SMS messaging is a popular means of communication for businesses and individuals to reach their target audience. Many companies use this method for different purposes, such as sending appointment reminders, order confirmations, and marketing messages. However, with recent changes in regulations surrounding business SMS, it’s crucial to understand that including links in your texts can be beneficial but also runs the risk of your messages being blocked.
Here are some tips for effectively using links in SMS:
Clearly state the call to action
When including links in your text messages, it’s important to provide a clear and relevant call to action (CTA) that matches the link. Failing to do so may result in your messages being blocked. The CTA should clearly explain to the reader why they should click on the link and what the expected outcome of clicking the link will be. For example, “Use the link below to reschedule your appointment” provides a clear CTA that is easily understood by the reader.
Be mindful of link-shortening services
Link shortening services can reduce the size of your messages by shortening long URLs. However, these services can also be used by malicious actors to redirect their targets to fraudulent websites. Therefore, most generic link shorteners are blocked by mobile carriers and may result in your messages being automatically blocked or marked as spam. Instead, try using your existing domain name or register a specific domain that you can use with these services.
Instead of relying on generic link shorteners like bit.ly, consider using your own domain name or registering a specific domain specifically for link shortening. This will be less likely to be flagged or blocked by mobile carriers.
For example, both https://short.mydomain.com/xyz and https://voipcom.oi/3KGgyb5 are less likely to be flagged or blocked by mobile carriers.
Even when you are shortening a link, make sure that the resulting landing page aligns with the call to action you have provided. Avoid trying to trick or mislead your recipients by providing a misleading link.
Examples of generic link shorteners that get blocked include:
Use custom URLs
In certain cases, you may need links specific to your recipient, such as a link to a form for that person. Keep in mind that SMS is not a secure means of transmission and any link you provide may be accessed by others. For that reason, it’s best to secure any personal or sensitive information behind an internet gateway. Customized links can be useful for managing mobile orders from specific tables, providing instant quotes, or providing one-off discount codes. Be mindful of the number of redirects that take place as carriers may consider an excessive number of redirects as an attempt to circumvent their systems.
In conclusion, links within SMS can be an effective way to communicate information and increase ROI, but it’s important to use them correctly to avoid your messages being blocked.