8 Best Automated Texting Software 2024 | Text Message System

The clock struck 8 PM, and John's phone lit up with a message.

It wasn't an evening text from a friend, but a timely reminder from his dentist about his 9 AM appointment tomorrow—an appointment he had promptly forgotten about.

As he set the alarm on his phone that night, John marveled at how a simple automated text had just saved him from a missed appointment and a hefty cancellation fee.

Across town, Emma, a local restaurant owner, was sound asleep.

Her automated texting software, however, was poised to quietly send out hundreds of messages to loyal customers the next morning about a flash breakfast deal. By the time she'd open up shop in the morning, a line would already be forming outside.

This is the world of automated texting software—a game-changer in how businesses communicate with audiences.

In this article, let's dive into the benefits of automated texting for businesses, key features to look for, and some of the top software you can choose from.

Don’t need convincing? If you’d like, you can start trying out an automated texting software now—totally free.

Why Should You Use Automated Texting Software?

Did you know that 75% of millennials prefer SMS messages for promotions and surveys?

That 97% of American adults send texts every week?

An automated text message system allows you to send mass texts for your business on your own time…

• It allows you to schedule all your messages ahead of time.
• It allows you to send recurring text messages on an automated basis.
• It allows you to create drip campaigns: a series of messages to go out at different intervals of time.

The ability to do all of this “hands off” frees up your time, brain space, and frustration—while giving you more freedom to take full advantage of the benefits of SMS.

So the real question is… why not?

What Can Automated Texting Software Do?

There’s a long list of things that an automated texting software can actually do.

Here are just a few of them:

• The Town Crier: Automate and schedule bulk SMS to hundreds or thousands of recipients, sent automatically or scheduled in advance.
• The Chameleon: Customize messages with individual names, appointment details, or other specific information for each recipient.
• The Conversationalist: Automatically respond back when people reply to your texts.
• The Sorting Hat: Divide your contact list into groups based on demographics, preferences, or behaviors for targeted messaging.
• The Bridge Builder: Connect with other software systems (CRM, appointment scheduling, etc.) to trigger texts based on specific events or actions.
• The Data Whisperer: Track message delivery, open rates, and response rates to measure the effectiveness of your campaigns.
• The Gentle Nudger: Send automated reminders for appointments, payments, or events.
• The Patient Gardener: Create a series of scheduled messages to nurture leads or onboard new customers over time.

The bottom line is that automated texting software allows you to create and automate the text messages you’d like to send via an online dashboard.

(You can also use an SMS API to accomplish this kind of automation.

What Should You Look for in Automated Texting Software?

If you’re thinking about what automated texting software you should go with, there are a few things you’ll want to look for…

User-Friendly

Look for software with an intuitive dashboard that's easy to navigate, even for non-technical users.

You don’t want to have to spend any more time than necessary figuring out how to get things set up and navigating the online software.

Ready and Willing Support

Every service claims to have good support.

But how good is their support really? How easy is it to chat with them when a question or issue comes up? How long does it take to hear back when you submit an inquiry? How helpful are the support agents?

A software’s support team can make or break your experience with the business.

Pricing that Fits Your Budget

It’s important to be realistic about the costs associated with an automated texting software—due particularly to the back end fees that come along with sending out text messages on an A2P scale, it’s more than you probably expect.

You’ll therefore need to find a software with upfront costs that fit into your designated budget.

(Note that a lot of SMS software charge addition mobile carrier fees or phone number fees on top of their advertised subscription fees, so make sure ot get clarity on pricing before you move forward with a particular software.)

8 Automated Texting Software Examples

Here are some examples of automated texting software that you can evaluate.

Mobile Text Alerts

Mobile Text Alerts is a “standard” out-of-the-box, automated texting software that sets itself apart by being easy-to-use and having very attentive customer support.

It also has an SMS API that you can use to program the automations you’re looking for.

You can expect a response from live customer service reps within 10 minutes during business hours, and in less than 1 business day during off hours.

Additionally, Mobile Text Alerts has no required added fees.

Twilio

Twilio shines in their automation services offered via an SMS API (among other API features). Their robust API makes everything customizable.

They don’t have an online platform—everything is done via an API—so you do need web developers in order to get it set up and operating.

SimpleTexting

SimpleTexting is another out-of-the-box texting software that requires no setup.

It’s a simple and solid platform that offers all the basics you’ll need for getting started with automated texting.

Textedly

Textedly runs in the vein of both Mobile Text Alerts and SimpleTexting listed above as a simple SMS solution to help you get started with texting.

They also offer a couple of unique features such as “text-to-pay” capabilities and a review collection option.

EZ Texting

EZ Texting stands among other simple, online SMS platforms that allow you to easily send automated text messages from a convenient online dashboard.

To help with that effort, you’re able to take advantage of a Shutterstock integration so that you can easily incorporate some corresponding visuals to your text messages.

Attentive

Attentive is a bit more robust than some of the other services mentioned here, as it carries an emphasis on AI marketing, including both SMS and email as channels.

Attentive also has a focus primarily on ecommerce.

