Transactional SMS messages are a type of SMS used to send important, non-promotional information to customers or clients.
These are triggered by specific actions or events, such as:
- A customer purchase
- Account activity or updates
- Appointment booking or rescheduling
- Delivery arrivals and checkpoints
Transactional SMS messages are time-sensitive as they provide updates, confirmations, or alerts to ensure smooth communication.
Are transactional SMS messages different to promotional SMS messages?
Transactional SMS messages don’t require explicit opt-in consent (depending on local regulations) and are focused on being useful to the receiver rather than for marketing purposes.
On the other hand, promotional SMS messages do require explicit opt-in as they are used for marketing and advertising purposes.
For example, with a transactional SMS message, you may order a pizza and receive a SMS notification that your delivery is on its way. However, for a promotional SMS message, you may receive a text that promotes a 25% discount on all orders over the holidays.
What are the different types of transactional SMS messages?
Order Confirmations
These are confirmations sent after a customer places an order to confirm purchase details.
Example: “Thank you for your order #12345. Your items will be shipped soon. Visit [Link] to track your order.”
Shipping & Delivery Updates
These notify customers about their shipping status, expected delivery times or delivery completion.
Example: “Your package has been shipped and is expected to arrive by December 20th. Visit [Link] to track your order.”
Appointment Reminders
These provide reminders for scheduled appointments or bookings.
Example: “Your dentist appointment is scheduled for 5th January at 3PM. Reply 1 to confirm or 2 to reschedule.”
Account Notifications
These inform users about any important changes to their accounts. This can include password resets or profile updates.
Example: “Your account has been successfully updated. If this wasn’t you, please contact support immediately.”
Payment Confirmations
These confirm successful payments or provide invoices and receipts.
Example: “Your payment of £39 for order #12345 was receive. Thank you for shopping with us!”
Subscription Renewals
These notify customers and users of any upcoming or completed subscription renewals.
Example: “Your subscription to [Service] has been renewed. You have automatically been charged £10.99. Thank you!”
Service Notifications
These update customers on service disruptions, maintenance schedules or resumptions.
Example: Scheduled maintenance will occur on December 18th from 2AM to 6PM. During this time, the service may be unavailable.”
Feedback Requests
These ask customers for feedback after an interaction or service completion. These can include links to review platforms such as Google Reviews and Trust Pilot.
Example: “Thank you for your visit. Please rate your experience with us here: LINK.”
Alerts & Reminders
These send time-sensitive alerts, such as bill due dates, policy renewals, or security notifications.
Example: “Reminder: Your insurance policy will expire on December 31st. Renew now to avoid coverage gaps. See this link here.”
Transactional SMS messages are essential to ensuring customer satisfaction and operational efficiency in multiple industries such as retail, hospitality, healthcare and more. They reduce the need for manual follow-ups, and ensure real-time communication for critical updates.
If you are interested in using transactional SMS marketing within your business, contact us here.
