What is an SMS alert? SMS meaning + alert system [2024]

There’s one tool that most businesses could be taking fuller advantage of: SMS alerts.

Picture this…

“I’m sorry, ma’am, your card’s been declined.”

Sarah heard these words in the drive-thru window and her heart started pounding.

Why would her card be declined? It didn’t make any sense. She couldn’t possibly have reached her limit. Did she overspend last month? Did she forget to pay her bill? Was she going to have late fees and interest payments?

Just then, her phone buzzed and a text message alert blinked on the screen—not just any message, but an SMS alert from her bank warning of suspicious activity on her account.

In that breathless moment, visions of fraud and financial ruin raced through her mind. But as she read the details, Sarah felt a wave of relief.

Thanks to the SMS alert system she had enabled, she knew that the bank's fraud prevention team had already frozen her compromised card and secured her account.

She made a mental note to call the bank when she got home, but for now, she could rest easy knowing her money was safe. She paid the drive-thru clerk with a different card, grabbed her food, and made her way home…

This example illustrates how SMS alerts help businesses reach people in a way that actually works.

So what do SMS alerts actually entail? And how can businesses take advantage of it?

Let’s go through that all here…

SMS Alert Definitions

First, let’s go over a few definitions.

What is SMS? (SMS meaning)

SMS is an acronym for “short messaging service” and refers to text messages sent via mobile carrier networks, without any media attached.

SMS can include up to 160 characters per message. If more characters are included, the message is split up into segments, although most modern smartphones concatenate the split messages into a single text block when the message is delivered.

For the purpose of this article, an “SMS alert” may include text message alerts in general, including MMS (multimedia messaging service).

What is an SMS alert?

An SMS alert, or text alert, is a short text message businesses send out to employees or customers alerting them to essential information. It is one of two primary ways that a business can use text messaging as part of their day-to-day operations. The other use for texting is text marketing, or SMS marketing.

How SMS Alerts Help You Reach More People

If you’re sending out information as an alert message or announcement, presumably it is time-sensitive and important. It might be:

• an unexpected change in business hours
• a form your HR department needs employees to turn in
• information about school closures

Here’s the problem: What is the most reliable way to get that kind of time-sensitive information to people quickly? You could email them, but if you email that kind of information you’re going to run into two problems.

The First Problem with Email

First, email open rates on most emails hover around 20% or thereabouts. So only one in five of the people you message will see the email. But perhaps you’re thinking “we’re emailing our employees and employees will open emails we send them.” That’s kind of true, but you might be surprised. Even with internal company emails to employees, open rates in the US still only hit 65%. So even if it’s an HR email to your entire company, almost a third of your team won’t see it.

The Second Problem with Email

Second, people check email periodically throughout the day. So they won’t see your message until the next time they check their email. If the email is time-sensitive, they may not see it in time.

But if you don’t use email, what can you use? You could try calling, but depending on how you send the call people may ignore it if they do not recognize the number. Also, if people are away from their phone when you call them, they won’t pick up and they may or may not listen to the voicemail.

So then what?

Solution: Text Messaging

Our suggestion: Text messaging.

Even if people don’t actually open all of their text messages, 100% of text messages are at least viewed.

While people check their email periodically, most will check their texts right away. This makes it far more likely that they will see the alert when you want them to see it.

How an SMS Alert System Works

SMS alerts work by using special bulk SMS messaging software that allows mass texts to be sent by one person or organization to a large number of recipients.

This is usually done through the use of a 10DLC (10-digit long code phone number), a text-enabled toll-free phone number, or a short code (often 5- or 6-digits) provided by the SMS software.

With text alerts, you can message a large number of people just as you would with a mass email campaign or group email, but with text messaging.

