SMS campaigns are one of the most effective ways to reach customers in Africa, with open rates exceeding 98%. MarketSage integrates with local providers like Africa's Talking to ensure reliable delivery across all networks.
Why SMS Marketing?
| Metric | SMS | |
|---|---|---|
| Open Rate | 98% | 20-30% |
| Response Time | 90 seconds | 90 minutes |
| Click-through Rate | 19% | 2-5% |
Creating an SMS Campaign
Step 1: Choose Recipients
Select your audience from your contacts list or a specific segment. Only contacts with valid phone numbers will receive SMS.
Phone Number Format
Phone numbers should include the country code (e.g., +234 for Nigeria). MarketSage automatically formats numbers during import.
Step 2: Compose Your Message
Write your SMS message. Keep it concise and actionable:
Hi {{first_name}}! 🎉
Flash Sale: 30% off all items today only!
Shop now: {{short_link}}
Reply STOP to unsubscribeCharacter Limits
Standard SMS is 160 characters. Messages with special characters or emojis may be split into multiple parts, increasing cost.
Step 3: Personalization
Available merge tags for SMS:
{{first_name}}- Customer's first name{{last_name}}- Customer's last name{{company}}- Customer's company{{short_link}}- Trackable short URL{{order_number}}- For transactional SMS
Step 4: Set Sender ID
Your Sender ID is the name that appears as the sender (e.g., "MarketSage"). In Nigeria, Sender IDs must be registered with your provider.
Sender ID Registration
Nigerian regulations require Sender ID registration. Contact support to register your brand name before sending campaigns.
Step 5: Schedule & Send
Choose when to deliver:
- Send Now - Immediate delivery
- Schedule - Pick date and time
- Drip - Send in batches to avoid overwhelming support
SMS Best Practices
Timing
- Send during business hours (9 AM - 8 PM)
- Avoid early mornings and late nights
- Consider prayer times in Muslim-majority regions
- Tuesdays and Wednesdays typically perform best
Content
- Get to the point immediately
- Include a clear call-to-action
- Use short links for tracking
- Always include opt-out instructions
Compliance
- Only message people who have opted in
- Honor unsubscribe requests immediately
- Keep records of consent
- Identify yourself in every message
Pricing
SMS pricing varies by country and network:
| Country | Price per SMS |
|---|---|
| Nigeria | ₦4.00 |
| Ghana | ₦5.50 |
| Kenya | ₦6.00 |
| South Africa | ₦7.50 |
View full pricing on the pricing page or check your billing dashboard.