Most marketing budgets are built around renting access to customers. Paid ads, boosted posts, and sponsored placements can drive short-term results, but they rarely create long-term value.
When campaigns end, visibility disappears. There is no relationship, no retained audience, and no easy way to re-engage without paying again.
This cycle keeps businesses spending more just to maintain the same level of reach.
Why First-Party Data Changes Everything
First-party data is information customers willingly share with your brand. This includes email addresses, mobile numbers, and preferences collected through compliant opt-in methods.
Unlike rented audiences, first-party data gives you direct access to your customers. You control when, how, and why you communicate.
This is not about sending more messages. It is about building a durable channel for ongoing engagement.
Turning Traffic Into an Owned Audience
The opportunity exists everywhere:
In-store foot traffic
Online shoppers
Event attendees
Loyalty members
Fans and supporters
The problem is that most of this traffic leaves without opting in.
Raange solves this by placing opt-in moments directly into the customer journey. SmartSigns, digital forms, and integrations capture consent at the right time, without friction.
Every opt-in is verified and stored in a compliant, organized system ready for activation.
Activating the Audience With Compliant SMS
Once an audience is built, SMS becomes a powerful engagement tool. It is direct, fast, and highly visible.
Used correctly, SMS can:
Drive repeat visits
Promote limited-time offers
Increase event attendance
Strengthen loyalty
Support fundraising and ticket sales
Compliance is built into the process, ensuring customers stay informed and in control.
Q1 Is Slow. Smart Businesses Protect Revenue Early.
For many businesses, the first quarter of the year is uncomfortable.
Sales slow down. Traffic drops. Budgets tighten. Every decision feels heavier than usual.
Q1 is rarely the quarter where businesses feel confident or aggressive — and pretending otherwise doesn’t help. The reality is simple: Q1 is often the slowest and most challenging quarter of the year.
But it’s also one of the most important.
The decisions made early in the year quietly determine whether a business spends the rest of the year reacting — or building momentum.
Smart businesses don’t try to force growth in Q1. They focus on stability, protection, and smart decisions.
That’s how they start the year on the right foot.
Why Q1 Feels So Different
After the intensity of Q4, Q1 brings a reset that many businesses underestimate.
Consumer spending cools off
Marketing budgets are reassessed
Teams are leaner and stretched thin
Risk tolerance drops
In this environment, aggressive growth strategies feel risky. Expensive acquisition campaigns, unproven tactics, and “big bets” become harder to justify.
That’s why Q1 isn’t about chasing upside — it’s about reducing downside.
The Q1 Mistake Most Businesses Make
When performance slows, the instinct is often to look outward:
more traffic
more ads
more spend
But in Q1, acquisition is usually the highest-risk lever.
Costs are unpredictable. Results take longer. Margins are under pressure.
Meanwhile, many businesses already have something far more valuable sitting idle:
past customers
subscribers
donors
fans
People who already know the brand and have opted in to hear from it.
Stability Comes From Activating What You Already Have
Smart businesses respond to Q1 by shifting their focus inward.
Instead of asking “How do we grow faster?” they ask: “How do we protect revenue with the least risk?”
The answer is almost always the same: activate existing customers.
Repeat customers:
buy faster
trust more
require less persuasion
generate more predictable revenue
In a slow quarter, predictability matters more than scale.
Why “Start the Year on the Right Foot” Matters
Starting the year on the right foot doesn’t mean doing more marketing.
It means doing the right kind of marketing for the season.
In Q1, that usually looks like:
prioritizing repeat customers over first-time buyers
activating existing opted-in audiences before spending more
communicating through permission-based channels
choosing low-risk, high-confidence actions
This approach doesn’t just stabilize revenue — it reduces stress and creates breathing room while others wait for conditions to improve.
The Execution Challenge Most Teams Face
Here’s the honest part most business owners won’t admit.
Even when the strategy is clear, execution often stalls:
there’s no time to plan messaging
there’s no internal marketing team
day-to-day operations take priority
This is where structure and support make a difference.
At Raange, we see that businesses who can quickly activate existing audiences — without adding more work — are the ones who stabilize fastest in Q1. Removing friction early has a compounding effect throughout the year.
This is especially true for teams who need help turning strategy into action without increasing workload.
Q1 Isn’t About Winning Big — It’s About Positioning
The goal of Q1 isn’t explosive growth.
It’s not about record-breaking numbers or dramatic expansion.
It’s about exiting the quarter stronger than you entered it.
Businesses that:
protect revenue early
activate existing relationships
avoid unnecessary risk
build systems that support consistency
are the ones that enter Q2 with confidence instead of pressure.
