In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, businesses are constantly exploring innovative methods to engage their audiences. SMS marketing, with its affordability and impressive open rates of up to 90%, has been a popular choice for many organizations looking to maximize reach at a low cost. WhatsApp vs SMS Marketing
However, is the revenue generated by SMS marketing keeping pace with the evolving opportunities provided by the new-age WhatsApp Marketing?
The competition between WhatsApp Marketing vs SMS Marketing is intensifying, and this article aims to uncover the key distinctions between these two mobile advertising strategies.
WhatsApp Marketing is rapidly stealing the spotlight, with businesses increasingly leveraging Broadcast Messages sent via official WhatsApp Business API accounts. This tool enables more dynamic and personalized engagement than traditional SMS.
Let’s take a closer look at mobile marketing strategies and explore how WhatsApp Marketing stands apart from SMS Marketing.
Comparison between WhatsApp Marketing Vs SMS Marketing
The table below provides a comprehensive comparison between WhatsApp Marketing Vs SMS Marketing for businesses.
Clearly, WhatsApp outshines SMS by offering a significantly higher character limit, robust media support, the advantage of the verified Green Tick Badge, and numerous other features that SMS simply cannot match.
Note: The use cases mentioned for WhatsApp Marketing apply specifically to WhatsApp Business API-driven platform and not the standard WhatsApp Business App.
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Comparison
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WhatsApp Marketing
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SMS Marketing
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|---|---|---|
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Customer Engagement
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High Engagement
(Personalized, Interactive)
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Low Interactive
(Static, Non Interactive)
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|
Open Rate
|
||
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Click Rate
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45-60%
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2-5%
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|
Platform Access
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Mobile Device
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|
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Yes
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No
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|
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Character Limit
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1024 Character Per Message
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|
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Media Support
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Text, Image, Video, Documents, and Interactive Buttons
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Only Text
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|
Delivery Status
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Read Receipts, Delivery Status
(Easy to Track)
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Delivery Status ( Network Dependent)
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|
Interaction
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One to One Interaction Possible Real Time
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One Way Communication
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Cost
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WhatsApp Business App
WhatsApp Business API- ₹ 0.14- 0.92 Per Conversation (Depends on Type of Conversations)
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₹ 0.30-0.35 Per Message Cost
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|
Integration With Business
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Every Business Integration Available
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Limited Business Integration
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Ad Support
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Click to WhatsApp Ads
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Limited or no Ad Support
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Verified Account
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Yes, You Get a Verified WhatsApp Green Tick
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No way to Get Verified Account
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The Limitations of Traditional SMS Marketing
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Character Restrictions
SMS messages are limited to 160 characters, making it challenging to convey detailed information or engaging content without splitting messages. -
Lack of Rich Media Support
Unlike modern messaging platforms, SMS does not support images, videos, or interactive elements, reducing its appeal and effectiveness. -
One-Way Communication
SMS is predominantly a one-way channel, offering limited opportunities for interaction or real-time customer engagement. -
High Costs for MMS
Sending multimedia messages (MMS) incurs significantly higher costs, making it less feasible for bulk campaigns. -
No Branding Opportunities
SMS lacks features like profile verification or branding, such as WhatsApp’s Green Tick Badge, which builds trust with customers. -
Lower Engagement
Without rich media or interactive features, SMS messages can feel impersonal, resulting in reduced customer engagement over time. -
Spam Concerns
Many users perceive SMS marketing as intrusive or spammy, leading to higher opt-out rates compared to other platforms. -
Limited Analytics
SMS marketing provides basic metrics like delivery and open rates but lacks advanced analytics for tracking customer behavior or engagement.
WhatsApp vs SMS Marketing
WhatsApp's Advantages Over Traditional SMS Marketing
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Rich Media Support
WhatsApp supports images, videos, audio, documents, and even interactive buttons, making messages more engaging and visually appealing. -
Two-Way Communication
Unlike SMS, WhatsApp encourages real-time conversations, fostering better customer relationships and offering instant support. -
Verified Branding (Green Tick Badge)
Businesses can gain a verified profile with the Green Tick Badge, enhancing credibility and customer trust. -
Cost-Effectiveness for Multimedia
Sending rich media content is more affordable and seamless compared to SMS, which requires costly MMS for similar functionality. -
Advanced Analytics
WhatsApp Business API provides detailed insights, including delivery status, read receipts, and customer interaction metrics, for better campaign optimization. -
Global Reach with Localization
WhatsApp is widely used worldwide, allowing businesses to target international audiences with localized content. -
Interactive Features
With features like quick replies, catalogs, and buttons, WhatsApp enables interactive and user-friendly experiences. -
Encryption and Security
WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption ensures secure communication, giving users peace of mind when interacting with businesses. -
High Engagement Rates
Messages on WhatsApp often feel more personal, leading to higher open and response rates compared to SMS.
