It's all about texting. Don't agree? How often do you think you glance at your cell phone to see if any new texts have arrived?
Research from Asurion in 2019 found that survey respondents checked their phones an average of 96 times per day. This represented an increase in the behavior over the past two years and the first time that all age groups — including baby boomers — said they were more likely to text somebody than talk to them in person or over the phone.
Given how attached we all seem to be to our cell phones, it's no wonder that people are looking for more ways to send text messages to recipients and secure their attention. Sometimes you want to reach your audience in a way that's convenient for you while minimizing the functional drawbacks of Short Message Service (SMS) interactions for yourself and your organization.
While there are a few different workarounds that are well suited for sending individual text messages using a computer, such as various web-based applications or emails delivered to the recipient's phone number and a carrier-based suffix, businesses require more robust solutions.
How To Text a Phone From a Computer
There are two potential pathways we recommend for institutions looking to send text messages to a phone from a computer: Application programming interfaces (APIs) and dedicated group messaging platforms.
Application Programming Interfaces (APIs)
An SMS gateway API serves as the connection point between computer applications and cellular networks, facilitating the integration of your existing platforms with SMS delivery opportunities. For developers that intend to go this route, it's important to partner with a company that can provide substantial reach and comprehensive support.
Group Messaging
For smaller organizations that may not have the internal support or outsourcing resources to hire a professional developer who can implement integrations, there are group messaging platforms. Options like GREXT are ready right out of the box to help businesses manage text messages from a computer. This platform is intuitive, effective and scalable, so you can start using it right away and expand your use of the application over time.
Reasons To Text a Phone From a Computer
In what situations might you want to send a text message from a computer instead of reaching out over voice, email or videoconferencing?
Recently, researchers found that 87% of survey respondents in a study said they would recommend texting-based mental health interventions to a friend as an additional support alongside other methods. The authors noted that the asynchronous nature of this mode matched the current climate by allowing individuals greater access to care during times of scheduling uncertainty, like the kind we've seen during the COVID-19 pandemic.
New use cases for sending text messages to a phone from a computer become apparent every day. Some of the most popular situations for this outreach method are listed below.
Automated Security Functions And Appointment Reminders
SMS-based two-factor authentication has long been a reliable option for helping individuals maintain the security of their various online accounts. With the automated delivery of one-time passcodes through text messages, people can quickly verify their identity with an additional layer of security. In addition, many businesses provide automated appointment reminders over SMS to help customers keep track of their scheduled commitments.
Marketing Communications
Think to yourself: When was the last time you opened a piece of junk mail or answered an unsolicited phone call? On the other hand, how recently have you read a marketing communication sent over SMS? Text message marketing can be an effective way to drive engagement among prospects and customers.
Internal Coordination And Time-Sensitive Communications
Group text messaging platforms can help you ensure that internal stakeholders receive emergency notifications in a timely manner. Group messaging can also help you share time-sensitive information during situations that are not emergencies, surfacing these concerns so they're addressed quickly instead of lingering in email inboxes. Facilitating group text messages from a central application can help you manage internal collaboration by creating and refining SMS groups as needed.
Learn How Texting From a Computer Can Support Your Organizational Objectives
To realize the full potential of business-related SMS communications, you need to be able to count on a solution that allows for greater automation and oversight. That means you'll require the ability to text a phone from a computer. Whether you're looking for a reliable SMS gateway API or a robust group text messaging platform, Swift SMS Gateway can help. Reach out to our team today to find out how.