The process looks like this…

• Create an account with an online mass SMS platform (or SMS API) such as what is offered by Mobile Text Alerts
• Mange your database of text messaging contacts by importing spreadsheets, connecting to your HR database or CRM or other software, or by allowing contacts to opt-in via automated methods offered by your SMS software
• Set up your message content within the online platform (or via API)
• Schedule your message for the time you’d like it to send (or send it immediately)
• Monitor replies and messaging data

How Businesses Use SMS Alerts: Use Cases and Examples

SMS alerts, in contrast to SMS marketing, are generally used for internal messaging within a business or community. It is not used to promote a product, but to inform recipients about vital information.

Text alerts specifically can be used in many, many different situations—in fact, the limit to how many use cases there can be for SMS alerts is about as many reasons as you would have to communicate urgently with an audience.

Below are a few use cases and examples…

(Of course, this list is non-exhaustive. Any business that even occasionally needs to communicate simple but vital information to a large audience will benefit from using text alerts.)

Financial Services

• Banks send real-time alerts for suspicious transactions, large withdrawals, or login attempts from new devices to prevent fraud.

“

Services Alert: A large withdrawal of $5,000 was made from your checking account ending in 4567 at 2:15pm today. If unauthorized, call 888-111-2222 immediately.

• Credit card companies text payment due date reminders to improve on-time payment rates.

“

Your XYZ credit card payment of $237.68 is due in 5 days on 6/17. Pay online at xyzcard.com or call 800-987-6543.

• Investment firms use SMS to notify clients about stock price changes or investment updates.

“

Stock Alert: TECH stock you own just hit your $125 target sell price. Login to your account to review or submit a sell order.

E-commerce and Retail

• Online stores text order confirmation, shipping updates, and delivery alerts to keep customers informed.

“

Your order (#ABC123) from ViralProducts.com has shipped! Track your package at [trackingURL]. Est delivery by Fri 6/14.

• Brick-and-mortar retailers send product restock alerts.

“

Big news! The new shipment of [product] is in and it’s calling your name! Call to reserve: [phone number].

• Businesses use SMS for appointment reminders to reduce no-shows.

“

Heads up! Your appointment at SoHipSalon is tomorrow at 5pm. Reply C to confirm or R to reschedule.

Healthcare

• Medical practices remind patients about upcoming appointments, medication refills, and preventive care via SMS.

“

Reminder! Your dental cleaning is scheduled for tomorrow at 10am with Dr. Smith. Reply to confirm.

• Pharmacies alert customers when prescriptions are ready for pick-up.

“

Your prescription for Lisinopril (90 tablets) is ready for refill at your local AnyTown Pharmacy.

• Wellness programs use SMS for appointment reminders, fitness goal motivations, and health tips.

“

Just a quick check-in from [HealthCoach]! Have you had 8 cups of water today? Drink up and reply with your total!

Security and Public Safety

• Companies send SMS alerts to employees during emergencies, severe weather events, or safety incidents.

“

STORM ALERT: A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for your area until 7pm. Seek shelter immediately. Check [URL] for updates.

• Government agencies use SMS for issuing public safety advisories or emergency notifications, as well as internal staff notices.

“

Road closure: Main St closed from 1st Ave to 3rd Ave due to downed power lines. Use Pine St detour. Updates at [URL].

Logistics and Delivery

• Shipping carriers send SMS updates on package delivery status and estimated arrival times.

“

Your package (tracking #1Z999AA99998888) is scheduled for delivery today between 3-6 PM.

• Courier services use texts to confirm pickup requests and notify recipients of incoming deliveries.

“

Your courier pickup request for 123 Main St has been received. A driver will arrive in the next 30 mins.

• Fleet management companies alert drivers about new job dispatches or route changes via SMS.

“

New dispatch - Pick up order #87654 from Warehouse B and deliver to 100 Industrial Way by 2 PM.

Utilities and Services

• Power companies send outage alerts and restoration updates via text message.

“

We are aware of a power outage in your area as of 9:32 AM. Crews are working to restore service as soon as possible.

• Cable/Internet providers notify customers of service interruptions or maintenance windows.

“

Scheduled maintenance downtime tonight from 1-4 AM may cause a brief internet service interruption in your area.

• Municipalities use SMS for utility bill reminders, community event updates, and local advisories.