Spring momentum doesn’t start in spring. It starts with smart decisions in Q1.
A Simple Q1 Question to Ask
Before spending more on ads or chasing new traffic, ask:
Have we fully activated the audience we already have?
If the answer is no, that’s where Q1 recovery usually begins.
Starting the year on the right foot isn’t flashy — but it works.
Want to Learn More?
If you want to see how businesses are protecting revenue in Q1 and setting themselves up for a stronger year, Book a Demo to learn more.
In today’s digital-first world, businesses invest heavily in online ads, email marketing, and SMS campaigns—but what about your physical store? Every customer that walks into your location is a potential subscriber, and most businesses are letting that opportunity walk right out the door.
With Raange’s SmartSigns, you can effortlessly convert foot traffic into high-quality, CASL- and TCPA-compliant SMS & Email subscribers—no staff training or complex systems required.
Why Your In-Store Traffic is a Goldmine
Most retail and restaurant businesses focus on outbound marketing—social media, paid ads, and flyers. But the people already visiting your location are the most likely to engage. They’ve found you, walked in, and are interacting with your brand in real life. Why not capture that moment?
Using Raange’s SmartSigns, your store becomes a lead magnet that works 24/7, helping you build a compliant, high-converting list for ongoing marketing.
Raange SmartSigns are interactive print-based signs placed at high-traffic spots in your business—like checkout counters, restaurant tables, windows, or menus. Customers can tap or scan the sign using their smartphone to instantly opt-in to your marketing list.
Each interaction is:
✅ CASL & TCPA Compliant
✅ Tracked in real-time
✅ Synced with your Raange SMS & Email list
✅ Fully automated—no staff effort required
SmartSigns in Action
Imagine this:
A customer is waiting in line at your café. They see a sign that says, “Join our VIP List & Get 10% Off Today! Scan or Tap to Join.”
They scan it, opt-in, and instantly receive a welcome text or email.
You’ve just added a verified subscriber—without lifting a finger.
🛍️ Franchises – Grow local lists at every location
🧾 Checkout Areas – Convert transactional traffic into long-term contacts
Why Compliance Matters (And How Raange Helps)
Marketing laws like CASL in Canada and TCPA in the U.S. require businesses to collect explicit consent before sending marketing messages. Raange’s system is built with compliance at its core.
Every opt-in through a SmartSign includes:
Timestamp
Device metadata
Consent language display
Optional double opt-in
You’re not just building a list—you’re building a legally protected asset.
Ready to Turn Foot Traffic into Loyal Subscribers?
It’s time to turn every in-store visit into a marketing opportunity. With Raange SmartSigns, your business becomes a subscriber-building machine—compliant, automatic, and scalable.
We’re excited to introduce the latest enhancements to Raange’s Smart Links, your go-to solution for creating engaging and efficient ShortURLs tailored for SMS messaging!
Why Choose Raange’s Smart Links?
Save Characters, Maximize Impact: Our proprietary ShortURL engine generates compact and memorable links, allowing you to optimize character counts in your SMS campaigns without compromising on engagement.
Reliable Delivery: Our Smart Links are designed to avoid blocking by mobile carriers, ensuring your messages reach your audience every time.
Real-Time Tracking: Monitor the performance of your campaigns effortlessly. Track how many times your Smart Links are clicked and gauge customer engagement in real-time.
New Features You’ll Love:
Media-Enhanced Smart Links
Expand your messaging potential by attaching media to your Smart Links:
Flyers: Upload PDFs to provide detailed information and visually appealing flyers directly through your SMS.
Coupons: Share PNG/JPEG images for attractive and easily redeemable coupons that drive conversions.
Seamless Google Analytics Integration
Take your marketing analytics to the next level with our built-in UTM builder:
Custom Tracking: Create tailored online sales tracking links that integrate seamlessly with Google Analytics.
Comprehensive Insights: Convert your UTM links into Smart Links and view all data and results directly within your Google Analytics account, empowering you with actionable insights to refine your strategies.
Get Started Today!
Enhance your SMS marketing campaigns with Raange’s Smart Links and take advantage of our latest features to drive better engagement and measurable results.
We are pleased to announce a significant update designed to enhance your marketing operations: Raange’s new Coupon functionality is now available.
Overview: Raange now offers a comprehensive solution for managing and distributing coupon codes. By providing us with your list of coupon codes, you can rely on our platform to handle distribution of unique codes for new user registrations and SMS marketing campaigns, ensuring a seamless and personalized experience for your customers.
Key Benefits:
Simplified Onboarding: Provide us with your list of coupon codes, and our team will manage the integration and organization—eliminating the need for manual uploads.
