Best Email and SMS Marketing Services

September 23, 2012
SMS Marketing Services

Small and medium-sized businesses are always looking for cost-effective ways to reach their audience, and the best email and SMS marketing services continue to deliver some of the highest returns. These channels remain affordable, measurable, and highly targeted — making them a favorite for businesses that want to generate more leads without overspending.

According to a 2012 report from the Direct Marketing Association, every $1 spent on email marketing generated an average return of $40. This kind of ROI is hard to match with other forms of digital marketing. When combined with SMS, which boasts open rates as high as 90% within three minutes of delivery (source: Nielsen 2012), businesses can engage customers faster and drive immediate actions like store visits, coupon redemptions, or website clicks.

Why SMBs Prefer the Best Email and SMS Marketing Services

For small businesses with limited budgets, email & SMS marketing services provide direct communication with customers at a fraction of the cost of traditional ads. Here are some reasons they stand out:

Low Cost, High Return: Compared to print or broadcast ads, sending email campaigns or bulk SMS messages costs pennies per contact.
Quick Setup: Platforms like MailChimp, Constant Contact, and EZ Texting allow SMBs to launch campaigns in minutes.
Measurable Results: Open rates, click-through rates, and redemption rates give clear performance insights.
Personalization: Businesses can send offers based on past purchases or customer location for better engagement.

Combining Email & SMS for Maximum ROI

While email newsletters work well for longer updates, SMS is perfect for urgent promotions. The smartest marketers use both to maximize impact. A common strategy is to send an email first and follow up with an SMS reminder for those who have not engaged.

Example of a High-Performing Workflow:

Email Blast: Send a detailed promotion with product images, coupon code, and links.
Follow-Up SMS: A short reminder, e.g., “Last chance! 20% off ends tonight. Click here.”
Track Results: Measure conversions from each channel to refine the next campaign.

This cross-channel approach not only boosts open rates but also ensures that the message reaches users regardless of whether they check their inbox or phone first.

Key Metrics That Matter

Successful campaigns using the best email and SMS marketing services focus on tracking and improving these key metrics:

Open Rate: Average email open rate for SMBs is around 22% (MailChimp 2012 benchmark).
Click-Through Rate (CTR): Well-crafted emails see CTRs between 3–5%.
SMS Response Rate: Industry averages show 45% response to marketing texts.
Conversion Rate: Tracking coupon redemptions or purchases shows real ROI.

These numbers help small businesses justify continued investment and refine their messaging to drive more revenue.

Tools Powering Email & SMS Marketing Services

Back in 2012, marketers relied on easy-to-use software to streamline campaign creation and delivery:

MailChimp & Constant Contact: For list management, automated follow-ups, and basic A/B testing.
EZ Texting & Twilio: For SMS delivery with reporting dashboards.
Google Analytics: To measure traffic from email clicks and optimize landing pages.

Pairing these tools ensures that campaigns are not just sent but also analyzed for performance, making it easier to improve with every send.

Best Practices for Better Results

To get the most out of email & SMS marketing services, SMBs should follow these tried-and-tested practices:

Segment email lists by customer interests or purchase history.
Test subject lines and send times to increase open rates.
Keep SMS messages short (under 160 characters) and include a clear CTA.
Use trackable links to measure which channel drives more traffic.
Always get opt-in consent to avoid spam complaints and stay compliant.

These small improvements can significantly boost campaign performance over time.

Measuring ROI and Long-Term Benefits

The best email and SMS marketing services don’t just deliver short-term gains. They help build stronger customer relationships, encourage repeat purchases, and improve brand recall. Many SMBs report that customers who subscribe to both email and SMS lists are more loyal and have higher lifetime value compared to non-subscribers.

By consistently measuring open rates, CTRs, and conversions, businesses can fine-tune their messaging and watch revenue grow month after month.

Conclusion

When it comes to driving affordable and measurable results, the best email and SMS marketing services remain an essential part of any SMB’s marketing mix. They provide a direct line to customers, deliver some of the highest ROI among all channels, and are easy to implement even with a small team. If you are looking to grow your audience, increase repeat sales, and stay connected with customers, start integrating these services into your next campaign and track the difference.