SMS@25: Its relevance and still-untapped customer service potential for SMBs

James Glenn Gomez Published on December 11, 2017

businessman holding smartphone with backdrop of birds eye view of progressive city

In the world of fast-paced communication and instant gratification, text messaging should’ve been passe by now. But SMS isn’t dead yet, and it still holds potential for customer service and for small and medium businesses (SMBs).

In this month, 25 years ago, the first-ever text message was sent by then-developer Neil Papworth to Vodafone director Richard Jarvis. While it wasn’t totally embraced during its infancy, it has slowly taken over voice communication and email as the most widely used communication channel. All of these came into fruition through hard work and two words: Merry Christmas.

However, the advent of the digital era—social media and live chat—created a need for a faster, instant interaction. In fact, in 2015, Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp have overtaken SMS as popular platforms to send a message by threefold. While some say that texting is dying, there are others who say otherwise. This channel is still relevant in this Internet-centric world.

How SMS thrives today

The key advantage that SMS has over its more advanced competitors is its ubiquity. Every phone has it—smartphone, feature phone, you name it. You don’t need to connect to the Internet, you don’t need to download an application; it’s just there.
There are also companies that focus on the SMS ecosystem of yore. There’s MessageBird and Twili, both of which basically allow for creating software for sending text and voice messages around the world. Then there’s Textocracy, an SMS-based feedback gathering service. Another worth noting is MPesa, which acts as an SMS-based banking service popular in Africa.

How SMBs can take advantage of SMS

There are also a handful of companies and small businesses that use SMS as a form of customer service channel. The commonality of text messaging feature on phones makes it an invaluable tool, sans the need for Internet data. Think about it, with just one SMS, a customer can contact their local power company regarding an outage. SMBs can use text messaging to their advantage. Clients can also receive updates, promotions, and the like or send inquiries from and to SMBs.
Through SMS, SMBs can directly communicate with customers. Its convenience allows customers to contact businesses without the fear of being put on hold. A survey by HeyWire Business in 2014 revealed that 52% of their respondents preferred that they could text customer support. The study also showed that 31% believed it’s important that texting be a support option, and 47% said it could improve customer satisfaction.
SMBs can also take advantage of texting’s costs. Since SMS is a rather cheap channel to implement and maintain, interacting with customers is easier. As such, you can focus on improving the quality of your products and services. Through various software, your business can quickly respond to customer support interactions and ask for feedback.
SMS isn’t dead yet nor will it die anytime soon. It may not have the biggest share of users right now, but its features and untapped potential can help your small or medium business grow further.

Join us on facebook
Open Access BPO Yesterday
Delivering outstanding #CustomerSupport on over #SocialMedia promptly is essential for enhancing #CustomerSatisfaction and improving the overall brand experience.

But how can your brand consistently deliver on this crucial front?

Improve your customer interactions and build stronger connections on social media by reading all about it on our blog: https://buff.ly/sdjJ2A3

——————————
Give your brand a CX boost on the social web!
Outsource to a #CustomerService expert today: https://buff.ly/aBetHaO

#WeSpeakYourLanguage
#CustomerService #CSat
#CustomerExperience #CX
Open Access BPO 11 days ago
The world is getting smaller, and your customers come from all corners of it!
Partnering with a culturally diverse #CallCenter team isn't just the right thing to do, it's a smart business move.

Learn about the key benefits in our blog:
https://buff.ly/360SqHP

----------
Want a high-value #CustomerExperience for your diverse audience?

Let our multicultural teams help your brand break into international markets without worries.

Contact us today: https://buff.ly/59i7YD6

#WeSpeakYourLanguage
#CX #diversity #inclusion
Open Access BPO 11 days ago
Open Access BPO is kicking off our Pride Week, a dedicated series of events celebrating #PrideMonth. This initiative underscores our commitment to fostering a workplace culture built on #inclusion and #diversity.

Throughout the week, we've planned a series of meaningful activities designed to celebrate the #LGBTQIA+ community. We believe that fostering an environment where every individual feels valued and empowered is crucial for our collective success.

Our dedication to creating a safe and equitable space extends beyond this week, reflecting our ongoing commitment to a more inclusive future for all.

#WeSpeakYourLanguage
#PrideMonth #Pride2025 #UnitedByLove
#OneWithDiversity #PrideMonth2025
Open Access BPO 11 days ago
Open Access BPO is kicking off our Pride Week, a dedicated series of events celebrating #PrideMonth. This initiative underscores our commitment to fostering a workplace culture built on #inclusion and #diversity.

Throughout the week, we've planned a series of meaningful activities designed to celebrate the #LGBTQIA+ community. We believe that fostering an environment where every individual feels valued and empowered is crucial for our collective success.

Our dedication to creating a safe and equitable space extends beyond this week, reflecting our ongoing commitment to a more inclusive future for all.

#WeSpeakYourLanguage
#PrideMonth #Pride2025 #UnitedByLove
#OneWithDiversity #PrideMonth2025
Open Access BPO 11 days ago
Open Access BPO conducted Plant It Forward, a two-part tree-planting initiative, held in Laguna and Davao in May and June 2025.

Volunteers from both activities planted 300 Philippine indigenous trees, which were selected to help maintain the biodiversity in the area.

“This program is more than just planting trees; it’s about cultivating a culture of social responsibility within our organization and demonstrating our commitment to the communities where we operate,” said Joy Sebastian, Global VP at Open Access BPO.

This is only the start. Open Access BPO vows to continue investing in such environmental projects, affirming its core value of creating positive impact.

Read more about the green initiative here: https://buff.ly/HjTlHZC

#WeSpeakYourLanguage
#OABPOPlantItForward
#OABPOcares #IdeaHubOABPO
Open Access BPO 12 days ago
𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐭𝐨 #𝐂𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐭𝐫𝐚 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬.
This means transforming basic interactions into meaningful connections.

It's the secret to building strong customer loyalty and driving business success by making customers feel valued and understood.

Dive deeper into what makes a truly value-added #CX and how it can significantly boost #CustomerLoyalty and overall business success: https://buff.ly/8Wxb9gw

——————————
Ready to transform your customer experience? Don't settle for less; elevate your #CX by partnering with a #CallCenter that truly goes the extra mile 24/7.

Learn how our dedicated team can enhance your customer interactions and drive loyalty.
Take the first step towards superior CX today: https://buff.ly/L6dUG5E

#WeSpeakYourLanguage
#CustomerSupport #BPO