Automated Distribution: Our system automatically assigns a unique coupon code to each new registrant and to recipients of your SMS campaigns, maintaining exclusivity and preventing code reuse.
Operational Efficiency: Integrate coupon delivery into your registration and SMS processes, reducing manual errors and saving valuable time.
Insightful Analytics: Access detailed reports on code usage and campaign performance, enabling you to refine offers and improve ROI based on data-driven insights.
Implementation Process:
Contact Our Team: Reach out to our support team with your list of coupon codes.
Integration: Our experts will securely manage and organize your codes within the Raange system.
Next Steps: To begin leveraging this new functionality, please contact our support team with your coupon code list. Our team is prepared to assist with any questions and ensure a smooth transition to this enhanced system.
Thank you for your continued partnership. We are committed to providing robust solutions that drive efficiency and support the growth of your business.
In the realm of business communication, SMS remains a cornerstone for reaching customers swiftly and effectively. Whether it’s for promotional offers, customer service updates, or transactional notifications, SMS provides a direct line to your audience. However, the simplicity of sending messages often masks the intricate and sometimes misleading billing practices that can inflate your costs unexpectedly. At Raange, we prioritize transparency and simplicity, ensuring that your SMS expenses are clear and predictable. Let’s delve into the complexities of traditional SMS billing and explore how Raange offers a superior, straightforward alternative.
The Complicated Landscape of Traditional SMS Billing
Hidden Fees and Carrier Charges
Traditional SMS billing can be deceptively complex, laden with various additional fees beyond the advertised per-message cost. Many providers showcase only the basic message rates on their websites, conveniently excluding carrier fees that can nearly double your total bill. These hidden charges may include setup fees, maintenance fees, and additional costs for premium messaging services. Such undisclosed expenses make it challenging for businesses to accurately forecast their communication budgets, leading to unexpected financial strain over time.
Currency Fluctuations Impacting Canadian Businesses
For businesses operating in Canada, dealing with SMS billing in USD introduces another layer of complexity. Exchange rate fluctuations can significantly affect your costs, making it difficult to maintain a stable budget. When the US dollar strengthens against the Canadian dollar, your expenses for SMS services increase without any added value to your business operations. This unpredictability can erode profit margins and complicate financial planning for Canadian companies relying on SMS communication.
The Dangers of Automatic Payment Systems
Unseen Overpayments
In the hustle to implement SMS solutions, many companies opt for automatic payments, bypassing thorough reviews of their bills. This convenience often leads to overpayments, as hidden fees and fluctuating exchange rates go unnoticed. Without regular scrutiny, businesses may end up paying more than necessary for their SMS services, draining resources that could be better allocated elsewhere.
Lack of Invoice Transparency
Automatic payments eliminate the chance to regularly examine invoices, allowing billing discrepancies and errors to persist unchecked. Without periodic reviews, minor charges can accumulate into significant expenses, causing substantial financial losses over time. The absence of invoice transparency means that businesses remain unaware of the true cost of their SMS services, hindering effective budget management.
Raange: Your Partner in Transparent SMS Billing
At Raange, we recognize the frustrations that come with traditional SMS billing. Our mission is to simplify your communication costs through a transparent and straightforward pricing model, ensuring you know exactly what you’re paying for—no surprises, no hidden fees.
Single, All-Inclusive Fee
With Raange, you benefit from a single, comprehensive fee that covers all aspects of SMS messaging. Say goodbye to juggling multiple charges or encountering unexpected carrier fees. Our all-inclusive pricing allows you to manage your communication budget with confidence and ease.
No Hidden Costs
Transparency is at the heart of Raange’s service. Unlike many providers that only display per-message fees, we ensure that all potential costs are included in our straightforward pricing. There are no additional charges lurking beneath the surface—what you see is what you pay.
Pricing in Canadian Dollars (CAD)
To eliminate the uncertainty caused by currency exchange rates, Raange prices all our services in Canadian Dollars. This means you won’t have to worry about fluctuating exchange rates impacting your budget. Your SMS costs remain stable and predictable, allowing you to focus on growing your business without financial surprises.
Protection Against Exchange Rate Volatility
By maintaining our pricing in CAD, Raange shields Canadian businesses from the volatility of the US exchange rate. This stability ensures that your communication costs remain consistent, providing the financial clarity you need to make informed business decisions without the stress of unpredictable expenses.
Why Choose Raange?
Navigating the complexities of SMS billing shouldn’t hinder your ability to communicate effectively with your customers. Traditional billing models are fraught with hidden fees, currency challenges, and the risk of overpaying without realizing it. Raange offers a clear, transparent alternative with our all-inclusive, CAD-priced services, ensuring that your business can leverage the power of SMS without the financial headaches.
