to your advantage.
• Send and Schedule Mass Text Messages with coupons, product images, and other rich media.
• Your account comes with a complimentary toll-free number that is approved for mass messaging and 2-way communication.
• Landline texting allows you to reach people more effectively with a registered local number.
• Use short codes to build your list and quickly engage with your customers.
• Let your fans opt in to your text messages right from your website with web forms.
• Teammates feature lets you assign additional users to your lists, but it gives you the option to assign each new user their own phone number.
• Add multiple phone numbers to one account to make sure the right message gets to the right department, agent, or location by assigning each one its own line.
• Automated Birthday Texts 
• Write, customize, and schedule a recurring text message to send on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis.
• Utilize triggers to get back to customers with lightning speed.
• Set autoresponders and away messages.
• Option to extend character limit from 160 to 306 characters.

TextMagic.com

Transform your customer experience with an easy-to-use text messaging marketing software. Send notifications, alerts, reminders, confirmations, and SMS marketing campaigns anytime, anywhere.

Highlights

• Quickly and cost-effectively send bulk messages to anywhere in the world.
• Send and receive instant text messages with their online SMS chat.
• Schedule your important SMS reminders, alerts, campaigns and notifications.
• Email to SMS converts your email into a text message and delivers it, with all replies then arriving as emails.
• Virtual mobile numbers to receive text messages from anyone without having to text them first.
• Import contacts from Excel or clipboard.
• Mail merge custom fields enable you to send thousands of personalized text messages.
• Subscribers can text STOP to unsubscribe from your messages.
• Create sub-accounts that give team members access to all features.
• Access performance metrics like delivery, reply rates and costs through the admin panel.
• Identify invalid phone numbers and carriers instantly.
• Create automatic rules for processing incoming text messages – including auto-replies and adding subscribers to lists.
• Send long text messages up to 918 characters.
• Display your company name as the sender of a text message, turning a simple SMS into a powerful branding tool.
• Forward your number to any phone so that potential customers can call you in response to your text with a single click.
• Upload audio files and deliver them as calls straight to your customers phones.
• No set-up or account fees with pay as you go plan. 

Email vs SMS

In our opinion implementing both Email SMS channels to your marketing is essential. They both have their advantages and disadvantages so let's give a quick analysis of the pros and cons of each.

Pros

• Cost Effective: As you build your list, email makes it easy to affordably reach hundreds or thousands customers simultaneously.
• Targeting: Tailor your message to specific customers based on a specific criteria such as age, title, or location. This segmentation ensures your message resonates with your customers and will deliver better results.
• Connections: Personalizing your email campaigns will make your customers feel as they are part of your brand. You will connect with them on a personal level which will build a strong connection leading to a faithful following. So the next time you showcase a product or service they will be the first on line to support you.
• Accessibility: Unless you live under a rock who doesn't have an email address. In addition, people are often more willing to share their email addresses than phone numbers, making email marketing an effective channel for lead generation.

Cons

• Spam Concerns: One of the prominent drawbacks of email marketing is of course spam. Before blasting emails it's best to warm up your accounts to help prevent emails falling into the trash. This occurs when recipients either don't want your emails or when you fail to adhere to best practices in email marketing.
• Deliverability Hurdles: The success of your email marketing campaign is heavily influenced by email domains and service providers. If your email service provider or domain has a tarnished reputation, it could hinder the delivery of your emails. Moreover, if your email content triggers spam filters, there's a significant likelihood that your email marketing efforts may not reach your intended audience.
• Engagement Challenges: While email marketing can effectively reach a large audience, it doesn't always translate into high engagement. Many recipients tend to disregard or delete emails without ever reading them. This can undermine the overall effectiveness of your email marketing campaign.
• Legal Compliance: Email marketing is subject to laws and regulations that vary by country. Adhering to these legal frameworks is crucial to avoid potential legal complications.

SMS Marketing Pros & Cons

Pros

• Personalization: Enhance your text messages by including your customer's name and tailoring the content specifically to them. SMS represents an intimate communication channel, so let your creativity shine when conveying your message, and witness a boost in engagement!
• Opted In: When you send SMS marketing messages to your customers, it's because they requested it. They willingly shared their phone number and granted you permission to send them messages. Unlike email marketing, there's no need to fret about triggering spam filters.
• Engagement: Due to the frequent checking of text messages, you can expect higher engagement and response rates compared to other platforms.
• Competitive Advantage: Surprisingly, only a small percentage of businesses incorporate SMS marketing into their strategies, despite its effectiveness. Take advantage in connecting with your target audience and converting them into customers.

Cons

• Phone Number Dependency: Unlike email addresses, acquiring phone numbers can be a more challenging task today. Businesses need to proactively request phone numbers from customers to build their SMS contact list.
• Cost Factor: SMS marketing can incur expenses depending on your chosen platform. Costs may include phone number acquisition, message credits, and service plans required for sending text messages.
• Message Length Limitation: Text messages are limited to 160 characters, unlike email marketing, which offers more flexibility. Extending your SMS marketing beyond this limit requires additional charges. Businesses need to be concise and creative in their storytelling, as recipients anticipate short and to-the-point messages.
• Stringent Legal Compliance: SMS marketing is subject to rigorous regulations. Businesses adopting SMS as a marketing strategy must adhere to strict privacy laws. This includes proper documentation demonstrating customer consent for subscription. Failure to comply can result in fines and legal repercussions.

The Email vs. SMS Marketing Debate

Choosing between email and SMS marketing depends on your business model and personal preference. Each channel has its distinct strengths when employed effectively. Therefore, thorough research is essential before making your decision.

Ultimately, achieving the highest ROI hinges on crafting engaging content tailored to each customer's preferences and needs. Utilize tools like A/B testing to monitor results over time. Armed with these resources, you'll be on the path to success with either type of campaign.

The tools listed above will surely put you in the path to success.

FAQ

What are the 4 types of email marketing?

The four main types of email marketing are:

• Transactional Emails: These include order confirmations, receipts, and shipping notifications.
• Promotional Emails: Sent to promote products, services, or offers to a broad audience.
• Lifecycle Emails: These are automated emails triggered by user actions, such as welcome emails, onboarding sequences, and re-engagement emails.
• Personalized Emails: Tailored to individual recipients based on their preferences, behavior, or demographics.

Can you make money from email marketing?

Yes, you can make money from email marketing. It's a powerful tool for driving sales, nurturing leads, and building customer relationships. Effective email campaigns can lead to increased revenue through conversions and repeat business.

What is the most essential thing in email?

The most essential thing in email is relevance. Ensuring that your emails are relevant to the recipient's interests, needs, and preferences is crucial for engagement and success in email marketing.

Can you send an SMS via email?

Yes, you can send an SMS (text message) via email. Many mobile carriers provide email-to-SMS gateways, allowing you to send an email to a specific email address associated with the recipient's phone number, and it will be delivered as an SMS.

How can I send free SMS from email?

Sending free SMS from email typically depends on the service or email client you use. Some email services offer free SMS sending as part of their features. You can usually find this option in the email client's settings or by using specific email-to-SMS gateways provided by mobile carriers.

How can I send SMS without a number?

Sending an SMS typically requires a sender and recipient phone number. However, some online services and apps may allow you to send messages without revealing your personal phone number. These services often use temporary or virtual numbers for anonymity.