Klaviyo

Klaviyo, along the same lines as Attentive, is more than an SMS platform but is a marketing automation service that includes email, SMS, and push notifications.

Geared more specifically toward enterprise ecommerce brands, Klaviyo is a robust option to consider.

SlickText

SlickText is another standard, out-of-the-box SMS platform that offers the full range of SMS automation capabilities.

It has an automated multi-branch option that automatically triggers messaging flows.

Why Choose Mobile Text Alerts?

If you’re looking for automated texting software, you can give Mobile Text Alerts a try.

You get all the basic features you’re looking for in an SMS system, plus it’s…

• Simple so you can get started right out of the box—while also offering integrations and an SMS API so that you can create your own SMS flow the way that you want it to be
• Reliable so you can have confidence you’re getting the best delivery results possible.
• Support-accessible so you can get the help you need from real people, when you need it.

Go ahead and give it a try now.

How Do You Send Automated Texts?

Concerned that sending automated texts will be complicated and difficult to set up?

Don’t be!

Here are a few easy steps detailing how to send automated texts.

Note: if you’re looking for how to send scheduled texts via phone you can check here for iPhone and here for Android.

Step 1: Create an Account

You’ll first need an account with an SMS platform.

Setting up an account is as simple as filling out a short online form.

And if you’re not ready to shell out some cash for a full paid account, you can always get a free trial. That will allow you to test things out and get a feel for how it all works.

Step 2: Plan Out Your Messages

Once you’re up and running on an SMS platform, you’re ready to start planning out the messages you’re going to be sending through your automated text message system.

Maybe you’ll be sending a specific promotion to a subset of your leads.

Maybe you’ll be sending an announcement of an upcoming release to current customers.

Maybe you’ll be sending a series of onboarding messages to new customers.

Whatever the case, you can start thinking about specific aspects of your campaign:

• Who will receive your messages?
• How many messages will you send?
• What will be your primary call to action for your campaign? For each individual message?

Need an example? Get a free SMS drip campaign template here [Google Spreadsheet].

Nothing is set in stone during this planning phase, so you can always change your mind later.

You also don’t need to have everything figured out before you move forward, although it’s good to have a general idea of what you’re going to do.

Step 3: Schedule / Create Your Messages

You can start setting up or scheduling messages as soon as you know what content you want to include in the first message you’d like to send.

There are 3 ways to schedule / create your messages.

Schedule for a Specific Date and Time

You can schedule your messages for a particular date or time.

You can even schedule subsequent recurring text messages by selecting for your text to go out on the same day or time at regular intervals (such as monthly, weekly, or daily).

Schedule a Drip Campaign

Perhaps you want to automate a campaign but not specify the particular date that you’d like the messages to go out.

For example, let’s say you want to create an onboarding campaign for new trial accounts and send them a series of automated texts to help them get started.

In a case like that, you can use a drip campaign option.

You can simply set up all the messages you’d like your audience to receive, and designate how long of a delay you’d like in between each message.

Then customers or leads can be added to your campaign’s message flow automatically as soon as they sign up for your texts, or as soon as you add them to a designated list.

Designate the Conditions that Trigger the Automated Message

If you’re not wanting to do a scheduled blast or a drip campaign, you can create single automated messages triggered based on your subscriber’s activity.

You can set up and customize these auto-responses within your online SMS platform.

Step 4: Build Your SMS List

Once you have your messages set up and ready to go, all that’s left to do is to get people loaded into your overall SMS list so that they can receive those messages!

Some tools that can help you build your SMS list so that you can send automated texts include:

• “Text to join” words: These allow people to automatically join your SMS list by texting in a particular word to your account’s free phone number
• An online sign-up page: This is an online form that your leads and customers can fill out in order to sign up for your texts
• QR codes: People can join your text list by scanning an automatically generated QR code
• Integrations: You can automate with CRM software and other management services via an SMS API or via the integration site Zapier.com

What Are Some Automated Text Message Examples?

Here are some examples of automated text messages you could send…

Promotions

You can boost the effectiveness of your promotions by using SMS to showcase them.

Or you can run an SMS-only promotion to help make your SMS audience feel like they’re getting something exclusive.

Examples:

“

Don’t miss our fall special - 25% off all apparel THIS WEEKEND ONLY!

“

Text club exclusive: Get 15% off your next purchase! (Just show this text the next time you come in)

“

Come get a crunchy taco for only $1! Today only!

Reminders

Texting is an excellent way to remind people about events, appointments, online live sales, or other details.

Just send a quick reminder text the day of or the day before, and you’ll see engagement rise exponentially.

Examples:

“

Don’t forget about our webinar today at 3pm. Be prepared to take notes!

“

Reminder: Your appointment is tomorrow at 1:15pm. See you there!

“

Check out our new inventory LIVE in 15 minutes!

Updates

Does your business have information you like to regularly communicate with customers? Ever have weather-related closures? Cancellations or openings you’d like to try to fill? Changes in hours?

You can send these types of updates to customers via text message to get the best results.