Experience Clarity and Peace of Mind
Switching to Raange means embracing a simpler, more transparent way to manage your SMS communications. Enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing exactly what you’re paying for, free from hidden fees and unpredictable costs. Let Raange handle your SMS needs so you can focus on what truly matters—building and expanding your business.
Get Started with Raange Today
Don’t let complicated billing practices hold your business back. Choose Raange for a transparent, cost-effective SMS solution that puts you in control of your communication expenses. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help streamline your SMS billing and enhance your customer communication strategy.
Sushi Taxi has a network of 23 store locations across Quebec, offering customers convenient access to quality sushi delivery and takeout services. Each store is operated by franchisees, with Sushi Taxi’s Director of Marketing managing all marketing efforts centrally.
Problem:
Despite its extensive network of store locations and traditional marketing efforts such as flyers and email campaigns, Sushi Taxi faced challenges in achieving significant growth and expanding its sales. In addition, marketing falls under the responsibility of one person, underscoring the need for an easy-to-use and impactful solution, so as not to overwhelm the individual with a new channel.
Solution:
In response to its marketing challenges, Sushi Taxi turned to Raange’s comprehensive SMS marketing platform that allowed Sushi Taxi to centralize its marketing efforts, send store-level text messaging campaigns and connect with customers in a more direct and engaging manner.
Results:
With Raange’s SMS marketing platform in place, Sushi Taxi observed an instant uplift in sales with each SMS campaign blast, often resulting in overflow orders at store locations. As a result, Sushi Taxi needed to communicate with its franchisees to prepare for the surge in orders and ensure adequate stock levels to meet customer demand.
Eric Nykamp, CEO of Raange:
“Working with Sushi Taxi has been a rewarding experience for Raange. We’re proud to provide them with a powerful SMS marketing solution that delivers tangible results and helps them achieve their business objectives.”
Marie-Pierre Guignard, Marketing Director of Sushi Taxi:“Raange’s SMS marketing platform has transformed the way we connect with our customers. SMS marketing is very effective and drives an instant uplift in sales everytime we send a campaign. The ease of use of Raange’s platform and their exceptional customer support provide me with the necessary tools to grow our business effectively.”
Are you searching for top-notch business text messaging software and business SMS services in 2024? You’re in the right place!
This article will introduce you to some of the finest SMS marketing solutions, outlining their strengths, and weaknesses, and most importantly, guiding you on how to discover the ideal fit for your business.
Keep in mind, it’s best to make a list of the features or requirements that your business or organization requires before signing up with a sms marketing platform provider. Don’t be afraid to ask questions!
SMS marketing services empower businesses to dispatch bulk messages to their customers via mobile phones. This outreach is often referred to as an “SMS blast.” SMS messaging proves invaluable for keeping your customer base well-informed, particularly if your business serves a niche audience.
Cost-effectiveness: SMS is generally more budget-friendly than other digital communication channels, enabling you to reach your entire customer base without financial worries.
Effortless Communication: Send messages to your customers swiftly, without the need for complex content creation or intricate systems – the platform streamlines it all for you.
Personalized Communication: Leading SMS marketing services empower you to customize your messages with recipients’ names, company details, and more, forging a stronger connection.
Security and Reliability: SMS boasts enhanced security compared to alternative digital channels. It operates on a “push” system, sending messages directly to mobile phones, reducing the margin for error.
Choosing the Ideal SMS Marketing Service
To pinpoint the right SMS marketing service, research and comparison are essential. Ask yourself crucial questions:
Pricing: What’s the total cost at the end of the month? Don’t be swayed by the advertised or displayed price.
Features: What’s included in the package? How many messages can you send monthly, and to how many recipients?
Response Rate: What’s the typical response time and delivery rate?
Now, let’s explore the top seven business SMS services you can consider:
1) RAANGE
RAANGE ranks among the finest business text messaging software, tailored for both small and enterprise businesses. Its user-friendly interface, straightforward pricing, and diverse features like scheduled text messaging, business text messages, SMS chat, emoji-enriched messages, personalization, segmentation, SMS API, and Shopify integrations make it a stellar choice.
Advantages:
User-friendly and well-organized interface.
Straightforward pricing structure.
Shopify integration.
Trusted By:
Bluenotes
URBAN PLANET
West49
Pizza Salvatore
FOREVER 21
Lowe’s
Pricing: Starting from just $49.99 per month plus a cost per SMS, Raange offers a highly cost-effective solution for SMS marketing. Raange’s pricing includes carrier fees and free inbound messages, providing transparent and predictable costs. Additionally, the plans feature unlimited keywords and team seats, ensuring flexibility and scalability for businesses. The best part the monthly fee includes your own account manager, one-on-one onboarding and 24/7 support.