“

High pollen count advisory - Residents with allergies should limit outdoor activity today. Check air quality alerts at [URL].

Education

• Schools and universities text parents and students about weather closures, event reminders, or emergency situations.

“

LakesideHSBaseball: Today's game vs. Eastwood HS has been canceled due to rain. Next game is Thurs 6/10 at 6 PM.

• Educational institutions send students exam schedule details, assignment due date notifications, and grade updates.

“

BIOL 201 (Sec 03) - Rm change for final exam on 5/6 to Smith Hall 115. Arrive 15 mins early with student ID.

• SMS is used for parent-teacher conference reminders and student attendance alerts.

“

Reminder: Parent-teacher conferences at Oak Hill Elementary are this Thurs 6/9 from 5-8 PM. Visit [URL] to schedule.

HR and Staffing

• Businesses send open shift opportunities to employees via text for quick staffing needs.

“

We need 3 servers to cover dinner shifts this weekend (6/11-6/12) from 5-11 PM. $18/hr plus tips. Text INSERVER to claim.

• HR departments use SMS for policy updates, benefits enrollment reminders, and training session details.

“

New employee handbook posted to [intranetURL]. All staff must review and accept updates by 6/30.

• Companies alert employees about office closures, weather advisories, or other urgent announcements.

“

Don't forget! Mandatory compliance training this Fri 6/17 from 9-11 AM in the Main Conference Room.

Other Organizations…

Some other organizations that use SMS alerts would include the following:

• Real estate agents
• Churches
• Gyms and fitness centers
• Hospitality
• Legal services
• Professional contractors

How to Get Started with SMS Alerts

So what should you do if you’re thinking about getting started with SMS alerts?

Here are a few steps you can take…

Step 1: Find an SMS Alert System

There are numerous SMS alert systems out there, so don’t get overwhelmed.

The reality is that many of them offer pretty comparable services feature-wise, so you may want to go with the one that gives you the best customer support, has a professional look, and (of course), fits in your budget.

If you have development capabilities, you’ll want to consider going with an SMS alert system that offers an SMS API so that you can set up your message in a way that works best for you and your situation.

Step 2: Register Your Traffic

After you create your account with an SMS alert system, your provider will likely ask you to fill out a registration form so that you can register your traffic with the mobile carriers.

This is a simple form that simply helps make sure your messages get the best delivery rates possible. Preregistering traffic with the mobile carriers helps the carriers know that your messages are not spam, so they will be less likely to block your traffic.

You’ll just be asked a few questions about your business/organization and it doesn’t usually take more than a few days to get approved.

(You can still send messages in the meantime without getting approved, but there’s just a higher chance of messages getting blocked as possible spam by the mobile carriers.)

Step 2: Plan How You’ll Manage Your Contacts

SMS alert systems give you several options to add in and manage your contacts, such as:

• Integrations
• Spreadsheet imports
• Manually adding
• Opt-in methods such as text-to-join, QR codes, and web sign-up forms
• Management via an API

So you’ll need to decide which method (or combination of methods) you’ll want to use to manage your own contacts.

When it comes to organizations that use SMS for alerts (as opposed to marketing), they often use spreadsheet imports, integrations with their CRM or HR platform, or API.

Step 3: Plan What Kinds of Messages You’ll Send

When you have your contact database squared away, the next step is figure out exactly what kinds of messages you’ll be sending, and how often you’ll be sending them.

In general, we would recommend no more than 1 SMS alert per week. Obviously, there may be situations in which you send more or less, but as a rule of thumb, you don’t want people to get “SMS fatigue.”

Once you know what kinds of messages you’ll send, you can decide how far in advance you want to set the messages up, or whether you can automate the process at all using auto-replies or drip campaigns.

Get Started with an SMS Alert System Now

If you think about it, an SMS alert system is almost a no-brainer.

After all, think of how much you send and receive texts yourself.

And iif you’re interested at all in trying out an SMS alert system, there’s no risk with trying a free account now.

Go ahead and try it out!