Examples:

“

Our lunch entree this week will be our delectable chicken salad sandwich! Come enjoy.

“

Offices are closed today due to inclement weather. Stay home and stay safe!

“

Slots have opened up for tomorrow afternoon. Reply back if you’d like to book an appointment!

Internal Communication

An automated text message system can not only be used for promoting to and communicating with customers, but it can also be used to improve internal communication within your business.

Need to send meeting reminders? Office memos? HR updates?

Texts are the best way to do it!

Examples:

“

Don’t forget about today’s meeting at 2pm. Here’s the Zoom link in case you can’t make it in person: [link]

“

Please remember to submit your information for payroll by 5pm tonight.

“

Due to construction, please enter the building through the east door this week.

Education/Onboarding

Educating or onboarding customers and leads can be a challenge. What if people don’t see or pay attention to your emails (or whatever other means you use of reaching out)?

Automated texts (in particular drip campaigns) can help with this. You can send or schedule out automated messages to let your customers know important information.

Examples:

“

Thanks for creating an account with us! Follow this link to complete your profile: [link]

“

Thanks for signing up! Click here to join the exclusive Facebook group: [link]

“

We’re excited to have you! You can validate your registration here: [link]

Lead Follow-Ups

SMS, when done correctly, can add a personal touch to your sales lead follow-ups. (Your prospects will be much more likely to see your follow-ups in a text rather than an email.)

Being able to automate these follow-ups is a nice bonus too!

Examples:

“

Hey! I wanted to do a quick check-in to see if you had any other questions I could help you with?

“

Have you scheduled your free demo yet? Here’s the link! [link]

“

What’s holding you back from moving forward? I’d love to hear your thoughts! :)

Customer Service

Although you don’t want to rely too heavily on automated text messages for customer service, it can be helpful for giving people quick answers to frequently asked questions—or for letting them know you’re out of the office.

You can set it up so that an answer to a common question is automatically sent when someone texts in a specific word. Or you could set up an “out of office” text message to go out after hours so that people know when they should expect a response.

Examples:

“

Thanks for reaching out! Our offices are closed but we’ll get back to you first thing tomorrow morning!

“

You’ve reached the CatBack SMS Help Line! To better assist you, please reply with one of the following: HOURS, PROMOTIONS, TECH SUPPORT, FEEDBACK, or GENERAL.

“

Thank you for your inquiry! Your comment has been submitted and we will review it shortly.

What Potential Concerns Are There with Automated Text Messages?

Although automated texting is basically a no-brainer, there are a few potential concerns to think about to make sure you’re doing it effectively…

Lack of Human Touch

According to Zendesk, “3 in 4 consumers will spend more with businesses that provide a good CX.”

So customer service is important!

And while effective and efficient, an automated message typically just can’t beat the touch of an actual human interaction.

Even if you automatically personalize the messages with the recipient’s name and personal details, the bottom line is that the interaction is not organic, lacking the spark and personality of a human touch and not allowing for an engaging back-and-forth.

To combat this, make sure the tone of your automated messages is spot on and try to make bandwidth to engage in personal interactions as well.

Psychology: Not Feeling Like a “Person”

Piggybacking on that last point—while it’s often better than not having an interaction at all, being on the receiving end of automated messages can leave someone with the sense of feeling more like a number than a person.

In other words, automation, especially if implemented coldly and mechanically, can make someone feel like a cog in a machine.

As mentioned above, the best way to combat this is to nail down the tone you’re going for and make an effort to couple your automated messages with personal interactions whenever possible.

Annoyance in Regards to Dealing with a “Robot”

Still along the same lines as the last 2 points, be aware that interacting with a “robot” rather than a human is a frustrating experience for many.

We’ve all experienced it—pushing button after button through automated phone menus before getting to speak to a real person.

So do your best to make your automated text message experience as non-frustrating as possible. One way to do that would be to not make your recipients have to go through a lot of hassle if they want to speak to a real person—make it easy for them to patch through to a real rep.

Automated Texting Software FAQ

Here are a few answers to other questions about automated texting software.

How much does automated texting software cost?

Automated texting software fees can vary widely, depending primarily on your volume of messaging.

If you’re only sending a minimal amount of messages, prices with Mobile Text Alerts start at $20/month (billed annually), for example.

How can I use automated texting software?

You can use automated texting software for almost endless reasons, some of which include:

• Drip campaigns
• Appointment reminders
• Promotions
• Lead nurturing

Is automated texting software hard to set up?

If you’re using out-of-the-box software such as Mobile Text Alerts, setup is very painless and there’s support available to walk you through every step if you need it.

If you’re using an SMS API, the setup can also be easy as long as you have the developer resources and the API documentation is clear enough for them to follow the instructions.

Try Automated Texting Software Now

In this age of busyness and technology, you need tools that are effective for your business.

Effective, but not difficult!

Automated texts give you the amazing benefits of SMS - high read rate, visibility, and responsiveness - and don’t require you to hover and micro-manage.

Thus, you can release some stress in your life, increasing sales and leaving you happier with your marketing efforts.

What are you waiting for?

Get your free trial now.