2) BurstSMS
BurstSMS, with over a decade of experience, specializes in marketing messaging services. It caters to small businesses and start-ups, offering features like unlimited messages to one recipient daily, free trial periods, and no binding contracts.
Advantages:
Unlimited messages to one recipient daily.
Free trial periods.
No contractual obligations.
Disadvantages:
Pricing can be on the expensive side, with monthly fees for a texting number ranging from $5 to $750 based on your plan, plus your costs of sending.
Pricing: While the initial pricing seems affordable, starting at $5 per month, it’s important to note that additional costs, including carrier fees, may accrue with each SMS sent. The per SMS price is advertised as ‘as low as,’ which may lead to uncertainty about the actual total cost.
3) ClickSend
ClickSend, a veteran in SMS services, serves over 10,000 companies with its professional digital communication solutions. Offering various messaging options such as text messages, multimedia messages, and push notifications, it provides flexibility, no contractual obligations, PayPal payment options, and a generous free trial.
Advantages:
Flexible payment options.
No contracts.
Generous free trial.
Disadvantages:
Pricing can be relatively high, with monthly fees around $71.54 depending on your plan.
Pricing: ClickSend offers a DEDICATED SHORTCODE service priced at $1120.57 per month, with a hefty setup fee of $2149.55, making it a costly option. Their per SMS charge doesn’t include carrier fees, effectively doubling the advertised price. Inbound messages are free, and all prices are charged in USD.
4) SlickText
SlickText is an SMS marketing platform that allows businesses to engage customers through text message campaigns, utilizing features like autoresponders and keyword triggers to streamline marketing efforts.
Advantages:
SlickText offers an intuitive platform that is easy to navigate, making it simple for users to create and manage SMS marketing campaigns.
It provides a variety of features such as drip campaigns, autoresponders, and keyword-based triggers, enhancing campaign effectiveness and automation.
Disadvantages:
SlickText charges extra for SMS overages, which can increase costs unexpectedly if campaign volumes exceed the plan limits.
While feature-rich, the customization options for templates and campaign designs may be somewhat limited compared to other SMS marketing platforms.
Pricing: Carrier fees are charged at the end of each payment period, typically monthly, based on usage. The platform also offers free inbound messages, although costs apply for additional keywords and plans priced below $139 do not include one-on-one support, potentially limiting personalized assistance for users on lower-tier plans.
5) Avochato
Avochato is a business texting software with products focused on Customer Support and Sales, primarily. They have a fun little demo you can do by texting “AVO” to (415) 214-8977.
Advantages:
Avochato offers integration with various channels such as SMS, WhatsApp and live chat, providing a unified communication solution for businesses.
Avochato facilitates two-way communication, allowing businesses to engage in real-time conversations with customers, enhancing customer support and relationship management.
Disadvantages:
Avochato’s pricing structure can be complex, with additional costs for features like dedicated numbers, keywords, and premium support, potentially leading to higher-than-expected expenses.
Pricing: As stated above, it is very difficult to understand what your pricing is on Avochato by looking at the pricing page. They do offer an annual discount which is nice. However, you do pay per user on the platform, which can be a costly venture for larger customers.
6) Simpletexting
Simpletexting distinguishes itself as an SMS marketing service focusing helping small businesses with one-to-one or two-way sms messaging. It’s a platform that has been around for a while and was recently acquired by Sinch.
Advantages:
Offers comprehensive sms solution for small businesses
Offer local numbers, Toll Free Numbers and short codes.
Disadvantages:
Confusion with pricing.
Pricing: In addition to the base subscription fee, users should be aware of carrier fees which are added at the end of each billing cycle based on usage. Simpletexting also charges per additional seat, presenting a barrier for larger companies.
7) EZ Texting
EZ Texting is a well-known SMS marketing company based out of the US. It is advertised as a mass texting service focused primarily on small businesses.
Advantages:
Users can automate SMS campaigns and schedule messages in advance, which helps save time and effort in managing marketing campaigns.
EZ Texting integrates with various platforms and CRM systems, providing insights into campaign performance through analytics and reporting features.
Disadvantages:
While EZ Texting offers affordable pricing plans, the cost of sending SMS messages can add up, especially for businesses with large contact lists or frequent campaigns.
Pricing: EZ Texting offers a 20% discount when opting to pay annually, ensuring cost savings over time. The platform includes free inbound messages, although additional keywords are priced at $30 each, which some users may find costly. It’s essential to verify that carrier fees are incorporated into the pricing to avoid unexpected charges.