How WhatsApp Marketing Can Increase Engagement
Personalized Messaging
With ison Software WhatsApp businesses API tool to create highly customized messages using customer behaviour and data like names, preferences, and purchase history. Personalized communication resonates better with recipients, increasing engagement.Rich Media Content
The ability to share images, videos, audio, and documents makes messages more interactive and visually appealing. Engaging multimedia content captures attention and drives better responses.Interactive Features
WhatsApp supports buttons, quick replies, and product catalogs, making it easy for users to take actions like browsing products, booking services, or providing feedback directly within the app.Real-Time Communication
WhatsApp facilitates instant two-way communication. Businesses can provide quick support, answer queries, or respond to feedback in real-time, fostering trust and loyalty.Broadcast Messaging
Through the ison Software WhatsApp Business API Tool, businesses can send broadcast messages to a wide audience simultaneously while maintaining a personal touch by addressing customers individually.Group Engagement
WhatsApp enables group interactions where customers can engage in discussions, share opinions, and participate in community-building activities curated by the brand.Push Notifications
ison Software WhatsApp Business API tool can be used to send timely and relevant updates, such as order confirmations, delivery updates, or event reminders, ensuring the brand remains top of mind.High Open Rates
WhatsApp messages boast open rates of over 90%, ensuring that the majority of recipients see and engage with the content.Seamless Integration with Automation
ison Software Automated chatbots on WhatsApp API can handle routine queries and guide users through processes like placing orders or signing up for services, ensuring continuous engagement.Trust and Credibility
Verified business accounts with the Green Tick Badge instill confidence, making users more likely to engage with messages and trust the brand.
How to get started with WhatsApp Marketing?
The easiest way to get started with WhatsApp Marketing is via WhatsApp Business App.
However, the Business App is suitable only for individual businesses or solopreneurs & has multiple restrictions including:
1. Broadcast limit of 256 users/day. Also, only those people will receive the Broadcast who have added you to their contacts.
2. No automation or Chatbot integration is available
3. No Green Tick branding
Countering such limitations is the WhatsApp Business API!
WhatsApp Business API allows you to counter such limitations & connect with hundreds & thousands of users in one go easily. While WhatsApp created the WhatsApp Business API, it didn’t create an interface to use the WhatsApp Business API.
That’s where ison Software comes in! ison Software is the Smartest WhatsApp Marketing Platform built on Official WhatsApp Business APIs helping 1000+ Businesses drive the power of WhatsApp Marketing for their businesses. Using ison Software, you can:
- Broadcast messages to Unlimited users in one go
- Automate useful notifications via integrations
- Send product Catalogues to sell products on WhatsApp
- Automate 80% queries with Chatbot integration
Wish to get started now?
WhatsApp vs SMS Marketing
WhatsApp Marketing: The Future of Mobile Advertising
With over 2 billion active users globally, WhatsApp Marketing is emerging as a transformative force in the scope of mobile advertising. Its blend of rich media capabilities, interactive features, and personalized communication is setting a new benchmark for how businesses engage with their customers. ison software WhatsApp business API integrates seamlessly with chatbots and CRM systems, enabling businesses to automate routine tasks like customer support, lead nurturing, and order updates while maintaining a personalized touch. ison Software platform provides detailed analytics on message delivery, open rates, and customer interactions, helping businesses refine their strategies and maximize ROI. End-to-end encryption ensures that communications on ison software WhatsApp business API remain private and secure, fostering confidence among users.
Unlike traditional SMS or email marketing, ison Software, WhatsApp offers a more dynamic and customer-centric approach, ensuring better ROI and long-term customer loyalty. Whether it’s enhancing customer support, driving sales, or building brand trust, WhatsApp Marketing provides unmatched opportunities for businesses to be a success in today’s competitive digital landscape.
