What is Bulk SMS?
What are the advantages of Bulk SMS? We begin by defining BULK SMS. BULK SMS refers to an application to phone messaging platform that is usually ideal when large volumes of messages are to be sent out. BULK SMS in Kenya can be categorized as either Transactional, promotional, or political SMS. The recommended number of characters per BULK SMS is 160. Over the years, Bulk SMS in Kenya has grown to be a preferred form of Communication between Brands and their stakeholders. And the reasons for this are many. If you are a business and you are wondering if you should use Bulk SMS as part of your communication efforts the answer is yes. Here is why:
The cost of Bulk SMS in Kenya is significantly lower than other channels, such as Radio, Television, and Newspapers guaranteeing a higher return on investment. Brands can purchase Bulk at a rate as low as 20cts per message depending on the volumes consumed. The low cost of Bulk SMS ensures that you can reach your target audience more frequently and with different messages if so desired and ideal set times, unlike other forms of communication that can sometimes feel like they are cast on stone. New product launches, offers, or even a simple thank you to your customer can go a long way in ensuring a thriving relationship, at a rate that is cheap and with great return on investment. The table below represents the average cost of BULK SMS at Mobisphere Limited a Kenyan Bulk SMS company.
| Type | Platinum | Gold | Silver |
| Number of Messages | Over 500,000 messages | 100,000 – 499,999 messages | 0-99,999 messages |
| Cost per Message | 20 cents per message | 30 cents per message | 40 cents per message |
The click-through rate of Bulk SMS compared to other channels is at 90% ensuring that the message to your target audience is seen and read. This is especially true since your Bulk SMS message has to be targeted and speak to people that have in the past interacted with your organization and consented to receive messages from you. Many people get bombarded with emails they never read or send directly to spam. However, when one gets a message on their phone, that they likely have with them throughout the day, then they read it.
It is easy to track SMS delivery and what’s more, a business does not have to wait for long to find out the Impact of the messaging campaign, Through the information received from Telcos, the organization using BULK SMS is easily able to tell the number of people that received their message. Customers are then in the first three minutes of opening the message in a position to decide if they are interested in your offering and take appropriate action. This is why it is important to schedule messages at the best time and ensure you have a good call to action.
Both one-way and two-way Bulk SMS can be Customized to speak directly to the customer. This is through a type of Bulk SMS Feature referred to as Custom SMS. One can refer to their customer using personalized language like the use of a customer’s name. This automatically ensures that it resonates with customers leading to greater acceptance.
It is Interactive. The Two Way Bulk SMS allows the customer to respond to the organization sending the message ensuring complete communication. Companies that wish to carry out surveys in Kenya or to get customer feedback, find the two-way Bulk SMS quite beneficial.
Convenience to the business is another advantage of Bulk SMS. When compared to other channels of communication, Bulk SMS is at the touch of a button, easy to use and one is guaranteed the number of people they are communicating to as well as their demographics.
Application installation and technical knowledge are not needed. One does not have to be a developer to use BULK SMS, our systems are designed with the end user in mind and the whole process of uploading and saving contacts involves easy-to-follow menus. Further, Bulk SMS is easily integrated with already existing systems such as a CRM.
Wider Reach. According to data released by the Communications Authority in Kenya, mobile subscriptions stand at around 65 Million as of 2023. Over 33.5 Million of these are unique mobile subscriptions. Over 65% of Kenyans subscribed to telcos use Feature phones, while the rest use smartphones. This in essence means that an organization using Bulk SMS is able to reach a much wider, albeit targeted audience and is not limited by who has access to a smartphone. Gaming companies, Educational institutions as well as government bodies are able to reach people from all walks of life through BULK SMS.
It is important to note that there are data privacy rules that ensure you are operating with the law when you send out messages. Further, it is important to send out Bulk messages at certain timeframes, for instance before 6 pm to ensure that your messaging is not intrusive and is well received. In the recent past, there have been complaints about spamming when it comes to Bulk SMS, and this has led to customers blacklisting messages. To counter this as a business, you can use Transactional messages or ensure that your customers consent to receiving promotional messages from your organization. Transactional messages are a form of Bulk SMS that is usually initiated from the customers’ side and is usually informational in nature. A customer can for instance query their account balance, the response they get is categorized as Transactional Bulk SMS. Transactional Bulk SMS is ideal in case of payment confirmations, query services, and information that is generally on a need-to-know basis.
Mobisphere Limited BULK SMS requires minimal human interaction and one can easily sign up online and begin communicating with their target stakeholders. Our Bulk SMS system allows you to schedule messages ahead of time, which could be a month, a year, or two, or even a matter of hours. We offer the cheapest, most efficient, and easiest way to communicate with your customers. Sign up with us today and experience this for yourself.