Conclusion
SMS services offer a powerful means of keeping your customers informed about your company’s latest developments, events, and enticing offers. They are user-friendly, cost-effective, and foster stronger connections with customers.
You can explore the mentioned SMS services to initiate your campaign. Remember to select a provider known for reliability, a stellar reputation, and features that align with your needs. Many of these services offer customizable packages, ensuring they cater to your unique requirements. Embark on your SMS marketing journey and watch your business thrive.
Pappa Leo’s Pizza, co-founded by brothers Matt and Chris Rougeau in 2003, is a pizzeria chain based in British Columbia, Canada. With a modest team consisting of Matt and Chris, they own and operate one corporate shop and oversee six franchise locations. In the face of current challenges such as soaring inflation and fluctuating interest rates, Pappa Leo’s sought innovative marketing solutions to navigate the competitive pizza business landscape and drive more sales.
Market Challenges:
In a dynamic market characterized by inflationary pressures and shifting consumer behavior, Pappa Leo’s grappled with finding effective marketing strategies to retain repeat customers, attract new ones and increase sales. Traditional methods, including flyers, newspaper ads, and social media, were becoming more and more expensive with little return on investment.
Pappa Leo’s Pizza and Raange:
Pappa Leo’s Pizza needed a cost-effective and engaging marketing channel that would not only retain loyal customers. Additionally, Matt needed a straightforward, easy-to-use solution, as he is a one man marketing team at the company. The solution came in the form of SMS marketing using Raange’s SMS Marketing platform. Matt was impressed by the case studies and the platform’s affordability, combined with its Canadian roots. They decided to harness the power of text messaging to connect with their audience.
Results speak for themselves:
Implementing SMS marketing with Raange has proven to be a game-changer for Pappa Leo’s Pizza. They send out text messages to their audience once a month, typically on Mondays, with coupons that are redeemable for seven days. Text messages have consistently driven sales, especially during dinner hours, with a noticeable spike within 30 minutes to an hour of sending the messages.
Customers have embraced the convenience of receiving promotions via text messages, using the coupons to order by phone, website, or in-store, with a preference for online orders. Pappa Leo’s Pizza has witnessed a significant boost in customer retention and engagement through SMS marketing, achieving a remarkable 3X increase in sales compared to email marketing.
In collaboration with Raange, Pappa Leo’s Pizza has embraced SMS marketing as a vital tool and a new marketing channel for driving repeat business. They continue to post regularly on social media networks like Facebook and Instagram and utilize flyers for city-wide promotions in the peak months of September, October, and November.
“Raange’s SMS marketing has been a game-changer for Pappa Leo’s Pizza. We were searching for an effective and affordable way to engage with our customers, and SMS turned out to be the answer. Sending text messages once a month with exclusive coupons has significantly boosted our sales, especially during dinner hours. Raange’s platform is not just cost-effective; it’s a valuable tool for building customer loyalty and increasing our revenue, Said Matt Rougeau, Co-founder of Pappa Leo’s Pizza.”
“At Raange, we’re proud to have helped Pappa Leo’s Pizza harness the potential of SMS marketing to enhance their business. Matt and his team’s success story demonstrates the power of SMS in driving customer engagement and increasing sales. We are committed to providing innovative and cost-effective solutions that help businesses thrive in the digital age. Pappa Leo’s Pizza is a fantastic example of how SMS marketing can make a real impact, explained Eric Nykamp, CEO of Raange.”
Raange is a Canadian-based SMS Marketing software company. We’ve been in the text messaging game since 2015, so we know a few things about the Canadian SMS Marketing industry and bulk sms Canada.
Canada’s SMS Marketing market is growing as businesses seek cost-effective ways to engage their audience in the digital age. We’ll take you through a few key facts you need to know before you get started:
If you’re interested in reading this version in French, we’ve got you covered – Marketing SMS Québec – Tout ce que vous devez savoir
Let’s go…
Why SMS Marketing?
All types of organizations from retailers to schools to all levels of government are finding it more and more difficult to get a hold of their audience.
However, the avg person checks their mobile 150+ times a day. Organizations of all types are turning to SMS Marketing to stay connected with their audiences. Why? Because text messages have a 98% open rate.
On top of opening a text message, your audience is 7.5 times more likely to respond to an SMS message than the average email marketing campaign.
Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL) and SMS Marketing
What is the most important part of any successful SMS strategy?
You need to be able to legally send text messages to your contacts. We’ll save you some time and run you through the most important parts of CASL.
