Communicating with customers via text message is becoming an essential outreach channel for many small businesses today. However, not all text messaging apps are created equal when it comes to meeting the unique needs of small business owners. After testing out some of the top contenders, here are our top picks for the best text messaging services for small businesses in 2024:
- SimpleTexting
- TextMagic
- EZ Texting
- Square Marketing SMS
1 SimpleTexting
As of now, SimpleTexting is my first choice recommendation for small business owners looking for an intuitive text messaging solution. Here’s an overview of the key features and benefits:
- $29/month basic plan
- Modern, easy-to-use interface
- Auto-responders to engage customers
- Customizable data fields for segmentation
- MMS capabilities for picture and video
- Multi-user access
- API and integrations (MailChimp, Zapier etc)
- Free toll-free virtual number included
- SMS codes and analytics
- 15-day free trial, no credit card required
I found SimpleTexting to have a very clean, simple dashboard that makes sending out customized mass texts and newsletters a breeze. The ability to segment contacts, personalize messages with merge fields, and trigger automated campaigns based on customer behavior makes it easy to engage customers in a relevant way.
2 TextMagic
For small businesses wanting an affordable SMS solution with powerful features, TextMagic is another solid contender.
Key features include:
- Easy to get started
- Send SMS via email integration
- Robust API and integrations
- Free incoming messages
- Virtual local numbers
- Zapier integration
- Established provider with over 100,000 users
While TextMagic doesn’t have quite as polished of an interface as SimpleTexting, the lower costs and seamless email SMS capabilities offer a lot of value. This is a great standalone SMS app, especially for smaller contact lists.
3 EZ Texting
Rounding out my top 3 recommendations is EZ Texting, an SMS provider with a long track record of success. Notable EZ Texting features:
- 200,000+ business customers
- Contact opt-out functionality
- Free trial (no required credit card)
- QR codes, SMS codes
- Scheduling and analytics
- Award-winning solution
My experience with EZ Texting found some drawbacks compared to the others though, mainly:
- The interface is not as user-friendly
- Slower ramp-up time
- Does not save campaign drafts
That said, they do offer a reputable text messaging solution for small companies wanting text engagement with customers. I would recommend trialing them in comparison to SimpleTexting and TextMagic as well.
4 Square Marketing
Given the popularity of Square for payment processing, I also took a look at Square’s SMS marketing tool for small businesses.
Key Features:
- All-in-one solution for current Square users
- Sync customer data from POS
- Email collecting for SMS consent
Our Experience:
While on the surface Square Marketing seems like an ideal SMS solution for Square merchants, I encountered a few pain points when testing for actual use cases:
Cons:
Requires email opt-in process for SMS
Can’t use own existing business phone number
Features tailored more towards retail vs service businesses
Numerous compliance rules to follow
Essentially, Square forces you to communicate through their number vs building engagement from your business number that customers already recognize. And there’s a cold, corporate feel to the forced email sign-up process before engaging customers through SMS.
For retailers with less personal client relationships, Square Marketing could still be a solid text messaging option for syncing customer data and sending one-way broadcasts. But for service small businesses, I think there are better tools available.
The Bottom Line:
Getting set up with an SMS tool tailored to your needs will be hugely impactful for communicating with customers in 2024 and beyond. Connecting through text is key for every organization today. We highly recommend SimpleTexting as the leading small business texting app available currently but encourage trying out a few options firsthand. With so many options now available, we recommend starting out by trialing SimpleTexting, TextMagic, EZ Texting and Square Marketing firsthand to see which platform best fits your needs.
If you already leverage other Square services, their messaging may appeal for simplicity’s sake. However, in my experience, SimpleTexting still wins out as the most versatile, easy-to-use SMS app for engaging both new and existing customers with a personal touch.
TextMagic also offers an affordable yet powerful standalone SMS solution, while EZ Texting rounds out solid offerings from long-standing industry providers.
Whichever platform you end up choosing, establishing SMS messaging for your small business will have tremendous benefits for communicating in 2024 and beyond. Sending the right message at the right time to connect with customers is a strategy I suggest all small business owners adopt moving forward this coming year.
Overwhelmed? Let us do it for you!
The Tech Guys Email Marketing Service
With so many text messaging services now flooding the small business market, sifting through everything to determine what would work best for your needs can admittedly get overwhelming.
The good news? You don’t have to figure it all out alone.
As part of our Email Marketing Service packages for small businesses, we can provide hands-on guidance when it comes to:
- Analyzing your current customer engagement needs
- Recommending the right SMS platform for your business goals
- Assisting with setup, integration, and training
Rather than pulling your hair out testing four different messaging providers, leverage our real-world experience to shortcut the decision process. Our Email Marketing Service team knows firsthand the pros and cons of today’s leading SMS solutions. Let us guide you to the perfect text messaging application so you can get back to growing your business.
Contact us today to learn more about this value-added assistance!
Call us today at: 844-TEC-GUYS – (844) 832-4897
