Best practices for delivering SMS-based customer support

Julie Pearl Published on July 1, 2014

male-female-executives-business-owners-smartphone-SMS-customer-service-tips
The power of SMS or short messaging system as a customer service tool has been receiving greater attention now that more and more companies realize how fast, cost-efficient, and personal service becomes when delivered through text messages. SMS has major advantages against other non-voice tools, but it needs to be executed with precise strategy in mind for it to be effective.


Here are some tips to remember before using SMS as a customer engagement channel alongside your outsourced Philippine call center services:

1. Ask permission first

male-female-customers-smartphone-SMS-customer-service-tips-customer-support

Text messaging is more personal than email and live chat because the messages you send through this channel goes straight to a personal device that your customers take with them everywhere. So phone ethics, particularly those related to telemarketing, can be applied here.

Every message your customers receive should be sent with their consent. Just because they contacted you for tech support via text doesn’t mean they also want to receive text blasts about your latest promos, unless of course, they willingly subscribed to your alerts. People also serve the right to block automated messages and those sent during inconvenient hours, so be aware and ready to respect their wishes.

2. Keep messages clear and concise

People opt to text their concerns rather than email or call because they expect an immediate response. Keep your replies as concise as possible, but make sure that the message is clear. Using text speak may give off an unprofessional vibe, and not everyone appreciates this, so choose a tone that best suits the way your customers communicate.

Your number should be clear and concise as well. Customers may have a hard time reaching you or remembering your 10-digit line, so consider getting a short code or toll-free number. This should be well-disseminated or published beside your other contact details (phone number, email address, website).

3. Give multichannel options

male-female-customers-smartphone-SMS-customer-service-tips

While it seems rude and inconvenient to redirect someone to a website when they asked for assistance via SMS, this is still something that is likely to happen, especially if the problem is too complicated to be fixed in a limited platform. What you can do instead is to give a brief text instruction and include a redirect link or number in the message should the customer want further details about the solution. Say something along the lines of:

•     “You may follow this link for complete instructions…”

•     “Please call this number if you want a walkthrough instead…”

•     “Reply with “yes” if you want one of our agents to call you…”

4. Station dedicated agents

Just like how you assign different teams to handle calls and reply to emails and chat sessions, your SMS channels should have representatives ready to reply at a moment’s notice. Customers chose SMS to get instant two-way interaction after all, so this is what you should give. Another important thing: SMS representatives must know how the tool works and how to apply customer service principles in their messages to give an excellent customer experience.

As SMS emerges as a major customer service platform, organizations eyeing this for their business communication channel must know the dos and don ts of text messaging as early as now.

OABPO-Julie Author
As one of Open Access BPO's content writers, Julie Pearl shares her BPO knowledge through her blog posts, research papers, and other resources. She writes about outsourcing news and call center management tips and insights.
Join us on facebook
Open Access BPO 13 hours ago
Today, we celebrate Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of a month of reflection, prayer, and community.

We at Open Access BPO extend our warmest wishes to everyone celebrating.
May this Eid bring you and your loved ones happiness, peace, and prosperity.
We hope you enjoy this special time with family and friends.

Eid Mubarak!

#WeSpeakYourLanguage
#OABPOholidays #EidAlFitr
#EidAlFitr2025
Open Access BPO 16 hours ago
𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 #𝗥𝗲𝗽𝘂𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲.

These statistics, pooled from various surveys among customers, show why every business needs a team to screen, evaluate, and manage all online content to ensure your brand maintains a good online reputation: https://buff.ly/MpBUNv4

----------
Outsource your #ContentModeration needs to a trusted partner: https://buff.ly/PRIUd8B

#WeSpeakYourLanguage
Open Access BPO 3 days ago
#CustomerLoyalty is a privilege businesses strive to achieve.
𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝗿𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝘁𝗼 𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱?

Take a deep look at the stages of #CustomerLoyalty and see how you can shape your customer experience strategies and get your repeat buyers to continue supporting you: https://buff.ly/mNMdlGq

——————————
Let's create memorable #CustomerExperiences and keep your customers coming back for more: https://buff.ly/0mgDGzC

#WeSpeakYourLanguage
#CustomerService #CX #CustomerSupport
Open Access BPO 5 days ago
A customer-centric support culture is built on a lucid and compelling vision.
A well-articulated 𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮 is essential for bringing this vision to life, as it:

• Communicates the intended #CustomerExperience, fostering clarity and understanding.
• Standardizes agent interactions, ensuring consistent brand representation and customer engagement.

The following questions will facilitate the creation of a resonant customer service mantra: https://buff.ly/YMTI4r2

——————————
Get a reliable outsourcing #CX partner with empowered agents who can go the extra mile to deliver exceptional service: https://buff.ly/l4YDYb5

#WeSpeakYourLanguage
#CustomerService #CustomerSupport
#outsourcing
Open Access BPO 6 days ago
Revolutionize your customer service!
Learn how #improv theater fundamentals with its 𝘺𝘦𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 principle, can transform #CallCenter interactions into genuine, solution-oriented experiences.

Read all about it and learn how to boost agent adaptability, problem-solving skills, and #CustomerSatisfaction: https://buff.ly/CEbXLoS

——————————
At Open Access BPO, we train our teams to deeply understand customer needs and provide natural, solution-oriented interactions, fostering trust and satisfaction.

Experience the difference of genuine customer connection—click and contact our CX experts at https://buff.ly/027ww7m.

#WeSpeakYourLanguage
#CustomerService #CustomerExperience
#CustomerServiceTips #CX #CSat