Collecting consent | CASL
Any company doing business in Canada needs consent from their recipients before sending text messaging campaigns. Here are the two forms of consent under CASL:
Express Consent – essentially customer has to give you permission to contact them. Ex. They need to sign up to receive weekly promotions.
Implied Consent – you’ve done business with them in the last 2 years. Ex. For a past customer who made a purchase in the last two years, you can message them if they haven’t asked you to stop contacting them.
It’s not enough to receive consent, you must have proof of consent. In addition, when you send a text message it must include an unsubscribe mechanism.
We always advise customers to seek advice from their legal counsel on compliance issues. You can also reach out to the Raange team if you have any questions about our platform and compliance under CASL.
New Quebec privacy Law 25
If you’re sending messages to subscribers in Quebec, it is very important that you understand Law 25.
Under the new law, the concept of consent has been modernized. One of the biggest changes for businesses, similar to GDPR, Law 25 also has extraterritorial reach, encompassing companies whose actions impact consumers in Quebec.
Let’s imagine you have an online store based in the United States that sells products to customers worldwide, including in Quebec, Canada. If you collect personal information from customers in Quebec, such as their names and email addresses, and use that data for marketing or other purposes, you would need to comply with Law 25, even though your business is located outside of Quebec.
This is because the law applies to companies that affect consumers in Quebec by collecting and using their personal information. So, in this scenario, you would need to ensure your data collection and usage practices align with the requirements of Law 25 to avoid legal issues.
Based on GDPR’s standards, companies would have to use plain language in their consent text, and give specific consent to the consumer to better control the usage of their data.
If you want to learn more about it, check out our most recent blog post.
How to Get Started with SMS Marketing in Canada
It’s very easy to start sms marketing in Canada. Fortunately, for you, there are many options available in the market. One of the most important steps for any company is to do your due diligence before you commit to a service.
1. Research Texting Services in Canada
As you will begin to notice, many of the text marketing software you discover through Google are international companies. Beware of pricing pages being quoted in foreign currency such as USD. If you are paying in USD this will add an additional 30% to your fees right away. Always ask the sms software company if they offer pricing in CAD as well.
Other text marketing services hide fees in keyword charges and additional seats, etc. Make sure you’re getting the full price per month and not just the per sms charge.
What are Carrier Fees?
In Canada and the US, mobile carriers charge small surcharges called carrier fees. These can be charged per SMS or MMS sent through the mobile carriers. All SMS marketing platforms will pass along this carrier fee to their customers, you. However, it will not be advertised on their pricing page. The first time you will see this carrier fee is on your first bill. Make sure you ask the text marketing software company if carrier fees are included in their pricing.
At Raange, all carrier fees are built into our prices, so you will not get any surprises at the end of the month.
Most of our customers that come from competitors are driven away by increasing month-over-month prices because it can get expensive if you don’t do your research in the beginning. So spend a little extra time making sure you find the right text messaging service for your business.
Do a Needs Assessment
Finally, whether you’re a small business or a large enterprise organization – or anything in between – it’s important to conduct a needs assessment for your organization. Look at things like:
The volume of monthly messages you plan to send
How many people need access to the platform – this can be a hidden cost
The types of messages you plan to send: bulk messages vs personalized sms messages.
The type of integrations you need: e-commerce, CRM, email marketing, etc. Ask yourself what other systems need to speak with your sms marketing platform for your ease of use.
The type of SMS number you need (we go into more detail next).
2. Select the right SMS number for you.
In Canada, there are really only two options you have for your organizations when it comes to types of SMS numbers: SMS Short Codes and SMS Toll-Free Numbers (TFNs).
A Toll-Free Number is a type of number with a distinct three-digit code that allows businesses and organizations to send and receive text messages. TFN numbers start with 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844 and 833.
TFN technology has improved quite a lot over the past few years, now allowing organizations to send much larger volumes of numbers than before. If you’re planning to send under 100,000 messages a month, this number is perfect for you.
An SMS short code is a 5 or 6-digit special number designed for high-volume two-way text messaging. You can use short codes to send and receive MMS and SMS messages, execute large one-to-many messaging campaigns and for subscriber acquisition. This type of number is a workhorse and is normally recommended for organizations sending over 100,000 messages a month.
Today, both types of numbers require to be vetted, but Short Codes can 6+ weeks for a short code to be approved.
TFNs are much, much cheaper than an SMS Short Code. At Raange the cost of a TFN is included in your monthly package. We won’t get into the exact details of short code pricing in this post, but you can find all of that information here.
3. Import Your List of Contacts
If you already have a list of contacts who you have the right consent to text, as mentioned above under the CASL section, you can import your list of contacts into our platform. This is the best way to get started with SMS marketing and see results right away.
4. Grow Your Marketing List
It doesn’t require any mobile marketing or text marketing experience to start growing your marketing list. Our platform provides you with the tools you need to get started.
You can even read about how we’ve helped clients add thousands of new contacts to their marketing list in only a few months.
Create an Offer
Everything starts with a good offer and call-to-action to get your customers attention.
Studies have found that a majority of shoppers are more willing to provide opt-in and mobile information to merchants if they receive an offer or deal in return.
We’ve found that providing a tangible, instant offer like a free coffee for a restaurant, or $5 off your next purchase when you subscribe to receive text alerts for a retailer, will provide the highest conversion rates. You know your audience best.
It is very important to include the qualifier “when you subscribe to receive text alerts” so that the entire process is transparent.
SMS Keywords
SMS Keywords is a word, phrase, numbers or even emoji that your customers can use to text to your texting phone number to receive register for future marketing messages (see video below). Also known as Text-to-Join, you can use it for a simple registration wherein someone texts in and is added to your contact list. Or, we, at Raange, add a link to a registration form so you can collect a bit more information on your customer like first name, last name and email address.
Website Popups
You can use popups on your website to collect email addresses, mobile numbers and consent to start sending text messaging campaigns. This is a great way to grow your subscriber base for text alerts by converting your digital traffic.
QR Codes
In the Raange platform, you can easily generate QR codes linked to mobile registration forms. QR codes offer another tool for you to grow your marketing lists. Your customers can easily pull out their phone and scan a QR code in seconds to register for your promotion or giveaway.
Urban Planet | Raange Interactive In-store Sign | $5 Off Next Purchase using QR codes, Text-to-Join and NFC for sign ups.
Subscriber Links
Grow your contact lists with Raange Subscriber Links. Increase registrations by linking mobile registration forms to Subscriber Links, exactly like the form you see below. You can use Subscriber links on your website or social media accounts to turn your traffic into real opt-in contacts for your SMS marketing campaigns.
Raange | Mobile Registration Page for Text to Join
Promote Registrations
How to advertise your promotions for list growth is quite easy. The only limiting factor is your imagination. You can power any call-to-action with Text-to-Join promotions, using:
In-Store Signage
Radio / Audio Ads
Youtube Video
Flyers
Menus
Takeout & Delivery parcels
Table tents
Receipts
Window signs
Cash register
Website Popup
Social media
Any organization with a brick-and-mortar location, we highly recommend using signage. Your audience knows and trusts your brand already, and want to build a relationship with you. We recommend placing signage throughout your physical location, but especially at the Point-of-Sale, and Front Display Window. You can always ask your customers for more data in the future!
4. Send Your First Text Campaign
Now that everything is set up and in place, you can send your first text message promotion, event reminder, newsletter – whatever you want. You can schedule the message to go out at a later time and date, and then start scheduling your sms campaigns to go out with your email campaigns.
Reminders to Upcoming Events – a great way to increase attendance for VIP events by sharing a link to register for an upcoming event.
Timely Promotions – increase sales online or in store with timely promotions like 10% off your next purchase in the next 24 hours!
Urgent Notices – SMS is an easy way to let your customers or audience know of any urgent events like short-term closure or a change in venue. More than 90% of text are open and read within a few minutes, so it’s the best way to send urgent, timely notices.
Augment Email Marketing – SMS is a great tool to use alongside your email marketing strategy. You can use Text-to-Join to collect more emails for your marketing list. Send messages alongside email via text message to stay connected with your customers on their channel of choice.
Send Mobile Flyers – share your weekly, bi-weekly or monthly Flyers or eFlyers using SMS. You can easily add a link to your eFlyer in your text campaign and schedule it to go out on a later date.
Grow a VIP list – contacts that join your text marketing program are people that know and like your brand. These are essentially your VIPs, who will come back to make purchases and engage with your brand on an ongoing basis. Create a fun VIP program with special alerts, promotions, offers etc. for those that join your Text Alerts.
How to Get Started with Raange
Ready to give Canada’s Most Affordable SMS Marketing solution a try? SMS marketing in Canada is simple and easy with Raange SMS. Here’s how you can start sending SMS text messages with Raange:
Set up a 1 on 1 call with one of our Team Members who will get you all set up and take you through a platform demo. Then we’ll hand over the keys.
Upload your contact list.
Set up your SMS keywords, Popup, subscriber links and QR codes (list growth tools).
Promote your list growth tools.
Send text messaging campaigns.
Stay connected with your audience.
If you have any questions, you can also request a demo. Alternatively, you can call us at (844) 472-2643.
